Personal Injury

Asbestos is a fibrous material that was commonly used in building and manufacturing from the 1950s right through to the 1980s. It was largely used for insulation and fireproofing.

Individual asbestos fibres are dangerous when they are inhaled.

Most asbestos diseases are caused by working in a dusty environment containing asbestos dust. Workers who installed asbestos (when it was cut or planed) or were involved in its removal are most at risk.

Liability for asbestos exposure is sometimes conceded as asbestos continued to be used well after its risks became  known in the 1950s.

This is a highly specialised area of law and accordingly it is important to appoint a solicitor who has the necessary skills and experience. We can provide this legal expertise and aim to combine it with the sympathy and understanding that clients appreciate at such a difficult time.

A victim of a crime of violence such as assault can apply for compensation to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). It is vital that the incident is reported to the Police as soon as possible and that your claim is brought within two years. Even if the assailant cannot be found or charged with a criminal offence you may still succeed with a claim for compensation. Claims which are initially rejected by the CICA (e.g. on the basis of the claimant’s own conduct before or during the incident) are often successful on appeal to an independent Tribunal. 

We have specialist expertise in dealing with CICA claims having handled a wide range of such claims involving a variety of injuries. Legal costs are not recoverable and claims are generally funded on a contingency fee basis.  

If you have been injured at work this may be because your employer has breached their duty of care to provide a safe place of work and safe systems of work. This may be due to defective work equipment, mistakes by colleagues, lack of appropriate training, failure to provide proper protective clothing, slippery surfaces or an inherently unsafe method of working.

The Courts have historically taken a fairly generous approach to accidents at work because employees should be able to earn their living in safety.  Success is not guaranteed. We have a wealth of experience in assessing whether claims are likely to succeed or fail – and will give you fair and sensible advice at the outset.

If an accident involves tripping on an uneven pavement it must be shown that the Council did not have a reasonable system of inspection and maintenance or that it failed to respond appropriately to a reported defect.  If the accident involves slipping it must be shown that the occupier did not have a reasonable system of inspection and maintenance or that it failed to respond appropriately to a report of a spillage

Catastrophic injuries involve damage to the brain or spinal cord. Where the spinal cord is injured there may be paralysis (paraplegia or tetraplegia) and where the brain is injured there may have an effect on speech, mobility, understanding and many other functions that most of us take for granted. Awards of damages can be substantial not least because the injured person may require care for the rest of his or her life. 

We will help to provide the injured person and their family with support and will address rehabilitation and welfare issues as early as possible. In cases involving serious injuries we can arrange for a family member to act on the injured person’s behalf through the Court of Protection.

Because of the complexity surrounding these claims – it is vital to be represented by a specialist solicitor.  Our specialist solicitors, many recognised by Headway, have particular expertise in dealing with complex head injury and spinal injury cases, regularly being referred cases by other specialists working in those areas.

This is the most common type of accident and you may have been injured as a driver, passenger, cyclist, motorcyclist or pedestrian. In more serious cases these injuries can be very debilitating and life changing.  Our specialist solicitors, many recognised by Headway, have particular expertise in dealing with complex head injury and spinal injury cases regularly being referred cases by other specialists working in those areas.  
Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are vulnerable to more severe injuries including fractured limbs or life changing spinal or head injuries and head injuries.

We have a particular interest in cycling accidents and have first-hand experience of the risks faced by cyclists from other road users. We also have expertise in claims for motorcyclists including claims against councils for defective road surfaces. If you are the victim of a hit and run incident or the third party is uninsured you can still pursue a claim – against an organisation called the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.

In the case of a fatal accident, in addition to bringing a compensation claim we can liaise with the Coroner’s Court and if appropriate represent the family at the inquest.