Tinnitus Awareness Week is an annual event aimed at bringing awareness to a condition that affects millions of individuals globally. Every year healthcare professionals, organisations and individuals come together to provide information and promote...
As the seasons change, so does the weather, and with it comes a variety of challenges. Windy weather, in particular, can pose unique risks that we may not always consider. In this blog we will discuss five potential hazards associated with windy...
Here at Stephensons, we have our own dedicated team dealing with credit hire claims . We deal with a wide range of vehicle hires including all types of personal vehicles, private hire and public carriage office (PCO) taxis, as well as commercial vehicles...
My name is Rachel and I am a new business advisor in the personal injury team at Stephensons. I am the first point of call for new clients wishing to make a personal injury claim . My job involves speaking with new clients, taking full details of their...
This is a welcome change that will provide greater transparency about which ingredients are used when ordering food in restaurants and coffee shops. It will show that these premises have taken all reasonable precautions to avoid any customer suffering...
Party season is upon us, and hundreds of thousands of people in the UK will be booking in for a bit of pampering to make sure that they are “Christmas party ready”. This is all part of the fun of getting ready for seasonal festivities, and as...
The Health and Safety Executive regularly publish press releases which focus on the outcome of prosecutions of firms whose employees are injured or even killed whilst simply going about their day to day jobs. The headlines of these articles are shocking,...
It is no surprise that slips and falls increase significantly in the workplace over the autumn and winter months. The days are shorter and people are going to and leaving work in the dark and as the weather deteriorates, ice and snow can cause...
Data released in September 2023 by the Department for Transport confirms that there were 1,401 collisions involving e-scooters in 2022 compared to 1,352 in 2021, which demonstrates that e-scooter accidents are on the increase. Casualties relating to...
All types of personal injury claims have a limitation period. This means that there is a set time within which you can bring a claim (i.e. formally start your claim at court), failing which you will lose your right to claim. The general time limit for ...
Special damages is the term used for financial losses incurred as a result of an accident. The financial losses to be claimed can include any past and future losses, such as travel expenses, medication costs, loss of earnings, care and assistance provided...
In trying to fix the issues with RAAC, there is a risk of disturbing asbestos which has been in place for decades in some school buildings. In 2019, Stephensons explored the issue of asbestos in primary schools in particular. Our research found that...
As a well-respected personal injury team, we receive lots of enquiries about potential injury claims from week to week. When making an initial enquiry it is important to have specific details of your accident and injury to hand, as this helps us to make a...
Summer is coming to an end and children are returning back to school, with some starting school for the first time. Many children either walk to school or travel by public transport. If this is the case for your children, then discussing the commute to...
As a motorcyclist there are a number of steps you can take to protect yourself to reduce the risk of severe injuries on the road. Sectons 83-88 of the Highway Code contain ‘rules for motorcyclists’ and state that you must wear a helmet...
Were you aware that the first person to be killed in the UK by a motor vehicle was Bridget Driscoll in 1896. Since that time, 5 people per day are killed on Britain’s roads, and over the course of the last century, more than half a million...
The purpose of the personal injury claims process is to restore the affected individual as far as it is possible to the position they were but for the accident. Rehabilitation is a process of assessment, treatment and management by which the affected...
For any parent whose child has been involved in an accident it will be a traumatic experience, and if injuries are sustained as a result of the accident this can have a major impact on the child’s well-being and long-term quality of life. Accidents...
One of the roles of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is to regulate not only workplace health and safety but other bodies, such as education establishments. A recent prosecution on the 19 th of June 2023 at Southwark Crown Court, brought by the...
There are various ways in which you can suffer injuries in day-to-day life. Sometimes this is a result of a genuine accident which could not have been avoided. Other times, there is someone at fault for the injury, who could have taken action to prevent...
Slips trips and falls can happen anywhere, but if you are injured in a public place through no fault of your own, you may be able to make a claim for compensation. We see many different types of accident occurring in public places and different...
It was a privilege for us to attend the Brake ‘After the Crash’ conference in Manchester recently. Brake is a road safety charity working with communities and organisations across the UK to stop the tragedy of road deaths and injuries, make...
In the courts in England and Wales, you usually have a period of three years from the date of an accident to either have settled your claim or, if your case is not ready to be settled, for court proceedings to be started against the defendant who...
Since the global pandemic the popularity of cycling has increased substantially with an estimated 1.8 million bicycles sold alone in 2022. Given the increased popularity bicycles are being used more each day upon roads across the country. However, cyclists...
Last week, two people were arrested and 15 dogs were seized after a fatal attack was carried out by what is thought to be an XL bully breed dog in Leigh. The 37 year old male victim was killed by the dog at a house in Leigh on 18 th May 2023. The dog...
It’s coming around to the time of year when people are going away for their holidays, whether on a city break or a beach holiday. This is the time people take to have a break from reality and enjoy their time away with friends and family....
There are two forms of compensation that you can recover if you have been injured as a result of an accident. The first is your injuries, also called “general damages”. The second is your out-of-pocket expenses, which are known as...
It is estimated that around 2.3 million women and men around the world succumb to work-related accidents or diseases every year; this corresponds to over 6,000 deaths every single day. Worldwide, there are around 340 million occupational accidents...
The term ‘road rage’ often elicits images of a red faced drivers, hitting their horn and gesturing angrily at other road users. It is a well-known sight with the majority of road users having witnessed road rage at one time or another. Many...
Another day, another story on the news about a child being terribly injured after being bitten by a dog . We are a nation of dog lovers, and the covid pandemic saw a sharp increase in people becoming dog owners, due to lockdowns imposed upon the...
Negligence in respect of sports injuries can be difficult to prove as there is often an accepted risk of injury when being involved in sports, whether professionally, amateur or otherwise. However, the recent Court of Appeal decision in Czernuszka v...
Electric scooters (or e-scooters) are a relatively new mode of transport. An e-scooter is a motorised two-wheeled vehicle that has all the proponents of a push scooter but with a motor that propels the vehicle forward, with some privately owned...
If you have been injured at work , you may be entitled to compensation. If your employer has been negligent and this has caused you an injury, then you are able to make a personal injury claim. We understand that it can be daunting to make a...
Compensation can be claimed if a driver or passenger of a vehicle opens a car door into you whilst cycling or riding a motorbike, causing you to be injured. There is clear legislation supported by Rule 239 of the Highway Code that you must ensure you do...
It has been a year since the government made changes to The Highway Code, introducing a new hierarchy of road users to protect the most vulnerable (pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists etc.) and put responsibility on to the drivers of quicker and heavier...
It is difficult to understand the impact of a serious injury on the life of an individual and their family until it happens to you. It is something that no-one is prepared for and a serious injury can affect all facets of your life, from the big things...
It can be accepted that with the cost of living on the rise, the government is seeking to reduce costs for the public where possible. However, is delaying new vehicles MOTs by a year the best solution? What does an MOT check cover? An MOT test is an...
If you have been injured or harmed as a result of the actions (or inactions) of another party, you may be able to make a personal injury claim for compensation. In order for your claim to be successful it must be possible to show that the other party...
As a new business advisor, I speak to many prospective clients and I find that they often ask the same questions in relation to a personal injury claim: How is the claim paid for? How are the costs of both sides covered? Do you take a percentage of...
As we enter a new year, our high streets continue to change with many shops sadly closing permanently. This is largely due to the number of people choosing to shop online, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) have...
On 29 th January 2022, some major changes were introduced to the Highway Code. All road users should be familiar with the Highway Code, but it is worrying to hear that an AA survey found that only a third of motorists were aware of the recent update...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major lung disease causing death and disability. This is the 4th leading cause of death throughout the world* – a sobering statistic. What is COPD? This is a long term illness which develops...
If you have a child or family member who is not capable of looking after their own affairs and has been injured as a result of an accident, you may be unsure as to whether you can bring a claim. The answer to this is, yes, you can bring a claim...
Brake, a well-established road safety charity, holds an annual Road Safety Week. This year it takes place from 14 th – 20 th November 2022. Brake has been holding Road Safety Week since 1997, in the hope of raising awareness and improving safe...
Did you know that approximately 9,500 people diagnosed with diabetes undergo leg, foot or toe amputation each year? Diabetes UK predict that by 2030 5.5 million people in the UK will be diagnosed with diabetes. What is diabetes? It is a...
The darker nights and colder evenings have arrived. It’s always important to be careful when out and about, but more than ever during the winter period. With less light, there is more chance of accidents occurring, as drivers may not see pedestrians,...
Riding a motorbike can be a very exhilarating experience; the speed and ‘open’ design gives riders a sense of freedom that you do not get in a car. However, motorbike riders are much more vulnerable, and accidents are therefore very...
Walking is a favourite pastime of many people but accidents can sometimes happen which can make walks in the great outdoors much less enjoyable. You may come across the following hazards whilst out walking: Damaged/broken gates and stiles Fallen...
The Highway Code doesn’t contain a huge amount guidance for motorcyclists about carrying pillion passengers. However, there are certain basic rules in place which motorcyclists must follow before deciding to ride with a pillion passenger. Firstly,...
September 26, 2022, marks the 18th annual Mesothelioma Awareness Day. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about mesothelioma. It also encourages fundraising and showing support for those battling the rare cancer. What is Mesothelioma? ...
As individuals, we are expected to take responsibility for ourselves, and persons we are responsible for, when we go about our day-to-day lives. It is important to realise therefore, that when you get injured, it may not always be considered to be wholly...
For many of us, the thought of having a claim brought to court can be worrying as it is something we know little or nothing about, except for what might be portrayed in films and TV programmes. A personal injury claim is a civil claim and, as such,...
Every year on or around 22 nd September, cities across the globe celebrate World Car Free Day which can also be known as ‘clean-air day’. The day encourages motorists to give up their cars for a day to allow people to experience...
Summer is over and many of us will have attended a festival or other organised outdoor event. However outdoor events continue throughout the year, including Bonfire Night events, football matches etc. Most events are entirely positive experiences. But...
Our personal injury solicitors offer many years of combined experience in providing bespoke legal advice to clients from all walks of life, for all types of claims. We pride ourselves in making the whole process as simple as possible and alleviating...
When discussing personal injury claims the first thing most people think about is compensation for the injury itself, but most claims will involve lots of financial losses too. Loss of earnings is one of the most important heads of claim. You may need time...
A faulty product is a product which is not in full working order and leads to an individual sustaining an injury. We put our trust in the manufacturers and suppliers/retailers of products when we purchase items and expect them to be fit for their...
Every year, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) publish figures in relation to workplace accidents recorded by them. One of the most sobering statistics they publish is the number of fatalities in the United Kingdom due to accidents at work. The...
Brain injuries can range from minor concussions all the way up to severe head injuries impacting the brain’s function. No two brain injuries are the same and the effects of the injury will vary. However, common symptoms include memory loss, severe...
After a difficult two years, the world is opening up again, and UK holidaymakers are venturing abroad again in their thousands. Despite news channels currently painting a bleak picture of travel chaos, this isn’t deterring those of us who have missed...
On 31 st May 2021 the Official Injury Claim (OIC) portal was launched alongside a fixed tariff of compensation for whiplash injuries lasting up to two years. The portal only applies to those injured whilst travelling as an occupant of a motor vehicle. ...
Dogs are rarely violent. You may own a dog yourself and know what loving and caring animals they can be. Despite this, there are sadly some cases where dogs have been known to attack without reason or even used as a weapon by their owner. If you or...
As the school summer holidays are fast approaching, many families will be looking to visit amusement parks around the UK and abroad. These parks are designed to be fun and enjoyable for all visitors but this is not always the case. Recent studies have...
The Highway Code states that the road users most at risk of road traffic accidents are pedestrians, and in particular children, elderly adults, disabled people, cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists. This is because they do not have the...
We all know how unpredictable the behaviour of children can be and unfortunately this can sometimes lead to our children being involved in unfortunate accidents. But what can we do if our little people suffer an injury which is down to the behaviour...
As it stands, there is no legal requirement for people hiring e-scooters, in the towns and cities trialling them, to wear a helmet. When you consider that these trial locations include 10 boroughs in London and other busy towns and cities across the...
What is 'contributory negligence’? Contributory negligence is a partial defence to a personal injury claim. If the defendant is successful in arguing this defence, it can lead to a reduction (in the form of a percentage) of a...
The whole country was shocked and devastated by the news, on 22nd May 2017, that a suicide bomber had detonated a bomb in the foyer of the MEN Arena as an Ariana Grande concert came to an end, killing 22 innocent people and injuring hundreds of others,...
It’s been a long day, you have been working in your taxi since 6am picking up customers from supermarkets, bingo, the airport, schools, driving a great many miles. Suddenly, another driver pulls out and badly damages your car. The accident...
Work-related musculoskeletal or repetitive strain disorders are caused by activities that involve frequent and repetitive movements, often with awkward posture, which develop over a period of time. If exposure to such activities is not controlled or...
The compensatory award made in personal injury claims can be separated into two parts: general damages and special damages. General damages are awarded to compensate the person who has been injured for their pain, suffering and loss of amenity. Special...
It almost seems like a lifetime ago that the small claims limit rose from £5,000 to £10,000 in non-personal injury claims as part of the Jackson reforms, with this coming into effect on 1 st April 2013. This change meant that legal...
If you have been involved in an accident and are claiming compensation for physical injuries, one element of the claim which can often be overlooked is the psychological damage that can be caused as a result of the accident. Psychological damage can...
MCE Insurance Company went into administration in November 2021 which meant that no new policies were written from 5 th November 2021. As one of the largest motorbike insurers in the UK this had a significant impact on thousands of policyholders, as well...
I enjoy using social media as much as the next person but do you know that your social profiles may be disclosed and form part of the evidence if you choose to make a personal injury claim? Much of the information that you post on social media is...
Potholes are hugely dangerous to all road users but more to so cyclists who can suffer life changing injuries. Potholes are caused when water enters tiny cracks in the road which then freezes. As the water freezes, it expands, which causes the road to...
It has been estimated that around 2.3 million men and women around the world succumb to work-related accidents or diseases every year. There are many reasons you can suffer an injury at work and here are just a few that you could claim for. Lifting...
It will soon be spring and the clocks will be moving forward but what does this mean for road users and members of the public? For many it will feel like it’s been a longer winter than normal this year and, as covid restrictions...
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have recently prosecuted a farmer for safety breaches which lead to the death of an 83 year old male walker, and which caused his wife serious injuries. The couple were using a public right of way across...
With Storm Eunice coming hot on the heels of Storm Dudley, and the Met Office having issued red and amber weather warnings, what are the things we need to consider to avoid injury in stormy weather conditions, and what can be done if we are injured as an...
In April, the regulations governing personal protective equipment (PPE) are being extended. Currently, workers who are employees as defined under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 are already covered under the PPE regulations. These are workers...
Have you ever wondered why, when pursuing a claim for personal injury , your solicitor needs to see a copy of your medical records? It is necessary for your solicitor to obtain a full copy of your medical records when you are pursuing a claim for...
Cyclists come second only to pedestrians in the new ‘hierarchy of road users’ which is designed to protect the more vulnerable road users. Figures released by the Department for Transport (DfT) show 4,700 cyclists were either killed or...
The HSE recently successfully prosecuted Stafford County Council for failing to carry out regular inspections and to maintain trees on one of their public footpaths. This failure, on the part of the council, lead to the tragic death of a man, who was...
Did you know that bullying within the workplace is actually a lot more common than you would think? A survey carried out on 2,000 UK based employees revealed that 23% of the British workforce has been bullied at work, 25% have been made to feel left...
Cycling as a form of transport is becoming more and more popular as we, as a nation, try to get healthier and reduce traffic and air pollution. The environmental benefits of walking and cycling more and driving less were clear to see during the 2020...
Did you know that in the last year almost 18 million working days were lost as a result of mental health issues such as depression, stress and anxiety? In fact, work related stress is the number one reason given for sick days in the...
The short answer is yes. Accidents at wor k can happen for all sorts of reasons and in all sorts of circumstances. Your employer has a duty of care to you, as an employee, to take reasonable steps to protect your health and safety at work. What...
An active lifestyle is a key component to a healthy and balanced life and visiting the gym is a regular occurrence in most of our daily and weekly routines, whether that be to attend an aerobics class or CrossFit, to lift weights, go for a run, or simply...
Did you know that New Years Eve is also known as National Champagne Day? It is a well-known time for people to go out, drink and get merry, it is New Year after all! But what was to happen if a night out didn’t go as planned? Sometimes...
Can you believe it’s December? Yes, most Brits can’t believe that fact but it’s true. Many a tree and decoration have likely already made it into the living room and shops by the time I write this . Anyway, enough about trees...
One of the main issues which deters people from pursuing an industrial disease claim is that some symptoms can take many years to develop or become noticeable, such as work-related lung cancer , asbestosis or hearing loss . As such, by the...
Employers owe their employees a duty of care, no matter whether you are working at home or in any other location. If it can be proven that the reason for your injury at work was caused by your employer or another person, you may be able to recover...
If you have been awarded compensation in excess of £6,000 for a personal injury as a result of a legal claim and are in receipt of means-tested state benefits, you may find the compensation award, if paid directly to you, means you are no longer...
It is often the case for many employees that they do not have one permanent place of work. It may be the case that your job involves you going to different places daily or regularly attending people’s homes, gardens, construction and building...
The HSE will, on December 16th, publish their latest statistics in respect of workplace related accidents, and health and safety at work. We all know that current legislation is designed to keep employees safe in the workplace, and that a responsible...
Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lining that covers the outer surfaces of the body’s organs. Which organs are affected by mesothelioma? Usually, this disease affects the lining of the lungs, but can also affect the lining of the...
Autumn is upon us and winter is just around the corner. Due to leaves on the ground, dark mornings and evenings, low sun, and even ice and snow, accidents are typically more likely to happen at this time of year. Surely, slipping on ice and...
Potholes are a perennial problem, they are hugely dangerous to all road users, but none more so than the most vulnerable on the road, motorcyclists and cyclists, who can suffer life changing injuries. In addition to being expensive to repair, they can...
Cyclists are incredibly vulnerable road users especially in the autumn/winter time with limited daylight and the challenging road conditions which significantly increase the risk of accidents, and can result in broken bones, lacerations, abrasions and...
Lung Cancer Awareness Month takes place every November in the UK. The aim of the campaign is to encourage people displaying the common signs of lung cancer to visit their GP. Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world and over 46,000 people are...