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24Feb
What is a public liability claim and can I make one?
A public liability claim is applicable in any situation where an accident or injury has occurred in an environment that is used by the public, be it privately or publicly owned. This could be anything from a pavement, supermarket, car park, pub or leisure facilities, to name a few examples. For a public liability claim to be successful, you need to: Show that a defect (such as a raised paving stone) is large enough to cause a hazard to the general public Show that the defect has been there for some time By far the most common types of public liability claims are for slips, trips and falls. Incidents like these can have a devastating impact, causing major or even life-changing injuries. Even if a slip, trip or fall seems minor, you might still be able to make a claim, so it’s always worth investigating, if something like that has…
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20Feb
Claiming for an accident at work: A guide
You’ve no doubt heard it many times – ‘if you’ve had an accident at work, you could be entitled to compensation!’ But have you ever actually seriously considered it? Many people write it off, thinking that the accident needs to be something seriously drastic to even be considered for a claim. But that’s not true at all – an accident at work can be anything from a slipping on a wet floor to injury by machinery, and anything in between. What counts as an accident at work? An accident at work can cover a number of accidents, but broadly covers any injury or disease that has been caused as a result of economic activity. This includes: Injury from malfunctioning or faulty equipment Disease or illness as a result of job requirements, such as working with asbestos Accidents that have occurred as a result of employer negligence Any injury that prevents…
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17Feb
Demystifying historical liability insurance
Liability insurance helps to protect businesses from lawsuits and claims made by employees, whether they are currently employed or were in the past. All businesses that employ one or more people are required to have some form of liability insurance under the Employers Liability Act 1969. Tracing historical liability insurance As liability insurance has only been mandatory for the past 50 years, there are still people that may have been affected by their working environment in the past, before liability insurance was a legal requirement. These were typically industrial environments such as manufacturing plants, where workers were exposed to high levels of noise or unsafe equipment. This often caused long-term damage that doesn’t become apparent for many years, often decades, by which time it can seem too late to seek any compensation from the employer – if they are still in business. As a result, there are many people approaching…
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10Feb
Compensation Calculator: See How Much You’re Owed
You’ve heard it before: if you’ve been in an accident that’s not your fault, you could be entitled to compensation. How much compensation though? Will it be worth your time to pursue a claim? What if you lose? These are all questions that need to be answered – and most of the answers all hang on one factor: how much compensation you could get. That’s why we’ve created our compensation calculator. With it, you can easily see how much compensation you could get for your injury, based on the body part(s) affected by the accident. When you know how much you’re entitled to, you’re in a better place to decide how you want to pursue your claim. Also remember that a decent accident solicitors, like Zen Law Solicitors, will let you keep the full compensation amount by recovering their costs from the other party. What’s involved in a compensation claim?…
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03Feb
How to make a road traffic accident claim
Being in a road traffic accident can have a huge effect on your life and well being. If you’re in a serious accident, you may have sustained significant physical injuries. Or even if the collision is more of a ‘bump’, you can still suffer from stress or anxiety for a long time afterwards when you’re out in the car. If an accident has left you injured and nervous at the prospect of driving – or travelling in – a car, the impact on your quality of life can be significant: 76 percent of all trips we make are by car. So if you’ve been in a road traffic accident, it’s only natural that you’ll want some form of compensation for the trauma, be it a physical injury or an impact on mental health. At Zen Law Solicitors, we specialise in getting people the compensation they deserve after a road traffic…
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21Jun
Leak Shows Horrifying Impact of Planned London NHS Cuts
An internal NHS document which has been leaked and seen by the Guardian has left a lot of London residents terrified, worrying that they will in the future be denied treatment, have to wait longer for operations and face losing their local maternity units. Under secret NHS plans to impose unprecedented cuts to health spending in the Capital, according to the leaked document, doctors in 5 London boroughs will have less money to spend on drugs and medication, be able to refer less patients to hospital and those with severe health needs will have their support cut. The 31-page leaked document outlined the “difficult choices” NHS bosses nationally are forcing the 10 hospital trusts in north-central London to make in the upcoming months in efforts to plug a £183.1million gap in their finances. Those in Camden, Islington, Haringey and Enfield are likely all going to be negatively impacted….
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05Jun
Step by Step: The Claims Process at Zen Law
Here at Zen Law Solicitors we have simplified the claims process to help people understand what is involved in a typically claim for an injury. Read this post to find out what you should expect should you decide to make a claim. Step 1 The first thing in which we will do should you want to make a claim is take some information from yourself regarding the accident in which you’ve been involved in. The information that we usually require includes: Time, location, date and weather conditions of the accident Information regarding any witnesses Photos of the accident location Details of the injuries which you have suffered as a result of the accident Information regarding the other party in the accident, including their names and address Step 2 After we have collected all of the necessary details from you, we then submit the claim to…
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17May
Breast Surgeon Convicted of Carrying Out “Completely Unnecessary” Operations
Putting patients’ lives at risk unnecessarily Breast surgeon Ian Paterson was last month convicted of 17 counts of wounding with intent after conducting and carrying out a number of “completely unnecessary” operations. It has been said that his intentions behind this could have been to improve his earnings. Ian Paterson who was also convicted of 3 counts of unlawful wounding was described by one of his victims in court as acting as though he was ‘God’, putting the lives of his patients in his hands, lying to patients, exaggerating and even inventing the risk of cancer to convince them to go under the knife. Another victim told the court that Paterson had described her to have a “cancer ticking bomb” lying within her when in reality she was merely at the risk of developing cancer. Nottingham Crown Court at the trial heard that the 29-year-old breast surgeon did…
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05May
Investigating Avoidable Baby Deaths at NHS Trust
Avoidable baby deaths Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust has been under intense scrutiny since last month when the BBC revealed that Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt had ordered a review into how the trust dealt with and investigated the deaths of babies caused by errors and negligence. The Health Secretary ordered a review into the deaths of at least 5 babies at the NHS trust and a law firm has confirmed that it has 27 open cases into claims that mistakes at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital led to brain injuries at birth. It is certain that at this particular NHS trust there were at least 7 avoidable baby deaths between September 2017 and May 2016, and suspected that there’s also many more. Failures to correctly monitor and analyse the foetal heart rate and CTG traces contributed to at least five deaths, and it has been said by…
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26Apr
Family Become First in UK to Benefit from New Compensation Laws – Winning £9.3Million Pay-out
A family from Lancashire has recently become the first family in Britain to benefit from the new Government compensation law – winning a phenomenal £9.29million pay-out for their daughter who was struck with cerebral-palsy following complications during her birth at Royal Blackburn Hospital. Initially the family’s lawyer had secured a £1.32million lump sum settlement for them which would then follow additional annual payments for the rest of her life, however in a landmark High Court case last month barrister Michael Redfern QC was able to get this initial pay-out raised to a lump sum of £2.21milion. After this annual payments of £50,000 will also be delivered until the girl is 19 years of age and thereafter there will be yearly advancements of £73,500 for the rest of her life. The £9.29million maximum figure was reached on the assumption that the girl will not outlie 101 years. …
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12Apr
Midwives Failing to Provide the Care that Patients Deserve
Preparing for the birth of a child should be a special experience for all; however it has recently become apparent that many mothers-to-be are currently experiencing feelings of stress and anxiety instead of excitement and happiness. There are so many birthing options available, including location, style and midwife however although people at the beginning of their pregnancies think that they have the ultimate say regarding these things, it has become apparent that this is not the case in many scenarios. Yes, you can talk to a midwife before your child birth; however this may not be the midwife that will assist with your child’s birth. Yes, many hospitals are home to birthing pools however these may be unavailable and in use when you go into labour. Yes, you can give birth at home, providing that there is a midwife available. These are only some of the birthing aspects which…
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24Mar
Is Your Cavity Wall Insulation Causing You Problems?
Over the past few years a rising number of people have been opting to ensure that their homes have cavity wall insulation in place in order to reduce heat loss and energy costs. However with such a huge focus on this, it has become apparent that many people have been left out of pocket after falling for ‘cowboy’ insulators words and low fees. Those whom have been affected negatively after the installation of cavity wall insulation must be aware that they could be entitled to make a compensation claim, and here at Zen Law we are here to help! It has been suggested that over the last twenty years millions of homes in the UK have been insulated in this way. Of course many of these people will have received quality and professional services where work has been carried out correctly, but this is not always the case. Hundreds of…
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15Mar
Council Homes across the Country Deemed ‘Unfit’ for Living
You would expect homes provided by the council to be of a liveable standard; however the BBC has recently shown that this is unfortunately not the case. Did you know that almost 11,000 council house tenants have already made compensation claims for damage, damp and leaks within their homes? Over the past five years local authorities across England have in fact paid out over £35m in compensation and legal fees to those being forced to live in ‘unfit’ homes – and it has been suggested that the number of people making disrepair claims is now on the rise, with many people realising that they don’t have to put up with harmful living conditions any longer. Take Ann Asquith from Leeds for example. This is a story in which many of you may have already seen across the news. Ann’s council home was not only damp, but as…
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28Feb
Husband Wins Seven Year Medical Negligence Fight Following Wife’s Death
Darren Taylor, the husband of Alison who died on March 31st 2010 from a blood clot following the birth of her baby girl has recently won a medical negligence claim against Leicester’s hospitals. The amount in which Mr. Taylor won has not been disclosed however it is great to see that he has finally won compensation form the hospital trust, not only for him and his family – but also providing others going through similar cases with hope and reason to carry on battling. Alison Taylor died from a pulmonary embolism caused by a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in one of her legs which was present due to pregnancy. She was quickly taken to hospital after being found collapsed in the bathroom of their home, but later passed away. The coroner said that if the hospital provided Alison with a scan, her life could have been saved –…
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09Feb
A&E Waiting Times Currently at ‘Record Levels’, according to Leaked Data
Figures recently leaked to the BBC suggest that in the month of January 2017 record numbers of patients spent over four hours in accident & emergency units across England. If this data is correct it highlights the fact that the NHS is currently under copious amounts of pressure, as this would mean that it was the worst performing month in the past thirteen years! In addition to this the leaked figures also suggested that record numbers of people in January had to wait over twelve hours for hospital beds once they had been seen in A&E. Following this, the government is now being accused of failing to understand the seriousness of the situation, with campaigns taking place over the country and on social media platforms such as Twitter with the intentions of ensuring that something is done to avoid such waiting times going forward. Since the four-hour target was…
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25Jan
Over £600m Allocated to Pay for Medical Negligence and Personal Injury Claims in Wales
Recent news articles have highlighted the fact that over £600 million pounds has been allocated for personal injury and medical negligence claims against the NHS in Wales in the future. Last year a total of £74.6m was paid out for claims of this kind, however a staggering £682million has been set aside by the Welsh government for future payments. The amount provided each year has been rising since 2013, and in line with this a number of people are now taking time to look into alternative ways to address the risk involved in healthcare, for example training, cleaning and more efficient planning. Of course, when it comes to healthcare there will always be a risk, however there are measures that can be taken to reduce the risks and improve overall performance and by looking into why so many people are claiming some answers could possibly be found…
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12Jan
Hospitals Failing to Investigate Unexpected Deaths
Last month Care Quality Commission released a report revealing that the NHS is failing to properly investigate unexpected deaths in hospitals in the UK, and as a result preventing hospitals and hospital staff from learning from their mistakes and ensuring that they’re not continuously repeated. If one of your family members or friends has previously passed away whilst in hospital and you never got information that you required regarding the situation, you will understand how much of an annoyance this can be and will no doubt want to ensure that as little people as possible have to go through this is in the future. The said investigation was commissioned following the shocking and tragic statistics from Southern Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – which brought to light the fact that only 1% of deaths among patients with learning disabilities were investigated over a four year period, and an even more…
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22Dec
Standing Up Against Medical Negligence This Christmas
With all of the excitement that comes with Christmas and the festive period, it has become apparent that many of the people facing minor medical negligence let it go – focusing on the festiveness instead. This is however wrong, and people that suffer from medical negligence should always stick up for themselves, not only to get the compensation that they deserve, but to urge others to follow in their footsteps also. As patients, we typically put our trust in the medical care professionals, and rightly so too. The majority of medical professionals in the UK provide the correct treatment and advice to assist us with our ailments and illnesses. However, when not provided with the appropriate and correct advice and health is affected by incompetent care or lack of judgement, in many cases we are entitled to compensation – and this should be sought after. Medical negligence covers…
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15Dec
Taking Legal Action against NHS Clinical Negligence
NHS care is typically very good, with the majority of people not having any problems. However, on occasion things do go wrong as a result of lack of judgment and incompetent care, and when this occurs people must take legal action and seek the compensation that they deserve. Taking Legal Action If you have been injured as a result of medical negligence, there is a very high chance that you will be able to take legal action and get compensation. Not only this but people can also take legal action for compensation if they’re the next of kin of someone who has passed away because of negligent medical treatment, or if they’re the next of kin of someone who is no able to take legal action themselves. To take legal action against clinical negligence, you don’t have to use the NHS complaints procedure, but many people…
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21Nov
Can You Make a Claim for Holiday Sickness?
Every year, people take a break away from the daily grind, finding relaxation in a variety of holiday settings, both in the UK and abroad. No matter the destination, if any one of your group becomes sick whilst away, the results can totally devastate the holiday experience for one or even all of the holidaymakers. All-inclusive or package holidays are advertised at one overall price for a holiday which typically includes everything such as flights, accommodation, food and drink. If any member of the group becomes ill whilst on an all-inclusive holiday as a result of the package provided by the operator, a claim may be made for compensation, as the holiday has failed to be as advertised. The Food Standards Agency, FSA have just conducted research which highlights the incidence of food poisoning in the UK from known pathogens such as Campylobacter and Salmonella, as well as the…
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16Nov
Food Poisoning Figures Published
The Food Standards Agency who are responsible for food hygiene ratings have published new findings detailing how many people suffer from food poisoning in the UK each year, along with how different foods are responsible for varying types of food poisoning. The research highlights the issue with reporting of food poisoning and the official data doesn’t highlight the full extent of the issue, particularly as most cases go untreated by a medical professional. Additionally, Doctors do not test for all variations of the pathogens which cause food poisoning, so these cases end up being omitted from the data. The Food Standards Agency will be taking the findings and working closely with people throughout the industry to set strict targets to eliminate food poisoning and its root causes throughout the UK. According to the report there are over 500,000 cases of food poisoning from known pathogens. If the figures included…
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31Oct
Holiday Sickness Compensation
Countless holidaymakers get away each year to relax and unwind, taking a break from the daily grind. However, sometimes things can go awry when any member if any member of the group become sick during the holiday. If you become sick whilst on a package or all-inclusive holiday and it was not your fault, or if your holiday particularly was not as advertised and you lost days of your holiday due to sickness, you may be able to make a claim for compensation. Types of sickness There are many different types of sickness you could contract whilst on holiday which include food poisoning, Legionnaire’s Disease, E-coli, Salmonella, Shigellosis, Gastroenteritis and Cryptosporidium, although there are many more types of sickness in addition. What is the law? The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 were brought into place to protect consumers from different types of sickness contracted…
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24Oct
Food Poisoning Compensation – Could You Make a Claim?
Every year, thousands of Britain’s take a break away from the stress and strife of daily life. Package holidays are big business and provide holidaymakers with one all-inclusive price for everything which typically includes accommodation, flights and food for the stay. In unfortunate circumstances, holidaymakers can contract food poisoning which results in sickness for a duration of days throughout the holiday. If you have been on a package holiday in the last three years and became sick with food poisoning, you may be entitled to compensation. What is the law? The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 are designed to protect consumers from different types of sickness contracted whilst on a package holiday. In the unfortunate event that any member of your group or party become sick, you may be entitled to pursue the travel operator for compensation which directly results from negligence….
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29Sep
Personal Injury Reforms Could Be Imminent
Following a turbulent start to the year with figures steadily in decline it appears the personal injury reforms which were first discussed last November are now imminent, claimant lawyers were told at the PI Futures Conference in Liverpool last week. Top economists and experts have been keenly watching for any trends to emerge and the market has experienced a dip in figures after the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO) was instated and seeing further reduction in profit with the more recent updates to the small claims limit, which gave more people access to small claims courts without a solicitor. Also on the agenda are plans for the removal of the right to general damages for minor soft tissue injuries. The proposed changes may also include compensating victims of whiplash accidents with medical care as opposed to monetary amounts which has caused uproar throughout the sector….
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20Sep
Uncertainty Continues for UK Personal Injury Sector
Experts in the personal injury sector have been bracing themselves for change following the shock EU exit of the 23rd June. With over two thirds of British law originating from Europe, the far reaching implications to the legal system are still as yet unknown. It cannot be argued that leaving the EU impacted on all areas of the personal injury claims sector such as accidents in the workplace, accidents abroad, flight claims and also affecting the small claims limit. It will take some time to complete the restructuring of policy and underpinning procedures, for the regulatory bodies in turn to adjust and make amendments to regulations, allowing for everyone to take full control of the situation. The market has already experienced change following the instalment of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO) and also the prospective reforms of November 2015 have ensured continued…
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19Aug
Rise in Claims during Summer Months
With the summer months, comes an increase in many things – relaxation and recreation just to name a couple. However, not everything that increases during this time is positive, and one thing that we have noticed here at Zen Law is that a variety of different claims have risen in numbers during recent months. Longer days lead to more adventures and unfortunately because of this more accidents occur, including but not limited to the following: Slips, Trips and Falls Whilst taking a stroll in the summer sun many people encounter slips and falls due to things such as defects in pavements, footpaths and roads. In addition to this, with more people off work and off school there is an increase in people in supermarkets, pubs, gyms, restaurants and shops, and in these places unfortunately accidents also occur because of hazardous obstacles, spillages and more. Road Traffic Accidents During the summer…
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05Aug
Bus Accident Compensation Claims
On today’s UK roads there are roughly 35-40 million cars, with around 5.16 billion annual bus journeys, therefore it is no surprise that busses are sometimes involved in road traffic accidents. Common road traffic accident personal injury claims typically involve one or more cars and these claims are more often than not settled between two or more parties. However, when it comes to bus accident claims, things can become slightly more complex, as a larger number of variables need to be taken into consideration. Collisions between busses and cars result in similar personal injury claims to when only cars are involved in a road accident, although there is one main difference. When involved in an accident with a bus, you will not be claiming against the driver and will instead be claiming against the bus company. You don’t have to be a car driver to make a bus accident claim…
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18Jul
WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS FAQ
Despite the strictest health and safety policies and practices, accidents can happen at any given place or time when at work. Not one accident is the same and employers have very clear responsibilities outlined when it comes to accident reporting and following procedures to ensure everyone is ultimately protected. Any changes in the workplace which may affect your safety should ultimately be communicated to you as quickly and efficiently as possible to ensure everyone is aware of and adhering to health and safety policy with regular risk assessment part of routine checks. Unfortunately, accidents can range from minor trips and falls to serious injuries which require medical attention and sometimes in the worst case, they can be fatal. Your employer has a duty to report all accidents and should have a register. This is ordinarily not something you need to worry about but it helps if you are involved in…
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04Jul
CHANGE IS THE ONLY CERTAINTY
With the entirety of the UK still in shock following the European Union exit, the only thing certain within many of Britain’s industries is change. Experts within the legal industry are weighing up the prospects of a broken legacy as over two thirds of UK laws originate from Europe. With that in mind, complex layers of legislative acts and procedures have been built up over the years and if removed completely, there would be severe ramifications. Whilst no one knows how the future looks, the personal injury sector are preparing for the next chapter of history. The personal injury sector have been privy and adherent to EU regulations for many years now with much legislation pertaining to accidents, health and safety in the workplace and consumer issues being key and pinnacle to the entire claims industry. With the shock exit from the EU now looming over everyone, the future of…
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28Jun
Specialists in CICA Claims
In addition to our personal injury claim services, here at Zen Law Solicitors we also specialise in Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) claims. These are dealt with in a similar way as our personal injury claims are, with a No Win No Fee basis. The effects of criminal attacks can often be serious, resulting in both short and long term psychological and physical damage and therefore if you have been injured due to a criminal act, it is important that you get the compensation that you deserve. CICA’s aim is to compensate innocent victims for not only their injuries but also other factors such as loss of earnings and medical treatment costs. Under the CICA scheme, which is government-funded, is it also possible for individuals to claim for compensation if they have lost a loved one as a result of a violent attack or crime and also to claim for…
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16Jun
Employers Duty of Care
Employers owe their employees a duty of care and it is imperative that they put their workers safety above anything else – providing a safe workplace at all times. If for any reason an employer fails to provide appropriate duty of care, results can often be serious, resulting in individual workers being able to make successful claims. Here are just five of the many examples of an employer’s duty of care: Employers must always ensure that machinery and equipment provided for jobs is suitable and that regular inspections take place to ensure that it is in correct working order. Machines should also only be used by trained personnel. Your employer should never ask you to carry, lower, lift, pull or push anything that is likely to cause you injury. Employers should ensure that work places are lit adequately and appropriately. Also, regular lighting checks should take place. Health and safety…
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31May
Common Types of Personal Injury Claims
Any injury or accident which causes physical distress or harm is classed as a personal injury. These types of accidents can happen anywhere at any time on the road, in the workplace or even whilst out shopping. Yougov conducted research which highlights that one in four adults have had a personal injury at some point in their lifetime. The UK has some pretty strict legal requirements which ensure that all types of business have the relevant health and safety policies and procedures in place as well as it being a statutory requirement to have the correct insurance to prevent serious accidents from happening in the workplace and to ensure they are covered should the worst happen. Whilst there is a vast range of injuries which would be classed as a personal injury, the following figures make up common categories of personal injury: 16% of all personal injuries are workplace accidents…
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12May
GP Embroiled In Personal Injury Scam
Reports have emerged that a family doctor has been accused of being involved in a personal injury scam by compiling fake medical reports with lawyers to keep the money generated. The GP had apparently got paid if there was a compensatory amount paid out, sometimes taking £350 each time for exaggerating injuries. The gross misconduct came to light after one claimant, who had been in a road accident but was unhurt, received an additional £2,400 for alleged injuries. Upon realising he had been unfairly awarded the money, he refused to cash the cheque and alerted the authorities. The Doctor who lives in Radlett, Hertfordshire then underwent investigation from the Police and Insurance Fraud Bureau, as well as being reported to the General Medical Council (GMC) for gross misconduct. The alleged events took place between 2004 and 2008 when the GP in question worked for a Health Centre in Barrow. According…
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20Apr
Number of child in-patient mental health deaths unknown
Disturbing evidence collected by INQUEST has now revealed that there isn’t a system in place to record, monitor and publish the statistics of children who have sadly died whilst getting in-patient mental health care. Through the specialist casework with families carried out by INQUEST they found that there was a lack of transparency concerning the deaths of one of the most vulnerable groups of people across England and Wales. Earlier this month on April 4th, BBC Panorama focused on a 17 year old girl’s story that tragically died whilst in a mental health unit. Sara Green was receiving in-patient treatment and living at the privately run Priory Group Cheadle Royal Hospital, Cheshire, however due to the considerable distance from her family, they were unable to visit her each week. At her inquest, the Coroner determined a lack of suitable NHS placements near to her home and a failure to manage…
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10Apr
Unlawful Killings at the Hillsborough Disaster
For the past 27 years families of the 96 football fans who died in the Hillsborough Stadium disaster have been campaigning for justice and yesterday the jury finally revealed their findings – providing them with both the justice and the closure that they have sought for so long. The jury who have heard evidence over the past two years came to the conclusion that Chief Superintendent David Duckinfield’s actions amounted to gross negligence, and that he did in fact breach his duty of care to the football fans. The conclusions reached also proved that police errors assisted the dangerous situation which led to the crush on the terraces and that through the order to open the Leppings Lane and exit gates police mistakes were made. In addition to this the jury determined that the police delayed declaring a major incident and the emergency response which included the ambulance service being…
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15Mar
Could making more cars autonomous lead to a reduction of traffic accidents by up to 95%?
A recent report carried out by The Institution of Mechanical Engineers has made some interesting discoveries regarding new auto technologies and reduced road accidents. As part of this, figures were released anticipating that if current vehicles were replaced with autonomous (i.e. self-driving) alternatives – then up to £51 billion a year of savings could be made, as well as significantly reducing road accidents. We still need to focus on human fault Why so? The report cites the important statistics that 95% of road traffic accidents occur due to driver error; something we take highly seriously here at Zen Law Solicitors. That is why we believe the report is so important, not necessarily just for autonomous cars, but to draw attention to the sheer amount of cases where traffic accidents have been most likely caused by human negligence. As automatic vehicles are not at the moment an option for many, it…
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07Mar
Jeremy Clarkson Case Draws Attention to the Importance of Addressing Personal Injury
Over the course of recent weeks, the case involving Oisin Tymon, and his claims against the ex Top Gear presenter and journalist Jeremy Clarkson, has reached a culmination. It has been reported that Clarkson has settled a personal injury claim which was levied against him by Tymon, a BBC producer who was injured due to Clarkson punching him following a disagreement. The presenter was left with a swollen and bleeding lip which required hospital treatment; and the incident has emphasized the importance of addressing personal injury, in whatever contexts it occurs. Looking beyond Here at Zen Law Solicitors, we are aware that personal injuries are not just the often-discussed slips at work and back sprain. They encompass a number of serious and aggravating incidents; all of which need to be dealt with in a professional manner. No matter the stance of the individual, if you have been injured due to…
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18Feb
Road safety charity urges government to take more action against injuries
A prominent road safety charity, Brake, has been one of a growing number to speak up on the issue of road safety and rising serious accident numbers – in which negligent and reckless driving is deemed often to play a part. Outcry has occurred as despite recent statistics showing a 5% rise in serious injuries and a 4% increase in severe injuries on the roads, the government has not outlined new casualty reduction targets. Thus it appears that serious injuries on the roads are a significant issue – and the legal aspect we attempt to address here at Zen law Solicitors. If you have sustained an injury on the road that was not your fault but due to the negligence of another, we may be able to support you. Goals ahead A significant number of these most severe road accidents are caused by one or more of the parties involved…
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03Feb
Who is to blame for rising medical negligence claims?
There has been increased public and media attention to the issue of medical negligence, especially following on from a number of high-profile revelations over the course of 2015. There were cases of NHS hospitals and trusts deemed to be below acceptable standards as well as news of payouts to patients; therefore raising questions about public safety in the British healthcare system. The publicity around these incidents has hopefully played a role in implementing better procedures, but, as ever, if you have been affected by negligent practices whilst receiving medical treatment, it is important to speak up. Negligence still unfortunately occurs, and there have been arguments over recent weeks over who is to blame. Does it lie with doctors? Particularly recently, the Medical Defence Union (MDU) has come forward to speak on the issue of medical negligence and uphold that GP’s are not to blame. As most people have a GP,…
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26Jan
The 5 most common road accident causes – have you been affected?
Here at Zen Law Solicitors, we are committed to keeping people informed about their legal circumstances and possible entitlements. For example, we regularly advise people who have been involved in road accidents. Unfortunately a number of people every year endure accidents on Britain’s roads – and negligence on the part of one or more of the parties involved often plays a part. If you have been affected or injured by a road accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation; after all, another person’s failure to drive responsibly should not be at your expense! Whether it’s a case of driving ‘under the influence’ or simply not concentrating on the road, there are a number of reasons why incidents occur… Often causing accidents 1) Not looking before pulling out – this is the key culprit behind many road accidents! Nasty collisions are often the result of drivers…
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22Jan
CMA Investigation into UK legal services set to be underway
Recent reports have drawn attention to the launch of an investigation regarding the quality and prices associated with UK legal services. It is set to be carried out by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). This comes following ‘longstanding concerns about the affordability’ of available options, and a move which has been welcomed by a number of legal services which care about retaining the highest quality in the profession, including Zen Law Solicitors. Protection matters The Law Society has expressed its approval of the investigation and subsequent review. This body represents more than 130,000 solicitors in England and Wales and endorses the concept of greater regulation in order to crack down on fraudulent legal services which can infiltrate the industry. There are hopes that the investigation will protect clients who are seeking legal advice, especially in terms of personal injury. Quality with Zen Law Solicitors Carrying out the investigation, the…
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17Dec
New rehab code set to be published for personal injury cases
An updated rehabilitation code for those involved in personal injury cases is to take effect from the 1st December 2015. In effect, it means that greater attention will be paid to ensuring those affected by personal injury receive appropriate and high-quality support (i.e. rehabilitation in the aftermath). Putting clients first matters Since 1999 the code has seen two changes already, so will the 1st December be third time lucky? The amendment is a constructive move after all, to ensure that those affected by injury can access the best possible care. Here at Zen Law Solicitors we recognise how important appropriate rehabilitation is and strive to put our clients first. The updated code has been developed by working party of experts regarding personal injury and health. This includes members from the Association of British Insurers, NHS representatives, some legal teams and the International Underwriting Association. The implications It is thought that…
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03Dec
Cycling safety tips forgotten far too often
Getting on a bicycle can be one of life’s most enjoyable activities. It is great exercise at the same time as being a convenient mode of transport. Whilst many people enjoy cycling as a weekend recreation, a number of people use a bike in their commute to wok. Cycling on the roads comes with its obvious risks; especially due to the proximity of the cyclist to busy traffic and also the difference in size between bikes and motor vehicles. However, if you have the appropriate equipment and road cycling confidence, then you should not be deterred. What is absolutely essential is that you keep safety in mind at all times. Unfortunately, a number of cyclists are seriously injured or are even involved in fatalities on the UK’s roads every year. An area of particular focus recently has been London; where cyclists have been clipped by trucks and lorries unable to…
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23Nov
Some important health and safety lessons we can learn from the winter months
Here at Zen Law Solicitors, we work to ensure that our clients feel as satisfied and secure as possible. During the winter months a typical rise is seen in instances where people have been injured through no fault of their own – especially on the roads and at work – due to wintry conditions. The winter weather can bring additional hazards, which if not responsibly maintained, can lead to accident and injury. In the workplace for example, employers have an obligation to uphold health and safety standards, and should be doing so appropriate to changing weather conditions too. Therefore, it is important to recognise that this is a time of year where extra consideration needs to be taken: Some things to think about Give yourself extra time – whether you are responsible just for your own car or a whole workplace, what matters is that you give yourself plenty of…
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16Nov
Take these steps for a safer workplace in 2016
In any business, there are health and safety regulations which must be upheld at all times. Yet even when appropriate measures are followed, there are constructive steps which can be made continuously to ensure an environment which thinks pragmatically about safety. When a workplace puts health and safety at the forefront, colleagues are more likely to feel appreciated too– potentially leading to greater productivity. Therefore, whether you are an employer or employee, you can consider these essential areas to implement in your office environment and in turn allow for an even more positive 2016: Important areas to consider Minimise slip and fall risks – a common cause of workplace accidents is through employees slipping and tripping; with usually an uneven or poorly maintained surface to blame. If you are in an office environment, having consistent carpeting is often the best choice. Wherever you’re working, before each day someone should check…
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30Oct
Winter on the roads –accidents and advice
Now the clocks have gone back and the darker nights descend, here comes the time of year many motorists dread – the onset of wintry weather. Road conditions can become difficult in the colder months and recent figures have shown that UK drivers are up to six times more likely to have an accident over the winter. Incidents on the increase Wintry weather conditions which can increase the risk of accidents include snow and ice, increased surface water and something which is already affecting a number of drivers – limited visibility. Drivers need to take appropriate caution and ensure that they are giving the road their full attention. After all, this time of year typically sees a rise in incidents where drivers have failed to take precautions for slippery surfaces and have crashed their car into another. Help is at hand for those affected Winter often sees a number of…
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12Oct
Are you one of the 21% injured at work in the North West?
According to recent research released by confused.com, the North of England appears one of the most high-risk areas for accidents at work in the country. This shocking find suggests that a number of workplaces are failing to properly uphold health and safety standards. The figures emphasizing the risks, show that since 2008, 154 people in the North West have died at work. The most dangerous sector appeared to be construction, with 47 deaths in the industry alone since 2008. Obligations to health and safety have been flouted It therefore appears that the concentration of manual jobs in the North West, and the risks which come with them, could be contributing to a tragic higher incidence of injury and even fatalities at work. There is no excuse for these occurrences to be happening – as every workplace has a legal obligation to ensure health and safety standards are met in the…
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18Sep
Zen Law’s Personal Injury A- Z: Burns
One common injury many suffer from is burns. It can happen anywhere, in the home or outside of it, and many brush it off as their own carelessness. But sometimes a burn isn’t your fault at all, and some burns can cause marks which will be there for life. It’s worth checking at Zen Law Solicitors if you feel your accident may have been the fault of others, and there could be compensation available to help you with the pain and inconvenience caused. When it burns Burns can happen in any industry, and factory, kitchen and warehouse based burns could be due to negligence from others. Many industries deal with dangerous substances or equipment which can lead to burns, and this can easily be mishandled. It could be something left on, or you may not have been given adequate training on how to use the equipment. And the burns can…
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05Sep
Zen Law’s Personal Injury A- Z: Accident Types
At Zen Law Solicitors, we aim to help those who may have found themselves in an accident which wasn’t their fault. Accidents which fall into this category happen on a daily basis, but many just leave it be, no matter how bad the effects of the accident were. Many don’t try and claim because they feel they won’t be able to, but there are many accidents which fall under personal injury law, it’s simply a case of knowing what they are. The Many Types of Personal Injury Personal injury covers a wide array of areas. You could have fallen foul to an accident within the workplace, or even through medical negligence. If it wasn’t you fault, there is a chance you can claim. Accidents can happen anywhere, be they industrial or triggered through criminal activity or a road based incident. Maybe a heavy item incorrectly stacked has fallen onto you…
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24Aug
Union warns: Amazon UK work culture causes debilitating health conditions
A recent exposé on the working conditions of Amazon’s employees has raised a flurry of concern worldwide. Now a prominent trade union warns that the global products and services provider is risking the health of its employees with its practices causing musculoskeletal and mental health conditions. Although the company CEO has denied these concerns, it raises common questions about accidents and injuries in the working environment. Often employees can find themselves at a disadvantage when ill-informed of their rights and their employer’s respective responsibilities. Accidents and injuries at work There are many job roles along the production and distribution stages at work. Work-related stress can often spiral into clinically diagnosable instances of depression and anxiety. Whilst, poor working conditions or excessive strains and workloads can cause physical ailments relating to an individual’s posture, muscles and skeletal frame. It is therefore crucial to be informed of your rights at work in order…
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14Aug
Road Traffic fatalities increase by 14%
According to the National Safety Council in the US, road traffic deaths in the country were up by 14% in the first 6 months of the year. Some have speculated that the rise in fatalities may be down to a decrease in the price of oil and gas in the region. The figures are expected to have implications in the UK, where trends from the US are often transposed. In particular it is assumed that the rise in fatalities also demonstrates an implicit rise in injuries cause by road traffic accidents too. In such a climate, it pays to know your rights on the road. Know your rights on the road Most people are aware of their rights and duties on the road. Adhering to the laws and regulations relating to the rules of driving, drivers often find themselves at a loss as to what to do when things go…
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27Jul
Confused about the legal process?
The legal system can be a daunting prospect to most people. The thought of it can cause concern about costs too. Many people find themselves hesitant to approach a lawyer because of unfamiliarity with legal jargon and the process as a whole. The good news is that there are some tried and tested methods of slowing down the procedure, yet ensuring efficiency, so that you can take the pursuit of legal advice at your own pace. Even in regards to personal injury, the process can be as accommodating as you need. First things first If you have been involved in an accident or injury it is crucial to get medical attention for the injury sustained. Once this has been done, you can start to think about legal advice. The law works on the basis of rules and evidence. So if you can prove that you fulfil the criteria for…
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20Jul
Employers warned after work-related fatalities increase
Accidents at work can occur in many ways. Causes of injury vary according to profession, with the most common accidents being road traffic accidents, slips, trips and falls, electrical incidents and those as a result of manual handling and lifting. Data released by the Government’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) shows that fatalities in the workplace have increased in the UK from last year’s figures. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) noted that the figures were concerning and yet did not even include work-related road accidents which made up one third of all deaths on the road. Employer liability and vigilance Health and safety laws in the UK place significant responsibility on an employer to preserve the physical security of their employees. Employers may be liable in such cases where: adequate health and safety precautions have not been adhered to appropriate risk assessments have not been fulfilled…