Author: John lucey

Hair & Beauty Claims – FAQ’s

Posted on July 4, 2019 by John lucey - Blog

Hair and Beauty Claims – Your Frequently Asked Questions Answered

Some people may be unaware that they can bring a claim for personal injury against a salon, hairdresser or beautician if a treatment has left them with an injury or damaged hair. Head over to our previous Hair and Beauty Claims post to read the different kind of damages and injuries you can claim for! Here we answer your frequently asked questions about bringing a hair and beauty claim.

FAQ’s

Will it cost me anything?

No, we operate all of our claims on a No win No Fee basis. This means that if your claim is unsuccessful then you should not be charged anything. The No Win No Fee arrangement will mean that there is nothing for you to pay upfront and, if your claim is successful, you will pay no more than 25% of the amount you are awarded.

How much compensation will I get?

If you are claiming for hair damage we will arrange an appointment with a hair and scalp specialist (Trichologist) on your behalf. The specialist will evaluate the severity of the damage to your hair or scalp and then determine the period of time it will take for your hair to return to its prior length or condition. We will then use the Trichologist report to calculate the amount of compensation we believe you should receive.

If you are claiming for skin damage after a procedure, we will arrange an appointment with a skin specialist to assess the damage. The specialist will then prepare a report to evaluate the severity of the damage and in some cases may recommend further treatment if necessary. We will then use this report to calculate the amount of compensation we believe you should be awarded.

Will I have to provide photographs?

We will require you to send before and after photographs of hair damage as well as photos of any injuries or scarring. We understand that some injury photos may be intimate (such as a waxing or laser hair removal injury) we have a team of highly qualified and experienced female solicitors upon request of the client to deal with both intimate and general hair and beauty claims who will handle all cases with confidentiality and professionalism to ensure our clients feel at ease and comfortable with their claim.

Is there a time limit for bringing a claim?

You have 3 years from the date of the incident to bring a claim for injury or hair damage after a hair or beauty treatment

Can I claim against a mobile hairdresser?

When bringing a claim for hair damage or personal injury the claim is against the insurance of the salon. There is no legal requirement for mobile hairdressers to have insurance, unless they have employees working for them, then by law they must have employers liability insurance. If you were to attempt to bring a claim against a mobile hairdresser who has no insurance we would send a letter of claim to the individual, it is unlikely that the individual would be able to afford to pay the client compensation so it’s always best to check your mobile hairdresser has insurance before booking an appointment!

Road Traffic Accidents FAQ’s

Posted on July 3, 2019 by John lucey - Blog

Road Traffic Accidents – your Frequently Asked Questions Answered

Being involved in a road traffic accident can be very distressing for all those involved, if the individuals in the vehicle not at fault have been injured in the accident they are entitled to make a claim for compensation for their injuries whether they are the driver or a passenger. Bringing a claim for personal injury can be intimidating, especially if the claimant has never experienced the process before.

Here are some of our frequently asked questions to reduce apprehensions about bringing a claim for personal injury after being involved in a road traffic accident.

Is there a time limit for bringing a claim?

If you’ve been involved in an accident, you have 3 years from the date of the accident to make a claim for personal injury. If a minor is involved in an accident they can also claim, however if the litigation friend chooses not to bring a claim for the minor at the time of the accident the child will still have 3 years from the date of their 18^th birthday to bring their own claim forward.

I was a passenger, can I make a claim?

Yes, if you were involved in an accident as a passenger you can make a claim for personal injury whether you were in the fault vehicle or the non-fault vehicle. If you were a passenger in a fault vehicle you will be claiming against the insurance of the driver of the vehicle you were in.

How Much Compensation will I get?

The amount of compensation awarded is dependent on the severity of the pain and suffering you have endured as a result of the accident. We will arrange a questionnaire based medical appointment with a doctor to discuss the injuries that you sustained from the accident, these appointments usually last around 10 minutes. They will then write up a report confirming the injuries you have and how long they predict the injuries will last for. The medical expert will also let us know if they recommend any further treatment for the claimant, such as physio. We will then use this report to value how much your claim is worth based on the severity, how long it is expected to last for and if further treatment is required.

Will I have to pay anything?

Will it affect my no claims?

No, if you are making a claim for personal injury after being involved in a non-fault accident it will not affect your no claims bonus.

How Long will it take?

Every claim is different due to a variety of factors such as accident circumstances and injuries. Bringing a claim for personal injury on average can take anywhere between 3 months and 6 months to be settled.

Will I have to go to court?

The percentage of cases that end up going to court is very small. Liability is usually admitted early on in the claim process, meaning there is no need to go to court. It is highly unlikely for a case to go to court, however if it does, your solicitor will advise and support you throughout the process.

Accident at Work Claims

Posted on July 2, 2019 by John lucey - Blog

Claiming for an Accident at Work – FAQ’s

Common Workplace accidents

If you’ve been injured in an accident at work, you can claim compensation for your injuries, loss of income and any related expenses incurred as a result of the incident. Accidents can occur in any line of work, from construction sites to offices. Despite employers continually trying to improve working conditions for the safety of employees, accidents do still often occur. Some of the most common accidents that we deal with include:

Slips, Trip and Falls
Falls from heights
Injuries from carrying and lifting heavy objects
Injuries obtained due to insufficient training
Struck by moving vehicles
Injuries from lack of safety equipment or faulty equipment

There are naturally concerns about making a claim for an accident in the workplace, especially if the claimant is still employed where they had the accident. This can often make people hesitant about making a claim. Here are some of our frequently asked questions to reduce apprehensions about making a claim for personal injury after an accident at work.

FAQ’s

If I make a claim, could I lose my job?

If you have suffered an injury due to an accident at work, by law you cannot be dismissed for bringing a personal injury claim against your employer. Employers have a duty of care to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all employees in the workplace. It is essential they provide full training on how to carry out work without risk of injury as well as carrying out risk assessments regularly to ensure procedures and equipment are safe and carry minimal risk of injury.

Will my employer find out?

If you’ve had an accident at work and been injured it should be recorded in the Accident Report Book immediately therefore your employer will already know that the accident has occurred before the claim is brought forward. It is important the accident is recorded so it can be referred back to by the solicitor and employer. The employer can also use the Accident book to identify the cause of the accident and work towards preventing it happening again in the future to other employees. It is not your duty to inform the employer that you are bringing a claim for personal injury, they will be notified by your solicitor via their insurance company.

My accident was the fault of another employee, will they have to pay me?

If your injury is the result of a negligent employee, although it would appear they are at fault for the accident, they would not be required to pay any compensation to you. Employers are responsible for the actions of employees in the work place and this is covered by their Employers Liability Insurance.

The company is no longer in business, can I still claim?

Yes, as long as the employer was insured at the time that the accident happened then you can still claim on that insurance policy. The process may be a little more complicated and take longer to complete, however it is still very much worth pursuing a claim for personal injury against the employer.

Here at Gowing Law we have a dedicated Employers Liability Team who are highly experienced in dealing with a vast range of accidents at work. If you have had an accident in the course of your employment in the last 3 years call us today on 0161 464 4444 for further queries and advice on making a claim for an accident at work.

Hair & Beauty Claims

Posted on July 1, 2019 by John lucey - Blog

Hair and Beauty Claims – What you could claim for

Despite hairdressers and beauticians being qualified to do their job, some are inexperienced or unskilled in their technique and this is when accidents can occur. Here at Gowing Law we are able to handle hair and beauty claims and can quickly assess whether you have a valid claim for personal injury.

Some treatments are more likely to cause injuries than others, here are the most common types of injuries in the hair and beauty industry that you can claim for:

Burns, Allergic reactions and Bleach damage

Hair damage caused by the application of bleach is unfortunately a common occurrence for women, bleach damage can cause the hair to become dry and snap off or cause a chewing gum like consistency and the hair must then be cut off and as a result, clients often lose a substantial amount of hair length. In severe cases women can be left with bald patches if the solution has been mixed incorrectly or left on for too long. If bleach is applied directly to the scalp it can cause burns and painful blisters, often needing medical attention to treat. Allergic reactions to products can also result in hair loss, painful swelling and blisters so it is essential that a patch test is carried out 48 hours prior to the clients’ appointment.

Waxing Injuries

It is important that waxing procedures are carried out with extreme care as it can cause serious injuries to the client if it is performed incorrectly. A waxing related injury can occur if the wax is applied too hot or too cool or the waxing strips are removed incorrectly such as the skin not being held correctly prior to the removal of the wax strips. Just like with hair dye it is essential that a patch test is carried out 48 hours before the procedure to ensure the client isn’t allergic to the wax being used. Eyebrow, facial, body and bikini waxes can all result in injury such as burns or tears and lacerations to the skin, in some severe cases these injuries may even require hospital treatment.

Eye Treatments

Treatments carried out around the eyes requires exceptional care as eye injuries can be very serious and in some cases could lead to loss of eyesight. Eyelash and eyebrow tinting are popular treatments, it is essential that a patch test is carried out before these treatments 48 hours beforehand. When carrying out eyelash tinting it must also be ensured that the client isn’t allergic to any of the chemicals in the tinting solution, such as para-phenylenediamine (PPD) which is a known contact allergen. As well as tinting treatments, eyelash extensions are also extremely popular, it is essential that a patch test for the glue is carried out and that the beautician is fully trained and experienced because if the glue comes into contact with the eyes the injuries sustained can be extremely serious.

IPL & Laser Treatments

As well as being an effective method of hair removal, IPL and laser treatment can also be used to eliminate stretch marks, thread veins and scarring. It is essential that the client has a small skin patch test before undergoing the full treatment to ensure that the machine settings are suitable for the clients’ skin. If the machine settings are too high for the skin type it can cause burns and blisters to the applied area which can then lead to scarring in some cases.

We have a team of highly qualified and experienced female solicitors upon request of the client to deal with both intimate and general hair and beauty claims who will handle all cases with confidentiality and professionalism to ensure our clients feel at ease and comfortable with their claim.

The Dangers of Crash for Cash Scammers

Posted on June 28, 2019 by John lucey - Blog

What to do if you have been targeted by a crash for cash fraudster

What is a crash for cash scam?

Crash for Cash scams are a form of premeditated fraud when an individual or group of people deliberately cause, fabricate or stage an accident with the intention of putting forward a claim for personal injury and receiving payment under the policy that they would not be otherwise entitled to.

Crash for cash scammers usually take the time out to choose their victims carefully. They look for vulnerable drivers and drivers who don’t look like they would cause too much fuss, such as young women driving alone or mothers with children in the car.

Types of Crash for Cash scams?

The three most common types of crash for cash scams are; a staged accident, an induced accident and a fabricated accident.

Staged Accident – Fraudsters can stage an accident by crashing their own vehicles together or use something to mimic the damage of a crash such as a sledgehammer to dent or smash parts of their car.
Induced Accident – The fraudster will target an innocent motorist as their victim to become the “fault driver” and deliberately cause them to crash into them such as by slamming on the breaks so the victim hits them in the rear or flashing a car to let them out of a side road and then proceeding to crash into them, making the victim to appear at fault.
Fabricated Accident – These are also known as “ghost accidents” where the fraudster will attempt to claim for compensation for an accident that didn’t ever occur.

Things to look out for

Be vigilant and look out for erratic or unpredictable drivers, does the car in front keep unnecessarily speeding up, slowing down or suddenly braking. Remember to leave plenty of room between your car and the car in front so that you have ample breaking distance as some fraudsters go as far as disabling their break lights.
If the driver of the car in front is paying particular attention to your car travelling behind them such as constantly checking mirrors to see if you are paying attention, they may be planning to slam on their brakes and cause an accident.
Remember that just because another driver flashes you to pull out, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is safe to go, be sure to use your own judgement and always proceed with caution.

What to do if you have been a victim of a crash for cash scam

Gather all necessary information; driver and passenger names, insurance details and registration of the vehicle. Also take photos of the accident scene if it is safe to do so.
Do not admit liability at the scene of the accident and suggest calling the police to the scene as this may cause the fraudster to back off.
When you report the accident to your insurer, be sure to report your suspicions of the legitimacy of the other driver.
See if there are any witnesses at the scene, however take care with this as fraudsters could be in on placing witnesses at the scene.
Finally, you can report the accident to the Insurance Fraud Bureau via their website or by calling on 0800 422 0421

Consequences of making a Fraudulent Claim for Personal Injury

Posted on June 27, 2019 by John lucey - Blog

What are the consequences of making a fraudulent claim for personal injury?

A fraudulent claim is recognised as when the person making a claim intentionally leaves out, mispresents, alters or hides vital information relating to the claim. This is with the intention of receiving payment under the policy that they would not be otherwise entitled to.

There are 2 types of fraudulent personal injury claims

Insurance fraud can be recognised as two different categories, Soft Fraud and Hard Fraud. Soft fraud or “opportunity fraud” is the most common type of fraud committed, an example of this is when the individual claiming “fakes” or exaggerates their injuries sustained from the accident they were involved in. Hard fraud or “premeditated fraud” is when the individual claiming has deliberately been involved in an incident, an example of this is “crash for cash” claims where the claimant has intentionally caused another party to collide with their vehicle.

Consequences of making a fraudulent claim based on the type

Soft Fraud

Soft fraud usually stems from a sincere claim, where the claimant has been involved in a genuine non-fault accident and is feeling some discomfort or minor injury, however they may exaggerate the amount of pain or discomfort they are in as a bid to be awarded a higher amount of compensation. If it is believed that the claimant is attempting to make a soft fraudulent claim the solicitors or insurance company can review the case and involve the police as well as share the claimants’ details with other insurance companies or solicitors firms to alert them that they may contact their business to commit fraud in the future. They may also pass the claimants details onto fraud prevention database, Cifas, once on this database it can be extremely difficult for the individual to get insurance or have access to other financial services.

Hard Fraud

Hard fraud is when the claimant has planned on making a claim for personal injury and therefore has prearranged an “accident” to occur. Staged accidents are a huge part of organised crime and are often referred to as “Crash for Cash” claims. There is a harsher punishment for these kind of claims as there are innocent people at risk of genuine injuries. If an individual is found to have committed hard fraud when making a personal injury claim they can be sentenced to up to 3 years in prison.

Courts have begun to take a much tougher approach on insurance fraud as an attempt to discourage the behaviour, as stated in the featured article below, “Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime, it affects all motorists through higher premiums and staged accidents can put other road users at risk of serious injury or even death.”

Read the full article in the Insurance Times here: http://ow.ly/7C3u50uNk4p

Look out for our next blog post to read more about Crash for Cash claims and what to do if you think you have been a victim of one of these scams!

How Social Media is used to investigate Fraudulent Claims

Posted on June 26, 2019 by John lucey - Blog

Social Media and Accident Claims

Social Media has become a central point of modern day life. There are various platforms where people can share experiences, opinions, photos and anything else they want people to see! However due to people attempting to make false claims for personal injury, defence solicitors are now often turning to social media to ensure the claiming individual is truly suffering or has suffered from an injury. A fraudulent claim is recognised as when the person making the claim intentionally leaves out, mispresents, alters or hides vital information relating to the claim. This is done with the intention of receiving payment under the policy that they would not be otherwise entitled to.

If you are making a claim for personal injury, it is most likely because you have been injured in a non-fault accident and you would like to be compensated for the pain and suffering you have had or are still enduring. If you are a devoted social media poster it may come as second nature for you to post about your accident or injury online to let your followers and friends know how you are doing after the incident. Defence solicitors will now often check the following areas to make sure your claim for personal injury is genuine, as there are serious consequences that come with making false claims.

Inconsistent Check-ins

If you are claiming for a serious injury, such as a broken leg or arm, but then found to be checking in as playing football with your friends, the defence solicitors will use this post against you to invalidate the claim as it would appear you are participating in an activity that isn’t consistent with the injury you have claimed to be suffering from. This however is an extreme example. One of the more common incidents in this area is accident locations.

People when filling in claim forms or speaking to insurers will often give the location of the accident as to the best of their knowledge being true. However it has been seen that when an accident occurs people take pictures of the accident and upload to their social media platform where in the geo location tag has stated that they are somewhere else or the image shows the name of the road being different to the location stated in the claim form. If this is seen to be inconsistent with the initial claim, third party insurers or solicitors have been seen to invalidate claims on this basis.

Comments on your posts

Comments on your social media posts may contribute towards defence solicitors arguing your claim is fraudulent if someone comments something that contradicts your injury details, such as commenting about your quick recovery or participation in something you have claimed not to be able to do.

Photo Uploads

Being tagged in photos uploaded to the platform by other people can paint a very different picture to the injury claim being presented. While still injured, photo evidence can in the moment display a different point of view to that which is actual reality. Photos that you post on social media are also checked to see what you are physically capable of. As an example something as simple as posting a photo of your dogs enjoying an afternoon walk in the hills, a solicitor would place you as being able to climb a hill to take the photo which can be used to invalidate any claim being made.

The consequences for making a fraudulent claim can vary anywhere from a fine to prison time. Look out for our next blog upload to read more about the consequences of making a fraudulent claim!

Win The Executive Match Sponsor experience for Wigan Athletic vs Brentford on Saturday 30th March

Posted on March 19, 2019 by John lucey - Blog

As part of our ongoing partnership with Wigan Athletic, Gowing Law are delighted to offer a group of 4 Wigan Athletic fans the opportunity to experience the Executive Match Sponsorship package for their up coming home fixture vs Brentford.

As match sponsor for the day, you will benefit from:

Exclusive Champagne Reception in the Players’ Lounge reception
Group pitchside photograph
Four-course fine dining experience in the Heineken Lounge
Inclusive bar, offering draught beers, house wine and soft drinks – available up until the second half commences
Dedicated waiting staff to ensure you and your guests are fully catered for throughout the day
Centrally located luxery padded seats in the West Stand
Post-match player appearance, presenting match sponsor with signed and framed Wigan Athletic shirt
Glass fronted lounge offering views over the DW pitch
Match day programme and team sheet
Car parking (1 per 4 guests)

To enter, simply text code “LATICS YES” if you’ve been injured in a non-fault accident in the last 3 years or “LATICS NO” if you have not been involved in an accident to 60066 by 5pm Wednesday 27th March. All texts will be entered into the draw. T’s & C’s Apply*

*Terms and Conditions

– Cost of text is free of charge.

– All entrants may be contacted by Gowing Law to ask if they suffered a non-fault personal injury in the past 3 years.

– If you do not wish to be contacted please state ‘No Contact’, after your LATICS text to 60066

– Please see privacy terms and conditions on www.Gowinglaw.co.uk

– Draw will be made by close of business on Wednesday 27^th March 2019. Winners will be notified thereafter.

Pedestrian Road Traffic Accidents

Posted on March 6, 2019 by John lucey - Blog

A woman has been hospitalised with critical injuries after being hit by a car in Manchester. This is an example of Pedestrian Road Traffic Accidents.

The lady was struck whilst innocently walking along the pathway.

Police say the woman suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital where she remains in a critical condition.

Witnesses said this was a terrible accident and that they lady who had been struck was lucky to be alive.

The lady spent 11 weeks in hospital and a further 4 months at home recovering, attending various appointments in a bid to be able to return to work. Due to the seriousness of the injuries, she has been unable to return to work meaning no income to support her family.

Have you been involved in an accident like this? Have you been unable to return to work?

At Gowing Law Solicitors our goal is to handle your case quickly and efficiently, so you can get the funds you need to rebuild your life. Fill out the contact form and we’ll contact you shortly to set up a consultation. You can also call us at 0161 808 8888 to talk to one of the Team today about Pedestrian Road Traffic Accidents.

Top 5 Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

Posted on March 4, 2019 by John lucey - Blog

Breast Implants

The most popular procedure of all includes enlargements, uplifts and implant replacement.

Liposuction

Surgery to remove excess fat from parts of the body.

Facelift

Face and Neck lifts remove wrinkles and create a more youthful appearance.

Eye Bag Removal

The removal of bags from around the eyes.

Breast Reduction

Making breasts smaller, one in twenty of all breast operations is now a reduction.

Have you ever had any of these cosmetic surgery treatments? Did these treatments go to plan? Have you been left in pain or with disfigurement?

At Gowing Law our goal is to handle your case quickly and efficiently, so you can get the funds you need to rebuild your life. Fill out the contact form and we’ll contact you shortly to set up a consultation. You can also call us at 0161 808 8888 to talk to one of the Team today. We can offer you our services on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will always come out on top and will never need to pay any hidden fees. We will always be upfront about our costs.

Should you want to learn more about medical negligence claims for cosmetic surgery, you should visit our blog. It contains information about legal matters, seasonal events and our latest updates. If you want us to cover one of your questions in our blog, feel free to send in your questions to info@gowinglaw.co.uk. We will let you know when we are going to write about it.

We look forward to seeing you in our next blog!

Call us 24/7 on
0161 464 4444