[AD]A Guide To Personal Injuries

Personal injuries can vary from cuts and broken bones to those that are more serious and life changing. 

Unfortunately, accidents can happen to any of us, including our kids.

Read this guide to understand what a personal injury is and how you can get the right support if a member of the family is hurt.

What is a personal injury?

Personal injury is a legal term that relates to physical or psychological trauma following an accident that was someone else’s fault. Personal injuries can happen as a result of:

• accidents at work 
• accidents in public places
• road traffic accidents

Accidents at work

Your employer has a duty to keep you safe and well, but accidents in the workplace are not uncommon.

You might slip or fall at work due to a newly cleaned floor, or trip over an object that has been left out of place. Workers can be injured by the machinery they work with, vehicles used by their employers or substances used as part of their role. 

Whatever the injury is, it’s important to report it to your employer and make a note of it in the accident book – this information will help you later if you choose to make a claim.

And be sure to see your GP about the injury as soon as possible.

Accidents in public places

These can include slips, trips and falls and can take place indoors or outdoors in any public place – for example, supermarkets, car parks and even at tourist destinations like theme parks and beaches.

While they might just initially feel embarrassing, unfortunately for some people – especially the elderly – accidents like this can lead to serious injuries. According to the NHS, falls remain the biggest cause of injury-related deaths in those aged over 75 years.

If you’re involved in an accident in public, report it to the person responsible as soon as possible. Were there any witnesses of the accident? Take their names and addresses. If possible, take photographs of the area where the accident happened – these will help you when making a claim. 

Road traffic accidents

According to Brake, in 2018 there were 160,597 casualties – of varying severities – as a result of road traffic accidents in the UK.

There are many causes of road traffic accidents with the most common being tiredness, speeding, lack of concentration or distraction and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Whether you were hurt as a driver or passenger, on a bus or coach or as a pedestrian or cyclist you may be entitled to compensation.

If you have been involved in a road traffic accident that wasn’t your fault, contact a recommended personal injury law firm as soon as possible.

Can I claim on behalf of my child? 

No parent or guardian wants to see their child injured or involved in an accident. Unfortunately, though, they do happen, and they can have an impact on the whole family. 

You must be over 18 to make a claim, so parents and guardians of an injured child can make a claim on their behalf from the date of the accident until the child’s 18th birthday. After this point, your child has an additional three years to make a personal injury claim if you have not done it for them.

Getting the right support 

If you or your child are involved in an accident, it’s important you get the right help and guidance.

A specialist personal injury lawyer will support you and your loved ones from the off, helping you hold those responsible to account and secure compensation for pain and suffering. They can also arrange access to rehabilitation, if needed, and put you in touch with specialist support groups.  

Thompsons Solicitors has helped injured and mistreated individuals since its foundation in 1921. They only represent claimants and never employers or insurance companies, so they’re totally on your side.

This is a paid collaborative post.