Tag: Personal Injury

Public Accident Injuries and Mental Health: We understand

Posted on October 7, 2020 by Hannah Fletcher - Accidents in Public, Blog, Uncategorised

Public accident injuries can happen at any time and any place. This is what makes them so devastating. Usually, when people make a claim it’s because they have suffered from physical injuries. These are known as “general damages”. However, they don’t tend to think much about any other type of repercussions, including “special damages”. Did you know that 3 out of 4 people end up having mental issues because of their accident? It’s not surprising considering the type of trauma that they have experienced.

Not many people consider the mental impact that public accidents can have on a person. But Gowing Law certainly does. We want you to understand that we know the after-effects of a public accident. Whether you have suffered an injury from a work accident or perhaps a car accident on the road, we want to be able to help you through the hardest parts of your injury claim. Part of this assistance is ensuring that you look after your mental health during the recovery process. That’s why we would recommend not only checking your claim on our new form, but also downloading our helpful whitepaper below.

Why would I suffer from mental health problems after a public accident?

When we think about public accident injuries, we tend to think about life-changing wounds that could have a severe impact on someone’s daily routine. For instance, if someone has suffered from an accident on a construction site, they may have lost mobility in part of their body after using faulty equipment, or if they are doing repetitive tasks in their office then they may have repetitive strain injuries in their fingers, hands or wrists. Some injuries may appear minor but can still cause the victim to experience trauma that may make them feel anxious, nervous or paranoid about carrying on with their daily activities.

This is the true psychological effect of an accident on your mental health. Whilst the injury may be small, you certainly do not want to go through it again. That’s why you start putting up emotional barriers that can prevent you from going through the same experience again. Take a look at our case study below to get an idea of how this could happen:

What are the symptoms of mental health trauma?

When the National Accident Helpline conducted a survey of around 1,000 of their clients, they found that at least 7 out of 10 people who had experienced an accident through no fault of their own had experienced some symptoms of mental health trauma. The most common types of symptoms (reported by around 34-35% of those surveyed) were anxiety and stress. However, other trauma symptoms may include:

Depression
OCD
PTSD
Trichotillomania
Self-harm
Anger
Problems with relationships
Panic attacks
Phobias

Experiencing trauma after any type of public accident injuries can leave you feeling like the world is not quite right. It can shake up how you view the world and also the dynamic of your household. It can also put you at odds with the people you love. After all, they don’t want to see you hurt, but you may feel as if they cannot understand everything that you have been through. Therefore, you may struggle with fits of rage or sadness. Either way, it is going to shake your mental health and may mean that you need some help to get yourself back on your feet.

The impact of mental health and public accident injuries

If you are suffering from public accident injuries from your accident, you cannot underestimate the effect that your mental health will have on your recovery. Most people make this mistake with public accident injuries and assume that they will be completely fine once they have been prescribed the appropriate treatment for their physical injuries. But mental health can have a bigger impact than most people would like to admit.

The best way of thinking about your mental health accident is that it is just like a broken bone that needs time to repair. It’s not going to be an instant fix. Instead, it may need proper treatment to address the issue. The same way that a broken bone may need a cast, you may require medication, counselling or specific therapies in order to slowly address your issues.

Have a look below to see some of the issues you may experience if you are recovering from a physical injury after a public accident.

These are only a few of the problems that could come about due to a public accident injury. That’s why you need to be prepared for how you are going to recover both mentally and physically. Look at it as a long trek not a quick walk. It’s going to take time and effort to eventually get to a stable point on the pathway, but overall it will be worth it.

Mental health and the workplace

Unless you are working remotely, you may find that your job adds to your stress. If you have recently been hurt in the workplace, don’t forget to check out our work accident interview series. This should give you some information on what you should claim for the case.

It’s important to realize that if you have suffered from a serious injury, and are also suffering from emotional damages, this could inhibit you from doing your normal job. In fact, you may start to struggle doing simple tasks due to your heightened emotions and the fear that the accident may happen again. If you have been sent home to recover, and are currently not getting SSP, you could claim for the wages you have lost, as well as any loss of opportunity.

Will I need evidence for my mental health claim?

Whilst you do need to relax in order to help with your recovery, if you want to make a mental health claim for your public accident injuries, you will be required to provide evidence. There are many different types of damages that you can claim for, including:

Physical damages
Emotional damages
Equipment damages
Loss of Opportunity
Financial damages
Medical fees

You cannot make a claim for emotional damages (aka. for your mental health claim) without there being evidence of a physical injury. So make sure that you have photos, videos, CCTV evidence, witness statements and receipts of treatment. If you want to combine this with emotional damages, you may also want to use witness statements and diary entries to prove that you are struggling on a day-to-day basis. You can also use medication receipts and reports to prove that you have been to a doctor about the issues. This will prove that they exist and you are suffering with them. It can also show that you have been forced to pay for treatment for them out of your own pocket.

How can Gowing Law Solicitors help with your recovery?

Mindfulness is extremely important when it comes to your recovery. That’s why we have created a whitepaper on how to look after yourself if you get hurt due to an accident that was out of your control. This can be a good starting point when it comes to understanding how you can relax and unwind so that the stress of the incident does not affect you as hard.

However, we can also help with the claim itself. It can be a bit of a hassle trying to recover whilst having an ongoing case for compensation. Not only can they get extremely complicated, especially if the other party refuses to accept a settlement agreement, but you may find that they have paperwork that requires a large amount of legal experience to fully understand. You shouldn’t be forced to endure this. That’s why having the help of a legal specialist will put you on the right track.

Not only that but Gowing Law can offer you the names of psychological and trauma specialists in your area that can help you get the help that you need. We can try and contact them for you on your behalf and let them know what sort of problems you are facing. That way you can get the help that you need when you need it most. Gowing Law Solicitors will be here to support you throughout your legal journey.

Will my mental health affect my claims case?

Now, normally for any sort of claims case you would find that there is a deadline that has been set for a settlement to be agreed in three years. However this can be changed depending on how bad your mental health is. For instance, if your accident has left you with severe mental health issues, you may find that the amount of time you have to sort the case out is extended. To get this extension, you will want the assistance of an experienced solicitor. That way they can write in to the courts and help you understand exactly how much time you get for your claim.

It’s important to remember that your mental health trauma is completely valid. If you are in need of help then you have the right to take it. We can make sure to help you get the best amount of time possible to ensure that the case is undertaken with the appropriate amount of time.

What should I do if the other party refuses to work with me on a settlement agreement

Not all cases are cut and dry. In fact, some public accident injuries may be so severe that your life is changed forever. Most of the time, the other party involved will be willing to work with you on a settlement agreement. However, in other cases you may find that they don’t. If this happens to you, you can work with your solicitor on collecting evidence and your medical records. If they still do not agree to work with you, you and your solicitor can take them to court. This is where a judge can decide on the amount you are owed. So, don’t worry, it will end up being sorted!

This is why it is always important to have a legal specialist on your side. They can help you fill out any tricky paper work help you avoid potential mistakes and make sure that your claim is handled with ease. Even if the other party refuses to work with you, they will make sure to handle all of the difficulties of the case on your behalf.

Contact Gowing Law Solicitors today for help with Public Accident Injuries!

Ready to get the help you need to claim a high amount of compensation? You didn’t deserve to get hurt. That’s why Gowing Law Solicitors will be here to make sure that you get the compensation that you deserve. We can offer you free advice and consultations to get started. If you are happy with our solicitors and their advice, you can work with them on a “no win, no fee” basis. That means there will be no hidden fees and you will always come out on top.

If you are already a customer of Gowing Law, why not get involved in our loyalty scheme? That way you can have the opportunity to win some fabulous prizes. Click here to learn more about our loyalty scheme.

Contact Gowing Law today by calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our contact page. One of our team members will then be in contact in order to help you with your claim.

Learn more about compensation claims for public accident injuries

Don’t worry! Gowing Law will always be here to help you with your claim. That’s why we keep our blog updated with the latest information about different types of compensation and UK legal policies. If you cannot find the blog you are looking for, why not let us know? We would be more than happy to write about your own suggestions! Send in your ideas to info@gowinglaw.co.uk. Our helpful content team would then be more than happy to write up a blog to help you understand the claim in more detail. We can also sign you up to our newsletter. Just let us know.

We look forward to seeing you in our next blog. Good luck with your claim!

Top 10 ways to avoid traffic accidents on your commute

Posted on September 8, 2020 by Hannah Fletcher - Accidents in Public, Blog, Covid-19, Traffic Accidents, Uncategorised

Traffic accidents can happen at any time and in any place. Their unpredictability is what makes them so dangerous. One minute you may be in your car and taking your normal commute to work; the next minute, you are suddenly involved in a car accident. Going back and forth to your workplace can pose a daily threat. After all, when you’re on the road there are plenty of irresponsible drivers who neglect their “duty of care” towards other road users. it may even be caused by a pedestrian darting out into the middle of the street.

As a commuter, you need to make sure that you keep safe no matter what. It may feel tiring to constantly keep going back and forth to a certain building or workplace, but you need to keep yourself aware of the hazards on the road. That’s why this blog is here to help you understand how you can avoid traffic accidents. If you do end up getting hurt then remember, Gowing Law Solicitors can provide you with expert advice and legal counsel when it comes to making a traffic accident claim. Check out our claims page below to learn more:

Covid-19, traffic accidents and your daily commute

Covid-19 has changed the face of work as we know it. Not only has it proven that many people can do their jobs from home, but it has also made employees feel more nervous about going to their office. After all, they do not know who has Covid-19 or may be classified as a vulnerable person. This is why so many people may ultimately refuse to go back to work. If you are an employer, it’s important that you put your employee’s health first. If you don’t then it’s entirely possible that you could end up having a work accident claim on your hands.

Many people are considering whether or not they can sue for Covid-19 related accidents. If they can prove that they specifically caught Covid-19 from your workplace, it is very likely that they could have a successful claim. Take a look below to understand how a claim might work:

If you can work remotely: Do it and avoid traffic accidents!

Although this blog is mainly going to be focused on traffic accidents, we would also like to give a word of advice to employers. It is important during this pandemic, that shops, offices, construction sites and all other kinds of work environments operate under the advice that the government has provided to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

Due to this, UK businesses need to adapt. It is old fashioned to think that your employees always need to come into an office space in order to get tasks completed. Instead, many businesses are opting for a more flexible model. Many are simply asking their employees to work from home permanently. Others are asking their employees to attend virtual meetings or come into the office once a week. It is easy enough to set up a VPN from a laptop to an office monitor to see if your employees are keeping up with their daily schedules.

The pandemic has given businesses the opportunities to explore change and to adapt their business models for the health and well-being of their employees. Do your part to keep them safe as well. In turn, this may mean that there is less of a chance that they get hurt on their daily commute to work.

How could I get hurt on a work commute in traffic accidents?

When you think about work commutes, the different accidents depend on the type of commute you have and the sort of vehicle you are driving. Naturally, if you are simply walking to work as a pedestrian, it is possible that you may suffer from serious injuries as you have no protection from oncoming vehicles. However, other accidents may happen if you commute via:

Public Transport
A car
A Motorbike
Cycling

In special circumstances, you commute may involve you taking a ferry or a plane if you are on a business trip. No matter what type of vehicle you operate, there is still a chance that you could get hurt in various ways. Take a look below to see a few examples of the types of accidents you could suffer from on a commute:

Of course, these are only a few examples of the types of accidents that can happen to you on a commute. No matter what vehicle has struck you, if you have suffered from injuries and damages that were not your fault, you could claim for compensation. All vehicles or users of the road have a “duty of care” towards other drivers or commuters. If they breach this duty of care then they are putting others in danger due to their negligence. This is why you could ask them for compensation from their vehicle insurance.

What sort of injuries could I suffer from when it comes to traffic accidents?

Now you know a few examples of the type of traffic accidents that could happen on your daily commute, it’s important to understand the type of injuries that could happen due to an accident on the road. Some injuries may be worse than others, even to the extent that they are completely life changing. The worse your injuries are, the more likely that you could get a higher amount of compensation. You can still claim for smaller injuries, however you will need to think about whether or not the legal expenses will tally to more than the compensation amount. If they do then the case may not be worth pursuing.

Injuries that could happen whilst you are commuting to work include:

Broken bones, fractures and sprains
Bleeding and internal bleeding
Muscle damage
Spine damage
Loss of hearing and eyesight
Loss of limbs
Brain damage

Keep in mind that there are additional injuries that could happen both to the driver and passenger. Make sure to go to hospital after any type of traffic accident to ensure that you are checked up. You need to ensure that your wounds are not any worse than they appear. This will also serve as evidence when you go to court to claim your compensation.

What could make me eligible for traffic accidents compensation?

One of the main things that you should look through whilst pursuing traffic accident compensation is whether or not you are eligible for a compensation claim. Being eligible for compensation relies on not being at fault for the accident. This means that you did everything possible to make sure an accident did not happen. You acted responsible and it was due to the other driver acting irresponsibly that people got hurt. This may have been due to:

A lack of experience on the road
Distracted driving
Road rage
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Eating or drinking during driving
Using a mobile device whilst driving

Are you not at fault for your damages? Well, you could claim thousands in compensation depending on your injuries.

How can I stay safe on my commute to avoid accidents?

Now we move onto the main topic of our discussion: How you can keep safe if you go on your commute to work. Sometimes you will get injured and things will be out of your control. Instead, you need to figure out how to get the help you need to make sure your wounds don’t get any worse. The more precautions you take, the less likely it will be that you will be hurt. Here are our top tips to ensure that you can keep safe on any type of vehicle or if you decide to make your commute by foot.

1. Plan your route

Before you set off, make sure to plan out your route to your office. This should help you avoid any heavy traffic, crowded areas or places that you could be exposed to Covid-19 or any other hazards. You may also want to plan out the type of transport you use. For instance, if your office is close by then you should consider walking or going to work by bike.

2. Use a dash-cam

One of the best things you can do to collect evidence of any accident, or to document the behaviour of other drivers on the road, is to purchase a dash-cam. A dash-cam can be easily attached to the interior roof of your vehicle or the front window screen. The dash-cam can also be used to show the manoeuvres you took while trying to prevent an accident on your commute. This can prove you were not a negligent driver. Instead, the recorded footage can show that you were trying to stop traffic accidents from happening.

3. Avoid crowded areas that usually have traffic jams

Another way that you can avoid getting into an accident is by avoiding traffic jams and crowded roads. Before and after work can be a bit fraught as there will be people who want to get home. Therefore, people may be impatient and try to get through the crowds of vehicles as fast as possible. To avoid accidents, try thinking of alternative routes that can get you to your home without encountering much traffic. It may take a little longer but you will be able to keep safe as you get home.

4. Be patient with other drivers

Road rage is a key cause behind huge numbers of traffic accidents. Everyone has places to be and things to do, but some can be more impatient than others to get those done. This may mean that they shout at other vehicle drivers or try to start a fight. If you see this happening on the road, try your best to keep your distance. They may try to drive erratically ahead of you and you should let them. You, on the other hand, can be patient and keep calm on the road.

5. Keep aware of pedestrians

You never know when they are going run out into the middle of the road. Keep aware of all pedestrians, especially those who appear at zebra crossings. Some may simply run out despite there being cars. They may also dart out in areas where there isn’t a crossing. Keep in mind that some pedestrians may also be quite violent or rude towards car users. You may want to try using quieter roads to try and avoid traffic accidents with pedestrians.

6. Do not drive if you are overly tired.

If you are feeling sleepy or tired after a long day’s work, this can make you feel more distracted when you are driving on the road. Make sure to take a break before you drive or have a caffeinated drink to ensure that you are fully aware of what is going on. The more alert you are, the more likely it is that you will keep safe when you are on the road.

7. Utilize public transport

Drivers of public transport have been trained to ensure that an absolute minimum of accidents happen whilst they are on duty. If you have a nearby bus, metro or train stop, you could consider getting them to work. Keep an eye on your budget though, and do a little googling, as often public transport can offer great savings through a pass that can give you a discount.

8. Wear bright clothing that can be easily spotted

If you are a cyclist or a motorcyclist, it’s important to understand that you may not be as easy to spot when drivers use the road. That’s why most of the accidents that happen to cyclists occur when they are moving off or stopping in the road. Wearing bright colours, iridescent badges or helmets or even having lights that can flash on the wheels of your vehicle can alert other vehicles to your presence. That way they won’t hit you and can see your manoeuvres on the road easily as you make your journey.

9. Signal Appropriately

During your driving training, you will have been taught how to signal which way you are going to turn. However, if you are on a bike then you may need to learn how to do hand signals in order to show where you are going. Make sure to give a signal with enough time to go before you make your turn. You may also want to invest in lights that can turn on and off that can signal which way you are turning.

10. Figure out if the person you are driving with is safe

If you are catching a ride with a colleague or friend, you may want to keep an eye on their driving skills. As a passenger you will never be blamed for an accident happening. However, if your driver is erratic or perhaps doesn’t know how to control their temper whilst they are on the road, you may want to consider your options for different commutes to work. That way you can stay safe and make sure that you keep out of trouble on the road.

Gowing Law Solicitors can help you with any road traffic accidents claim!

Gowing Law Solicitors would be more than happy to help you with your traffic accident claim. We understand that you want to keep safe on the road. However things can still happen that can cause injuries. That’s why it’s important for you to claim compensation as quickly as possible.

Gowing Law can give you free advice and consultations to get you started. If you are happy with what we have to offer you, you can work with our solicitors on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means there will be no hidden fees to pay and you will always come out on top.

Contact us today and check your claim by phoning 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or using our contact page to use our live chat! One of our team members will then be in contact to help answer your questions.

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.

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!

Fill out the form to start your claim today!