Month: November 2017

Horse Riding Accident Claims

horse riding accidents

With around 525 Pony Club centres spread across the country, it’s safe to say horse riding is one of the most popular pastimes in the UK. Whether it’s eventing, racing, competing or even just admiring the countryside on horseback, the growing number of riders joining schools every year shows that horse riding is increasing in popularity by the day.

With that said, horse riding also comes with its risks, and even the most experienced riders know that, no matter how careful you are, accidents do happen and can sometimes be serious and life-changing.

Horse Riding Injuries

Horse riding injuries can range from bruises and breaks, to more serious spinal injuries, brain damage or even paralysis.

Some causes of these injuries include:

  • Ill-fitting equipment and failure to provide a safe environment for lessons.
  • Road traffic accidents involving horses
  • Kicks from horses
  • Injuries caused as a result of unsafe stables and yards
  • Untrained employees

Along with the physical and emotional effects of a horse riding injury, there can also be financial consequences. Time taken off work can impact your wages and, depending on the extent of your injuries, ongoing medical treatment can be expensive.

Of course, not all riding accidents are someone’s fault, as dealing with an animal that can think and act for itself is always going to be unpredictable. However, if injuries are sustained because of someone else’s negligence then you may be entitled to claim for compensation.

Horse Riding Injury Compensation

Unfortunately, however vigilant you are whilst riding, accidents can happen. Since 2010, there have been over 2000 reports of road incidents involving horses alone, in which 36 were fatal to the rider.

If you, or your loved one, has suffered an accident that wasn’t your fault, Hampson Hughes’ team of expert personal injury solicitors may be able to help. For free, confidential and no obligation advice about serious injury claims, call us today on 0151 236 1222.

Sources:

http://www.pcuk.org/index.php/about/structure_governance/

http://www.bhs.org.uk/our-charity/press-centre/news/jan-to-jun-2016/riding-and-road-safety-campaign

How Safe Are You at a Funfair or UK Attraction?

Accident at funfair

With the holiday season just around the corner, hundreds of people are flocking to the many Christmas pop-ups around the country for a frosty evening of festive food, mulled wine and funfair rides.

Unfortunately, pop-up fairs can also come with their risks. The awful incident at Alton Towers, which left a number of young people with serious injuries as a result of a carriage collision, highlights just how dangerous even static theme parks can be. Due to their nature, pop-up fairgrounds and attractions are often built, organised, managed and run by a range of different people and companies, so it is important to be extra vigilant when it comes to health and safety.

What funfair safety measures should I look out for?

To make sure you and your family stay safe and have a great time at your local Christmas pop-up, here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Be aware that height and weight restrictions may change from ride to ride. These are put in place because the machine has been designed to hold people of a certain size, and if someone is too big or too small, they may run the risk of falling out of the ride which can result in serious injuries. So, if you’re unsure as to whether you, or anyone in your party, is at risk on a certain ride, be sure to speak to the attendant in charge.
  • Keep an eye out for any safety warnings. Fences and restricted zones are there to keep you away from any unsafe areas or the dangers of fast moving machinery.
  • The owners of fairgrounds have a legal responsibility to ensure that their rides are maintained to a safe standard, as well as to carry out risk assessments to ensure that the ride is safe for both members of the public and their employees to work on. Take a look at the machines before you ride; do they look solid and well presented? A well-maintained machine is more likely to look in good condition from the outside too.
  • Ensure that the attendants are checking that all restraints are fastened, as well as keeping an eye on the machine while it is running.
  • Remind any children that you’re with that they the need to sit still when the ride is in motion. Standing up or turning around can be dangerous, and it’s important to remain in the seat and wear a seatbelt if the ride is fitted with them.

Fairground and funfair accident compensation claims

Unfortunately, however vigilant you might be, accidents can happen. If you have been injured in an accident at a funfair or fairground that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation.

At Hampson Hughes Solicitors, our friendly team of expert lawyers will walk you through the process step by step to help ensure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation possible for the injury you, or your loved one, has suffered.

For free, confidential and no obligation advice about serious injury claims, call us today on 0151 236 1222 or visit our site for more information.

Road Traffic Accidents Caused by Drivers Using a Phone behind the Wheel

Traffic accident attorney

Drivers caught using a mobile phone while behind the wheel in the UK, risk losing their licence. The number of drivers who have been caught responding to a text message, answering a call or using an app or navigation feature on their mobile phone while driving a vehicle in the UK is astounding, especially when you consider the risk they are taking.

We all laugh at viral videos showing people walking into lampposts whilst looking down and using their mobile phone, but the danger of distraction could easily lead to a serious accident on the road. If you can’t walk and use your mobile phone, what makes you think that you can drive and text?

Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye and if you don’t focus 100% on the road ahead, you are putting yourself, your passengers and other road users at serious risk.

In 2015, 22 people were killed and 99 seriously injured in accidents involving a driver who has been using a phone at the wheel. (1) Yet a recent survey revealed that many drivers admit to performing distracting tasks while behind the wheel, including using their mobile phone. (2) The penalty for using a phone while at the wheel was doubled this year (2017) in a bid to deter drivers from the temptation to drive and text.

New drivers will now receive six points on their licence if they’re caught using their phone while driving, and also be required to retake their practical and theory test. More experienced drivers risk being banned.

Despite the change to the law, in the four weeks after the penalties were increased, police recorded a total of 5,977 instances of drivers using their phone behind the wheel. (3) However, not all road traffic accidents are thoroughly investigated to determine whether the use of a hand held device or phone was a direct cause of an accident. Only cases involving fatalities or life changing injuries are investigated for distraction via mobile phone.

In July, police released a video of a fatal crash involving a lorry driver who was video-recorded, via a dash cam, changing music on his mobile phone before hitting and killing one adult and three children, who were in a vehicle in front, which had stopped in traffic.

The shocking footage reveals the true devastation that can be caused by using a mobile phone while in control of a vehicle. To watch the video, visit The Independent.  The police urge drivers to put their phones in the glove compartment so that they won’t be tempted to use it while in traffic, at traffic lights or any other time while behind the wheel of a vehicle.

Road traffic accidents involving a driver who has been texting or using their phone behind the wheel, can leave victims with serious and life changing injuries.

Our team of specialist road traffic accident solicitors are always on hand to offer legal advice and support to those affected by a road traffic accident that wasn’t their fault. For more information please feel free to contact us now on 0800 888 6888 or email .

Sources:

  1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39118523
  2. http://www.brake.org.uk/rsw/15-facts-a-resources/facts/1131-distractionfacts
  3. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/may/29/200-drivers-a-day-caught-using-phones-on-uk-roads-after-crackdown

Cancer Late Diagnosis and Compensation

Cancer Late Diagnosis and Compensation

Every two minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer. (1) Whether its breast, prostate, lung, skin or bowel cancer, the diagnosis is usually the first step to preparing your mind and body to fight the disease. For patients who have received a late cancer diagnosis, the chances of survival are often significantly lower than those who detect the disease early.

The standard wait to diagnose cancer is two weeks in the UK, but for some patients, cancer is not easily identifiable and symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for other medical conditions. When a late diagnosis for cancer does occur, it is a failure on behalf of medical professionals. Their failure to diagnose cancer at an early stage or when a patient first brought concerns of symptoms to a GP or medical professional can mean that a patient can no longer be treated and the cancer may have spread to vital organs, which could result in a low life expectancy. Even if in a particular case, cancer can be treated and the patient has a good chance of survival, it is still a failure to diagnose cancer when first investigated and those responsible should be held accountable.

An article published in 2017 by The Guardian highlighted the issue further. According to the report, a study has shown that 71% of all patients diagnosed in accident and emergency departments with a form of cancer, had seen their GP at least once with symptoms. Of the group surveyed, those who sought medical help from their GP previously, 41% had visited their GP three or more times. The study which was published in the British Journal of General Practice, found that people diagnosed with cancer as an emergency have a worse prognosis than those diagnosed at an earlier stage.  Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt is said to be so concerned of late cancer diagnosis that he is developing a plan to name and shame GP surgeries who fail to spot symptoms.  (2) According to the publication, diagnosis of cancer as an emergency, has been considered to represent a failure of primary care. (3)

Compensation for a patient who has been let down by the NHS or the private healthcare sector, can never make up for the medical implications that this can have on them, and their family. Additional pain and suffering that has been caused, when cancer is allowed to go untreated or the loss of precious time with loved ones, is unforgivable. Compensation could help patients become more comfortable and have financial support during the recovery process.

Compensation for families left behind after a cancer patient has passed on after a late diagnosis should help to ease any financial strain that may be present after a relative has died. Compensation could help towards funeral arrangements as well as provide support during this sad time.

If you or a loved one has received a late cancer diagnosis whether the disease can be treated or not, please contact our medical negligence team today to see if you are eligible to claim compensation. Our friendly team are always on hand to offer support and legal advice. Call us today on 0151 236 1222 or email .

Sources

  1. http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics-for-the-uk#heading-Four
  2. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/22/cancer-late-diagnosis-half-patients
  3. http://bjgp.org/content/67/659/e377/tab-figures-data