Essential Information On Personal Injury Claims

By Jessica Mathew

What is a personal Injury?

Every year millions of people are injured in accidents and these accidents can occur at home, in their cars, at work place, or outdoors. Generally these accidents are result of someone else's fault and in such cases the person who is not at fault has the right to make compensation. The majority of the accidents are the result of road traffic accidents (RTA's) that make personal injury claims, some of the accidents occur at public place or public highways and few of the in the workplace. Many people suffer from personal injury, but only a few of them actually make a claim. The reason behind this is either they are not aware of their right or those who are aware do not know the process of making a claim. Some of them also say that the reason behind not pursuing a personal injury claim is that they believe their injury is not bad enough, so as to warrant a claim.

Personal Injury Law:

According to personal injury law the person who has been a victim or survivor for death, harm or injury will get compensation. The damage here might be physical damage, emotional, or both. There are various things that are involved in personal injury compensation such as:

• Physical and emotional sufferings.

• Medical bills

• Death of a family person

Types Of Damages:

There are two types of damage that are included in personal injury damage awards and they are compensatory damages and punitive damages.

Compensatory damages are such in which the victim is provided with a sufficient amount of compensation on the basis of what he or she would be if the damage or accident had never occurred. There are two sub classifications of compensatory damages and they are special damages and general damages. These are called as monetary losses and non-monetary losses respectively.

Next, is the Punitive damages and these type of damage are not designed to give compensation to the injured person, but in this case defendant is punished for inflicting the victim's injuries. Such damages are not awarded in all the personal injury cases. Apart from this these damages are not considered until first type i.e. compensatory damage has been ordered.

Personal Injury Solicitor:

Although, the personal injury law is little bit complicated, but people who are injured in accidents can take help from the personal injury claim solicitors. Lawyers who have years of experience have knowledge and skills and they can guide the injured person in the process of making a claim. There are many solicitors in The United Kingdom who offer free consultations and by consulting them you can know whether you can make a valid claim or not.

In case you are injured in an accident, then you can make have the right to take a legal action to make a claim. You should take advice from a personal injury solicitor who is specialized in these types of cases. It is necessary to contact a solicitor as soon as possible after being injured in an accident as there are certain time limits for making a compensation claim. It would be better if you consult the solicitor in the early stages of your accident or injury.

The solicitor will ask you various questions for the process of making a claim of your case and few of them are as follow:

First is the date of accident, place of accident and time of the accident or injury.

Second is the contact details of the witness present at the time of the accident.

Third is a complete detail of your damages and injury which will include your medical diagnosis as well as treatments.

Fourth is the proof that is required to show the loss in your earnings as a result of your injury.

Fifth the documents those are helpful in making a claim or any evidence and photographs of the accident.

A professional solicitor after analyzing your case can tell you the chances of winning the claim in case if any and the amount of claim in compensation that you can get after making a claim. Before hiring any solicitor you should do a research and check for the past experience and charges of the solicitor as the chances of winning the claim depend indirectly on the solicitors.

Author is a professional writer as she is writing articles on various topics from the last three years. With this post she wants to share information on importance of Personal Injury Claims Specialists

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Why Head Injury Claims Require Specialist Legal Advice

By Clare Langford

A victim of head injury following an accident may fail to avail themselves of all the help that is available to them which extends beyond just compensation for the injuries themselves. This may be for a number of reasons. They may not be aware of their legal rights. They may not believe they have a case. They may be put off by the fear of legal costs or going to Court.

By contacting a solicitor as soon as possible after the accident the injured party can ensure they are fully advised by an expert. They should ensure that the solicitor they contact specialises in personal injury claims and in particular has experience of head injury accidents.

Your solicitor must take control in the aftermath of head injury and help the victim cope with the often tragic consequences that follow. He [or she] will from the outset pull together the various strands of the help available from both the NHS and the private sector.

The first stage following a head injury is to ensure that the acute injuries are being appropriately catered for by the hospital facilities. Victims of moderate or mild injuries may be discharged with no or inadequate advice and information only to experience physical, mental and emotional difficulties later. The solicitor's expertise will ensure the victim and his family is provided with all the appropriate information and advice from an early to ensure that the injured person and their family are not overwhelmed on discharge from hospital

The second stage involves rehabilitation. The solicitor will put into place a team of specialists as appropriate such as a case manager/nurse, physiotherapist, clinical psychologist, speech therapist to provide tailored rehabilitation and support to aid the injured person to return to as normal as is possible. This team will look at the behavioural, cognitive and emotional issues as well as the medical and physical aspects of rehabilitation. The solicitor will ensure that the longer term needs as well as the acute needs are met.

A third stage involves community integration. Options for the victim to enter the job market and a range of residential options may need to be considered; the overall aim being to encourage independence. This will not always be managed appropriately in the NHS sector as social workers are often over subscribed.

The solicitor will formulate the claim for compensation and obtain the necessary evidence for not only the injuries but also loss of earnings and expenses incurred such as in relation to accommodation. He or she will consider obtaining an interim payment of compensation so that the victim does not have to wait until the case is fully settled.

To summarise, it is important that you ensure that your solicitor has the relevant expertise to conduct brain injury claims. If you are not happy with the service received, you re at liberty to transfer your case at no cost to a solicitor of your choice.

Clare Langford, a specialist brain injury lawyer at http://www.HeadInjuryUK.com, offers traumatic brain injury victims an opportunity to obtain much-needed compensation courtesy of her in-depth understanding and specialist knowledge of brain injury claims.

If you or a relative are suffering from some kind of brain injury, with some legal assistance you may be able to claim significant compensation so call Clare today on 0800 073 0988 or email info@headinjuryuk.com.

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Head Injury? - What Treatment is Available Following an Accident?

By Nicholas Jervis

A serious head injury nearly always used to mean long term difficulties, impact on employment and care problems. However, over the years there have been significant developments and improvements as regards head injury treatment, meaning that a head injury accident victim may well make a full recovery now in cases where that would not have been possible in the past. Advances in medical treatment methods have been substantial, but in addition to this the legal and insurance industries have worked together to improve the recovery. It is in both parties interests to gain the best recovery possible. The lawyer wants his client to make as full a recovery as possible, and for the insurance company if this happens then ultimately the amount of compensation that they will have to pay out will be reduced as the issues of long term care and lack of employment can be reduced or even removed. It is the combined effort of all parties that has seen real strides forward as regards to head injury treatment.

The largest group of sufferers of head injuries are young people with in the region of 7,500 suffering head injuries every year in the United Kingdom. Fortunately, the majority of these injuries are minor, although even these can lead to some long term complications. Road traffic accidents are the largest cause of the injuries, although work accidents and accidents on the streets also play their part.

Initial assessment might not reveal any significant problems, but over a period of time long-term effects can develop, such as post traumatic epilepsy or hydrocephalus which is where fluid collects around the brain. This can lead to changes in the accident victim's behaviour, lack of concentration and even depression.

How Does Making A Compensation Claim Help With Head Injury Treatment?

Once the initial care has been commenced an accident victim will usually approach a specialist head injury claims solicitor to help them investigate a claim for compensation. Once the solicitor has investigated the circumstances of the accident and satisfied himself that the victim has good prospects of making a successful claim, the first thing he will look to do is to engage the services of a Case Manager to manage the rehabilitation. This person is usually a former Nurse, and is often appointed jointly by the victim's solicitor and the insurance company defending the compensation claim.

The Case Manager will assess the treatment already received and also investigate other future treatment that may be available. They will work with the head injury victim to ensure that all is done to improve their prospects of making as full a recovery as possible, including career retraining if necessary. They will also assess the house of the victim, and arrange for any modifications to the house that need to be made. In severe cases, the victim may need to be re-housed completely, with the insurance company paying the costs of this re-housing. Counselling may also be needed.

If the victim is unable to return to work despite receiving all of the head injury treatment that has been recommended, the solicitor will seek payments for the lost earnings to ensure that they can continue to live as normal a life as possible and to avoid unnecessary financial hardship.

Summary

Although it may take months or years, the chances of a complete or near complete recovery these days are far better than they used to be. Early medical and legal intervention is vital to ensure the best prospects of recovery. If you have noticed a change in behaviour of a partner, friend or family member following an impact to the head, you must refer them back for treatment as soon as possible. This will provide them with the best chances of making a recovery.

Read more about Head Injury Claims?

Nicholas Jervis is a personal injury solicitor (non-practising) and a director of 1stClaims, a Personal Injury Claims company which connects innocent personal injury and medical negligence victims with expert personal injury and medical negligence solicitors at no cost to the individual.

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How Much Compensation Can I Claim For A Head Injury

By Rick Wilshaw

Damage to any part of the head will have a different effect on the quality of life of a sufferer. For example, if you have a detached retina as a result of a blow to the head then this will mean a different level of compensation than if you have endured stitches because of a blow to the head. If the brain has been affected then you are likely to receive much more because the negative influence on your life is usually greater.

Please note that the amounts detailed below should be taken for guidance only.

Eye injury compensation amounts vary from £1,450 - £25,750 but if you experience complete loss of sight in one eye then figures usually start from £32,250. Often psychological conditions can occur following a head injury and claimants have received up to approximately £66,000. Damage to teeth, cheekbones, the jaw, hair and facial scarring see claimants awarded from £1,000 to £64,000. Brain damage is the most severe form of head injury and figures vary greatly.

Brain injuries range from minor to severe. Below is an approximation of what you will receive in each case.

Severe brain injuries - £185,000 - £265,000.
Moderate to severe brain injuries - £144,000 - £185,000.
Moderate brain injuries - £28,250 - £144,000
Minor brain injuries - £10,000 - £28,250.
Minor head injuries - £1,450 - £8,400
Factors considered in a head injury compensation claim

If a person is unable to continue work then financial losses will be awarded. Special damages may also be granted if a victim has suffered a brain injury, taking into account any particular adaptations to a home, specialist care or equipment needed as a direct result of the injury.

Under normal circumstances the following aspects are considered: -

What the life expectancy of the injured party is
The level of dependency on others
The presence of epilepsy and the likelihood of it developing in the future
The extent of physical limitations
The level of communication possible
Next steps

It may not be your first reaction to contact a personal injury lawyer straight after a head injury. You might not think it is a major enough injury to seek compensation for or you may have experienced a lot of stress as a result of an accident. Either way, please contact specialist head injury claims lawyers who will be able to give you straightforward advice on whether or not you are likely to receive compensation and what amount you will be looking to pursue.

Rick Wilshaw is a copywriter and PR professional who specialises in working with legal and medical firms. He is currently working with Jefferies Solicitors Altrincham, a firm of solicitors established for over 18 years, who provide personal injury law services covering accident claims and personal injury claims including medical negligence claims, head and brain injury compensation claims, accidents at work (including construction site accidents claims)

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Making a Head Injury Claim

By Christopher Owen Smith

Having an accident is a frightening and very difficult experience which none of us wish to go through. If this accident results in a head injury it can be extremely depressing and life may change permanently. Head injuries can be very serious and it can take months or even years for an individual to recover. Head injuries which can be claimed for can be due to a blow to the head, an accident which was not your fault or even through medical negligence.

Going from your usual every day life to perhaps not being able to even carry out the most basic day to day functions for yourself due to a injury is something which can have a very negative affect on your life. Emotionally you may feel down and isolated. These feelings of isolation can in time give way to ones of anger and injustice. It can take a long time and lots of bed rest and physiotherapy to even begin to feel back to your old self. You can potentially lose many thousands of pounds through missed days of work when you have been signed off after a head injury. So how do you balance the scales of justice? It's time to think of making a head injury claim to claim the compensation which is rightfully yours.

Accident claims will help you on your recovery as it is good for you psychologically to feel that you are doing something to help normalise your life. So long as you start the claims process within three years of having the head injury you may be entitled to a significant amount of compensation for your hardship and suffering. The first thing to do is to call the claims company for a no obligation chat and to ascertain whether you are entitled to make a compensation claim. No win no fee claims are excellent in the fact that anyone from any walk of life can begin a claim. You don't need to put down any money at all as the fees will all be recouped from the other side and you should be able to keep 100% of the compensation too.

Accident solicitors will help individuals to make a claim whether there has been:

A fatal or traumatic head injury

Brain damage to any extent

Coma, deafness and / or blindness

A serious injury deriving from a car or motorbike accident

An accident in the workplace which has caused a head injury

Many individuals worry that making a accident claim may be very involved and difficult. This is not the case and there are some general steps which the solicitor will guide you through:

· The first is investigation

· Next you will be offered support and rehabilitation

· Your head injury will be assessed for severity

· There will nest be a review of your progress

· Your compensation will be calculated

· The claim will be settled / court proceedings will be organised

If you are looking for head injury claims advice then check out this online resource for head claims information

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Head Injury and Brain Damage Compensation Claim Factors

By Neil Worrall

Compensation payments are split into two parts, general damages and special damages. General damages are awarded solely based on the injury you suffered, and your prognosis. Special damages cover everything else, including long term care costs, financial support for dependants and lost earnings.

In catastrophic brain injuries, depending on the circumstances of an accident and other factors such as the age of the victim and whether they have any children, special damages can be many times more than the general damages, as they are meant to be a financial provision for the rest of your life. It is the special damages figures that typically make the headlines when multi-million pound compensation claims are decided, even though the general damages in such cases may be comparatively small.

It is not just the victim of a brain damage injury that suffers. Their family will also have to adapt to cope with the repercussions. If the injured person is well enough to be cared for at home, this may involve making substantial modifications to their home, such as access ramps, special bathing facilities, and extra space to house the various pieces of medical equipment that may be needed as part of their care. In exceptional circumstances a court may approve a compensation settlement that covers the cost of moving to a home that is more suitable for looking after the injured person.

The costs of round the clock care will also have to met, in the most serious cases a team of specialist carers will need to be present 24 hours a day to look after the injured person. Where injuries are less serious, there may still be a requirement for care in the weeks after the accident, as the injured person may need help with basic tasks, such as dressing themselves, and preparing meals.

Where a brain damaged person provided the main income in a family, then special damages will also cover the loss of that person's earnings so that his or her family does not suffer financial hardship. Extra provision will also be made by a court where an injured person has dependent children under the age of 18, to ensure the costs of their care are met. This includes fees for childminding, schooling amongst others.

Camps Solicitors provide expert legal advice for the victims of accidents and personal injuries, helping them to claim compensation on a No Win No Fee basis. Our accident claims solicitors fight for compensation for accident victims who have been injured through no fault of their own.

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What is Catastrophic Injury?

By Tara Pingle

A catastrophic injury can leave a person suffering from permanent disabilities for the rest of their life. Catastrophic injuries are any injuries that have serious, long-term effects on the victim. If compensation is not received for catastrophic injuries, the physical, emotional and financial strains can be devastating.

"Catastrophic injuries usually affect far more than just the victim," says Elliot Hillel Lewis, a catastrophic injury lawyer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. "They can often put serious stress on the victim's family because they may need constant supervision or assistance for the rest of their lives, not to mention a lifetime of rehabilitation and medical bills."

Catastrophic injuries can be caused by any number of different circumstances, and the results of the catastrophic injury can last for weeks, months, or even years. Some of the most common catastrophic injuries include:

* Back Injuries

* Neck Injuries

* Brain Injuries

* Burns

* Organ Damage

* Paralysis

* Paraplegia

* Quadriplegia

When a victim suffers a catastrophic injury, the impact can be enormous. Not only can a catastrophic injury prevent a person from gaining any substantial income, it can prevent them from enjoying their life, and it can cause their family huge amounts of stress. Catastrophic injuries to the brain can even change a person's personality, make remembering things difficult, and prevent them from recognizing their most loved family members.

A catastrophic injury lawyer will help you recover compensation for the damages that you or your loved one has experienced, including:

* Lost Wages

* Loss of Enjoyment of Life

* Mental Anguish

* Pain

* Suffering

* Lost Future Wages

* Permanent Disability

* Medical Bills

If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic in Philadelphia or anywhere in Pennsylvania, as a result of another person’s negligence, you should contact an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer as soon as possible.

http://www.ppl-law.com

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