Embarrassing accidents on YouTube – watch and take heed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iRsSV8DOHc
Sad but true – most people take great pleasure in other people’s misfortunes. And there are not many misfortunes greater than an embarrassing accident caught on tape. The popularity (and longevity) of shows such as America’s Funniest Home Videos (currently in its 20th season!) is testament to that.
But while we can have a good old giggle at a rogue football or a gasp in horror at someone’s unholy discovery of a slippery surface, there is also a serious side to these embarrassing viral videos.
In order to avoid an injury, having to apply for a compensation claim, potentially racking up quite the legal bill (and not to mention, endangering those around you), take heed from these viral videos and play it safe, use common sense and be aware of your surroundings.

Embarrassing accidents on YouTube – watch and take heed

Everything you need to know to claim compensation when you have a skiing accident

It’s not quite the end of the ski season, so the sad reality is there will still be a number of ski accidents cropping up on the ski fields with unnerving regularity. It’s important that if you have the unfortunate luck to be involved in such an accident, you know what steps to take immediately afterwards to ensure you have all the necessary information on hand in order to make a successful compensation claim.
What type of skiing accident might you be able to claim compensation for?
- If another skier or snowboarder injures you.
- If you have enrolled for skiing or snowboarding tuition, and do not receive adequate tuition OR the instructor takes you off-piste, resulting in an accident.
- If you are injured as a result of wearing faulty ski equipment which you have hired.
- If you are injured as a result of a ski lift not being properly maintained by the ski resort or lift owner.
Taking out an adequate travel insurance policy before you leave for your skiing holiday, should be a prerequisite. Ski and snowboard holidays often require extra cover than your standard insurance.
In order to gather the necessary information to make your compensation claim, you should remember to bear these in mind:
- In the event of an accident, report the accident to the piste authorities as soon as possible.
- Note down details of person or persons who may be responsible, including their insurance details (which anyone on a skiing holiday should have).
- Note down names and contact information for any witnesses to the accident.
- Take photos of the scene of the accident. If you can, make a sketch of the scene and jot down any potential hazards and where the involved parties were travelling from and to at the point of collision.
- Receive medical attention right away. Keep a record of any medical treatment you require.
- If faulty equipment is to blame, note down details of who provided the equipment and the process that was taken to fit the equipment for you. You should note what the problem was with the equipment that caused you to injure yourself, and take photos of the faulty equipment if possible.
- Try and make your compensation claim as soon as possible. Claims for accidents which occurred while on package holidays (where you purchased two of the following three components at the same time: accommodation, transport or any excursion or significant activity), must be made within three years. But any other claims outside the UK may have a much shorter time limit.
- Investigate whether your travel insurance covers legal expenses. If not, check your house or car insurance to see if they cover you for legal expenses insurance.
- If you don’t have legal expenses insurance, it might be worth pursuing a ‘no win no fee’ claim. Ask your solicitor if you think this option would apply to you.

Everything you need to know to claim compensation when you have a skiing accident

Claim compensation for medical negligence

There are a growing number of compensation claims being made against members of the medical profession. With the best will in the world, there are going to be times when a doctor or other medical professional slips up. However, when we are treated we are, quite literally putting our lives in their hands – and such “slip ups” are becoming all too common.

Cases where medical compensation claims may be brought include wrongful procedure, inadequate care and attention, negligent or inadequate treatment, surgical errors, incorrect drug dosages, misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis and birth injuries. Sometimes it can be something non-life threatening, such as a missed whiplash injury. However, a depressing number of compensation claims are brought by a bereaved parent, partner or child. They are not looking for money, just answers – a claim is the only way they can get them.

Unfortunately, the medical profession is prone to closing ranks when one of their own is proved negligent. It has been known for concerned staff to be bullied into silence, to avoid professional misconduct being uncovered. For this reason, medical compensation claims are often offered on a no win no fee basis, in a similar way to whiplash injury resulting from car accidents. Medical cases can be notoriously drawn out, and if the victim’s solicitor loses the costs can be enormous. No win no fee claims ensure that, in the event of compensation not being awarded, the victim – or their family - won’t have expensive costs to pay.

Claim compensation for medical negligence

Make a no win no fee claim for slip trip and whiplash injury

Many compensation claims are taken on a no win no fee basis. This means that in the event of the solicitor being unsuccessful, the client won’t have to pay them a fee, which lessens the risk of being out-of-pocket if a successful counter-claim is made.

However there are a large number of personal injury firms who, in the event of winning a claim, take a large fee from the sum offered. There have been cases of victims ending up with little or nothing because of this. For this reason, you should always use a personal injuries solicitor who works on a no win no fee, 100% compensation basis. Then, there are no hidden surprises, because costs are recovered from the other side.

Naturally, solicitors need to be sure they have a good chance of success, so no win no fee compensation claims tend to be clear-cut cases where the victim was not at fault, such as a whiplash injury following a rear-end car collision, or a broken knee from a trip over an uneven paving slab. Nonetheless, it can still be notoriously difficult to prove who was at fault, so the solicitor will need all the facts. It’s important you tell them if you feel you were to blame in any way – they may still be able to make a claim, although the sum awarded may be reduced.

People who suffer a whiplash injury or nasty fall, due to someone else’s negligence, should make their compensation claims as soon as possible – and always under a 100%, no win no fee basis.

Make a no win no fee claim for slip trip and whiplash injury

What is a no win no fee whiplash claim?

Whiplash injury is damage caused to the neck and lower back ligaments following a sudden jerking movement of the head. Although it isn’t fatal, it is extremely painful and debilitating. Symptoms include pain in the chest and neck area, reduced movement, severe headaches and mental trauma.

One of the most common causes of whiplash injury is low velocity impact rear-end vehicle collisions. They happen at slow speed, typically in built-up areas with slow-moving traffic.

Injury can occur at speeds as low as 3 MPH. A whiplash injury often takes time to make its full effects known, but symptoms can persist for months, and are sometimes permanent. Victims can suffer loss of earnings and may even lose their job.

If you think your injury was not your fault, you should always make a claim. However, you have to prove the other driver was totally at fault, which isn’t always easy to do. It’s important to realise solicitors don’t take on all compensation claims for whiplash, and that it helps if you have independent witnesses. The claims that are taken on are generally handled on a no win no fee basis.

No win no fee compensation claims mean that, in the event of the solicitor being unsuccessful, you won’t have to pay them a penny. Most legitimate solicitors offer no win no fee with 100% compensation. This means you get to keep all your compensation, as the solicitor will recover his costs from the other side. Many so-called personal injury firms take their fees from the compensation award, leaving the victim with little or nothing.

What is a no win no fee whiplash claim?

Do’s and don’ts when making a no win no fee claim

Do’s

• Do only make a ‘no win no fee’ claim when you have accident injuries that have caused you pain and suffering and/or financial loss.
• Do ensure you are within the timeframe for making a ‘no win no fee’ claim – most of the time it can only be made within three years of the date of your injury.
• Do make sure your selected claims service doesn’t involve any hidden fees – any legal costs should be covered by the third party should your compensation claim be successful.
• Do ask your selected claims service questions such as whether the company will charge you any fees, whether they will make you sign into a credit agreement and whether they will insist you sign up for a loan – the answer to all of these should be ‘no’.
• Do make sure that if your solicitor takes on your case, and believes you have less than a 51% chance of success, that there are no hidden costs.
• Do ensure that you will receive 100% of the damages – the legal fees for your solicitor should not come out of this.
• Do keep evidence of any medical treatments, referrals or appointments you have had in relation to your injury – it is your responsibility to keep a record of these as proof of your accident.

Don’ts

• Don’t sign anything until your solicitor has made it clear (and in writing) that there will be the ‘no win, no fee’ arrangement available and with no hidden costs.
• Don’t pursue a claim if you feel like your questions have not been answered satisfactorily or if you feel uncomfortable with any aspect of the advice you have been given. Be aware that once proceedings have begun, pulling out could result in you being billed for legal fees incurred on your behalf.
• Don’t miss any medical examinations that have been set up with independent doctors. These missed appointments will show up in your medical records (which the court and insurance companies have access to), and could hurt your legal case.

Do’s and don’ts when making a no win no fee claim

The ins and outs of claiming compensation when your flight is delayed

There is nothing worse than gearing up for your overseas holiday or business trip, only to reach the airport and find out your flight has been delayed. Not only does it eat up quality beach-lazing/sightseeing/meeting-going time, but can also make you miss connecting flights and face the not-so-exciting prospect of being laid up in a nearby airport hotel overnight until the airline is ready to transport you.
So, what are your rights when your flight has been delayed? And how can you Claim compensation?
According to the Denied Boarding Regulation:
- if your flight departs from an EU destination or from a non-EU airport but is flying into an EU airport on an EU airline;
- you have a confirmed flight reservation, and;
- you checked in on time;
then you have legal protection and may qualify for compensation.

What level of compensation you receive will depend on how far you are travelling and for how long your flight is delayed. The airline is obligated to provide you with free refreshments, two phone calls (or faxes or emails) and, should you need to stay overnight, free accommodation (and transfers between the airport and this accommodation):
- If you are travelling less than 932 miles (from London to Paris, for example) and have been delayed for over two hours.
- If you are travelling between EU destinations that are greater than 932 miles apart (such as from London to Madrid) and have been delayed for three hours.
- If you are travelling to any other destination and have been delayed by more than four hours.

If your delay exceeds five hours, you will be able to Claim the benefits above plus full reimbursement of the ticket cost, and a return flight to the first point of departure, provided you choose not to travel on the delayed flight.

How much you can claim again depends on the distance you were travelling and for how long you have been delayed.
- For distances up to 1,500km that have been delayed by more than 3 hours, you can claim compensation of €250.
- For distances between 1,500km and 3,500km that have been delayed by more than 3 hours, you can claim compensation of €400.
- For distances over 3,500km that have been delayed between 3 and 4 hours, you can claim compensation of €300.
- For distances over 3,500km that have been delayed for more than 4 hours, you can claim compensation of €600.

To claim compensation, you must contact the airline directly. However, be aware that if a delay is due to ‘extraordinary circumstances’ (such as extreme weather conditions, worker strikes or an increased security risk) then the airline will be exempt from paying out compensation.

The ins and outs of claiming compensation when your flight is delayed