Latest Claims News

An End To No Win No Fee & 100% Compensation?

The Government is proposing wholesale changes to the way in which your potential claim for compensation is funded.

At present, most claims are funded on a ‘No Win No Fee’ basis. This means that win or lose, you the Claimant are not out of pocket.

What sort of accidents can I claim compensation?

Accidents can happen in all sorts of circumstances and if the accident was not your fault then you may have a claim for compensation for Personal Injuries and other losses.

When is an employer responsible for the accidents caused by their employees?

accidents at work If an employee, who is carrying out their job, causes injury to another person as a result of negligence then the injured party can pursue a claim not only against the individual at fault but also against their employer.

This long held legal principle is known as ‘vicarious liability’. The law recognises that an employer is liable for harm caused by their employees in performing the duties of their employment.

Personal Injury Survey Results- why would you make a claim?

We have recently conducted a survey into why people make a claim and the circumstances that might lead to them claiming compensation for an accident at work. To see the results click on the link below.

Don't let Insurers settle your claim without seeking legal advice!

It is a worrying trend that victims of road traffic accidents are being urged to accept payouts for compensation directly from insurers before they have a chance to seek legal advice.

A couple who lost their three children in a road traffic accident were originally offered £21,000 by insurers over a claim that was eventually settled for £60,000.

Manual Handling - is there a safe way to lift?

Manual handling - compensation claims Every employer is under a duty to protect their employees from injuries sustained in accidents at work. They have to do what is reasonable to ensure that their employees are not injured in accidents.

One area relating to the workplace where there is specific legal guidance for employers is in relation to what is known as ‘manual handling’. Manual handling includes all forms of physical work including lifting and carrying, pushing and pulling or even simply working in awkward positions.

Have you been injured in an accident due to negligent driving?

Road Traffic Accident - Not at fault. Been injured in a road traffic collision due to negligent driving? Driver who collided with you had no insurance or cannot be identified? Can you claim compensation for the injuries you have sustained?

The answer is Yes. In 1964 the Motor Insurers’ Bureau was formed. The Bureau is funded by all motor insurers in the United Kingdom. The Bureau compensates victims of road accidents caused by negligent uninsured drivers or hit and run motorists.

Have you suffered a head injury?

The human brain is extremely vulnerable to impact. According to the Brain Injury Resource Foundation, each year in the UK approximately 125,000 people are admitted to hospital having suffered from some sort of brain injury. If you have suffered an injury to your head, this may mean that your brain has been damaged in some way.

Tripped or Slipped in a public place?

Tripping & Slipping Accidents. Trips and slips are very common types of accident. The person or party whom your action is against will depend on who is responsible for maintaining the surface in question. For example, if you have tripped on a public footway such a pavement or path, or a public road, it will be the local Highway Authority.

Oliver & Co participates in International Workers Memorial Day

Wednesday 28 April 2010 is International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD). This is a national day of remembrance, not just in the UK, but for many other countries across the world.

At 12 noon on 28 April 2010, we will take part in a minute’s silence. During that minute we will remember those workers and their relatives whom have been injured, made ill, or killed by their work. Many of these workers and their families are clients of our personal injury and industrial disease departments. In participating in the one minute silence, Oliver & Co vow to ‘Remember the Dead, Fight for the Living’, the slogan for the day.

Slipping or Tripping on private property?

Slipping or falling on private property- claim compensation The classic example of this is a spillage in a supermarket. If a supermarket customer slipped on something spilt in one of the aisles and sustained an injury then they would potentially have a claim for compensation under the Occupiers Liability Act.

A warning about a slippery floor may not necessarily be enough to prevent an occupier from being liable for a fall caused by that slippery floor if a visitor had to cross that area to reach another part of the premises.

Pharmaceutical Errors

An error by your Pharmacist can have potentially devastating consequences, which could lead to serious injury or tragically, even death.

A pharmaceutical error occurs when you are given the wrong medicine or the incorrect dosage by your Pharmacist compared to what was prescribed by your doctor.

Slipping on ice and snow

Slipping and Tripping on Snow and Ice As Britain struggles to cope with the chaos delivered by heavy snowfalls, hospitals in the worst-hit areas have had to deal with a surge in snow and ice-related injuries.

Anyone thinking of taking legal action arising from an injury sustained as a result of the inclement weather, however may want to think again.

Criminal Injuries Compensation To Be Reduced For Minor Offenders

Criminal Injury Compensation Victims of violent crime are to have their criminal injuries compensation reduced if they themselves have previously been convicted of minor offences such as speeding, under a controversial new Government policy.

National Accreditation awarded to Oliver & Co.

Oliver and Co. Solicitors has won recognition in a national accreditation scheme designed to assist injured people seeking legal advice.

The scheme, which is run by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) assesses lawyers according to their expertise and experience, and provides a quality ‘kitemark’ to those who meet the strict criteria.

Rhonwen Barraclough, one of our APIL Senior Litigators, a specialist industrial disease solicitor, is delighted the firm has gained the accreditation status.

"It is crucial that injured people receive properly qualified advice in their time of need and we are very proud to have been recognised for our expertise and professionalism,” she said.

Employers Under A Duty To Minimise The Risk Of Injury At Work

Back Injury Claim Compensation The law requires that employers take steps to ensure that their employees are safe when carrying out their work. If an employer fails to fulfil their legal duties to keep their employees safe at work and an employee is injured as a result the employee is entitled to claim compensation from their employer.

One aspect of work that is covered by legal regulation is “manual handling”. This can include a wide range of physical activities at work such as lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying.

Scaphoid Fractures

Scaphoid bone Injury Compensation What is the scaphoid bone?

The scaphoid bone is a small bone which is found in the wrist. It is important for wrist function and movement and if injured, can lead to significant and permanent damage, especially if not treated correctly and quickly.

Employers Liability Insurance Bureau - No. 10 Petition

An Employers’ Liability Insurance Bureau is the only effective solution to the widespread problem of claimants being unable to recover compensation for industrial diseases where employers have long ceased trading and adequate records of insurance have not been kept.

In 1998 the Government introduced regulations which required employers to retain employers’ liability insurance records for 40 years. A well-welcomed reform to asbestos groups and campaigners, as it set to address the problem of long-latent disease, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis, where symptoms did not present themselves for many years, and by which time the claimants were unable to trace employers’ insurers.

Sofa So Good

Sofa Skin Irritations and Burns Who would have ever thought that you could develop skin irritations, rashes and even burns just from relaxing in your own home. For 1000’s of people in the UK this has become a reality, they all have just one thing in common; they have bought new sofas from 3 major furniture retailers.

People we have helped

Factory Worker Mr W from Doncaster was accidentally run over by a fork lift truck at work, he received multiple leg injuries which kept him off work for several months - he made a claim and received £300,000 damages. -- Miss H from Chester tripped and fell while working as an Air Stewardess. The fall caused her to twist her left ankle and as a result she made a claim and received £120,000 damages. -- Mr D from Wiltshire had his ear pierced at an approved Tattoo and Piercing parlour - within 2 days the ear had inflamed and became infected. The pain and suffering led Mr D to pursue a claim and he ended up receiving £22,000 in damages.