False personal injury claims bring terrible consequences

At The Compensation Experts, we have a great deal of experience handling cases for various personal injury compensation amounts. For example, we help victims of road traffic accidents. As such, motor accidents can cause tremendous amounts of damage, both physically and financially. Yet we also need to combat false personal injury claims.

This is a far too common occurrence that affects legitimate claims every day. (more…)

3 Common Accidents To Claim Compensation For

With common types of injury claims, the actual accidents themselves come in many shapes and sizes. But they’re all relevant if the cause of the accident is another individual and the accidents bring injury or illness to you.*

There are many common accidents to claim compensation for. You’re eligible for compensation on any accident within the last three years which:

  • wasn’t your fault, or;
  • as a direct result of another’s negligence.

That remains the case if you’re injured in an accident by a business or an individual.

Here are some of the most common accidents which can occur and what you need to do in order to claim for maximum compensation. For all the below occurrences, it’s important to speak to a trained advisor at The Compensation Experts to best guide you through the claim process.

Slips, Trips and Falls

This can occur anywhere, at any time, whether within the workplace, in a public street, or even abroad. Wherever it occurs, you’ve got the right to make a claim if the slip, trip or fall wasn’t your fault. An individual or business needs to maintain the upkeep of a particular environment. Therefore, even a simple trip can have devastating repercussions for the wounded party if it causes severe injuries.

Some things need to be in order to claim compensation for this type of accident. For one thing, you need to prove that your fall was a direct result of neglect on another’s part. For example, here are some incidents worthy of negligence claims:

  • A slippery, wet floor in a working kitchen.
  • Any obstacles left in public spaces which you have tripped over.
  • Even some carpeting that has come loose in a public place and become a hazard.

Once you have the necessary proof, claim proceedings can begin and you will be eligible to receive compensation.

Road Traffic Accident

With such a heavy flow of traffic, these accidents are inevitable, and often through no fault of your own. If you’re in a road traffic accident, you’re eligible for a claim.**

In certain circumstances, you may also be able to claim even if you were partly at fault. This may be so, for example, if a situation occurs where you made a mistake, but another driver made a bigger one and is the majority perpetrator.

If a road traffic accident leaves you with permanent damage, we can help. Such accidents, in short, can deliver a permanent loss of income if you are unable to work. Therefore, a compensation claim can incorporate any losses you will have in the foreseeable future.

Factory Accidents

A working factory environment is often a risk, especially when Health & Safety officials don’t offer a duty of care to their workers. Yet even with the implementation of the proper health and safety procedures, injuries including broken bones, concussions, bruises and other damage can still occur.

With factory accidents, injury claims often occur due to the chance of human error and the failure of machinery. Whether you’re a factory worker or just a visitor to the site, you will be eligible for compensation.

Some factory accident scenarios

Here are just a few different scenarios to consider to determine if you can make a claim.

  • If you have not been given the proper training during your work in a factory.
  • The workplace has poor lighting or visuals, making obstacles harder to see in conducting your work.
  • If you’re part of a working atmosphere that proves to be inexplicably strenuous. For example:
    • Unnatural lifting expectations.
    • Susceptible conditions for fatigue.
    • Poor access to clean drinking water and/or hydration.
  • The proper equipment to use during the course of your work, such as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

These are just some of the situation you may encounter that can make it easier to make a claim.

For any advice on common accidents for compensation claims, contact the team at The Compensation Experts today.

When an accident visits injury on you, it’s often tough to regain your life as you knew it. But these common accidents to claim compensation against all deserve the attention of our personal injury solicitors. In short, we can improve your experience.

Plus, you’ve no automatic obligation to legal fees in order to tap into our legal advice. Because your personal injury claim is always handled by law firms with years of experience as No Win, No Fee.

What’s more, check with any of your current insurance company providers. They – or the insurance provider we connect you with – may cover any legal fees you might eventually incur. But regardless, with The Compensation Experts, you only incur those fees when you win.

*Through no fault of your own.

**Through no fault of your own, as a driver, pedestrian, cyclist or public transport passenger.

A Guide to Making an Office Injury Claim

There are many categories when it comes to work injury claims, and injuries sustained during work in an office environment is one of them. It’s easy to think of workplace injuries to be more in physical lines of work, such as manual labour, where accidents are more likely, but no matter where your work is based, an employer has a legal obligation to manage your safety, and this includes the office environment.

The following are important details regarding any claim made relating to an office injury.

What Counts as an Office Injury?

The types of injuries which are relevant towards a claim are as follows:

  • Repetitive strain injury. This is an injury most suffered by office workers, due to the long hours spent sitting at a desk, usually typing and using their hands in the same way for hours on end. This injury involves pain felt in the muscles, nerves, and tendons.
  • Any injury sustained from a wet floor. If the floor is not properly signposted to signal a hazard and you have fallen or slipped, any subsequent injury is relevant.
  • Any strain caused as a result of an incorrect procedure. This includes back strain from lifting objects which you have not been properly trained to lift.
  • Eye strain from overuse of laptops or VDUs.
  • Being injured as the result of a fallen object.
  • An injury sustained from faulty equipment. An example would be an electric shock; even if it is an injury from a faulty kettle in the break room, that equipment is still the responsibility of your employer.
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This is caused by excess pressure on the nerve in your wrist and can be exacerbated by typing at a desk for long periods with your wrists in the same position.

Check Your Responsibilities as an Employee

It’s important before making any claim that you are sure you have done everything expected of you as an employee in regards to health and safety. For example, if your employer has provided you with the best equipment to limit eye strain or repetitive strain injury, and you have chosen to not use it regularly or else have been misusing it, then this means your employer is not fully liable for the subsequent injury. If you know that you have fulfilled everything required of you as an employee and your injury is a direct result of your employer alone, then you are eligible to speak to an advisor about a claim.

What’s Involved?

Once the claim has been confirmed, the procedure will be as follows:

  • Gathering proof of the nature and extent of the injury. This could be obtaining medical records, checking the employer’s accident book, or potentially an independent medical assessment.
  • Proving that the injury was not unavoidable or a matter of chance. This is important, as it means being able to prove that the injury would not have occurred naturally, and is a direct result of the neglected work environment.

Speak with the team at The Compensation Experts for further advice.

Record Breaking Wheelchair Compensation Win

A Brisbane man who became wheelchair-bound after a car accident left him with severe brain injuries has been awarded a record $20.5 million in compensation.

Chrys Barker, aged 28, and his cousin, Bobby Hobbs, aged 20, were hit by a drunk driver in Caboolture near Brisbane in January 2014. Mr Hobbs was killed instantly in the collision while Mr Barker was flown by helicopter to a hospital. He suffered such serious brain damage that he can no longer speak and is in a wheelchair for life. While he can understand conversations, he can only communicate through eye movements.

The drunk driver was a former Navy man, Craig Edward Jones. At the time of the incident, the investigators estimated that Jones’ blood-alcohol reading was between 0.256 – 0.32%. He lost control of his vehicle and spun out into 3 cars. The people in the third vehicle suffered only minor injuries.

At the time of the incident, Jones was under a probationary driver’s license which required him to have an ‘alcohol ignition interlock’ fitted which would prevent the car from starting unless he had a zero blood alcohol reading. This device was not fitted at the time of the incident. Jones had 3 previous drink driving convictions. He was disqualified from driving for life and was sentenced to 8 years in prison in 2015.

A third-party personal injury insurer accepted full liability. The insurer originally suggested that Mr Barker should live in a care home for the rest of his life, which would cost $3 million. However, a neurosurgeon recommended that he would have a better chance at rehabilitation if he was cared for at home. Mr Barker’s family wished to bring him home, and the insurance company agreed to pay for the adaptations needed to move Mr Barker to the family home in Donnybrook.

The $20.5 million compensation figure, however, has taken 4 years to be settled upon as Chrys’ health needed to stabilise before the figure could be agreed upon. Queensland Supreme Court sanctioned the compensation earlier this year.

An independent trustee company will invest and manage the compensation to ensure Chrys has the care he needs for the rest of his life. The money received from the pay-out will be used to pay for Mr Barker’s rehabilitation, increased insurance, care costs, and home modification costs.

Mr Barker’s mother, Betty Barker, said: ‘To know that the funds are there now for Chrys to be looked after for the rest of his life… it’s just a relief.’

‘Every doorway had to be widened for a wheelchair. Chrys is a big strong boy, he’s in a good-sized wheelchair, and most average doorways are too small for Chrys.’

The insurance company’s head of communications, Paul Turner, said: ‘It has really set the boundaries for future settlements of this size, and a lot of that is based on Chrys’ age and the severity of his injuries. This was a really complex case medically, and we had to ensure that Chrys was covered for life and we got the best cover possible.’

If you have would like to discuss a similar accident or have been affected by this story, then it is in your best interest to get in contact with us at The Compensation Experts where we can discuss your legal issue and help you to make a claim.

Faulty Cutting Gear that Cost a Hand and £1.5 Million in Compensation

A Glasgow firefighter has been awarded £1.5m in damages after an injury caused by faulty cutting equipment led to the amputation of his hand.

In 2014 Ian McDonald was taking part in a training exercise at Bishopbriggs fire station in East Dunbartonshire. The exercise involved simulating a rescue from a car accident. Mr McDonald was using hydraulic cutting equipment which malfunctioned and let out a jet of toxic hydraulic fluid at high pressure. The jet was so strong that it pierced his leather safety gloves and the liquid destroyed tissue in his hand.

Describing the incident, Mr McDonald said: “I had no idea what was going on – my hand felt like it was on fire and was swollen with a painful throbbing feeling… when blood tests revealed I was poisoned, we realised something happened with the cutting gear.”

Mr McDonald went through 4 years and 40 operations in a fight to save his hand. While medical specialists at Glasgow Royal Infirmary amputated the little finger with his ring finger being removed a year later.

“My dexterity remained pretty good, but the pain was agonising, and nothing would stop it. When I heard the full hand had to go, the idea of being pain-free made it easier to accept.”

Having tried numerous painkillers, botox and acupuncture, in June 2018 he was admitted to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital to have his right hand amputated at the wrist. The procedure took 18 days and six surgeries. Mr MacDonald now uses a prosthesis.

Solicitors conducted an investigation which found that there had been an inadequate system of maintenance and safety inspections.

An investigation into the incident by the solicitors revealed that, although the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service knew about the potential risks involved, there was an inadequate system of inspection and maintenance for equipment. In addition, protective coverings which would have prevented the injury were not in use.

Solicitor, David Nellaney, said: “The SFRS is undoubtedly a safety-conscious organisation that provides an invaluable service, but on this occasion, it failed in its duty of care to an employee.”

While Mr McDonald was offered legal representation, he chose his own lawyers to access a specialist prosthetic, instead of a “hook” which was being offered by the NHS.

Mr McDonald added: ” I’ve still a way to go, but after the support of my family, the doctors and colleagues I finally feel like the dark days are behind me.”

Mr McDonald has four children and is recovering at home with his wife Claire currently.

The deputy chief officer of SFRS, David McGown, said commented that it was, “extremely heartening to see that he continues to make a strong recovery”.

He also added: “Following a robust investigation into Mr McDonald’s injury, we undertook a review of equipment and related safety checks and have taken appropriate steps to minimise the risk of similar incidents happening in the future.”

If you have would like to discuss a similar accident or have been affected by this story, then it is in your best interest to get in contact with us at The Compensation Experts where we can discuss your legal issue and help you to make a claim.

Woman Controversially Awarded Compensation After Bike Crash

A woman who was hit by a cyclist after stepping out into the road has been awarded compensation. While the decision may not appear controversial at first, the circumstances of the case have divided opinions.

The ruling has been called controversial as Gemma Brushett was distracted by her phone when she stepped into the road, and the traffic lights were green for the cyclist, Robert Hazeldean. Both parties were knocked unconscious by the collision in July 2015, but the cyclist will have to pay Ms Brushett damages. Although the incident took place over 4 years ago, the case has only just been settled in the courts.

Mr Hazeldean was approaching a junction at the northern end of London Bridge when Ms Brushett stepped into the road. He sounded an air horn to warn her of his approach, but this caused her to panic and try to get back to a traffic island. Unfortunately, Mr Hazeldean had swerved in the same direction to try and avoid hitting her, which is when they collided.

In her summary of the case, Judge Mauger detailed why she had found that Ms Brushett should receive a payout from Mr Hazeldean: ‘When I stand back and ask “how did the accident happen?” it seems to me that Mr Hazeldean owed a duty to other road users to drive with reasonable care and skill […] Mr Hazeldean did fall below the level to be expected of a reasonably competent cyclist in that he did proceed when the road was not completely clear.’

If a pedestrian is established on the road, even if a vehicle or cyclist has the right of way, the pedestrian has right of way by default. So, in this case, even though the lights were on green for the cyclist, Mr Hazeldean, Ms Brushett had right of way.

The judge also added: ‘Ms. Brushett must clearly have equal responsibility if she is crossing the road without looking – and if she is looking at her phone, even more so. But cyclists must be prepared at all times for people to behave in unexpected ways. The appropriate finding is that the parties were equally responsible, and I make a finding of liability at 50/50.’

Another cyclist who witnessed the incident said that Hazeldean was in the wrong and had behaved in an ‘arrogant and reckless’ manner, while 3 other witnesses said that Ms Brushett had been using her phone and was distracted when she went into the road. The judge, however, found that the parties were equally to blame. Judge Shanti Mauger believed that although Hazeldean was a ‘calm and reasonable road user’, cyclists should be ‘prepared at all times for people to behave in unexpected ways’.

The judge’s ruling means that Ms Brushett will receive compensation, but the exact figure she will receive is unknown and will be fixed at a later date. It is likely that, as the judge has ruled that the parties had equal responsibility in the accident, she will only be awarded half of the value of her original claim.

If you have would like to discuss a similar accident or have been affected by this story, then it is in your best interest to get in contact with us at The Compensation Experts where we can discuss your legal issue and help you to make a claim.

What’s the Average Personal Injury Claim?

There are a number of factors that will need to be taken into account when calculating your potential compensation amounts. In order to work out the value of your claim, these aspects will be factored into the final decision:

  • The type of injury you have received
  • How serious the injury is
  • Expected rehabilitation time
  • Psychological issues that may have been caused by your injury
  • Any financial losses you have suffered from due to your injury

At their foundation, all personal injury claims are made with the intention of redressing your injury. The intention is to ensure that you are better equipped to get your life back to how it was before the injury happened. As a result of that guiding principle, all claim amounts will be set dependant on your level of pain and suffering.

The more seriously you have been injured and the longer that your recovery will take, the higher your compensation payout can be.

Special and General Damages

Courts will look at the facts of your claim. As well as the pain and suffering that you have suffered, they will also evaluate expenses that have occurred. This could mean medical expenses, travel costs of getting to and from hospitals, or any other expenses that have been made or expected. If your injury has cost you money, then special damages compensation is intended as a way to reimburse you. Special damages will always depend on your specific case.

General damages are intended to compensate you for any pain that you have experienced as a result of your injury. The seriousness of your injury will vary the compensation amounts that you might receive, although the Judicial College Guidelines do have some set criteria for compensation levels. This will mean a medical evaluation but can result in much higher compensation totals.

Average Compensation Amounts

Due to the fact that all personal injury claims are different, it can be very difficult to make a general statement about average compensation amounts. A different injury will result in a different payout amount. The body part that has been injured will also be factored in, but some examples of average payouts include:

  • Neck injuries: For minor neck injuries, you should expect to get no less than £1,000. Even for minor neck injuries, there have been payouts as high as £6,920. The more serious your neck injury the more money you may receive in compensation. For severe injuries, there have been claims made for between £114,000 and £130,000.
  • Vibration White Finger (VWF): An increasingly common injury, VWF can widely vary when it comes to compensation. Minor cases have seen payouts between £2,500 and £7,500. Even a moderate case of VWF has seen compensation as high as £14,690. Serious cases of VWF can even go as high as £33,000.
  • Poisoning: This covers food-related poisoning, and compensation amounts can be very unpredictable. Minor cases can see payouts of around £1000, while moderate cases can fall anywhere between £3,400 and £16,800. If you suffer a serious case of food poisoning then you might get as much as £46,000.

All types of personal injury claim compensation amounts are intended to get you back to a fully recovered state as quickly as possible. While the average claim can widely vary, the best way to get the settlement that you deserve is to speak to legal experts. They can advise you on what to expect. That will make your recovery much easier to deal with, no matter how serious your injury might be.

A Guide to Calculating a Personal Injury Claim

The term ‘personal injury’ is a general one that is intended to cover instances of physical or mental injury or those that have become ill or diseased due to the negligence of someone else. As general as the term may be, it remains a legal term, and that means that it provides protection for those that suffer needlessly due to the negligence or ill intent of a third-party.  Starting a claim for personal injury is a straightforward process, but you will require legal assistance. There are some set factors to be aware of when it comes to calculating compensation amounts for a personal injury claim. Professional guidance will ensure that you know just what amounts you can get, and assist you in obtaining a faster result.

Personal Injury – What Can I Claim For?

All cases will need to be looked at individually. Personal injury cases are all different, and even cases that are very similar could have very different outcomes. The severity of the injury will be a vital part of ascertaining your claim amount.

Compensation will be dependant on the pain that the victim has gone through, how that pain has affected their life, any ongoing suffering, and the financial impact of their injury.

Normally, someone who has received only a minor injury will be compensated less than someone who has suffered a more serious one. Two main factors are taken into account when calculating compensation amounts in a personal injury case. These are:

General Damages: This is in place in order to reflect the pain and suffering caused by personal injury. It can be difficult to ascertain the pain levels that general damages will cover for. However, there are governing boards and independent bodies that have clear guidelines for every type of injury. The Judicial Study Board has set brackets for assessing and calculating compensation amounts for a wide range of specific injuries. Additionally, your solicitor may also hire medical experts in order to help make a clear decision on how much compensation should be claimed for.

Special Damages: These are intended to cover the injured person financially. They will be awarded if a case can be made that the personal injury led to a financial shortfall (such as missing out on salaried work hours, or the cost of home improvements required after an accident). If your personal injury has affected you financially, then special damages may be able to help recoup your monetary losses. Examples of costs that special damages can cover include (but are not limited to):

  • Ongoing or paid for medical expenses
  • Prescription costs
  • Physiotherapy expenses
  • Travel costs
  • Home help

One of the most important things to remember about personal injury claims is that they have varying levels of complexity. For example, road traffic accidents will be categorised in different subsections to an accident at work.

Personal circumstances will play a large role in determining your total amount of compensation.

No matter your injury or financial circumstance, you will have a much better chance of making a successful claim, and getting the compensation total that you need, if you have legal help from professionals who have experience with personal injury claims.

Injury In The Office and Knowing Your Rights

With an office injury, the rights of the individual are definitely worth knowing and understanding. It’s a more common occurrence, too: nearly 30 million work days in the UK were lost due to injury in 2018-19.

Certainly offices are generally safer than areas in which you have to commit to manual labour tasks. But these days, offices still have common workplace injuries that you should be aware of. This guide will help those suffering injury in the office to know their rights. In addition, it will explain how you can prevent some of the most common workplace injuries.

What are the Most Common Office Injuries?

Repetitive strain injuries include muscle, tendon sprains and vision hindrances. These often happen through the intensive use of certain body parts. For instance, you may get wrist pain if you are typing for extensive periods. Alternatively, you might also suffer eye strain from using the computer for lengthy amounts of time. To prevent these, you should adjust your workstation to your own needs. For instance, by adjusting the angle of your keyboard or turning down the brightness on your computer, if possible.

Sprains and fractures often happen in the workplace by falling, tripping, or slipping. Moreover, many of these sprains and fractures are reasonably avoidable. Especially with better health and safety precautions. To prevent these, you should ensure that your workplace has:

  • thorough health and safety regulations and;
  • full awareness of your surroundings at all times.

Not only this, but you should ensure that communal areas are left tidy. Moreover, signs are clearly left if a floor or surface is slippery or dangerous.

What Are Your Office Injury Rights?

As a worker, you have the right to make an injury at work claim against your employer if they are at fault for causing your injury. You also have the right to get medical attention immediately for any injury that you contract in the workplace.

Additionally, you have the right to get compensation for your injury and have time off work in order to recover. However, you also have the right to return to your workplace without harassment when you recover from the injury. In terms of your legal rights, you also need legal representation to appeal any court decisions made in injury cases.

What Should You Do in the Event of Injury?

If you have sustained a workplace injury at the fault of your employer, you should seek a solicitor who can discuss your claims at work and help you to gather the appropriate evidence in order to gain compensation. You should also request your medical records so that you have proof of your symptoms and their causation.

In short, this will make your case stronger in court even if your injury heals quickly. Solicitors will be able to guide you through your work accident claim UK according to your individual situation and help you to begin a  court case if necessary, and if your employer fails to accept the liability or the terms of your compensation claim.

Although making an injury at work claim is fairly common, by following this guide, you will ensure that you know your rights and that the process can cause as least stress for you as possible.

E-Cigarette Risks: What To Know

The evolution of smoke-free e-cigarettes (or vaping) as an alternative to tobacco is a relatively recent phenomenon. Therefore, many of their side-effects and long term risks are either unknown or still subject to research. Still, e-cigarette risks are many, complete with ingredients that we may never fully appreciate the true danger of. Even vaping products themselves present significant levels of danger and consideration.

Despite e-cigarette risks, most think vaping is an excellent alternative to avoid the health risks of smoking. However, the risks of vaping still remain. Moreover, the product itself can be dangerous in some circumstances, resulting in personal injury claims in the UK.

Personal Health Risks

You may believe you’re avoiding tobacco’s health risks by switching to e-cigarettes. With long term implications, the jury is still out on whether that’s actually true. For all intents and purposes, research is struggling to keep up with the rise of vaping. However, e-cigarettes remain potentially harmful in the short term, with one of the significant dangers being popcorn lung.

Popcorn lung is the medical term for damage to the bronchioles. Bronchioles are essentially the smallest airways in your lungs and can be caused by vaping. Damage to these can cause scarring to your lung tissues and cause difficulties with your breathing, leaving you feeling breathless. Symptoms include a cough, wheezing, and exhaustion.

Studies suggest the ingredient diacetyl within e-cigarettes brings on such side effects. Furthermore, diacetyl has a strong link to serious lung disease in tobacco products.

Harmful Ingredients

However, e-cigarettes also contain several other harmful substances. Although they do not contain tobacco, e-cigarettes contain a much higher percentage of nicotine than in normal cigarettes.

Experts don’t tend to view nicotine as a cause of the diseases common with smoking. Furthermore, it’s less harmful than smoking for your health.

Yet vaping also releases other harmful toxins, which vary by the type and brand of e-cigarette that you invest in. Additionally, the vapour contains a small assortment of toxic chemicals found in cigarette smoke. Thankfully, the chemicals are at a lower concentration at a much lower rate than in cigarettes.

Product Risks

However, it is not just the effect that e-cigarettes have on the user that is dangerous. Just like with tobacco smoke, e-cigarette risks also extend to the products and the after-effects themselves. Some faulty e-cigarettes can cause electrical fires within homes, leading to injury or property damage.

Because you must use a USB cable to heat the liquid inside, exploding e-cigarettes present some frightening risks. These explosions can cause burns to the user’s face when they are smoking e-cigarettes. In essence, the risks are the result of the rechargeable battery overheating. Moreover, many devices do not have a cut-off point when they reach their maximum charge.

Trying to quit tobacco cigarettes

Quite often, traditional tobacco smoking cessation is the reason why vape pens turn up at every corner. This in itself might be the riskiest proposition of all. In short, the marketing of e-cigarettes presents an apparent short-term solution at the potential expense of long term health.

A short history of smoking health concerns

The Royal College of Physicians, Smoking & Health changed everything with a landmark report on smoking in 1962. Prior to this, few ever really considered tobacco’s harmful chemicals and the need to establish stop smoking services. Moreover, there was a major wall in getting the message of tobacco’s damage through to the public. In fact, in 1962, half of all adults (that’s 70% of men and 40% of women) smoked.

Nevertheless, the report’s PR effects (coupled with the 1965 Surgeon General report in the United States) were fast, lasting and widespread. Television commercials for tobacco products were banned by 1965. Health warnings began to appear on cigarette packs by 1971.

As electronic cigarettes entered the market around 2012, a mere 21% of Britons smoked tobacco. That figure surely includes those who want to quit smoking – a considerable audience, but certainly not the majority of adults like the old days.

Yet what it doesn’t include the emerging market of young people vaping companies are targeting. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do not recommend vaping products for young adults and current non-smokers. Additional research may still reveal devastating conclusions about cancers and illnesses like heart disease.

For instance, the American College of Cardiology’s 2019 research shows the following.

Adults who report puffing e-cigarettes, or vaping, are significantly more likely to have

  • A heart attack;
  • Coronary artery disease, and;
  • Depression.

…Compared with those who don’t use them or any tobacco products.

What to do in the event of injury from e-cigarette risks

You can file a personal injury accident claim against the e-cigarette brand manufacturer if you suffer:

  • burns
  • injury or;
  • property damage at the hands of an e-cigarette.

To do this, turn to a lawyer who can represent your case and provide advice as to your next step. We recommend specialist solicitors capable of handling the intricacies of personal injury claims.

Explosions can leave you with a severe burn that leaves significant and permanent facial scarring. As a result, you can claim compensation by suing these manufacturing companies. You can start the process by assigning a lawyer to investigate these personal injury claims on your behalf.

Considering a claim for e-cigarette risks?

Here are two things to consider if you want to talk to a personal injury solicitor about e-cigarettes.

  • Did negligence take place in the production of a faulty e-cigarette?
  • Did that negligence cause you significant personal damage?

If the answer to both questions is “Yes”, you should instantly seek a personal injury solicitor after your medical treatment. If you have a particularly strong case, you can receive the personal injury compensation that you deserve. By claiming against the manufacturing company in question, you can recover something that no smoking product can ever truly replace.

4 Common Workplace Injuries To Be Aware Of

With the exception of sleeping in bed, working in a workplace is where we spend most of our time. Accordingly, workplaces should be safe spaces where we can work without the stress (or fear) of worrying about injury. However, workplaces are dangerous: as such, there are many common workplace injuries resulting from unsuitable working environments. If this is the case, you should consider making an injury at work claim.

Some of the most common of these include these four common workplace injuries we list below.

Four Common Workplace Injuries

1. Back Injuries

Back injuries are part of a broader problem, with musculoskeletal disorders resulting from extensive manual work. For instance, heavy lifting and a lack of proper physical training can leave you with pain in your back. Not to mention in your upper limbs, such as your arms and neck.

It can be potentially debilitating and can also leave you unable to work in the future. As a result, you should consider making a work accident claim for these injuries.

You can prevent musculoskeletal disorders by ensuring that you:

  • Have adequate training in terms of lifting and carrying;
  • Only carry what you physically find comfortable, and;
  • That, if office work is the cause, that you adjust your seating arrangement. Thus ensuring that you maintain better posture throughout the day.

2. Asthma

If you are around toxic substances for long periods, this can cause asthma. Asthma is long term breathing condition which can be harmful and lead to dangerous consequences.

Ultimately, it’s a result of the swelling of your airways that make it difficult to breathe; moreover, poor working conditions can accelerate this.

You should follow regulations at all times to ensure that you remain safe in your workplace at all times.

3. Whiplash

Sudden movements that jolt the body and cause injury to define a whiplash accident. Moreover, it’s usually common in car crashes and other incidents involving moving vehicles.

Therefore, no win no fee whiplash claims are common in workplaces which include moving vehicles and often cause injury to the head, neck and shoulder area of your body. Although whiplash injury claims cannot be prevented, you should ensure that you are fully trained to drive the vehicles in question and that you never drive when you are tired or exhausted.

To treat whiplash, you may have to :

  • Wear a neck collar;
  • Avoid staying in the same position;
  • Take painkillers, and;
  • Ice down the area often to prevent swelling.

If you’re wondering how much compensation for whiplash you may get, whiplash cases tend to generate between £1,000-£2,000.

4. Hearing Loss

In short, hearing loss is one of the UK’s most significant causes for a workplace injury. Studies show up to 20,000 people suffer industrial hearing loss and subsequently seek hearing loss compensation. Hearing loss claims can be caused by being around loud equipment while at work for long periods. Hearing damage can also include tinnitus, where there is an unusual ringing sound in one or both ears.

To prevent hearing loss, invest in hearing protection such as earmuffs. Or ask to use quieter equipment that damages your ears less. Accordingly, if you believe that you have hearing loss at work, you should make an industrial hearing loss claim. The hearing loss claim time limit, incidentally, is three (3) years, which is common for the majority of personal injury claims.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS: Just a Few More Common Workplace Injuries

To say nothing of the four common injuries above, we don’t want you to leave her short on knowledge. Below are some other injuries in the workplace and accidents a business owner or council will shudder at.

a. Injuries from Slips, Trips and Falls

In general, slip and fall include a variety of different possible incidents. From falling objects to wet floors, it’s actually a fairly common claim we pursue regarding workplace safety and workers compensation.

b. Repetitive Strain Injury

Repetitive motion activity (for instance, using a mouse or keyboard) leave individuals prone to repetitive strain injury (RSI). In short, strained muscles from the demands of such work create difficulties worthy of a claim.

c. Crash and/or Crush Injury

Our last honourable mention requires a bit of personal protective equipment, airbags, and other safety equipment to avoid. Crash injuries or collisions tend to involve accidents and injuries from a road traffic accident (RTA). For more on the subject, check out this post.

If you have a workplace injury and would like to make claims at work to seek compensation, get legal support. Start by contacting a solicitor or advice service that can guide you on how best to navigate the legal processes.

Can You Make A Claim For Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss is often seen as an affliction of the elderly; the natural decline of the human body as it ages and becomes less efficient and more aged. This is, however, often not the case. Many occupations and events in life can directly influence the power of your hearing. In these cases, and especially in the case of industrial hearing loss claims,  you’ll be able to fight for compensation with a claim through our specialist team.

The Time Limit

Bearing in mind that hearing loss is also a natural repercussion of ageing, you should talk to our specialists as soon as possible if you think that you have a claim to make. That’s because the hearing loss claim time limit can prevent you from a successful bid for compensation if it’s left too long or late in life. The best time to claim is while you’re still in the occupation that’s exposed you to the conditions that damage your hearing, or when you’ve just left your position.

The Conditions

Many companies expose their workers to conditions that can cause hearing loss. These jobs might include:

  • Exposure to heavy, noisy machinery in industry
  • Exposure to loud music in clubs, bars or at other events
  • Exposure to noise in the aviation industry or other transportation industries
  • Exposure to loud noise on construction sites

Hearing loss compensation is most likely to be assigned to those people who are repeatedly exposed to such conditions in their workplace or in their occupational career. To establish the liability of your employer for the hearing loss you’ve experienced, it’s important to reflect on the conditions of your workplace, and whether your employers were taking care of their workforce’s hearing.

Your Rights

As an employee, you’re due protection from harm. It is your employer’s responsibility to protect you from harm of any kind, and this includes a loss of hearing as a result of the conditions you’re forced to work under. This code is enshrined in law, and so you have the right to make hearing loss claims against your employers if you feel they have violated their right to protect you from harm. Our legal team is particularly well-versed in the compensation procedure when it comes to hearing loss, so you’ll be able to present your violated right to them for them to assemble a case.

Building Your Case

Once you’ve approached our legal team for a free consultation, we’ll be able to assemble your case. With the know-how gleaned from many years of claim management and successful compensation grants, our team will pursue those liable for your loss of hearing for just compensation. We’ll even be confident enough in this area to give you a predicted compensation figure, and our prediction as to whether your case will fail, reach a compromise, or succeed. Your part in the process is minimal; you’ll merely be required to give evidence and information about your hearing loss.

If you’ve experienced a loss to your hearing as a result of the conditions you’ve experienced in the workplace, then you may be due compensation. Approach our specialists for a consultation for us to establish your claim and win you the compensation you deserve.