The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has welcomed the Government’s extension of the limit for settling personal injury motor claims through the fast track process from £10,000 to £25,000. According to the ABI, the move means faster compensation pay-outs for an additional 55,000 people injured in road crashes each year. Around 97% of motor personal injury claimants will now be able to use the fast track process, which was introduced in April 2010 and involves stringent time limits for insurers and legal representatives in establishing liability, plus standardised claim forms and fixed legal costs. The Association’s director of general insurance, Nick Starling, says: “In less than two years evidence shows that this process is leading to the average pay-out time being more than halved and lower legal costs.” He adds: “The Government must now press on with its wide-ranging and long overdue reforms to civil litigation to ensure that steps such as reducing fixed legal costs lead to a more cost efficient compensation system.” Ministers are proposing to introduce a similar fast-track scheme for workplace-related injury claims and public liability claims...

In an overhaul of victims’ services, up to £50 million would be generated from offenders to help create a speedier, more supportive system for victims of serious crime. Criminals will be forced to fund victims' support services and those with unspent convictions could be banned from claiming compensation, under new proposals announced by Justice Secretary, Kenneth Clarke, today. The planned shake-up, which is now out to public consultation, includes: Ending payments for minor injuries such as sprained ankles, cuts and grazes and speeding up payments for serious injuries; Greater funding for victims' support services, better targeted at those most in need; Stopping criminal injuries compensation payments to people with unspent convictions - totalling at least £75million over the past decade; Banning criminal injuries compensation payments to people who have been resident in the UK for less than 6 months (except for UK and EU/EEA nationals); A new statutory Victims' Code including the right for victims to make a personal statement and to request a meeting with their offender; A simpler route of complaint and redress for victims; Giving new Police and Crime Commissioners a key role in deciding the priorities for local victims' services; Ensuring more voluntary victims' organisations have access to long-term funding. Justice Secretary, Kenneth Clarke, said: 'Victims in this country must be able to rely on a justice system which punishes offenders properly and ensures that victims who suffer serious consequences are properly helped and supported. 'Cash compensation should be better focused on blameless victims of the most serious crimes and more support for victims should be funded by offenders rather than taxpayers. 'Victims should be supported and not be let down by the criminal justice system. They are the people to whom we have the greatest responsibility. I believe all these proposals will go a long way to putting right the failings of the past.' The Government will also, for the first time, compensate British victims of terrorist atrocities abroad on the same basis as victims of terrorism in Britain. Those with ongoing disabilities from attacks after 2002 will also receive financial support. The intended boost of £50m from the Victim Surcharge and financial penalties for victims' services is in addition to the £1million that the Government aims to take from prisoners' pay packets through the Prisoners' Earnings Act....

A pedestrian has suffered serious personal injury, after been run over by a bus and became trap beneath its wheels. Thirty three old Mr Reid was rushed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital for emergency treatment, after being struck by the bus and becoming trapped underneath the vehicle. He suffered a fractured skull and serious arm and leg injuries in the accident which left him hospitalised for over a week, his injuries were so severe that he has had to have metal plates and pins inserted into his arm and leg and he now has to walk with the assistance of a walking stick. He told the Daily Express newspaper that the accident had seriously affected his day to day living and he now has to rely on others for help with basic routine daily tasks. After seeking legal advice Mr. Reid is now planning to make a claim for compensation, against coach operator Key Bus and Coach Ltd, for the pain and suffering caused by his injuries. It is also being reported that a fifty three year old female, who was travelling on the bus suffered a suspected broken arm and was taken to hospital with breathing difficulties. A spokesperson for Key Coaches stated that the matter was now in the hands of their insurers....

IN the cold light of day, this is a cost-cutting exercise. As part of the plans, victims of violent crime who suffer injuries such as a broken hand or jaw, or burns victims and those suffering minor injuries will now no longer receive payouts from The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). Those suffering serious injuries will also have their payouts dramatically reduced. I cannot help but feel that we will be left with a system where individuals are not only the victim of crime, but also the victim of Government policy. Of course, the courts retain the power to order a convicted party to compensate a victim. However, this approach tends to be problematic as there are often issues as to whether this compensation will actually be paid and this process is rarely regarded as representing appropriate compensation. For many, especially those who are the victim of an assault where the attacker cannot be identified, the CICA is their only recourse. That is not to say that the CICA has always been perfect. The reality is that it does not compensate as effectively as many would like. Take loss of income. It has only been possible to claim if you have been off work for 28 weeks. Under the new system a loss of income cap of £12,600 could be introduced, making an already rigid system even more restrictive. I do not necessarily disagree with all the changes. For example, the lower end injuries of £1,000-£2,000 are often not worth pursuing, as the scheme does not pay legal costs. Therefore a solicitor can only be paid by the injured party out of their damages, which leaves little in the way of compensation. However, surely it cannot be right that those with a broken hand, dislocated jaw or certain types of scarring will not be compensated? These are injuries from which it could take the victim substantial time to recover. These changes are part of sweeping cost-cutting measures that could well cause greater suffering to victims of crime....

Personal injury can be a result of car accidents, auto-wrecks, dog bite injuries, medical malpractice, bus accidents, trip, slip and fall injuries and other accidents included in the English personal injury litigation. A personal injury victim can be anyone who was either hurt on account of a wrongly operated automobile or someone who has incurred serious injuries due to a fall on a broken stairway or a half-completed sidewalk. Incidences involving erroneous medical diagnosis also amount to personal injury and are covered under English personal injury litigation. ...

Three councils have paid out more than £2.2 million pounds in personal injury compensation, following accidents at local schools. The Staffordshire Sentinel is reporting that thirty four personal injury claims were made against Stoke-on-Trent City Council, over the last three year period, resulting in £744,367 being paid out in compensation. Over the same period Staffordshire County Council awarded damages of £890,880 to fifty two pupils and thirty six employees, while Cheshire East Council paid damages to thirty six claimants resulting in a total bill of £590,645. The highest amount awarded was for £260,059 which was paid to a woman who broke her ankle and two payments made were for damages in excess of £100,000 paid to two people who had slipped on ice. Other claims included £23,649 paid to a schoolgirl whose foot was run-over by a bus and a teaching assistant received almost £20,000 after aggravating a previous back injury on a faulty chair. A Staffordshire representative of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) stated that if compensation had been paid, it could only have been as a result of negligence on the part of the council involved....

PERSONAL injury claims and legal fees totalling £1.2m over five years have been paid by Hertfordshire Constabulary to staff, the second largest amount in the country. Including a pay out of £550,000 - the highest pay out in England and Wales - to a civilian police employee who slipped on ice in a car park breaking an elbow, which led to chronic pain syndrome. Royston MP, Oliver Heald, said: “I have the highest admiration for the police and the work they do and if an officer is injured while on duty its only right for them to compensated properly. “When it’s made in a situation which is more arguable the police need to make sure they are compensating people where it is needed and not paying more than is necessary and make sure payments are in line with other forces.” Nationally £12m was forked out by forces and pressure group The Taxpayers Alliance have labelled the payments “bonkers”. Hertfordshire Constabulary does not disclose details on individual cases but a spokesman said Hertfordshire Police Authority “attempts to learn from accidents where appropriate” to “Maintain and enhance good Health and Safety practices”....

The sensitive issue of personal injury has suffered from negative connotations in recent years, with unflattering media portrayals and a handful of unscrupulous companies arguably giving the whole sector a bad name. Pursuing your genuine claim with Insurance claim helpline, however, will ensure that you receive an honest, efficient and effective service. Whatever type of incident you have been involved in, we will strive to award you with the maximum amount of compensation possible. Our team of expert solicitors have a wide knowledge of almost every type of personal injury claim imaginable, including those brought about by road traffic accidents; accidents and illness at work; accidents in a public place; brain, spinal and other serious injuries; medical negligence, and holiday, asbestos and defective product incident claims. Unlike some other organisations, the solicitors at insurance claim helpline put your welfare and peace of mind before anything else. We will work hard to resolve your case both quickly and successfully, because we know just how difficult dealing with an accident can be. Unexpected incidents can put all kinds of strains on those involved; insurance claim helpline understands this and will go to every effort to provide the financial assistance needed to help you through these issues. During the claims process, we can also help you in ways you might not even have considered yet. For instance, our solicitors will be able to offer advice when it comes to the feasibility of your receiving benefits for the time you are out of work, as well as trying to ensure your opponent pays for any medical rehabilitation that is required. So, if you believe that your claim is worth pursuing – even if it doesn’t fall under any of the categories listed above – be sure to contact us on 0800 242 5686 today and find out more about what we can do for you. ...

Personal injury compensation in excess of 300,000pounds is being sought by a woman who claims she was left permanently disabled following an accident at work. According to the Eastbourne Herald, Louise Mennell is taking legal action against former employer Phones4U - a firm with more than 5,000 members of staff across the UK - because of the injuries she sustained during an incident in November 2009. Ms Mennell has issued a writ to the High Court in London in which she states that she has developed severe complex regional pain syndrome after a stack of computers fell on her foot. Phones4U has already admitted liability for this accident but has been unable to come to an agreement with Ms Mennell with regard to the size of her damages settlement. The 22-year-old is therefore suing the company for her ordeal, which she insists also resulted in her encountering serious psychological health issues such as depression....

You should be aware that the Law Society currently has an accreditation for experienced medical negligence solicitors. In some instances, a medical negligence claim may also be referred to as clinical negligence. You also have the right to choose a medical negligence solicitor who has been accredited by the charity, Action Against Medical Accidents. It is possible for a medical negligence solicitor to be accredited through either or both of these agencies. If you do not see the appropriate documents in the office of the medical negligence solicitor with whom you are speaking, it is certainly acceptable to ask....

Lets put it like this way we all want to believe that we can trust our doctor, and their medical staff. However, these people who we trusted most at our vulnerable time could make mistake. And this mistake could leave us with very negative impact on our health, its a very big deal, therefore its imperative to know how to choose correct solicitor to help you. Just like doctors profession, where there are many different specialities, similarly law has so many different fields. You will need to know that solicitor is an experienced medical negligence solicitor, each case has different needs and the one you chose should well understands your specific needs. Medical negligence claims can take years to complete. Much of this delay is the result of the insurance company doing everything legally possible to help the doctor. However alas, the insurance company is not your friend, they are there to help your doctor. A medical negligence solicitor will be able to keep you stay abreast of all the activity on your case. Additionally, anyone experienced in this field may be able to give you an approximate estimate, about how long your medical negligence claim may take to settle, and indeed, if your case stands a chance. These cases are often incredibly complicated, because proving this type of negligence can be quite difficult. The lack of eye witnesses could also be problematic, as nursing staff is often reluctant to testify as to what they saw. ...

Personal injury claims are becoming more frequent, as more and more of us pursue the compensation we are entitled to, due to the actions of other people, when involved in non fault accidents. The growing numbers of shunt type car accidents that occur in the UK are testimony to the fact that this form of accident is still exceedingly prevalent, and inherently are the most common form of accident for which a claim is generally made. The problem occurs when an individual is involved in this type of incident and sustains an injury such as whiplash, which in itself can be an extremely painful condition affecting the lifestyle of the unlucky injured party for some time. The difficulty for most is what to do next, taking into consideration the severity of the injury and the fact that through no fault of their own, they have been injured, whilst also trying to work out how to obtain the relevant compensation through personal injury claims. This is where a relevant whiplash claims expert is required, who is fully aware of the legal intricacies involved and who is able to impart pertinent and useful advice and guidance. There is no doubt that by utilising a personal injury lawyer, the chances of success when making a personal injury claim are greatly enhanced. This is due to the fact that the company are aware of the intricacies and nuances of the legal aspects of making a personal injury claim and can therefore ensure that all the relevant legal elements of any claim are correctly completed. In addition, due to their inherent experience and in depth knowledge of the personal injury sector, they are able to impart relevant and useful advice and guidance to the potential claimant, such as an accident claim guide which in many ways can save time. For those who have been involved in an accident which was not their fault and within which they have been injured, then a call to the personal injury lawyers will enable them to identify if they have a valid and viable claim and the process involved to obtain the desired outcome....

Deputy Mayor of SHEFFIELD has withdrawn a personal injury claim he made against a residents’ group after a chair he sat on collapsed during a community festival. Solicitors for John Campbell, Labour councillor for Richmond, have written to Greenhill and Broadway Tenants’ and Residents’ Association rescinding the claim over the incident which happened before last year’s Lowedges Festival, organised by the TARA. Mr Campbell, who takes over as Lord Mayor in May, had been invited to the event in an official capacity as Deputy Lord Mayor. Steve Rich, secretary of Greehill and Bradway TARA, said: “We have received a letter from Councillor Campbell’s solicitors confirming he is rescinding the claim. “I’m glad it is all over and we are just relieved. It means we can now go ahead with this year’s festival, which will be held on Sunday, August 12. “We now need to find someone to open the event because the Lord Mayor will not be invited this year.” Mr Rich said the chair collapse happened when Coun Campbell was in Greenhill tenants’ hall, on Gervais Road, before the opening ceremony and had sat down to have a drink on a garden chair when it gave way. The TARA was informed of the legal action three months later. Mr Rich said members feared the claim could lead to an increase in insurance costs, making this year’s festival more expensive to stage. The Deputy Mayor, who has suffered serious illness in recent years, has declined to reveal details of his injuries or the amount he was seeking in damages. ...

A biker, who has suffered very serious personal injury in a road traffic accident, is claiming more than £300,000 in compensation. Fifty two years old, of Tasman Close, in Spalding, was riding a Honda motorcycle on the A605 near Oundle, in Peterborough, when he met with accident with a blue van from Warmington. The impact of accident was so severe that biker suffered serious injuries to his head, back and wrist in the accident and claims he has also suffered psychological damage as a result of his injuries. Incident’s like this in life changes the course of everything, usually accident causes more physiological damage than physical. Both vehicles involved were significantly damaged in the collision and the A605 remained closed for half an hour, while the wreckage was cleared and investigators inspected the scene. Insurers of the defendant have accepted liability for the accident, as the van driver admitted pulling out of a side road into the path of the motorcyclist; however the two parties have been unable to agree the amount of motorcycle accident compensation a claimant should receive. The High Court in London has so far heard expert evidence from an orthopaedic surgeon, a spinal surgeon, a clinical psychologist and a neurosurgeon but due to the severity of bikers’ injuries further medical evidence has still to be heard. ...

An employer must always carry out a risk assessment in the form ...

Car accidents can be stressful for all those involved, ...