Tag: injuries

Health & Safety in Retail: Avoiding Accidents

Posted on June 16, 2020 by Hannah Fletcher - Accidents in Public, Blog, Covid-19, Employment, Work Place Accidents

Health and safety in retail is a big issue right now. As of June 15th 2020, the UK government has now allowed for non-essential stores to re-open. Non-essential stores, including clothing and book shops, have been closed for over three months. This was to help lower the rate of infection of Covid-19. However, you may be feeling a little nervous about going out and about so soon. The corona virus is still a major health & safety risk with a lot of businesses having either moved online or to remote work to remain open. That’s why at this moment you may be thinking that it is just safer to shop online.

Boris Johnson has stated that we should ”shop with confidence”, but do you know precisely what you would do if you had an accident in a public place? If you work in retail, you may have no choice but to return to your store. That’s why, whether you are a customer or a consumer, it is essential that you know precisely what rules and regulations are in place to keep you safe. That way you can avoid accidents.

Read on to learn more about how you can protect yourself and the others around you from accidents in a retail store, and what you should do if you do suffer from an accident.

What is happening in the UK?

As you can see from the BBC’s latest update video, the UK has undergone a number of changes in the last 24 hours. Whilst this may not immediately get things back to the way they were, it can help workers in the retail industry have their livelihoods restored to them. Although essential stores have remained open, like food stores, pharmacies and banks, most non-essential stores have been shut since March.

Now, what’s important to take from this is that not only will stricter shopping measures be in place, but you will have a choice about whether or not you should return to your work environment. If you have proven that you can do your job from home without any problems, then it will be quite hard for an employer to outright say that you should go back to the office. However, if you can only do your work by being in a certain building, you will have to go in to do your work. Should you tell your employer that you are not going in because of fears of Covid-19, you will not be entitled to sick pay.

According to David D’Souza, from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, he has listened to the complaints of people being forced to go back to work by their employer and believes that it is:

”Of huge concerns in terms of people’s physical and mental well being…Any return to work should only be done if these criteria are met: It’s necessary, it’s safe and it’s mutually agreed.”

It is up to you to decide how you feel about returning to work. If you are worried about catching Covid-19, you will need to discuss this with your employer. That way you can get an outcome that would suit your situation.

Safety in a retail: Covid-19 Edition

For both employees and consumers, new safety measures have been put in place in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19. So, if you are going out today, it’s important that you adhere to the following rules:

These rules have been put in place in order to help the public get used to shopping outside again. However, there is controversy about this move. The World Health Organization has warned against further lock down easing in England. According to Hans Kluge, the WHO’s European director, the UK is still in a “very active phase of the pandemic”. This means that there is still a chance that Covid-19 could be spread around through public contact.

If you do choose to go out to shop, make sure you do it with caution. There have been hundreds of people queuing already to visit large retailers like Primark, therefore take social distancing regulations seriously and try not to approach people within 2 m. You may also want to wear face-protection and have your own personal supply of hand gel.

Public Accidents in a Retail Store: Health and Safety

Despite all of the health and safety regulations that have been put into place, there is still a chance that both consumers and workers could be involved in an accident in the store. Yes, employers need to make sure that social distancing measures are put in place, but with all of this focus on Covid-19 safety regulations, it is more likely that smaller problems may be overlooked. There is still potential for one of the following accidents to take place in a store or retailer:

Slips and falls from unmarked puddles.
Trips over hazards/objects on the floor.
Poorly built shelves falling over.
Mannequins and display items falling down.
Bad Lighting.
Bad carpeting.
Violent customers

All of these accidents can help due to employer negligence. Each business has a duty of care towards their customers and employees to keep them safe. Therefore, to have an unsafe work environment, and to not keep it clean and tidy, is to breach that duty. You deserve to feel safe when you are shopping, therefore if you have had an accident in a public place, you could claim compensation for the fall. This is due to the fact that the retailer themselves has been negligent.

Who was to blame for the accident?

All retailers have to keep their employees and customers safe when they are on their premises. This is normally through risk assessments. This includes keeping the place clean and tidy and ensuring any spills or hazards are fixed before customers can fall victim to them. Employees must also ensure that all staff are trained to carry out their work safely. If these duties are not fulfilled then they could be liable for a compensation claim, especially if they do not enforce social distancing regulations.

Customers: What to do if you have suffered an accident in a public space?

It can be nerve-wracking building up the courage to go back out in public to go shopping. That’s why you don’t deserve to be hurt when you finally enter a store. If you do unfortunately get injured, you need to report it to a member of staff. This injury can then be written down in the store’s accident book. You should be given a copy of the injury statement.

If you do not have to go to hospital due to your injury, remember that you will need to collect as much evidence as possible. This could include:

Photographs
Videos
CCTV Evidence
Witness Statement
Diary Entry (made on the same day)
Police reports
Medical Statements

If you want to make a personal injury claim, you will need to make it within three years of the accident occurring. Make sure to seek help from a solicitor as these types of injury claims can get extremely complicated if you are looking for compensation on your own. A solicitor can explain how much compensation you could be owed, what pitfalls you need to avoid and how long it may take to get an outcome from your claim. Be patient with your solicitor and make sure to keep in contact with them about your claim.

Employees: Health & Safety in retail stores

Customers are not the only people who get injured in a store. As an employee, your employer owes you a duty of care, especially in regards to health & safety in retail environments. That means you should have received official training to help you cope with the latest social distancing laws and safety in general in the work space.

So, you have a responsibility towards customers to keep them safe. But you may be wondering, what should you do if you get hurt? An accident at work could put your livelihood at risk, as you may not be able to keep working and claim your wage. You can experience the same accidents as a normal customer, worse still you may be more at risk of Covid-19 if your store has not put in health and safety regulations to ensure the safety of their employees.

In order to keep safe in the work environment, remember to:

Your employee must be trying to implement social regulating laws, perhaps even communicating through walkie-talkies or phones instead or face-to-face contact. If there is no evidence of a risk assessment, you could be owed compensation for your work-place accident.

How much could I earn from an accident at work compensation claim?

Now, this depends on the type of accident you have had and how severe it is. If your retailer employer has not carried out sufficient health assessments or thought of the risks of returning employees to work, you could be owed thousands if you recently had a work accident, aka. a breach of health and safety in retail.

To use an example, perhaps you work in a clothes shop. They implemented a one-way system to help customers get around the store. However, you did not think of aggressive and messy customers. So you slipped on the clothing and fell over. If you broke your leg this may mean a higher pay out than if you pulled a muscle.

Talk to your trained solicitor about your injuries and how much you could be owed. The amount you receive will depend on your losses and injuries. Therefore, they will be able to give you a good estimate.

How to handle a breach of health & safety or a work accident?

The same way a customer must alert staff to an injury in a store, you must alert your employer or manager about your injury. They will record your injury the accident book. Make sure to ask for a copy! You must also find evidence of your accident that can prove that it was your employer that was liable for your accident. This could be through their lack of a risk assessment, a dangerous environment or perhaps a lack of training. Either way, keep calm and simply follow procedure to ensure that you can collect your evidence and alert your employer to your accident.

Gowing Law Solicitors can help you with your work accident claim!

The transition from complete lockdown to social-distanced work can be quite scary. You want to support your family, however what happens if bring something home nastier than intended. If you have been injured at work, or health & safety guidelines have been breached, Gowing Law Solicitors can help you get the compensation that you deserve.

We can work with you remotely and can offer you free advice or consultations to talk about your accidents. Our trained work accident specialists can then get to work on your case. If you are happy working with us, we work on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means that even if we do not get a positive outcome, you will still come out on top. Let our trained specialists help you get the best amount of compensation to allow you to recover from your injuries.

Contact us now by calling 0800 041 8350 or emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk. You can also directly message us through our contact page.

Want to learn more?

Do you want to know more about Covid-19 and UK legislation? Our blog is has the latest legal stories and information. That way you will always know what to do if you are faced with a legal battle. That includes information about work safety and your worker’s rights.

If you have a blog topic that you want us to discuss, let us know by contacting info@gowinglaw.co.uk. We would be happy to write about it!

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Clinical Negligence – Misdiagnosis Claims

Posted on August 12, 2019 by John lucey - Blog

Clinical Negligence can be extremely serious when it comes to the quality of life of any patient. For small wounds it may not have serious consequences, however a surgery or medical misdiagnosis can have a life changing effect. If this has happened to you then you may be considering how you can claim compensation for your misdiagnosis. These type of claims can get extremely complicated, especially as you may be trying to recover from your surgery. That’s why you need an experienced lawyer on your side to help you get the compensation that you deserve. With the right legal assistance, you can avoid any pitfalls and recover knowing that your case is in safe hands.

However, you may be feeling a little concerned that you do not know enough about clinical negligence to make a claim. So, before you dive into conversations with your solicitor about how you have been affected by clinical negligence, this blog will tell you exactly what you need to know about making a claim. Don’t forget to look at our medical misdiagnosis claims page for more information:

The Three Types of Clinical Misdiagnosis

If you are making a claim for clinical negligence, and it is relation to a misdiagnosis, there are three categories that it can come under; missed misdiagnosis, wrongful misdiagnosis and delayed misdiagnosis. Each of these claims can prove your medical practitioner was liable for misdiagnosing your illness or even making it worse. Here is what each of these different forms of negligence mean:

If you have become a victim to any of these forms of clinical negligence, it is likely that you have suffered quite a lot of damage to your body, health and overall quality of life. The longer it takes to diagnose your illness, the more likely that you will experience:

Worse symptoms
Problems due to the lack of appropriate medication
Side effects of inappropriate medication
Bodily discomfort and fragility
Limited resources for better treatment
A loss of money in buying pain medication
Embarrassment or self-consciousness

This is why it is crucial that you note down all of your symptoms and potential losses. These will eventually add up to the amount you should receive for your compensation claim.

How is my medical practitioner liable for clinical negligence?

One of the most important things that you need to know is that every misdiagnosis claim is different. Some may be more complicated than others as it depends on how much has already been misdiagnosed and how bad the after-effects of your diagnosis were.

Liability depends on who was actually “at fault” for the misdiagnosis. Usually, this responsibility will land on the practitioner. For instance, if you were misdiagnosed with migraines when in reality you had a rare form of cancer, it would be the doctor’s responsibility to make sure you get the appropriate treatment. However, if you are getting cosmetic surgery and:

You signed a contract saying you are aware of the risks
You have all of the risks, surgery, treatments and symptoms explained to you
The misdiagnosis was made due to a legitimate mistake

It is likely that your doctor/ private or public health service will not be sued for compensation. This is because you were told everything that could potentially go wrong. You accepted the risks, therefore you understood what you were getting yourself involved in. However, if there was a genuine mistake involved in your diagnosis or surgery, it is likely that you will receive less compensation. The complication could not have been avoided, therefore you will only require compensation to assist in your recovery, rather than be focused on your losses.

How can I prove a medical misdiagnosis claim?

If you are a victim of clinical negligence, it is likely that you are looking for evidence that can prove your claim. These sort of claims are not as simple as work accident claims or RTA claims. You cannot just take photographic evidence of your practitioner making a mistake during your surgery or handing you the wrong medication. Instead, you need to focus on the previous communication you have had with your practitioner, as well as what sort of effect has happened to your body and health. If it has had a negative effect, it is likely that something has gone wrong during your treatment.

Now, a treatment may have gone wrong because of:

An incorrect diagnosis from test results.
A lack of experienced supervision.
The negligence of the doctor.
A lack of investigation of symptoms.
The lack of expertise from the doctor.

However, there is a chance that things may have gone wrong just because you were unlucky. If you are going to prove that your doctor was to blame, then you will have to prove the following:

You can prove each of these three categories through your conversations you have had with your GP (aka. the lack of advice or instruction) and how your symptoms/injuries have got worse with medical treatment. Write down all of your potential losses. This will help you in the future when you figure out what exactly you want to claim for.

What sort of compensation can I claim for clinical negligence?

If you are going to claim compensation for a medical misdiagnosis claim, it’s important that you consider what sort of special damages you could collect, as well as general damages. General damages normally include the pain and injuries you have suffered due to your treatment. They are the most common things you can claim for. However, special damages tend to be costs that happened as a consequence of your injuries. For instance, you may have lost out on your wage because you had to go to hospital to be re-examined.

Other damages you could claim for may include:

Your travel costs
The cost of your treatment
Additional medication and rehabilitation expenses
Income losses
Disabilities and pain caused by your treatment
The reduction of life expectancy

Each of these claims can add to the total amount you receive in compensation. Make sure to write down your losses and the evidence to prove that you do deserve a pay-out for these claims. The more evidence you have, the more likely that you will have a higher-pay out. Just remember, every claims case is different as it depends on your injuries, how much you have suffered and what you are currently suffering. Your claim can also incorporate any potential losses of income during your recovery time. This sort of claim could actually go up to £500,000 if you have suffered from a very bad injury. Discuss your potential pay-out with your solicitor to ensure you have a rough estimate about how much you could actually receive.

Clinical Negligence Actions: Important Facts

Whether you choose to go to Citizen’s Advice about your claim or you enlist the help of a trained solicitor, it’s important to realize that these sort of claims can be extremely time consuming and expensive. You may have found your experience traumatic, however you cannot use a compensation claim to:

Stop certain procedures in a hospital or at a medical practitioners
Discipline your doctor or practitioner
Get an apology for your injury

Clinical negligence cases are not based on emotion. You may feel hurt or upset about what has happened, however a legal case is solely about getting you the compensation that you need to recover. It is not about “he said-she said.” Keep this in mind for when your case goes to court.

How long do I have to make a clinical negligence claim?

Like most injury cases in the UK courts, there is a time limit for how long you can wait to make your claim. Usually, we would recommend waiting for at least 2 weeks before you meet with your solicitor. That way you can judge your injuries and know precisely what you want to claim for. You will have 3 years to make a claim, starting from the day you were injured. Make sure to give you and your solicitor enough time to go through your case and pick an appropriate court date.

Keep in mind that the longer you leave your claim, the longer it will take to actually claim your compensation. Due to Covid-19, there has been a backlog in the UK court system. That means that it is more likely that you will have to wait a few months to hear back about when you could go to court. This is why it is essential that you claim for your pay-out as quickly as possible.

How do I make a clinical negligence claim?

One of the first things you need to do is organize your evidence for your claim. If you are going for a higher pay-out, you will need more evidence to back up your compensation claims. Consider your losses carefully and write detailed notes about what could constitute as evidence. This could include communication with your practitioner or witness statements made by those who have seen your daily life, and how it has become harder thanks to your injuries.

You will then want to find a trained solicitor to help you go through the details of your case. Clinical negligence cases can be very complicated and can even be handled through a settlement before they go to court. That means you need to make sure that every detail of your case is checked over with a fine tooth comb. Your lawyer can do this and even represent you if your injuries make it too difficult for you to show up in court.

Gowing Law Solicitors can help you with your misdiagnosis claim

Gowing Law Solicitors are professional lawyers that are here to help you with your claim! We help people like you all over the UK get the money they deserve to help them recover from their injuries. We understand that this can be a scary time for you, especially during Covid-19. However, a pay-out from this type of compensation claim can really help you feel more secure as you get better. Let Gowing Law’s solicitors get on with the hard work of your claim whilst you relax.

We can offer you free advice on your claim. This can all be done remotely to help protect you from Covid-19 if you are feeling nervous about the pandemic. If you do decide to work with us, our services can be offered on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will not have to pay any fees if we do not win your case. So, what is the real risk of giving it a go? You have nothing to lose!

Contact Gowing Law Solicitors now by calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our chat feature located on our contact page. From there, one of our team members will get in contact with you as quickly as possible to discuss your claim. Feel free to share with them any questions you may have.

Want to read more?

Do you want to learn more about medical misdiagnosis claims and clinical negligence? You can do so from our blog! We keep it updated with the latest articles and information. We recommend starting with these blogs:

We also talk about many other legal topics, including public accidents, accidents at work, RTA accidents and financial mis-selling. If you have a topic that you would like us to cover, please let our friendly team know! We would be happy to write about it. Send in your suggestions to info@goinglaw.co.uk. You can also let us know whether or not you want to be signed up to our weekly newsletter.

We look forward to seeing you in our next blog!

Botched Cosmetic Surgery

Posted on August 6, 2019 by John lucey - Blog, Uncategorised

Botched cosmetic surgery can leave patients feeling depressed about their appearances and worried about the future. They decided on surgery because they wanted to improve their appearances or perhaps get rid of scar tissue. To know that their surgeons have actually damaged their bodies, or perhaps have caused some sort of worsening injury can truly make a victim of botched surgery feel like they have nowhere to turn. No one deserves to lose confidence because of botched surgery. This is where Gowing Law Solicitors can step in to help you.

You will be happy to hear that we are specialists in medical negligence claims, especially when it comes to getting compensation. We understand that it can be difficult to get compensation if you are recovering from your injuries. That’s why we would be happy to represent you in court and help you understand exactly what you are owed. Visit our medical negligence page for more information!

What is cosmetic surgery?

It is always good to start with the basics of a negligence claim. That way, we can build up your understanding of why you may be owed compensation for your claim. Cosmetic surgery is where a certain part of the body is enhanced or changed to fit someone’s expectations of themselves. Usually, these procedures can be quite expensive, but this does depend on the type of procedure you have. Some treatments may only be small, for instance it could be for covering over a scar or injecting dermal fillers. However, in other cases the surgeries may be more extensive. Take a look at some examples below:

As you can see there are many different types of surgeries that you can undergo to change, improve or alter your body. However, each of these surgeries do come with their risks. You have to remember that the success of these surgeries does depend on your body. Each body is individual and may reject the procedures put in place. For instance, if you had breast reduction surgery, there is a chance that any staples or stitching may become undone and create wounds as the breast re-expands.

That’s why if you are the victim of a botched cosmetic surgery, you need to understand whether it has come from the fault of a surgeon or if it is just due to an unlucky mistake or reaction from your body. This will affect how much compensation you get, if any at all.

What can happen if I am the victim of botched cosmetic surgery?

No one wants their surgery to go wrong. When you undergo treatment, there is a chance a mistake could happen. This could result in scars, wounds or even infection if the surgery incisions are sterilized or the tissue is rejected by the rest of the body. If this does happen then it may even require additional surgery to be corrected. You don’t deserve to go through any additional pain, especially if you have spent a lot of money on the surgery.

If you do have physical damages, you may need to get them assessed by a medical professional. They can put you on a course of antibiotics. There may even be a chance that you could get corrective surgery re-scheduled by the NHS if you speak to your doctor about it. However, throughout these observations, make sure to get a copy of your medical records. These can show the extent of your injuries and can prove the losses you have suffered. If you can prove that your medical practitioner was at fault for your botched cosmetic surgery, these will be extremely valuable to prove your damages. This is the same for any type of beauty treatment compensation

Botched Cosmetic Surgery: Proving you are not at fault

Now, if you have been hurt by botched cosmetic surgery, the first thing you need to do is prove that you were not at fault for the accident. In other words, you need to show that your surgeon breached their “duty of care” towards you.

Before you went in for your surgery, your surgeon must have explained the risks of the procedure and what was to be expected from the surgery itself. They may have also given you a booklet of information to read or asked you to sign a waiver. This waiver was to show that you acknowledged the risks of your surgery, so if anything did go wrong then it could be treated quickly and efficiently. However, if this was never done for you then it is a clear sign that the practitioner has been negligent. This is where you can proceed to ask for compensation for your damages and losses.

Examples of medical negligence

Medical negligence can come in many forms. It does not have to be just through physical injuries or botching up a surgery. As sponsors of Botched! and experts in cosmetic damages, we know that there are many other ways a cosmetic surgery may have let down their patients. This may have included:

Operating on the wrong patient
Leaving surgical equipment in the patient’s body
Using the wrong type/amount of anaesthesia
Damaging nerves, muscles or tissue during the surgery
Infections around the area of surgery
Surgery on the wrong area of the body/organ
Fatality of the patient/Death

Negligent Hospital Environments

Another thing that you have to remember is that there are more ways that you could experience an accident than during the surgery. Your procedure may have gone fine. However, as you tried to recover in hospital, there may have been some complications that interfered with your treatment. For instance, you may have been given the wrong medication after surgery that could have led to an overdose. Other examples may include:

Broken medical equipment or products used to help you recover from surgery
Unhelpful aftercare which may have resulted in blood clots, infection or bed sores
Problems with breathing apparatus, feeding tubes or chest tubes

You must consider the entirety of your treatment before, during and after the surgery. That way you can provide evidence about your losses and how your body was damaged by your surgeon.

Proving liability in botched cosmetic surgery

Now that you have understood the type of injuries you have had due to your surgeon’s negligence, you need to figure out how you can have a successful cosmetic negligence claim. When you work with a solicitor, they will process the validity of your claim through the following categories:

1. Negligence Proof

You will need to show how the NHS or your private surgeon was negligent or that the level of care you experienced fell below your expectations. It also seemed less than what was to be expected from a medical professional. In order to back this up, you will need someone in a medical field to back up your claim. This can be the doctor who assessed your injuries or tried to fix them.

2. Consequences

Your injuries and losses came directly from this negligent treatment. In other words, you only got hurt because of the surgery you experienced. For instance, you may have had a breast enlargement scheduled but the doctor gave a breast reduction. This shows that the surgeon misunderstood your surgery and botched the treatment.

3. Damages & Losses

The extent of your losses go outside of just your injuries. You need to consider what other types of losses you experienced due to your surgery. For instance, if you were too ill to go to work after the treatment, you may have lost out on wages. This means that you have suffered a financial loss.

Evidence & Compensation

You have analysed the type of losses you have made that could make up compensation. However, to prove that these losses did affect you, you need to prove that they actually happened in the first place. This means that you need to have evidence to back up your claims. If you do not have any evidence it will simply become a case of “he said, she said.” This will mean that you do not have a strong enough case to get you the compensation you deserve for your losses.

Having a good amount of evidence can back up your injuries and show why you deserve compensation. Compensation is mainly to get you back into the position that you would have been in if you were not injured. That’s why if you have more losses, with evidence, then you can claim for more compensation. Make sure to find the following evidence:

Photos and videos of your injuries
Photos and videos of the negligent environment
Communication between you and your medical practitioner- Or the lack of it.
Proof that you were not given any documentation that would show the risks of your treatment
Witness statements
Diary entries made about your losses (i.e. Being too embarrassed to leave the house because of your appearance would count as an emotional damage)
Medical reports
Rehabilitation costs and reports

You will also want to keep notes about any correspondence you have with insurance companies or your surgeon. That way if you are offered a settlement, you can bring this correspondence to your lawyer. They can let you know whether or not you could be due more than what is being offered. You can also bring this evidence to the court about your claim and why you believe that you are a victim of negligence.

How much could I claim from medical negligence compensation?

This depends entirely on the injury you have received from your surgery and how bad your losses are. Every compensation case is different. If you have had a life-changing botched surgery that has affected your quality of life, you could be owed thousands in compensation. It simply depends on how much evidence you have that you were the victim of medical negligence. If you speak with a solicitor they can help you estimate the total of your compensation pay-out/.

How long do I have to make a claim?

You will have three years from the time the botched surgery occurred. We would recommend that you get in contact with a professional lawyer as quickly as possible. That way you can speak to us before your wounds get any worse. You do not want to lose vital evidence by waiting, which is you should speak to a solicitor today if you are a victim of medical negligence. Do not wait any longer, seek professional help!

Gowing Law Solicitors can help you with your botched cosmetic surgery claim

Gowing Law Solicitor is a professional Manchester law firm that specializes in cosmetic negligence claims. If you decide to work with our professional lawyers then you will know that your claim will be in safe hands. We can work remotely to protect you from Covid-19 and can offer helpful advice and free consultations. If you decide to work with us then we can offer our services on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will never need to pay any hidden fees for our help. If we do not win your case then you will not need to pay any fees at all. So, what’s stopping you from making a claim?

Contact Gowing Law today by calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our direct messenger on our contact page. One of our friendly team members will be in contact as quickly as possible to answer any additional questions you may have about your claim.

Suffered an Injury or Side Effect after Dermal Fillers?

Posted on July 16, 2019 by John lucey - Blog

Have you suffered an injury or side effect after Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are becoming increasingly popular among women and men in recent years. They are injections that are used to fill out wrinkles and creases in the skin, as well as to create a fuller appearance of lips and cheeks.

There is a wide range of filler types and brands out there, some are more suitable for certain parts of the face than others so that they provide the best results for that area. Some effects of dermal fillers can last longer than others, the materials used in the different types can last anywhere from a couple of months to permanently, depending on the type of filler.

Collagen – can last 3 – 4 months

Hyaluronic Acid – can last 4 -6 months

Calcium hydroxylapetite – can last up to 18 months

Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) – can last up to 2 years if continuously injected over a long period of time

Polymethylmethacrylate beads (PMMA) – effects can be permanent which can be extremely risky

Side Effects

As with any cosmetic procedure there are risks that come with dermal fillers, especially if the client is looking to achieve permanent or long lasting results. No matter how experienced the aesthetician is, there is no guarantee that the desired effect will be achieved.

Common side effects after having dermal fillers are swelling, slight bruising and redness of the area injected, however these should start to die down within 24 hours of the procedure.

Some of the more serious side effects of dermal fillers that can last up to a number of weeks include:

Scarring
Allergic Reaction
Nerve Damage
Lumps under the skin
Filler moving from the intended area over time
Blocked blood vessels
Blurred Vision/Loss of sight

If any of these more serious side effects occur it is important to report back to the aesthetician who carried out the procedure or in more severe cases such as an allergic reaction, blurred vision or a blocked blood vessel, seek immediate medical attention!

If you have suffered from side effects or injury after a dermal filler procedure, you can make a claim for personal injury! At Gowing Law we understand how stressful these injuries and side effects can be. We have a professional and dedicated team ready to advise and support you throughout your claim.

Had an Allergic Reaction to Hair Dye?

Posted on July 15, 2019 by John lucey - Blog

Having an Allergic reaction to Hair Dye – Symptoms and Treatments

Have you suffered from an allergic reaction to hair dye? It is extremely important that hairdressers carry out patch tests on clients before dying hair. It is most likely that when someone has an allergic reaction to hair dye they are actually allergic to one of the chemicals used in the dye. There are three chemicals commonly used in hair dye that can cause reactions to skin, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide and para-phenylenediamine (PPD).

The allergic reaction is caused by contact dermatitis, which as a skin reaction when it comes into contact with the dye. The reaction can cause dryness, redness, irritation and swelling. PPD is a known irritant and allergen and is the main chemical used in most hair dyes and is responsible for most allergic reactions.

Always follow instructions provided when dying hair at home and always be sure to carry out a patch test 48 hours before dying hair, this should be a small patch of dye applied behind the ear or the inner elbow.

Symptoms & Treatments

An allergic reaction to hair dye can vary from mild irritation to much more serious symptoms, symptoms can appear up to 48 hours after contact or stronger irritants can cause a reaction almost immediately.

A mild reaction to PPD in hair dye can cause irritation and inflammation to the scalp, neck, ears or eyelids. The skin that has come into contact with the dye might develop a burning sensation and appear red, swollen and blistered.

The relief mild symptoms of a reaction, make sure the hair is rinsed thoroughly and washed with a very mild shampoo. If the irritation persists steroid cream can be prescribed from a GP or even purchased over the counter in some pharmacies.

A severe reaction to PPD in hair dye can cause the client to go into anaphylactic shock, symptoms of this include:

Itchy skin or a raised, red rash
Feeling lightheaded
Swelling of eyes, lips, hands and feet
Mouth, throat or tongue swelling, which can make breathing difficult
Vomiting
Loss of consciousness

If someone is experiencing a severe allergic reaction they must seek medical attention immediately and 999 should be dialed.

To make a claim with Gowing Law Solicitors about your medical negligence, visit our website for more information!

Making a Criminal Injury Claim

Posted on July 11, 2019 by John lucey - Blog

What do I need to make a claim for a Criminal Injury

When making a claim for personal injury if you have been the victim of a serious assault it is important that all the relevant details provided are accurate and correct. The attack must have been reported to the police at the time of the incident or shortly after or it cannot be accepted.

When making a claim for criminal injuries it is compulsory to provide the following:

The date and location of the crime
The name of the police station the crime was reported to
Your crime reference number
Your GP’s name and surgery address
The name and address of your Dental surgery (if you had to have dental treatment as a result of your injuries)
Details of any previous claims made to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
Details of any unspent criminal convictions you may have
Proof of identity such as a birth certificate

If you knowingly provide incorrect or misleading information you may be prosecuted.

Contact Gowing Law Solicitors about your Criminal Injury Claim

If you have suffered from an injury due to criminal activity, you could be owed compensation to help you recover. Gowing Law Solicitors is here to help you get a pay-out that can help put you at ease. Let our solicitors get you the best pay-out possible. We can offer you free advice and consultations. That means we can answer your questions in a timely manner. If you are happy to work with our solicitors, feel free to talk to them about moving forward with your claim. They can offer their services on a “no win-no fee” basis. Therefore, you will never need to pay any hidden fees and will always come out on top.

Contact our Law Firm today by phoning 0161 464 4444 or by emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk.

Criminal Injury – What can I claim for?

Posted on July 10, 2019 by John lucey - Blog, Criminal Injury

What can I claim for if I have been the Victim of a Criminal Injury?

If you have been injured as a result of a criminal act you may be able to claim compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). Individuals who make these claims may have been the direct victim of, for example, an assault, sexual abuse or rape. Your injury could also have been sustained when the individual was attempting to help the police after a crime had been committed. Relatives of a person who has died as a result of injuries can also make a claim.

In all cases, incidents must have been reported to the police at the earliest convenience for our solicitors to potentially proceed with your case. Claims for compensation must be made within two years of the date in which the incident took place. However, exceptions are made in some circumstances so we do advice that you speak to our solicitors who may still be able to take on your claim and/or provide you with legal advice.

What you can claim for:

Physical injuries
Disabling mental injuries
Sexual or physical abuse
Loss of earnings and expenses

A disabling mental injury is when your injury affects your day-to-day life such as at work or in your relationships. Mental injuries must be diagnosed by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.

You can apply for compensation for loss of earnings or paid expenses if you have had to have any adaptations to your home or mobility aids as a result of your injuries. You can also claim for damage to any physical aids in the attack such as glasses.

To be eligible to claim for loss of earnings or expenses, you must have been employed at the time of the crime or for the 3 years immediately before the accident date. If you were not working, you could still be eligible to claim if you were unable to work, retired, in full time education or a carer for someone. You must have also not been able to work for 28 weeks or longer to be eligible.

Gowing Law Solicitors can help you with your Criminal Injury

While it is possible to make a claim with CICA yourself, Gowing Law will make sure that you recover the maximum compensation possible under the terms of the Scheme. All our claims are funded by a no win no fee basis, so there is nothing to pay in the event that your application is unsuccessful. In the event that your application is successful, your contribution will be capped at 25%. There is NO requirement for ATE or any other similar insurance for CICA cases

At Gowing Law we have a dedicated and sympathetic team ready to advise you. Call our team on 0161 464 4444 for advice about making a claim today!

Been involved in an Accident on Public Transport?

Posted on July 9, 2019 by John lucey - Blog

Have you been injured as a passenger on Public Transport?

An Accident on Public Transport can happen at any time and in any place. As a customer travelling on public transport you are trusting the driver of the vehicle with your safety. There are a number of health and safety rules in place on public transport to ensure the safety and well-being of all passengers, however unfortunately accidents do still occur. Here’s a few examples of accidents that can cause injuries on the most commonly used modes of public transport.

Bus

The chances of being injured if involved in an accident on a bus are higher as it is not a legal requirement for them to have seatbelts for passengers. As buses are on the road they can easily be involved in collisions with other vehicles which can jolt passengers out of their seats, causing injuries.

You can be injured on a bus as a result of an accident not involving a collision with another vehicle, such as if the bus driver brakes suddenly or is driving recklessly as these actions can cause passengers to be thrown from their seats or fall over if they are standing or have not yet reached their seat after getting on the bus.

If you’ve been involved in an accident on a bus be sure to let the bus driver know you have been injured. Make sure to obtain the registration of the bus you were travelling on as well as the registrations of any other vehicles involved if possible. Make a note of the bus number and if possible the location of the accident. We do also ask that you keep hold of the bus ticket or bus pass used on the journey when the accident occurred.

Train

Accidents on trains are less common but do still happen, these can be as a result of hazards on the trains or crashes caused by debris on the tracks or a drivers error. It is important that potential hazards are all clearly signposted for people to see such as if there is a big step down from the train to the platform and making sure people can clearly see restrictions of the platform of where is and isn’t safe to stand. Injuries can happen on trains due to technical faults such as emergency breaks activating or faulty doors trapping people in them. Defective or damaged components on trains can also cause injury such as sharp protruding objects or damaged seats.

If you’ve been injured make sure a formal report is made in the accident book, there should be one in every train station. If injured on a train be sure to make a note of which train you were traveling on, where you got on it at which time and where it was going, as well as the rail company. Also be sure to take photos if injuries were as a result of defective components.

Taxi

When you are a passenger in a taxi, you expect the driver of the vehicle to drive safely and follow the rules of the road, as they are responsible for your safety. If you are injured in an accident as a passenger in a taxi, you have every right to make a claim for personal injury.

Make sure that the driver is aware you have been injured, take note of the registration of the vehicle you are in as well as the driver number, name and taxi company. Try to make a note of the accident location and if possible take photos as evidence. If the accident was the fault of another vehicle try to obtain their registration and driver name.

If you’ve been injured in an Accident on Public Transport travelling in the last 3 years, call our team at Gowing Law today on 0161 464 4444!

Been involved in a Cycling Accident?

Posted on July 9, 2019 by John lucey - Accidents in Public, Blog, Traffic Accidents, Uncategorised

What to do if you’ve been involved in a Cycling Accident

The roads can be very dangerous for cyclists, unfortunately accidents occur involving cyclists and motorists on a regular basis, some of these accidents can result in serious injuries for the rider as well as irreparable damage to the bike. Although most cyclists know the rules of the road they may not know what to do if involved in a cycling accident, especially if they don’t drive.

The Guide to avoiding Cycling Accidents

We have put together a guide to inform cyclists what to do in the event of a road traffic accident.

If you have suffered serious injuries or been knocked unconscious ensure you seek the necessary immediate medical attention such as a paramedic.
Identify who was at fault for the accident and what happened, make sure to get the details of the defendant such as their name and registration. A description of the vehicle and driver is also useful if you are unable to obtain specific details.
Check for any witnesses and obtain their names and contact details before they leave the scene of the accident.
Wait for police to attend the scene so that a full report can be filed. Even if the accident is minor as injuries might not be apparent for a few hours and then it will be too late to identify the defendant if you did not take details yourself.

Evidence for cycling accidents include:

Be sure to take photographs if possible of the damage to both your bike and any vehicles involved. Also try to take photos of the location where the accident occurred and injuries sustained. It is recommended that cyclists use dashcams. The can also use Go Pros. These can be on their bikes or helmets to provide evidence if they are involved in an accident.
Take photographs of any damaged property. This can be with your phone as these can be claimed for as damages. You should also present it with a receipt of purchase. Also remember after an accident a new cycle helmet should be purchased!
Even if you didn’t experience any immediate injuries such as cuts or bruises you should still visit your GP. You may also want to go to a walk in centre. This is because some injuries can take a few hours to become apparent such as back, shoulder and neck pain.
Finally, call Gowing Law on 0161 464 4444 to start your claim for personal injury!

Cyclist Safety Tips

Posted on July 8, 2019 by John lucey - Accidents in Public, Blog, Traffic Accidents, Uncategorised

Cyclist Safety Tips

Protective clothing

Cyclists should wear a correctly fitting helmet. This should be to minimise the risk of a serious head injury if they come off their bike. Wearing light coloured or fluorescent clothing can make it easier to be seen by other road users in both the dark and daylight. That way cyclist safety can be prioritized

Lights and Reflective Gear

At night cyclists MUST have red rear lights. They must also have white front lights lit as well as a red rear reflector and amber pedal reflectors. As well as using reflectors to be seen cyclists can use lights on their bikes. Although if cycling in an area with no street lights it is recommended that a steady front lamp is used rather than a flashing light, as not to dazzle other road users.

Cyclists on Pavements

There is often a lot of confusion around the subject of whether cyclists are permitted to cycle on pavements or not. According to section 64 of The Highway Code “According to Laws HA 1835 section 72 & RSA 1984, section 129, cyclists must not cycle on the pavement“.

Alcohol and Drugs

If a cyclist is deemed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol to the extent where they are incapable of having proper control of their bike they can be given a fine. This can be up to £1000 if they are cycling on a road or other public place.

Additional Tips

Make sure you signal clearly so motorists know where you are going
Use a bell to make pedestrians aware of your presence
Reduce speed and take into account stopping distance when roads are wet
Try to make eye contact with drivers at junctions and roundabouts so you know you’ve been seen
Be sure to give plenty of room when riding past parked cars in case someone opens the door without looking

Fill out the form to start your claim today!