If you have suffered a serious injury as a result of someone else’s negligence you may be considering making a claim. Getting the right legal representation is essential in maximising your compensation and enabling you to rebuild your life following an accident.
Here are 5 things to keep in mind when considering a serious injury claim:
1) You have three years
In most cases you only have 3 years to make a personal injury claim. There are exceptions to this rule such as work related illness or diseases as they generally only appear many years after exposure. If you aren’t aware of your injury for a significant amount of time, then you’ll have three years from the time you had knowledge of the condition and ought reasonably to have been able to link it to your employment. In such cases it is essential to seek early expert advice from a solicitor with experience in such cases.
2) It doesn’t have to cost you anything
When thinking about making a claim most people consider the legal costs and expect it to be a very expensive process. Here at Farleys we can handle your case on a no-win-no-fee basis, so if your case is unsuccessful you won’t pay a penny. We even offer free claim assessment so you won’t have to pay to talk to someone about making a claim.
3) It isn’t limited to physical damages
If you have a serious injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, you can claim for more than just your physical injuries. Many people will also have to adapt to unforeseen lifestyle changes and may even need care, or be left unable to work. Compensation can help you move forward by giving you the financial support to do so. Make sure your solicitor looks at all aspects of your life that have been affected by the accident so they can recover the appropriate compensation for you to move forward with your life. An experienced solicitor will look to set up quickly a package of rehabilitation treatment at as early a stage as possible to assist you in rebuilding your life.
4) It’s not going to be quick
Numerous medical and witness reports are required and it is vital that you choose a solicitor who is experienced in dealing with the kind of injury you have suffered. This means they will know the best experts to instruct as these are the people you will rely upon to prove your case and to stand up to the experts, instructed by the defendant. Although your solicitor will be able to take most of the pressure off, it’s likely you’ll still have to attend appointments and write an account of what happened. It’s important that you chose a solicitor who you are happy to cooperate with and will handle your case in the best way possible.
5) The right Solicitor is vital
It is vital that you carefully research the solicitor you intend to instruct and ask questions of them – a good solicitor will expect this and be more than happy to give you all the information that you need. Things to think about and ask:
- Have they dealt with your kind of case before, and if so how frequently
- Do they have a team of people to support them (and you) through the life of your claim
- How will they contact you, and vice versa, and how frequently
- Can they apply for an interim payment to ease any short term financial pressures
- Will they visit you at home
If you have been affected by a serious injury and want further information or simply want to discuss the possibility of making a claim then contact us here or call 0845 287 0939. Our solicitors can provide initial free legal advice and are happy to offer you a free claim assessment, even if your case has been rejected by other firms of solicitors.