Personal Injury Law Blogs

Is My Daycare a High Risk Zone? What to look for

Parents today face certain challenges concerning the care of their children while they are at work. Finding a suitable day care facility involves a great deal of research. Even afterward, there are safety hazards that all parents should look out for in these environments, such as those below. 

Safety Hazards

The way that a facility looks on the outside and inside can be a good indicator of the overall level of professionalism to be found at the day care center. For example, watch for:

1. Shabby or unsafe stairways
2. Broken gates (both in and outside)
3. Unprotected electrical outlets
4.  Electrical outlets close to sinks and water supplies
5. Flammable or combustible materials
6. Unlocked water heater or furnace closets
7. Dead or decaying trees near play ground

Facility Equipment

The state of toys, playground and other equipment should be cared for to assure that children playing with and on these items are safe. Ones of particular concern that typically go unnoticed are:

1. Outdated or old seating and furniture
2. Worn and dirty toys
3. Broken, worn or outdated playground equipment
4. Non-age appropriate toys
5. Toxic art supplies like paints, markers, clay and inks
6. Plastic bags within children’s reach
7. Diapering areas too close to play areas

Activities

Make s that there is adequate staff available to handle the number of children present. Observe the atmosphere. If it seems overly hectic or unruly, there is a good chance that safety hazards are present. Activities that take place at the day care center should be safely executed. For example, children and staff should not be eating while using art materials or at any time when food could become contaminated. Charlotte attorneys, Auger & Auger state “the number of children in daycare has risen in Charlotte and NC the last decade. With this increase comes an increase in the number of daycares and injuries that occur whether due to lack of supervision or improper play equipment.” Thus, it is important for parents, guardians and loved ones to be aware and address any concerns.

Detecting Health Risks 

Any child at a day care center or school can become particularly susceptible to illnesses that get passed between children easily. For example, colds, flu, pink eye and head lice. When arriving and before leaving a day care facility, observe the children and staff to see if there are indications of illness. Examine the child’s head for lice weekly. If the child is ill, make arrangements to keep him or her home or cared for elsewhere. When children at a facility appear sick much of the time, this is an indication that it is time to review the facility thoroughly to ensure that adequate precautions are being taken.

Handling Deficiencies

Whenever a parent notices a hazard of any type, the issue should be taken up with the facility manager immediately. Document all instances of every concern with time, place, form and event, including conversations with staff and what attempts were made at resolving issues. Parents who find that their concerns are not addressed to their satisfaction should make arrangements to place their children at a different facility. One of the main reasons for this is that leaving hazards left to chance can result in unnecessary illness and injury for a child.

Unfortunately, some of these circumstances can be long lasting, permanent or even fatal. Also, when one child is exposed – so are all of the other children. If severe injuries or illness should occur, the child should receive immediate medical attention. If there is any suspicion of negligence, whether intentional or accidental, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss options to resolve any conflicts. This will ensure that all medical and other costs associated with illnesses and injuries are fully covered.

Researcher and writer Nickey Williams writes this article to create daycare safety awareness. There are many parents out there who were under the impression that their child was in a safe place, only to receive a shocking phone call stating that their child was injured and in route to the hospital. Charlotte NC, Attorneys Auger & Auger are knowledgeable in all matters involving daycare negligence. They provide excellent legal representation to victims of personal injury.

Campaign Aims To Save Personal Injury Jobs

A campaign, called Save The Legal Industry, was launched last week in a bid to highlight the real implications of sweeping reforms made to the personal injury industry. Campaigners believe that the Job Loss Counter will show more than 100,000 job losses over the coming year ahead of the reforms, which include plans to increase the minimum claim amount from £1,000 to £5,000. Launched on Tuesday, the counter already held details of 2,500 job losses and the biggest hit appeared to be non-legal positions such as secretaries and administrative positions.

The government has claimed that reforms it is introducing will help reduce insurance premiums, a view that is believed to have been pressed by insurance groups. However, Direct Line and other insurance companies have already admitted that the changes are highly unlikely to yield any real results and that premiums are not likely to drop as a result of the action that is taken. A number of firms, legal professionals, and bodies have weighed in to the debate with those on the side of the claims industry pointing to the huge potential for job losses.

Changes have already begin to worry a lot of claims firms with some laying people off and even going bankrupt in anticipation of the reforms. It isn’t just lawyers, solicitors, and those directly in legal professions that are being affected either. In fact, according to the latest figures, it is those in more administrative positions that are really feeling the effects and the majority of the 2,500 job losses so far have been in these positions.

The campaign wants to gather 10,000 signatories for its petition which it will then deliver to Downing Street. An online petition has so far amassed over 3,600 signatures while an official government e-petition which was launched shortly afterwards has more than 600 signatures. 10,000 signatures means that the government will be forced to look at the changes while 100,000 signatures would mean that parliamentary debate on the topic would be opened.

My Coyne states that “The Law Society should have been at the forefront of this fight, but instead they’ve sat back and left it to others” and he went on to say that this inaction should lead to the same joblessness that those affected by the changes. He said “we call on the leadership of the Law Society to take responsibility.” A number of law firms have so far put their weight behind the campaign and having already gathered a considerable number of signatures, the campaign looks likely to build up more steam as more job losses are announced.

It is believed that the reforms to the personal claims industry will mean the loss of 100,000 jobs in law firms, claims firms, and other small claims companies. This will have a knock on effect on the families and loved ones of those concerned. If a majority of those affected sign the petition then it seems likely, at least, that the government will be forced to take a second look at further proposed changes to the industry.

About This Article

This article has been written and distributed on behalf of BCL Legal Recruitment who are specialists in finding solicitors jobs in London.

DUI Accidents & Wrongful Death Claims

It’s a sad fact that right around one-third of all fatal accidents in America are related to alcohol consumption. The toll that drunk driving takes on society as a whole is staggering, with reports showing an economic cost of $132 billion each year, but the human toll is, unfortunately, even more disheartening. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) reports that 27 people die due to drinking and driving every day in America. These accidents will often lead to wrongful death claims, so it’s important for everyone, from each side, to fully understand these tort cases.

Victim Families

The families of drunk driving accident victims are the most affected by these tragic accidents. Simply knowing that a loved one is gone forever due to another person’s neglectful actions is enough to eat anyone up on the inside. Although it does nothing to ease the pain related to such an event, family members will often need to bring forth wrongful death lawsuits in order to survive financially and hold a person liable after causing a drunk driving death.

People ranging from immediate family members to life partners can sue for damages if their loved one is killed in an accident. Additionally there are several types of damages that can be recovered. Financially related damages can include funeral costs, expected earnings and even loss of inheritance. On top of this, survivors can also sue for mental anguish, loss of companionship, loss of care and several other non-financial damages. In fact, the court may even award strictly punitive damages to punish the defendant in the case.

The Defendant

Though a victim’s family has already lost much in these situations, those charged with causing a death due to negligent DUI face serious issues as well. Understandably, the justice system is particularly harsh on drivers that it thinks caused the death of an innocent person due to drinking and driving. It’s important to never forget, though, that every person in America is entitled to a defense, and this applies to both criminal and civil proceedings.

Drunk driving cases are rarely open and shut; most people just think they are because of the perceived infallibility of breathalyzer devices. In actuality, these devices, and additionally, other field sobriety tests, can produce inaccurate results based on improper administration, police officer neglectfulness and other technical issues. As the website of a respected DUI lawyer in Arlington VA points out, “Police officers do not always understand the scientific basis of their sobriety testing methods, and come up with false positives.” Criminally, a person who causes a death while allegedly drunk driving could face certain types of manslaughter charges, but even if not convicted, they can still face serious civil penalties.

As previously mentioned, a victim’s surviving family members can sue for an abundance of damages. Unfortunately for the defendant in these wrongful death cases, awarded damages related to this type of incident have reached into the millions of dollars. The truth is, however, that if a driver wasn’t legally inebriated or didn’t actually cause the accident, then it wouldn’t be just for them to pay these types of rewards. Sadly, without an attorney by their side, many people accused of this negligent action end up financially ruined.

The toll that DUIs take on America is massive, but no one feels it quite as much as victims’ families and those charged with the offense. There’s no doubt that both sides will need an attorney since each specific case is different. There are times when a victim’s family will emerge, for lack of a better word, victorious after these cases, but there’s no doubt that some of those charged are innocent when it comes to these wrongful death suits. Only when both sides have legal help on their side will a just outcome for the case come to light.

Legal researcher Shelby Warden posts articles to help raise awareness of serious legal issues in our communities. At The Wilson Law Firm, a highly experienced DUI lawyer in Arlington VA is available to help individuals charged with DUI take the appropriate steps toward an effective defense. The firm’s lawyers have over twenty years of combined experience defending those accused of DUI in Virginia.

Treatment Options for Traumatic Brain Injury

Brain Injury

We often hear, “the world is a dangerous place.” The planet is not only filled with emotional problems and mental stressors, but many physical hazards, as well. While there are a number of dangers faced by individuals living in the world today, the development of a traumatic brain injury is one of the most common. And in addition to its extreme severity, brain injuries are considered by most experts to be relatively common—in fact, thousands of individuals will sustain a brain injury each year. Fortunately, there are options for those who have been diagnosed with this condition. Medications, surgery, and different types of rehabilitation are all good options for individuals who have suffered a traumatic brain injury.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Before one can learn about the treatment options for those who have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, they should have a basic understanding of the condition itself. According to experts at the Mayo Clinic, a traumatic brain injury occurs when an external, mechanical force is applied to the head, resulting in cognitive dysfunction. While there are a number of factors behind the development of this condition, car accidents, athletic injuries, and other similar events are all commonly to blame. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment for traumatic brain injury can vary quite dramatically.

Medications

As one might guess, medications are one of the most common treatment options for individuals who have suffered a traumatic brain injury. In many cases, patients require diuretic prescriptions, to reduce fluid retention and pressure within the brain. Similarly, brain injury patients may be instructed to take anti-seizure drugs—especially during the first few weeks after the incident, when seizures are most common. Finally, those with the most severe cases of brain injury may require coma-inducing drugs, to further decrease damage to the brain and surrounding blood vessels.

Surgery

While medications are often beneficial when it comes to lessening the symptoms of a brain injury, they may not always be enough. This is especially true for individuals who have been diagnosed with an especially severe brain injury, or have not responded to more traditional forms of treatment. For these patients, certain types of surgery—such as those that remove blood clots, repair skull fractures, or open a window to the brain—may be required. In most cases, the benefits of these procedures far outweigh any dangers associated with invasive treatment.

Rehabilitation

Finally, rehabilitation is an option for many individuals who have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. While rehabilitative therapies may vary from case to case, they often include psychological counseling, physical/occupational therapy, and assistance from a social worker or case manager. Individuals who have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and require further assistance may want to consult with their primary care physician. In most cases, this professional will be able to coordinate all appropriate care for patients who suffer with mild to severe cases of traumatic brain injuries.

It Is Never Advisable To Fight A Case On Your Own

Personal Injury Attorneys

If you have recently been the victim of an accident through no fault of your own, you may have tried to deal with the offending party or their insurance company on your own, only to have little to no luck. In the case of an auto accident that has left you with a personal injury, it is always a good idea to enlist the services of a professional personal injury attorney. A personal injury attorney is fully knowledgeable when it comes to law, and they are aware of every trick an insurance company may try to pull in order to get out of paying compensation for your pain and suffering.

It is never advisable to fight a case like this on your own, simply due to the fact that the average citizen is not always aware of their rights, and this can lead you to take a smaller settlement than you are entitled to, or possibly drop your claim if you are feeling too much pressure from the offending party’s side. A professional attorney can guide you through the legal process in order to help you obtain a fair amount of compensation.

Meet With a Personal Injury Attorney

Whether you have been in an accident with an uninsured motorist or you are having a hard time communicating with the responsible party’s insurance company, your personal injury attorney is here to assist you with all of your legal needs. When you meet with the attorney for the first time, you will want to provide them with as much information as possible in regards to your accident.

Information can be in the form of medical documents, photos of your injuries as well as photos of your car and the accident site, copies of the accident report, contact information of any witnesses on the scene that are willing to make a statement on your behalf, and if possible, the responsible party’s insurance and contact information.

Your attorney will go over your information with you and advise on the best course of action to take regarding your claim. They may suggest mediation, or they may feel the only option is to take the case to court and let a judge decide on the final outcome. Additionally, they may investigate the accident more thoroughly, which may include going back to the scene of the accident in order to gather more evidence.

Trust the Experts

Auto accidents can be quite costly to the victim, even if you have the proper medical and auto insurance. Additional expenses can come up that include medical bills that are not covered in your policy, as well as missed time from work. A professional personal injury attorney will work hard to fight for your rights, so you can focus on healing and moving on with your life in a positive way.

If you are ready to proceed with your case under the guidance of a professional attorney, contact your personal injury attorney for a consultation as soon as possible, so they can get started on your claim and help you through this matter in a professional and efficient manner.

Featured images:

Anne Harvester is very familiar with the benefits offered by personal injury lawyers. For further information on the services that are provided by law firms Anne searches for http://www.thewernerlawfirm.com/. Add Anne on Google Plus.

Immediate Things You Should Do Right After Figuring in an Accident

Road mishaps happen on a daily basis in streets and highways of different sizes and structures around the world. It’s an unpredictable occurrence which you can’t really prepare for regardless of how good of a driver you are. The initial shock of the accident can sometimes lead to impulsive decisions brought about by nervousness and anxiety. In order to avoid actions you might regret, take note of the following things you should do right after you figure in a road accident.

Check for any wounds and injuries

Your health and safety should be your immediate priority after surviving the impact. Do not make quick sudden movements as it may cause dizziness and you might collapse. Check your arms and look at your face through the mirror to see if you have any open wounds or scratches. If your movement is incapacitated by injury, apply first-aid methods, call a hospital and request for an ambulance.

Call authorities

Get the attention of any police officials nearby. Otherwise, just call the local police station and give a summary of what happened. Ask them if it’s necessary to move the car to the side of the road as well. Give them a clear description of your location in case you can’t provide an exact address.

Take photos

Smartphones have made it possible to always have a camera on hand for emergencies such as road accidents. Make sure you get a shot of several angles comprising all the vehicles involved. It’s better if you can have pictures of the number plates as well.

Collect information

It would be ideal to first exchange contact information with all the drivers involved in the incident. This ensures that you have evidence to support the investigation when tensions flare up and someone flees from the scene. Also, try to talk to some witnesses and see if they are willing to provide you with a way to communicate in case you need support.

Move the vehicle to a safer area

If the police have finished documenting the incident, you can then place the car in a safer part of the road. Ask the officers to assist you when doing so in order to keep passing vehicles from blocking your path.

Organize documents

The key to getting compensation through a favorable court decision lies in your ability to support the case with enough documented evidence. The personal injury lawyer you hire also plays a big role, and you should be assured of their competence and expertise. Take note of all expenses you incur connected to the accident. This includes medicine, treatments and consultation fees you paid for from your own pocket.

Contact your insurance provider

Claims for insurance are settled quicker when information is procured immediately. If you manage to call the insurance office on the same day, then the case is opened instantly, and you can rely on the settlement process to move at once. This might be a good time to review your policy as well, and you can ask for assistance from a law firm that specializes in such cases.

Car accidents can cause much stress and worry if not handled with patience and organization. Keep in mind the abovementioned steps you need to take when you get involved in one, and you can expect a much easier time settling a claim or getting compensation.

Recent Notable Brain Injury Lawsuits

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is sudden damage to the brain caused by an outside physical force. It causes impaired cognitive and/or physical functioning, and can manifest through many different medical conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are an estimated 5.3 million people in the United States suffering from TBI. Many of those people have chosen to seek damages through the legal system and the following are some notable recent cases.

National Football League

In June 2012, the lawsuits of 2,138 former players were consolidated into one master complaint against the NFL, alleging that the league was well aware of the potential for serious head trauma but took no measures to prevent it. According to the suit, adequate safety guidelines were not created and implemented, thus causing a great deal of harm to thousands of players. The helmet-making company Riddell, Inc. was also named in the lawsuit because the players allege that the company knowingly manufactured helmets that were dangerous and unsafe. Many of the players involved in this suit are now suffering from conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Some players have even committed suicide. The players want to hold the league financially responsible for the care associated with treating these conditions.

This case is significant for many reasons, starting with the sheer number of players involved in the lawsuit. The suit, and the attention it has garnered, will have a lasting effect on how professional football is played in the future. The NFL has already begun to implement more stringent safety guidelines, and even youth football leagues have responded by implementing stronger safety rules. Football is the most lucrative and the most popular sport in the United States and this amount of litigation is causing many to wonder if the NFL can remain viable.

Junior Seau

Although Junior Seau was a well-known professional football player, his family did not join the thousands of former players who filed a lawsuit against the NFL. They instead chose to file a separate wrongful death lawsuit against the League. Seau committed suicide in May 2012, and it was revealed that he was suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). His family filed suit because they believe this condition was caused by the constant blows to the head Seau endured as a player. Like the master complaint, they are alleging that the NFL was aware of the potential danger but did not take adequate safety precautions. The suit accuses the NFL of glorifying and encouraging brutal hits without regard for player wellbeing.

This suit is significant because of Seau’s popularity and longevity in the league. Also, because he just retired in 2009, it highlights how rapidly brain injuries can have a major effect on a person’s life.

Virginia Slip-and-Fall Case

Although the lawsuits involving the NFL have caused brain injuries to be widely associated with sports, there have been recent lawsuits involving other manners of injury. In Virginia, a woman was recently awarded $12.2 million after she experienced post-concussion symptoms caused by a slip and fall at a local gas station. Symptoms included difficulty concentrating and seizures. She slipped in a small puddle caused by a leaking awning and the court ruled that the business was aware that the area where she fell was dangerous. The amount awarded to the plaintiff in this case is believed to be the largest award for slip-and-fall injuries in the history of Virginia.

These lawsuits are just a small representation of the thousands of brain injury cases that have gone through the court system. They may not reverse the damage caused by the injuries, but perhaps they will provide acknowledgement of negligence and a symbol of closure for the victims and their families.

Byline

Isaac Ginsburg writes on legal subjects; his primary areas of concern are Spinal Injury, Criminal Defense, Intellectual Property, Constitutional Law and others.

What next for personal injury ?

D-day has arrived for PI claims and many PI lawyers would say that means disaster day. It’s certainly clear that the good times are over for the many personal injury specialist law firms but does this mean there’s no future in being a personal injury lawyer ?

The answer, we suspect is, it depends. Certainly there will be a lot of competition for jobs in a market that will shrink very fast, and there are a lot of PI lawyers. We know from it’s website that there are 4,5000 members of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) but not every injury lawyer is a member which means the number of solicitors working in injury firms is considerably higher, so there will be pressure on jobs. Most personal injury lawyers have not directly benefited from the very lucrative market in the last 20 years, with most of the high profits going to a small number of partners (most PI firms have only a few equity partners) so the model is quite different to most traditional legal practices, and perhaps more efficient for it in many ways.

Obviously, some firms will close, and a recent article in the Guardian suggested that 20% of firms in the North West may opt to close. A personal injury solicitor and owner of 1 firm we spoke top said that his firm would simply run off it’s current caseload and would then close. The partner has a property portfolio from investing profits made over the last decades so he’s really not that bothered.

We also know that whilst there will undoubtedly be far less volumes of cases, many personal injury cases will still be above the small claims limit with some high value claims, especially for areas like medical negligence.

Consequently, it is likely that a large number of firms will completely abandon marketing for claims of low value where the public may not be prepared or able to pay legal fees out of damages. The main area which is likely to be impacted is whiplash claims. It therefore seems likely that there will be increased competition in niche areas such as medical negligence.

In the PI sector, law firms generally do have a keen understanding of the importance of marketing, which is quite unlike other areas of law, so the surviving firms are likely to invest heavily in marketing and this may result in the smaller firms, with smaller budgets, struggling to compete. This is especially the case since some law firms are being bought by insurance companies or claims management companies, who in some cases have bigger budgets than even the stronger PI law firms. To an extent, the lawyers themselves have created this problem, which started several decades ago with Claims Direct, by buying cases from claims companies, ultimately only making the Claims Management companies stronger and ceding control of the market to such companies.

Another possibility for the smaller firms is to find creative ways to co0mpete – with the changes to the PI market, it may be that, initially, some of the bigger and stronger law firms may still offer 100% guaranteed compensation, but many will not be able to do that, so there is likely to be some scope for different types of fee structuring for clients. Differentiation may also come in the form of genuine expertise – one of the features of many types of PI claims, typically RTA claims and sometime Employers Liability, is that because of predictability in outcome and the lucrative nature of the fees available including success fees, the way personal injury has been marketed is that it doesn’t matter which firm you go to or which lawyer or even non-qualified lawyer that represents you. This is likely to change in the new landscape.

Other possibilities may include how quickly a claim may be assessed and different models of dealing with the more specialised claims.

In summary, difficult times in the personal injury market, but as with any such circumstances, adaptability is likely to be key for those firms that  decide to tough it out.

Evolved Legal are a specialist legal marketing consultancy which works with clients including Lloyd Green Solicitors. This firm already has a strategy in place for the changes one part of which is a new specialised cosmetic surgery solicitor website.

Injured in an Auto Accident? What you Should Know

In most areas of the United States, owning an automobile is an absolute necessity. Even in places with great public transportation systems, a vehicle still comes in handy. Unfortunately, due to the large number of people out on the road, traffic accidents are bound to happen. In fact, an auto insurance industry study showed that the average driver will have to file an accident claim once every 19 years. This makes it absolutely imperative for every driver to know what to do after an accident. Immediately after the Accident

In most areas, it’s not legally mandated that police be called, but it’s often a good idea. Officers will usually complete a report on the incident, and if they’re not going to, it doesn’t hurt to ask. Damages will not always seem sufficient for an officer to file a report, but in places like Florida, crash victims can submit their own crash reports to the department of motor vehicles.

In the event that someone is hurt, it is absolutely essential to stay on scene; this is true even if property damage doesn’t seem that extensive. Leaving the scene of a crime like this, before officers or medical personnel respond, is a quick way to get a hit and run or leaving the scene of an accident charge. Neither of these will look good when trying to recover compensation, regardless of who was at fault.

Do I Really Need an Attorney?There are undoubtedly some cases in which an attorney may not be necessary. If an accident only resulted in damage to a vehicle, for instance, and the insurance company and driver isn’t contesting anything, it’s likely that a driver can get the same amount of money that they would with an attorney. When injuries are sustained, however, it’s usually in a person’s best interest to get an auto accident attorney.

Regardless of whether a person thinks they can secure a fair settlement on their own or not, it’s simply ill-advised to not get an attorney if injuries are sustained. A Florida court, for instance, recently awarded $26 million to a veteran who was injured in a car accident. It’s safe to say that, without representation like a Miami car accident lawyer to fight for your rights, it’s excessively unlikely that an insurance company would offer this type of settlement.

Documents to KeepThere are a few documents that every person should gather or hang onto after an accident. First off, regardless of whether a police report or a crash report was filed, a copy should be made of the document. Additionally, it’s imperative to hold onto all medical bills regardless of whether they were paid yet. Finally, getting hold of previous pay stubs can also come in handy if a person is unable to work after their accident.

Auto accidents can be minor nuisances or lead to detrimental injuries. Regardless, it’s important to know how to handle any accident from when it happens until the point everything is back to normal. If this requires working with an attorney to get a fair settlement after an injury, then that’s likely the best way to go. The best part of an auto accident’s aftermath is when everything reaches relative normalcy, and knowing how to deal with these instances can definitely speed up this process.

 
Having had a family member who was seriously injured in a car accident and lost out on his rights, Lisa Coleman wishes to express the importance of seeking medical help after an accident and hiring a lawyer to stand up for you. After having consulted with a Miami car accident lawyer, her family member realized too late what hiring them could have done for him. Lisa writes to share this experience and urges anyone who knows someone who has been or currently is in this situation, to find an attorney and schedule a consult to be informed of your rights.

 

The Risks Involved In Representing Yourself

Post highlighting some of the downsides or risks involved in representing yourself, particularly in personal injury actions.

Contrary to the image portrayed in some parts of the media, launching a claim for compensation following a personal injury is not course of action which the vast majority of people embark upon casually or with a great deal of enthusiasm. On the contrary, people often shy away from embarking upon legal action of this kind until it becomes clear that it’s something which simply has to be done. Rather than, as is often implied, being a get rich quick scheme or a chance to cash in on an accident, claiming compensation is, quite simply, the best and most effective way of getting your life back on track, and people often hesitate until it becomes clear that, to choose one example, their future earning power has been greatly diminished.

One of the factors which discourages people from making a claim for compensation is, quite simply, a fear of the law. The average person tends to find the idea of a courtroom and the legalese spoken in such places more than a little daunting. Even when realising that a large percentage of compensation claims are actually settled before going to court, most people still harbour a fearful distrust of the legal trade. Years of Hollywood movies and tabloid scare stories have created the impression that lawyers are little more than sharks, looking for the next victim to fleece and really only concerned with the bottom line as far as they personally are concerned.

The truth, of course, is that the vast majority of personal injury lawyers are dedicated professionals determined to get the best possible deal for their clients. A few bad apples give the whole profession a bad name, of course, and if the lawyers you approach claim to be able to guarantee success or make outlandish predictions of the amount of money you’re ‘definitely’ going to receive, then they’re really not the right kind of people to work with.

All of this adds up to a feeling, in the minds of some people who’ve suffered personal injury, that they would be better off representing themselves. Whilst this may, at first glance, seem to be the simple way of approaching things, the truth can be more complicated. The average person has little if any experience of the law and may not realise that making a claim can take many months and require research into specialist areas. The claimant has to ask themselves if they can do all of this at the same time as running the rest of their life including, in all probability, earning a living. If they can’t dedicate the time needed, then the chances are that the case won’t be as strong as possible, and it must be remembered that the other side is going to be represented by seasoned professionals. This brings us to the second aspect of self-management, which is knowing when you’ve been offered a good deal. Many insurers try to minimise costs by offering a payment prior to a court case – make no mistake, it’s in their interests to offer the least they think they can get away with. A claimant lacking the knowledge and experience built up from years of fighting cases such as this may make the mistake of accepting a payment which is far below that which they deserve. Not only that, but the expenses incurred in mounting a claim can be huge and can greatly eat away at any money awarded. Things such as medical records and expert witnesses will have to be paid for, as will the costs of the other side if you end up losing your case. There are many horror stories of people who’ve launched legal proceedings only to find costs spiralling out of control to a disastrous degree.

Bearing all of this in mind it can be seen that representing yourself, even if you feel your case is cut and dry, is not the simple approach it may at first appear to be. An expert personal injuries lawyer will have seen, done and asked it all before, and will be able to answer any questions and build the strongest possible case. In many cases, including road accidents, medical negligence and accidents at work, Claims 4 Negligence can help victims with their claim and get them any compensation they are owed.