Legal News

True Grit
16th February 2012

Michelle Mitchell, Director General of Age UK, said “Over a third of over 65s fall each year and snow and ice on pavements pose real dangers, especially for older people”. Highway Authorities are required to take reasonable steps to ensure that the highway, which includes the public pavement, is safe. The crucial question is “Was it reasonable or not to grit that particular pavement?”... [read more]

Victims of Crime to go Uncompensated
16th February 2012

Some victims of unprovolked attacks will be left without any entitlement to compensation following changes made this week to the Government run Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Scheme. Whilst the changes will primarily affect those with relatively minor injuries they will also impact on the more seriously injured including those who have suffered what has been described as "minor disfigurement" e.g. as a result of burns. Other changes include reduced payments to victims o... [read more]

PIP Breast Implant Claims
1st February 2012

There has been a lot in the press recently about PIP breast implants. Concerns have been raised that the materials used in these implants were defective. Ruptured implants may lead to leakage into and infection of the lymph nodes. As matters stand any woman who is concerned about the risks will have to pay to have the implants removed. If you or someone you know has had breast enlargement surgery using PIP implants and are worried or concerned that you may suffer ill-health as a result... [read more]

Asbestos Ruling to help injury victims
2nd December 2011

Norfolk Solicitors, Anglian Injury Lawyers, believe that a recent Supreme Court decision in favour of victims of mesothelioma could lead to an increase in compensation claims from other asbestos injured workers. The ruling involved the families of Dianne Willmore and Enid Costello, both of whom died of mesothelioma after being exposed to relatively low levels of asbestos. Insurers had attempted to argue that the Court should make a decision over the legal threshold of asbestos exposure bef... [read more]

Criminal Injuries Compensation Claims
1st July 2011

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a Government organisation that pays compensation to people who have been physically assaulted or mentally injured when they have been the innocent victim of a violent crime. The awards range from £1,000 to £500,000. In order to receive compensation there are the following requirements: - The injury must have occurred within the UK; - The injury must be sufficiently serious to warrant compensation of £1,000 or more; - The ap... [read more]

Successful Stress at Work Claim
8th June 2011

We all have stressful jobs – wherever we work there are deadlines, increasing volumes of work and colleagues to get along with. So what may make someone’s work so stressful that they are awarded substantial damages by their employer’s insurer? This is especially taking account of the fact that the general feeling of the Courts is, “If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen”. One of our clients, let’s call him Dave, was recently successful in obtaining £40,00... [read more]

Sporting Injuries
1st June 2011

When someone takes part in a sport, it is settled law that they accept the run of play and the risk of injury that may - and often does - happen in the game or activity. This is true of rugby and football. There are, however, limits. One Sunday afternoon one of our clients - lets call him James - was playing in a Sunday League game. He had control of the ball and was heading at speed towards the opposition goal. A member of the other team came in for a tackle as a result of which James fel... [read more]

Negligent Doctors Could Be Forced To Apologise
3rd May 2011

NHS doctors, who cause harm to patients due to medical negligence, may be forced to apologise if new Government proposals are brought into force. The proposals, which are reportedly under discussion in Whitehall, suggest that health care bosses would have to adhere to a “duty of candour” meaning that apologies for errors would have to be made by law. According to reports in The Guardian support for the proposals has come from civil servants and public health officers who believe that a... [read more]

Increased compensation available for injured soldiers
1st February 2011

British soldiers can now claim more compensation from the Government if their injuries begin to worsen over time, Court of Appeal Judges have ruled. The new rules came into force after the Court of Appeal dismissed an attempt by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to cut compensation to two wounded soldiers. The Court of Appeal’s decision was hailed as a “tremendous win” by supporters. Corporal Anthony Duncan was shot through the leg whilst serving in Iraq in 2005. The soldier needed exten... [read more]

Government Announces Contentious Asbestos Compensation
3rd November 2010

The Government has announced a possible £70m. Compensation Fund for victims of asbestos-related illness. The proposals include setting up a Research Centre to investigate such illnesses, increased funds for sufferers and making it mandatory for insurers to fund compensation for sufferers who are unable to access Employers' Liability Insurance Schemes. Whilst the announcement was generally well received it still led to some criticisms mainly amongst the Trade Unions. A particular ca... [read more]

Many Asbestos Sufferers Disowned by Government Decision
1st March 2010

The Government has refused to overturn a ruling regarding compensation for thousands of asbestos victims suffering from pleural plaques. Law Lords denied compensation for pleural plaques sufferers who made claims after the 2007 House of Lords ruling. Unions were confident that the Government would overturn the decision this week after strong campaigning from both officials and the media. The Justice Secretary, Jack Straw, said that on the basis of medical evidence received during consulta... [read more]