There are various ways in which you can suffer injuries in day-to-day life. Sometimes this is a result of a genuine accident which could not have been avoided. Other times, there is someone at fault for the injury, who could have taken action to prevent it.
Each year over three million people are injured due to accidents, which equates to around 5% of the population. Here at Stephensons we take on hundreds of cases throughout the year and help people claim the compensation they deserve.
Although many people do make personal injury claims, some people do not seek the compensation that they deserve following an injury and this could be due to the fact they are unsure who they can actually make a claim against. Here are some examples of scenarios which often arise:
Your employer
Did you know that accidents in work occur on a regular basis. They could be a result of inadequate training, incorrect or faulty equipment being provided or simply an unsafe work environment. You can sue your employer if they are at fault for your injury, even if you still work for them, and you shouldn’t be treated any differently as a result of bringing a claim.
Councils or property owners
Occupiers liability claims often involve accidents which occur in buildings, on “premises” or on land which is not controlled by you or your employer. This is another fairly common type of claim. If you find yourself injured due to tripping or slipping on someone else’s property, then you may be able to claim against the owner of the property. If your accident occurs on a public road or street, it may be the local council that you need to claim against. We can help you identify the appropriate defendant if it is unclear.
Other road users
Road traffic accidents are probably the most well-known types of accidents in the UK. If you are involved in a road traffic accident which wasn’t your fault, you can make a claim through the other driver’s insurance to not only cover financial losses but also to compensate you for any injury. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may need a solicitor to act on your behalf or may be able to submit the claim yourself online.
Travel agents
Did you know that if you have an accident abroad you may be able to claim? If you booked a package holiday with the travel agent and the accident has happened within your accommodation or as part of a service provided by them, you may be able to bring your claim against the travel agent or tour operator in this country.
Dog owners
If you find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time and a dog attacks you, you may be able to pursue the dog owner as long as they have sufficient insurance or assets to satisfy the claim. It is also usually necessary to prove that the owner knew the dog had a tendency to bite or act aggressively.
Criminal injury compensation
If you are injured as a result of a violent crime, then you may able to submit a claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, which is a government funded scheme designed to compensate victims of crime, although damages are fairly limited under this scheme.
This is not an exhaustive list and there could also be other parties at fault for your injury, such as schools, beauty therapists or care homes to name a few.
Here at Stephensons we understand that sometimes accidents can happen through no fault of your own and that is where we come in to help. If you believe that you have suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence then please do not hesitate to contact our personal injury team on 0161 696 6235 to discuss the matter further and advise whether or not we feel you have a potential claim.
By Rachel Gildart, new business advisor
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