Summer Sports Injuries

With summer just around the corner, there will be ample opportunity for adults and children alike to partake in outdoor leisure activities. This includes many summer sports. However, with time spent outside playing sports, comes the risk of summer sports injuries.

According to the British Heart Foundation, some of the most common summer sports are football, tennis, cricket, rugby, golf, and cycling. As well as childhood favourite rounders. These sports all come with risk of accidents, but sometimes, these accidents are avoidable.

Most people participate with the knowledge of the risk involved and take adequate steps to prevent injury to themselves or other participants. There are instances, though, where an injury occurs that is not your fault; you may be able to make a sport injury claim.

You can make a summer sports injury claim if your injury occurs as a result of negligence on somebody else’s part. For example, if a tournament was poorly organised, equipment was not maintained, or proper safety training was not given.

Summer sports injuries

Summer Sports Injuries

There are many different injuries that someone can have whilst playing a summer sport. This is due to the variety of sports that people can play in the summer. Some of the most common summer sports injuries include knee injuries, sprains, strains, fractures and breaks, and concussion.

Common causes of summer sports injuries include:

  • Illegal tackles/foul play
  • Improper coaching
  • Faulty/poorly maintained equipment
  • Dangerous behaviour from other players. For example, using hockey sticks illegally
  • Playing sport on uneven flooring
  • Being subject to dangerous conditions, such as poorly built horse jumps

Due to the nature of sports, and because a lot of the accidents involve children, sometimes accidents are unavoidable. However, if the accident happens because of negligence, or it could have been avoided, then you may be able to make a claim for summer sports injuries.

Claiming on Behalf of A Child

If a child has a summer sports injury due to an accident, then a parent or guardian may be able to make a claim on their behalf. Any compensation is put into a special fund or trust for the child to access when they turn 18. Or managed by trustees to cover the cost of caring for a child with a disability sustained as the result of injury.

Usually in personal injury cases, there is a three-year time limit from when the accident happened. However, this is not the case if a child has an accident. In that case, a parent or guardian can make a claim on their behalf until they turn 18, and after that, they have until they turn 21 to make a claim for themselves.

How we Can Help with Summer Sports Injuries

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes summer sports injury claims. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Accidents in UK Hotels

With overnight stays now allowed in much of the UK, and many people being advised to not travel abroad, there is set to be a boom in UK travel, and staying in UK accommodation. But with this, the number of accidents in UK hotels may rise.

accidents in uk hotels

Occupier’s Liability Accidents in UK Hotels

Any private premises in the UK has an owner; someone who is responsible for keeping people who visit the premises safe. Private premises can be anything from shops to car parks. They also include UK hotels and other accommodation. Occupier’s liability is the area of law that deals with this duty of care and occupier’s liability accidents. It concerns anyone who owns a property that the public can visit.

Some common occupier’s liability accidents in UK hotels include:

  • Slipping on wet surfaces with no wet floor sign
  • Tripping over uneven floors or obstacles left in walkways
  • Accidents in car parks due to bad lighting
  • Malfunctioning lifts and automatic doors

These causes of accidents are easy to avoid. The owner of the premises should ensure that they put measures in place to avoid accidents like this from happening. They must ensure they follow rules set out in the Occupiers Liability Act 1957 to minimise the risk of accidents happening. If they fail to do this then they may be liable if someone has an accident on their premises.

Children’s Accidents in UK Hotels

Some of the most common occupier’s liability accidents involve children. This is no different for accidents in UK hotels. If children are visiting a UK hotel, then the owner must take extra care to minimise the risk of them having accidents. This is because children tend to be less careful than adults, which leads to more accidents.

If your child has an accident in a private place, then you may be able to make a claim on their behalf. If the child is under 18 then a parent or guardian may make the claim for them. They are known as a litigation friend. Any compensation will be held in a trust until the child turns 18.

The time limits for making a claim on behalf of a child slightly differ from those of an adult. Usually, the time limit for making a personal injury claim is three years from the date of the accident. However, where the accident involves a child, a parent or guardian may make a claim on their behalf until they turn 18. Once the child turns 18, they then have until their 21st birthday to make a claim for themselves.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with all manner of personal injury claims. This includes accidents in UK hotels, and other occupier’s liability claims. If you have had an accident of this kind, contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Common Children’s Accidents

Children are the most prone to accidents overall, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). They also state that there are approximately 40,000 injuries to children on playgrounds each year which result in a hospital visit. Due to this, there are some children’s accidents that are more common than others.

Common Children’s Accidents

Common children’s accidents can include:

  • Cycling accidents
  • Playground accidents
  • Home accidents
  • Injuries from a faulty or dangerous toy or product

Cycling Accidents

A bike accident can happen for all sorts of reasons. However, in our experience, the most common children’s cycling accident claims include hit and run, any slippery road or pavement conditions due to oil spills, ice and snow, and injuries relating to faulty bicycle parts or repairs.

Many cyclists do not realise that, if a bike accident that was someone else’s fault, they can claim compensation.

Playground Accidents

There are many causes of playground accidents. Sometimes, it is the child’s fault, or it is a by-product of playing. These are accidents that cannot be claimed for. However, if the accident was caused by faulty or unsafe playground equipment, then there may be grounds for a claim.

The main cause of accidents due to unsafe playground equipment is poorly maintained equipment. Other causes include broken equipment, poor equipment design, failure to comply to safety standards, poor layout of equipment, incorrect installation, and poor installation.

Home Accidents

Children are amongst the most likely to have accidents in the home. You may think that if your child has an accident in your home that you may not be able to make a claim. There are a few instances where there are grounds to make a claim. These instances include claiming for faulty products, claiming against a contractor whose work has caused an accident, or an accident that has been caused by negligence on the part of your landlord.

Common reasons that an accident may be the fault of your landlord if you live in rented accommodation include:

  • Poor lighting
  • Defective outdoor steps or indoor stairs
  • Ripped carpets
  • Loose or missing floorboards
  • Broken or loose paving stones
common children's accidents

Claiming on Behalf of A Child

If a child has an accident, then a parent or guardian may be able to make a claim on their behalf. Any compensation received is put into a special fund or trust for the child to access when they turn 18. Or managed by trustees to cover the cost of caring for a child with a disability sustained as the result of their injury.

Usually in personal injury cases, there is a three-year time limit to make a claim. however, this is not the case if a child has an accident. In that case, a parent or guardian can make a claim on their behalf until they turn 18, and after that, they have until they turn 21 to make a claim for themselves.

How We Can Help With Common Children’s Accidents

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with all manner of personal injury claims. This includes children’s accidents. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Accidents in Private Places: Three injured in ‘explosion’ outside pub

Three people have been injured in an ‘explosion’ in an outside area of a pub in Suffolk, according to recent reports. The cause of the accident is thought to have been a small portable fuel heater.

“Two females and one male remain in hospital after sustaining serious injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening but are potentially life-changing,” Suffolk police said. “Officers were called following reports of an explosion in the outside area of the Kings Head pub. It is believed the fire was caused by a small portable fuel heater.”

Accidents in private places such as pubs can be unavoidable, however, if the accident was the fault of the owner of the premises, then you may be able to make a claim.

accidents in public places

Accidents in Private Places

Any private premises in the UK has an owner; someone who is responsible for keeping people who visit the premises safe. Private premises can be anything from shops to car parks, and also includes pubs. Occupier’s liability is the area of law that deals with this duty of care and occupier’s liability accidents. It concerns anyone who owns a property that the public can visit.

Accidents can be easy to avoid. The owner of the premises should ensure that they put measures in place to avoid accidents like this from happening. They must also follow rules set out in the Occupiers Liability Act 1957 to minimise the risk of accidents happening. If they fail to do this then they may be liable if someone has an accident on their premises.

In the case of the ‘explosion’ outside the pub, if the owner of the pub did not ensure that the heater was safe for public use, or did not follow the rules of the heater, for example, if it should have only been on for a certain amount of time, then they may be at fault for the accident. The owner of the pub should also ensure that heaters are working properly. They should do this by carrying out tests and risk assessments to check it was working properly. If they did not do this, then this may be another reason they may be at fault.

Life-Changing Injuries After Accidents in Private Places

A life-changing injury is an injury that is serious enough to affect the way a person lives their day-to-day life. They can mean that a person must make a lot of changes to their life. These changes can include:

  • Having to give up work
  • Modifications to their home or vehicle
  • Mobility aids
  • Needing a carer
  • Rehabilitation

 The solicitors we work with can help you cover some of the financial costs associated with a life-changing injury.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with all manner of personal injury claims. This includes accidents in private places and Occupier’s Liability accidents. So contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Children’s Cycling Accidents: Risk may Increase in Warmer Weather

Now that the weather is improving, it is natural that children and adults alike may want to get out cycling. However, with more people around comes the heightened risk of children’s cycling accidents. There are some incidents where there may be an accident involving children where it is just that, an accident. However, if your child has had an accident where someone is to blame, then you may be able to claim compensation on their behalf.

Common Causes of Children’s Cycling Accidents

Many children have cycling accidents due to a variety of reasons. Some of these include:

  • Hit and run accidents
  • Cycling accidents in public areas such as skateparks and parks
  • Accidents due to defects in playgrounds and pavements
  • Slippery road or pavement conditions
  • Collisions with other cyclists or pedestrians

If your child has had a cycling accident due to one of these reasons, then it may be someone else’s fault and you may be able to make a claim on their behalf.

Children's cycling accidents

Minimising Risks of Children’s Cycling Accidents

The nature of children means that they may have accidents that there is no one to blame for. There are certain ways that you can minimise your child’s risk of having an accident by taking certain precautions. Here are a few tips from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) on how you can maximise the enjoyment and minimise the risk:

  • Carry out a regular safety check (tyres at the correct pressure, brakes working and nothing loose like spokes, saddle or handlebars)
  • Wearing a cycle helmet will help provide protection to the head in the event of a collision or falling off (remember to replace if damaged)
  • Make sure your child is not wearing any loose clothing or shoelaces, which could become tangled in the chain or wheels
  • Parents should ride with children to their competence and ability. Get them to demonstrate that they can safely control their bike and deal with other traffic
  • For older children, if they are riding away from home plan the route with them; use cycle tracks and avoid busy roads and junctions if possible.

Claiming on Behalf of a Child

If a child is injured in an accident, then a parent or guardian may be able to make a claim on their behalf. The time limits are also different when making a claim on behalf of a child. Ordinarily a person would have three years from the date of the accident to make a claim. This is different when claiming for a child.

In the case of a child’s accident, you have until they turn 18 to make a claim on their behalf. They then have three years from the date they turn 18 to make a claim. So, in theory, you may have a longer time in which to make a claim. however, it is always better to start a potential claim as soon as possible.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with all manner of personal injury claims. This includes children’s cycling accidents. Contact us by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Easter Accidents in Public

With the Easter weekend just around the corner, many people will be looking forward to being able to meet people outside again. However, with the long weekend comes a long weekend of walking, which can lead to a rise in Easter weekend accidents in public places such as parks, in children’s play areas and on pavements.

Easter accidents in public

There are a few accidents that can happen over the Easter weekend. Some of these accidents include: slips or trips on pavements whilst out walking, accidents on children’s playgrounds due to faulty or broken playground equipment, and road traffic accidents. And because we can now meet other people outside, accidents in public places may even increase.

Pavement accidents

The most common type of public accidents are slips, trips and falls. These accidents can happen on the pavement, on the road or on public footpaths in parks. They are usually caused by potholes or defects in the ground.

There are certain rules when claiming for tripping on a pothole or defect in a pavement or road. On a pavement, a pothole or defect must be at least an inch deep or raised. In the road, this must be at least 2 inches deep and at least 12 inches wide.

Playground accidents

With many children on their Easter break from school, going to a playground during Easter weekend may be common. If a child has an accident on a playground due to faulty or broken playground equipment, then you may be able to make a claim on their behalf.

The Responsibility of Local Authorities

The Highways Act 1980 states that local authorities are responsible for keeping all roads and footpaths safe to use. Keeping all roads and pavements marble smooth at all times is both unnecessary and impractical. However a council has a legal duty to repair any damage that occurs to surfaces. They must do this by making repairs within six months of being notified of the risk. If a local council does not do this and someone has an accident, then they may be liable.

Road traffic accidents

If you have had a road traffic accident because of someone else’s carelessness on the road, then you may be able to claim compensation.

When you have a road traffic accident, your injuries can be severe. They can range from whiplash and soft tissue damage, to more serious injuries. In the worst cases, they can even be fatal. Even the smallest injuries can take a while to heal after a road traffic accident.

You may have to take time off work to recover, and therefore lose out financially. Your car may have also suffered some damage, and you may even have to replace it. If all of this happened in an accident that was not your fault, then it can be even worse.

How we can help

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with all manner of personal injury claims. This includes accidents in public places and on the roads. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

What Are Occupier’s Liability Accidents?

Any private premises in the UK has an owner; someone who is responsible for keeping people who visit the premises safe. Private premises can be anything from shops to car parks. Occupier’s liability is the area of law that deals with this duty of care and occupier’s liability accidents. It concerns anyone who owns a property that the public can visit.

The Difference Between Occupier’s Liability and Public Liability

Occupier’s liability refers to anyone who owns a property that the public can visit. Due to this, they are sometimes wrongly referred to as public liability accidents. However, the difference is in the owner of the place where the accident happened. Public liability generally covers places that the council own and are responsible for. Occupier’s liability covers places that are privately owned.

Occupier’s Liability Accidents

The types of accidents that generally come under occupier’s liability accidents include accidents in shops, supermarkets, car parks, restaurants, and private residences. Owners of properties must take steps to help ensure that people do not have accidents on their premises.

There are many causes of accidents that fall under occupier’s liability. Some of these include:

  • Slipping on wet surfaces
  • Tripping over uneven floors or obstacles left in walkways
  • Being struck by a falling object, such as an item falling from a shelf
  • Accidents in car parks due to poor layouts or bad lighting
  • Malfunctioning lifts and automatic doors

These causes of accidents are easy to avoid. The owner of the premises should ensure that they put measures in place to avoid accidents like this from happening. They must ensure they follow rules set out in the Occupiers Liability Act 1957 to minimise the risk of accidents happening. If they fail to do this then they may be liable if someone has an accident on their premises.

Children and Occupier’s Liability Accidents

Some of the more common occupier’s liability accidents involve children. If children are visiting a place that falls under occupier’s liability, then the owner must take extra care to minimise the risk of children having accidents. This is because children tend to be less careful than adults whilst out in public.

If your child has had an accident is a public or private place, then you may be able to claim on their behalf. If your child is under 18, then a parent or guardian may make a claim for them. Their parent or guardian also has until the child turns 18 to make a claim. If the child is over 18 then they have until they are 21 to make a claim themselves.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who deal with all manner of personal injury claims. This includes accidents in private places. This means that they have the expertise to help you with your potential claim. Contact us today by filling in our contact form or by calling us on 0800 182 2185 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Cyclists Rights on Roads

Cycling is a travel option that divides a lot of people. On the one hand, it is better for the environment and our health, but on the other hand some people argue that cyclists do not follow the rules of the road, and have a disregard of their and others rights. You may think that cyclists rights on the roads are different than vehicles because they do not have to pay the same road tax. That is not true, cyclists rights on the roads are essentially the same as vehicles rights on the roads.

Cyclists Rights on Roads

Cyclists have the same rights on the roads as other road users, but they also have other rules. For example, at a junction, cyclists are usually permitted to go ahead of vehicles to stop at traffic lights.

Cyclists can use the full width of the lane as much as anyone else. They are also allowed to ride two abreast. Cyclists do not have to use the designated cycle lane on the roads. However, cyclists are encouraged to ride single file where possible to avoid collisions.

Bicycles do not have to have a bell fitted by law. The law states that calling out to give a warning is sufficient. The only equipment that a bicycle must legally have are reflectors and working brakes, plus front and rear lights if the cyclist intends to bike at night. However, the Highway Code does advise consideration of pedestrians in this, and whilst calling out may be acceptable, a bell may be more socially considerate.

Lane Splitting

Lane splitting, when cyclists undertake and overtake cars and change lanes in order to move through traffic faster, is perfectly legal.

The Highway Code states that road users should be aware of others when travelling. It also mentions cyclists should avoid filtering in and out of traffic if it could cause conflict with another person. An example of this is when approaching a junction. Overtaking is the safest way to do this, as it is generally less dangerous than undertaking.

Speed Limits

Unlike vehicles, there is no speed limit for cyclists on the roads. However, some local authorities do impose speed limits for cyclists. They must also follow a speed limit in the Royal parks.

Although speeding is not an offence in itself, cyclists who cycle dangerously are committing an offence under section 28 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. This means that they can face fines of up to £2500. Careless cycling is also an offence under section 29 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. This is when a cyclist uses the road without due care and attention for other road users. A cyclist doing this may face a fine of up to £1000.

The Most Common Causes of Cycling Accidents

Accidents involving cyclists can happen for all sorts of reasons. However, in our experience, the most common causes of cycling accident claims include:

  • Hit and run road traffic accidents.
  • Collision with a car, vehicle or even another cyclist or a pedestrian.
  • Vehicle doors opening into the path of an oncoming cyclist.
  • Potholes, worn tarmac, raised manhole covers and other defects in the road.
  • Any slippery road conditions due to oil spills, ice and snow.

Many cyclists don’t realise that if an accident was someone else’s fault, a cyclist can claim compensation.

Who Is at Fault for Cycling Accidents?

There are instances in cycling accidents where the cyclist may be at fault, and there are instances where it may be someone else’s fault. instances where a cyclist may be at fault include not wearing high visibility clothing, not having lights on their bike, cycling whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or cycling carelessly. If a cyclist has not followed the rules set out in The Highway Code, then they may also be at fault.

Cyclists Rights on Roads: How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience in all manner of personal injury claims. This includes accidents on the road involving cyclists. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 0800 182 2187 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Reporting Your Accident

No matter the type of accident you have, reporting your accident is important. It is important for a number of reasons, including for proof of your accident happening. Other reasons include: so the other party knows the accident happened, loss of earnings due to taking time off work, medical reasons, and to ensure it does not happen again.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) more than 14,000 people die as a result of accidents every year, with thousands more having injuries.

Reporting Your Accident at Work

If you have an accident at work, it is important to report the accident to your employer. In workplaces where there is an accident book, you must make sure you log the accident in there. If not, you must report the accident verbally to a manager or supervisor.

When reporting your accident at work, it is important to note down the date and time of the accident, the cause of the accident, whether there were any witnesses, the treatment you had, and the amount of time you had to take off work.

Reporting Your Accident in a Public Place

Having an accident in a public place may mean that there are a few people that you need to think about when reporting your accident. If you fell in a shop, you need to report your accident to the shop owner or manager. Most shops will also have an accident book or form, so it is important to fill that in too.

If you have an accident on the street, for example, a trip on the pavement, then you will need to report your accident to the council. However, if the council have sent you a claims form, it is important that you do not fill that in and send back if you would like to make a personal injury claim. Nevertheless, the council does need to know about any defects in pavements or roads, so it is still important to report your accident.

Reporting Your Accident on the Road

If you have an accident on the road, for example, a road traffic accident, there are a couple of people you may need to think about reporting your accident to. You must report the accident to your insurance, and take the details of the other person involved in the accident. This is usually their name, registration number and insurance details.

You may also need to report your accident to the police. This is almost always the case in road traffic accidents, as the police are usually called to the scene. If they are not, it is still important to report your accident to them.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience in dealing with all types of personal injury claims. This includes accidents at work, accidents in public places, and accidents on the road. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Cold Weather and Public Accidents

We are now in Winter, and we all know that Winter and cold weather go hand in hand. Cold weather and public accidents unfortunately can also go hand in hand.  In the cold weather, there may be an increase in accidents in public places. This includes trips and slips on pavements. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), slips, trips and falls are the most common accident in everyday life.

There may be more risks on pavements in the cold weather too. The temperatures may affect paving and potholes. This can lead to more trips and falls, and it is something that we deal with on a daily basis here at The Compensation Experts.

Cold Weather and Public Accidents: Potholes

As the temperatures go down, the rate of potholes may increase on pavements and roads. Add that to the cold surfaces making injuries worse, and you could potentially be hurt for longer than usual.

The Winter may also make the quality of the pavements worse due to ice and frost on the ground. Whilst local councils can not do anything about the weather, they must still ensure that the weather does not affect their maintenance of roads and pavements.

There are certain sizes that potholes must be in order to make a claim. On the pavement the pothole must be at least an inch deep. On roads, potholes must be at least 2 inches deep and at least 12 inches (a foot) wide. It is always best to take pictures if you have fallen due to a pothole, as it can help your claim.

Cold Weather and Public Accidents: Pavements

The cold weather may also cause pavements to crack more. This can increase the risk of people tripping on the pavements. Pavements with defects can be dangerous, as they can cause injuries that last a while, such as fractures and breaks. These injuries can take a long time to recover from and may even require surgery. If it was an accident due to the fault of the council, then you may be able to make a claim.

The council must ensure that they maintain a regular upkeep of their pavements to avoid accidents like this happening. This is especially important in Winter as the cold weather can mean that the injuries people have can be worse.

Similarly to potholes, there is a certain size that a loose or cracked pavement must be either raised by or lowered by. On a pavement, the pavement must be raised or dropped by at least an inch in order to make a claim. It is also best to take pictures in this situation too, as it can help your claim.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with all types of personal injury claim. This includes trips and falls on pavements and roads due to potholes and pavement defects. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Accidents on Public Transport for Students

University students across the UK are currently travelling home for Christmas, with many using public transport. During this time, with the rush for many students to get home before the 9th December, the likelihood of accidents on public transport may rise. There could be more road traffic accidents, or accidents at stations due to the rush of people travelling.

Students have been told to travel between 3-9 December if they test negative for COVID-19. This is because the infection rates will generally be lower after the mass testing that they have undergone. They are planning on doing this to reduce the risk of the students passing the virus to their loved ones. The government and universities are likely to stagger the return to universities after the Christmas period in January.

Students on Public Transport

There will undoubtedly be a lot of students using public transport during this week, and with that the amount of accidents may rise. Accidents on public transport can occur on buses, trains, taxis, and more.

According to a report by the BBC, students in England can travel as long as they have had a negative test result. In Scotland students must have two negative test results in 5 days before they can travel. If students test positive, then they must self-isolate before being able to travel.

The public transport companies may add extra transport for this period. This may also cause the number of accidents to rise.

Accidents on Public Transport

The main accident that can occur on public transport is a road traffic accident (RTA). For example, if you are on a bus and a driver hits the bus, or vice-versa, then you may be able to claim. This includes if the accident was the bus driver’s fault.

Another accident that may happen on public transport includes accidents because of the rush of people trying to get on transport, such as a fall at a station. If you have fallen at a station, and it was someone else’s fault, such as a floor that has been recently cleaned but does not have a wet floor sign, then you may be able to make a claim.

What to do if you have an accident on public transport?

If you have an accident on public transport, the first thing you need to do is report the accident. That can be to the bus driver, the bus or train company, or the taxi company. Then you need to make a GP appointment or go to A&E to see the extent of your injuries.

It could also be beneficial to you if there are witnesses to the accident. That could be other passengers or other drivers that were involved in the accident. Or it could be any staff if your accident happened at a station.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes accidents on public transport. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly, knowledgeable advisors.

Common Black Friday Accidents

Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year. It has been a massive day in the USA for many years, but in the past few years, the phenomenon has spread to the UK. Many items are reduced on the day, and its surrounding days to kickstart Christmas shopping, but it is not without its risks. With the increased number of shoppers, there is an increase in Black Friday accidents.

Whilst this year it is, understandably being held online, in the past it has led people to flood to shops.  With more shops starting to open again in some parts of the country in the lead up to Christmas, the number of accidents may rise. There are some accidents, however, that happen more than others in this period.

Common Black Friday Accidents in Shops

Most accidents that happen on Black Friday and the festive period do so in shops. This can be due to health and safety issues, inadequate staffing, or the fault of other members of the public. Shops have a duty of care, set out in the Occupier’s Liability Act 1984, to ensure that no one is injured whilst on their premises.

This is especially important on Black Friday and during the festive period, as the number of shoppers increases. Businesses and shop owners, at this time, must take even more care to make sure no one has an accident. This includes making sure there are adequate members of staff in to deal with the increased footfall and making sure they have the correct training to deal with the numbers.

Falling Items

It is no surprise that many Black Friday accidents happen in shops. A big cause of accidents in shops is falling items hitting people. Falling items can be dangerous in any circumstance, but may be made worse around the festive period. If the items fall due to the fault of someone else, for example items not being stacked correctly or people pulling items off shelves in an unsafe way, then it may be something you can claim for.

Crushing

Another accident that can be caused on and around Black Friday is crushing. Causes of these accidents include people rushing to get certain items, and it can cause serious injuries. If shops do not have the correct security or health and safety measures, this can lead to more accidents.

Assault

Another form of accident that can happen on Black Friday is assault. There may be cases where someone assaults you trying to get an item, or in the rush to get to the sales. There is a body who deal with assault compensation cases. They are known as the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, or CICA.

Common Black Friday Accidents on the Road

There can also be accidents during the festive period before you even enter a shop. There are many accidents that happen on the roads and in car parks too. Causes of these accidents can include speeding, driving carelessly, and drivers fighting for parking spaces.

Black Friday and the Christmas period causes many drivers to drive more recklessly on the roads, with drivers speeding and not concentrating. According to Department for Transport statistics, the 10 days including and following Black Friday are when the most crashes happen on UK roads. This is likely due to the rush of shoppers.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who deal with all manner of personal injury claims. This includes accidents in shops, public places, and on the roads. If you have had an accident and it was someone else’s fault, then you may be able to claim compensation.

Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly, knowledgeable advisors.