#AmazingAccrington - Autumn 2019

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO CLAIM FOR PERSONAL INJURIES?

HOW MUCH COMPENSATION WILL I GET? How much you will get from a personal injury

When you are involved in an accident, you have to prove someone was at fault and as a result you suffered injury and/or loss. John Bennett, Partner & Head of Personal Injury at Forbes Solicitors outlines some frequently asked questions.

compensation claim can vary, depending on the case. As a general rule, you should be compensated for all losses caused by the other party's negligence, including: • Loss of earnings • Damage to property • Continuing medical expenses • Future losses • Pain and suffering you have undergone Regarding your injuries, the amount of compensation will vary in accordance with the severity of the injury or injuries sustained. When compensation is considered, it is divided into two groups; 'General' (injuries) and 'Special' damages (loss of earnings and expenses). WILL I HAVE TO GO TO COURT? You will only have to go to court if the person/persons or company you are holding liable for your injury disputes liability, fails to co-operate or offers an unreasonable settlement. The vast majority of cases are settled out of court. If the person injured is under 18 or if they are under disability, that means they do not understand the implications of the financial settlement, the court will have to approve the settlement at a short informal approval hearing. IS IT TOO LATE TO CLAIM? You have 3 years from the date of the accident or 3 years from the date of knowledge of the circumstances giving rise to the claim. Children and those under a disability have much longer in which to claim.

HOW DO I CLAIM FOR PERSONAL INJURY COMPENSATION?

You can usually claim for personal injury compensation if it is possible to establish some fault against another party after an incident which caused you harm or suffering. A medical expert will then be instructed to prepare a report on those injuries and how they may affect you in the future. If you have sustained other losses, for example, loss of earnings, medication and travel expenses, you will need to provide documentary proof to support these losses. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE? For a straightforward case, it will usually take around 5-6 months. In more complicated cases where liability is in dispute or the injury is very serious it can take over 12 months and in more complex cases a few years. HOW MUCH WILL IT COST? We act on a no win no fee basis. If the claim fails you pay nothing. If we win, your opponent pays the costs and other expenses. We usually deduct a small success fee to reflect the risks in all cases, but this will be discussed at an initial meeting.

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forbessolicitors.co.uk 01254 580000

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