Articles

Road Traffic Accidents

...account for a large proportion of all accidents and

personal injury compensation claims in the
UK and drivers of vehicles are required to have some level of insurance cover.
These being: Fully Comprehensive, Third Party Fire and Theft or Third Party
only. These policies provide protection for anyone (including members of the
same family) who may be involved in an accident, who suffer personal injury as a
result of the driver's negligence and may need to place a

personal injury compensation claim whether
or not the driver's negligence has led to a police prosecution. If it is
discovered that a negligent driver had inadequate or no insurance at the time of
the accident, you may still be able to bring a

personal injury compensation claim for
through the MIB (Motor Insurers Bureau).

Road Traffic Accidents - DRIVER

A driver can make a

personal injury compensation claims for
loss and injuries if someone else was to blame for the accident. This is most
often another driver although under some circumstances the accident may have
been caused by the negligent actions of another party. For example if the roads
were not gritted such that they remained icy and in a hazardous condition, a

personal injury compensation claims
may be
filed against the party responsible for maintaining the roads. If the accident
involved a pedestrian or cyclist who were later shown to be at fault, a

personal injury compensation claim could
still made even though the offending party may not posses adequate or any
insurance cover. However, in these circumstances we may advise that it is not
worth bringing such

personal injury compensation claim.

A passenger involved in an accident in almost all circumstances can bring a
successful

personal injury compensation claims for
damages where they have suffered injuries. Passengers are generally regarded as
blameless casualties who have suffered as a result of someone else's negligence.
However, failure to comply with the law relating to the wearing of seat belts
may affect the level of damages obtained in any award.

If a cyclist is involved in an accident where a third party is at fault, a

personal injury compensation claims may be
brought against the offending third party. In addition to obtaining compensation
for your injuries, you may also be able to recover losses in respect of damage
to your bicycle and clothing as well as loss of earnings by starting a

personal injury compensation claim.

Road Traffic Accidents - PEDESTRIANS

A pedestrian may be able to recover compensation through a

personal injury compensation claim for their
injuries if they can show that their injuries were caused entirely or to some
degree by a third party. If as a pedestrian involved in an accident you are held
partly to blame, you may still be entitled so some level of compensation. The
Claims Master Group will be happy to advise you on any

personal injury compensation claim.

Road Traffic Accidents - INVOLVING ANIMALS

Regrettably, animals that stray onto the road can cause accidents. Owners of
livestock such as cattle or horses are duty bound to the safety of road users by
maintaining adequate levels of security in respect of their livestock. If it can
be shown that the owner of an animal involved in an accident neglected their
duty to maintain a safe environment for road users, a

personal injury compensation claims for
damages may be brought against them.

ACCIDENT IN THE WORKPLACE

If you are involved in an accident at work, it will be necessary for you to
show that your injuries were caused by the negligence of your employer before
pursuing a

personal injury compensation claim. Your
employer is also responsible for the actions of work colleagues who cause
accidents involving injury. Please remember that you have an obligation to make
your employer aware of any accidents, which occur whilst at work. This
information should be properly recorded in the Accident Book. Please note, your
employer cannot terminate your employment if you make a

personal injury compensation claims. If you
are in any doubt or concerned over this, we recommend that you consult us
immediately.

DISEASES AT WORK

The working environment can affect people such that they suffer diseases as
a result. Although these diseases may not be evident immediately symptoms may
develop much later. Although in general terms a

personal injury compensation claims has to
be issued within three years from the date of the cause of injury or illness,
this time limit may be lengthened if you were not aware of the cause of your
symptoms until some time later. If you suspect that your symptoms are related to
work place injury, please consult us as soon as possible.

MACHINERY AT WORK

There are many factors that contribute to accidents involving machinery in
the work place which can lead to a legitimate

personal injury compensation claim. For
example poorly maintained equipment or badly trained staff can. However your
accident occurred, please consult us and will be happy to advise you.

LIFTING AT WORK

If you suffer any injury as a result of lifting
whilst at work, it may be that this was caused by your employer's failure to
provide adequate training or proper manual handling equipment. Your employer has
an obligation to ensure that the work place is safe and free from hazards.
Unfortunately many times this is in dispute, however if you decide to file a

personal injury compensation claim then you
should seek expert advice.

SLIPS & FALLS AT WORK

If you were not responsible for injuries suffered as a result of a slip or
fall at work, it may be that your accident was caused by your employer's failure
to comply with current safety standards in respect of hazards in the work place.
If this is the case you can make a

personal injury compensation claims Your
employer has an obligation to ensure that the work place is safe and free from
hazards.

PUBLIC PLACE

Land and / or property owners have an obligation to ensure the safety of all
visitors. In most cases insurance cover will be in place to ensure that an
injured party will be able to make a

personal injury compensation claim in the
event of injury occurring.

SLIPS, TRIPS & FALLS

If your accident was caused by a defect on a path or pavement, for example
an obstacle or pothole you may be able to bring a

personal injury compensation claim against
those responsible for maintaining the path or pavement.

Although slips and falls can often be the cause of some of the most painful
injuries, if you were to some degree responsible for causing your injuries, it
is unlikely that you will be able to make a

personal injury compensation claim.

SHOPS, STORES & RESTAURANTS

Store owners and managers have an obligation to ensure that their premises
are free from slipping hazards. If a floor is wet whether from a recent spillage
or cleaning routine, signs must be erected to alert customers and visitors to
the hazard. If you have suffered an accident due in your local supermarket or
shopping centre then you may be entitle to make a

personal injury compensation claim

PRODUCT LIABILITY - FAULTY GOODS

These are cases arising out of a situation where products are defective and
cause injury as a result of the defect. If you have been injured as a result of
purchasing a standard consumer product which is defective, then you may be able
to make a

personal injury compensation claim from the
manufacturer/supplier as well as individuals/companies through whom the goods
may have passed.

This category will include cases not listed
above. For example sports injury
cases, where an injury occurs 'on the field of play' due to the reckless actions
of an opponent, or the failure of an official to apply the rules of the game in
the way in which they should be applied. We will advise on any concerns or
queries you have in regards to putting forward a personal injury compensation
claim

If you need advice or would just like to speak to someone, please don't hesitate
to give

Claims Master Group a call on 08000 71 22 71.