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Over the years we have heard the same thing said by many of our clients after they have received their compensation from making a claim - that the compensation will never make up for what has happened to them but it will certainly help them get on with their lives.
Compensation can prove vital in some cases, such as where a disability requires adaptations to be made to the injured person's house or car. Compensation can also make a huge difference to someone's life who has lost a relative in an accident who had previously supported them financially. Compensation is sometimes needed to fund medical care for an ongoing injury / illness or even to make up for lost earnings where an injured person is not able to earn a living to pay their bills because of their accident.
Can I make a Personal Injury Compensation Claim?
How to know if you are entitled to compensation
What will happen after I start my claim for compensation?
How your claim for compensation will progress
What Can I Claim For?
Different types of Compensation
News about Compensation
News Stories Thompsons have published about compensation
Compensation Claim Advice
How to start your claim for compensation
If you are unfortunate enough to develop an illness or be involved in an accident and suffer an injury as a result of another person’s negligence, you may be able to make a personal injury claim for compensation.
Claims for compensation can lead from all sorts of situations including accidents at work, road traffic accidents and slips and trips. At Thompsons we deal with claims for compensation arising from all of these situations but also have expert solicitors who specialise in making compensation claims for people who have been harmed by clinical negligence and also for people who have been affected by industrial diseases such as occupational deafness or an asbestos related illness.
Providing you were not at fault and you suffer an injury or develop an illness as a result, then you should be able to make a claim for compensation.
With all personal injury compensation claims, you would need to prove that your injury, illness or disease was caused as a result of the negligence of another party and once you appoint a personal injury compensation solicitor, they will assist you in compiling your evidence and presenting it to the third party insurers.
Every personal injury compensation claim is very different and while some are settled within a matter of weeks or months, others can take years. Most cases are settled out of Court; however, some will need to progress this far.
At Thompsons we will always give you an honest opinion as to whether we think your claim for compensation will be successful and we will always endeavour to obtain the maximum amount of personal injury compensation for you in the minimum amount of time.
After speaking to you to establish the facts of the case and gathering evidence of the accident and injury our lawyers will keep you advised of their progress with your claim for compensation at regular intervals.
Compensation is normally split into two different categories known as general damages and special damages.
General damages take into account the pain and suffering you have sustained as a result of your accident and medical evidence will be used to support this part of your personal injury claim for compensation. Notes will be gathered from your own medical records and it may also be necessary for you to visit a private medical specialist.
General damages also include compensation for any lost earnings and this includes any future earnings if your injury is serious enough to prevent you working later in life. Likely future promotions and pensions will also be taken into account.
General damages will also compensate you for the inability to carry out day to day tasks or hobbies which you enjoyed before such as gardening, DIY or sports.
In cases involving injured Public Service Workers, who cannot return to work, such as police officers, nurses or fire-fighters, additional compensation may be awarded for loss of congenial employment. This is awarded on the basis that their employment was “more than just a job” to them.
Special damages are intended to reimburse you for any expenses you have incurred as a result of the accident. For example the cost of travelling to and from hospital, the cost of medication, nursing care, rehabilitation costs or any aids necessary such as a wheelchair or stair lift. You will also be entitled to claim compensation for modifications to your house or car if these are necessary to your condition.
Special damages also compensate you for damage to property such as car repairs after a road traffic accident or a policy excess paid by you to your insurers.
In cases involving a fatality, additional sums will be awarded for funeral expenses and the ability for any dependent relatives to live will also be taken into account.
At Thompsons, we publish many news stories about developments in the legal sector as well as about clients we have helped recover compensation. You can read all of our news stories by visiting our News Desk; however, below we have listed a selection of some of the news stories you might be interested in reading. These stories are specifically about compensation.
3rd October 2007 - Tories playing politics with injured people
This news story tells of how the Conservative Party are alleging there is a compensation culture in Britain, when in fact, the number of personal injury claims being made is falling year on year.
2nd August 2007 - Thompsons calls for increase in compensation for victims of asbestos cancer
This news story is about Thompsons Solicitors appealing for the level of compensation for bereavement to be increased from the fixed amount of £10,000 in England and Wales to bring it in line with the compensation available to bereaved families in Scotland.
13th July 2007 - Injured people rejecting the Government’s claims reforms
This story tells how a survey conducted by Thompsons Solicitors of over 1000 of their claimants resulted in the majority saying they were not happy with the Government's proposal to fix the amount of costs a solicitor can reclaim when making a claim for compensation. They felt that solicitors would have less time to spend on their compensation claims and that corners might be cut in an attempt to stick to the budget.
22nd June 2007 - Asbestos-Related Pleural Plaques Appeal in the House of Lords
This news story tells of how an appeal is being heard in the House of Lords to determine whether people diagnosed with pleural plaques can claim compensation. The outcome of the appeal is expected to be known in autumn 2007.
2nd November 2006 - Hairdressers could be entitled to claim compensation if they develop dermatitis
This news story is about the health inspectors' announcement that nearly half of Britain's hairdressers are suffering from a debilitating and career-threatening skin disease brought about by the chemicals used in their trade. The story advises that people exposed to dangerous chemicals at work could be entitled to claim compensation if they are harmed.
19th October 2006 - Thompsons offers funding for clinical negligence claims
This news story is about Thompsons Solicitors offering to fund the cost of obtaining medical reports in certain cases where the client is not entitled to Legal Aid. Many people injured by clinical negligence are put off the idea of claiming compensation once they find out that they may have to pay for their own medical reports.
12th July 2006 - Firefighter praised for wanting to help people
This is a news story about a firefighter who was forced to retire four years earlier than he had planned due to suffering damage to his hearing at work. He was awarded compensation for the damage to his hearing and was also awarded compensation for loss of earnings. Although he could have found work elsewhere, it would not have been the job he had loved doing for 31 years.
27th March 2006 - Man from Middlesbrough secures £2.5M in compensation following horrific car crash
This news story tells how a 22 year old man ended up confined to a wheelchair after his spinal cord was damaged in a car accident. The compensation awarded seems high; however, needs to last him for the rest of his life. He needs a specially adapted car and a specially adapted house.
14 March 2005 -
Road crash victim says keep small claims limit
This story is about a man who was injured in a road traffic accident and was offered only £50 compensation from the insurers of the driver who hit him. He then instructed Thompsons Solicitors who recovered £6,000 compensation for him.
25 January 2005 - Landmark ruling against Corus UK for vibration exposure
This news story told of the very first time that Corus UK (formerly British Steel) were found to be liable for exposing boilermakers to vibrations which caused Vibration White Finger. This case meant that many other claims for compensation could be made.
13 March 2003 - Landmark settlement brings justice for thousands of SA former asbestos miners
This story tells how Thompsons Solicitors, together with South African firm Ntuli Noble Spoor forced South African mining companies to set up a trust fund worth £37.5m. The money will be used as compensation for miners injured by asbestos at work. It is by far the biggest payout of its kind in South Africa and the first time black miners have got compensation against their employers.
If you or someone you know thinks they have a valid compensation claim, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.
There are strict time limits in place to make any compensation claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a compensation claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms.