Month: December 2019

26 year old man charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving

A 26-year-old man has been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving. The BMW collided with a private hire car, claiming the lives of a taxi driver, 51 and his passenger, 35.

The crash happened on the East Lancashire Road in Croxteth on February 27th 2019. The passenger, a mother of two died the same day. Two weeks later, the taxi driver died in hospital.

Ten months on, police confirm that the BMW driver has been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving. He is due to appear at Liverpool, Knowsley and St Helens Magistrates court January 28th 2020.

Road traffic accident compensation claims – expert advice

If you have suffered the loss of a loved one through dangerous driver, you could be entitled to personal injury compensation.

It is a tough and upsetting time for any family that has lost a loved one due to a Road Traffic Accident. We are here to provide legal help, guiding you through the legal claim process in simple terms and putting together a case for your claim that could help you secure maximum compensation.

Contact our team of expert Road Traffic Accident Solicitors today. Call 0800 888 6888, or send an email to .

Source:  https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/bmw-driver-charged-over-east-17492315

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-50956410?intlink_from_url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/localnews/2644210-liverpool/0&link_location=live-reporting-story

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 (2).

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

Are UK employers complacent about worker safety?

With latest annual national statistics showing that 581,000 people sustained an injury at work during 2018/19 in the UK, directly resulting in an estimated 4.7 million lost working days in that time period, it’s clear that accidents at work are having a significant and detrimental impact on those who are injured, their employers and the economy as a whole.

The types of accidents at work that caused the injuries are broken down below:

The most common industries for workplace accidents are agriculture, forestry and fishing, followed by construction, then those working in food services and motor vehicle mechanics.

Despite 581,000 injuries sustained at work being reported by workers themselves via the Labour Force Survey in 2018/19, employers reported just 69,208 workplace injuries in that same time period to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), as required by the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).

Whilst not all injuries at work must be reported by employers under RIDDOR, those that should be include injuries that result in an employee being off work for at least seven consecutive days, which accounts for at least 138,000 of the injuries reported in 2018/19 by workers themselves, so there is a clear disparity between the figures. This means that potentially around 50% of significant injuries that were sustained at work may have gone unreported by the employers responsible for safeguarding their workforce and ensuring that the company’s health and safety processes are compliant with the latest regulations.

Head of Personal Injury at Hampson Hughes Solicitors, Tracy Bond, commented:

“I think that these latest figures are very worrying, not only because the number of accidents at work are still extremely high, but also because it seems that not all employers are properly reporting incidents that they are required to by law, which smacks of complacency to me. Unfortunately, I speak to clients every day who have been avoidably injured at work, sometimes seriously, due to their employer’s negligence, and we often see a blatant disregard for the safety and wellbeing of employees in workplaces across the country.”

“I’d like to see more employers start taking responsibility for their legal and moral obligations to staff and the reality is that this will benefit not only the workers, but employers themselves too, as the number of working days lost to workplace injuries annually is very costly. When robust health and safety processes are in place, which are taken seriously by companies and their staff, the number of avoidable injuries will always decrease, which is in everyone’s best interests.”

In a recent case won by Hampson Hughes, a 56-year-old woman, who worked in a well-known supermarket chain café in London, was awarded £17,000 in compensation after she slipped at work on water on the floor that had seeped from leaking binbags left by cleaning staff. Her fall resulted in a compound arm fracture and ongoing damage that has left indefinite pain at the site of the injury and means she is reliant on painkillers. Her employer admitted liability for the accident.

Bond said, “Sadly, this case is typical of many that we see. This employee was simply carrying out her everyday duties at work but because her employer didn’t take the proper measures to protect their workers, our client has been injured, potentially permanently, as a result. We’re very pleased that our client was able to get a measure of justice with the compensation awarded, but it doesn’t change the pain and distress that this accident has caused. Nobody wins in situations like this, which is why we’re calling for greater accountability for employers when it comes to worker safety and the accurate reporting of injuries so that lessons can be learned.”

If you’ve had an accident at work that wasn’t your fault and want to find out if you can make a claim, contact us today.

£6,042 awarded due to Road Traffic Accident

Hampson Hughes Solicitors have successfully secured £6,042 in compensation after our client was involved in a Non Fault Road Traffic Accident.

The defendant negligently pulled out of a side road when unsafe to do so, causing a collision with our clients vehicle.

Our client attended A&E and suffered soft tissue injuries to their cervical and lumbar spine. Also, as a result of the incident our client has developed a chronic pain syndrome. The medical expert has referred him to a private pain clinic to optimise his pain relief.

A total of £6,042 was awarded to the client.

Have you been involved in a Road Traffic Accident?

If you’ve been injured on the road due to an accident that wasn’t your fault, then you could be entitled to claim road traffic accident compensation. Whether you’ve suffered a minor injury or something more serious, our Road Traffic Accident Solicitors can help you to claim the compensation that you deserve.

Call 0800 888 6 888 or send an email to [email protected]

HGV Driver awarded £13,125 after an Accident at Work

Hampson Hughes Solicitors have settled an Accident at Work claim, resulting in £13,125 compensation.

Our client, a HGV Driver had pulled his truck into the concrete yard at his workplace. He noticed that the yard was full of ‘slurry’ as the machine that usually pumps out the slurry as normal had broken.

Our client proceeded to take the paperwork over to the office, but the company failed to take the appropriate measures to make the site safe, resulting in our client slipping over in the slurry. He landed on his back and was stuck for over an hour until a colleague found him and rang an ambulance.

As a result of the incident, the client suffered injuries to his shoulders, back, neck, left hip and left knee.

A total of £13,125 was awarded to the client.

Workplace accident compensation – expert advice

If you have suffered following a workplace accident, you could be entitled to maximum accident at work compensation.

Remember, we offer you a FREE no-obligation consultation – discover today whether you are eligible to claim workplace accident compensation. Speak to one of our professional and friendly advisers today on 0800 888 6 888 or email [email protected].

£14,891 awarded in compensation after a Serious Injury Road Traffic Accident

Hampson Hughes Solicitors have successfully secured £14,891 in compensation for our client after they was involved in a Serious Injury Road Traffic Accident.

Our client was stationary on Bowring Park Road, Liverpool behind other vehicles at a pelican crossing when she was hit from behind at a high speed causing her to be shunted into the vehicle in front.

As a result of the incident, our client suffered a squashed vertebra, fractured upper lumbar spine, and soft tissue damage to her back, neck and shoulders.

A total of £14,891 was awarded to the client.

Have you been injured in a Road Traffic Accident?

If you’ve been injured on the road due to an accident that wasn’t your fault, then you could be entitled to claim road traffic accident compensation. Whether you’ve suffered a minor injury or something more serious, our Road Traffic Accident Solicitors can help you to claim the compensation that you deserve.

Call 0800 888 6 888 or send an email to .

Plant Supervisor awarded £69,000 after Workplace Accident

Hampson Hughes Solicitors have settled an Accident at Work claim resulting in £69,000 compensation.

Our Client was proceeding with employment duties up a ladder when hot cement dust fell from a hatch in the roof. The client was completely covered in cement powder, some of which he swallowed. Our client was taken to hospital by ambulance where he suffered trouble breathing and burning to his eyes and skin as result of the Accident at Work.

The medical expert who examined our client for the purposes of the claim concluded our client had developed asthma, which had been induced by acute exposure to cement dust.

Workplace accident compensation – expert advice

If you have suffered following a workplace accident, you could be entitled to maximum accident at work compensation.

Remember, we offer you a FREE no-obligation consultation – discover today whether you are eligible to claim workplace accident compensation. Speak to one of our professional and friendly advisers today on 0800 888 6 888 or email [email protected].

Largest maternity scandal in the history of the NHS

In light of the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Maternity scandal, hundred more cases in Shropshire emerge. Investigators are already looking at more than 600 cases with many more to surface.

Clinical negligence with catastrophic consequence were repeated over nearly 40 years. The shocking investigation reports the death of 17 babies after birth, three deaths during pregnancy, 22 still births, the death of three mothers, 47 cases of substandard care and 51 cases of cerebral palsy or brain damage. It is described as the largest maternity scandal in the history of the NHS.

Hampson Hughes Solicitors Clinical Negligence team currently act for a number of families whose child has suffered brain injury during birth, as well as acting in heart-breaking cases, where a child died during pregnancy or birth.

Director of Clinical Negligence at Hampson Hughes, Carlos Lopez stated:

‘’The number of cases being reported against the Shropshire and Telford Maternity Department is unprecedented, but sadly, neglect in pregnancy is widespread. As a Clinical Negligence lawyer I have been instructed against a number of hospitals and maternity units across the North West’’.

This is a damning report and shows a clearly unacceptable standards of medical care. Maternity units need to show the highest level of care to both Mother and Child. Sadly the level of birth injuries is unacceptable throughout England.

If you feel you’ve been subjected to instances of medical negligence, please contact the Hampson Hughes 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 0800 888 6888 or email .

Sources:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-50547893

https://news.sky.com/story/babies-and-mothers-died-in-what-could-be-nhs-worst-every-maternity-scandal-report-finds-11864886

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/shrewsbury-maternity-scandal/nhs-maternity-scandal-shrewsbury-telford-hospitals-mothers-babies-report-a9207176.html

100 Years of Women in Law

2019 Marks 100 Years of Women in Law.

In 1888, Eliza Orme was the first woman to gain a law degree. But by law she was not allowed to go on to qualify as a solicitor. Women were effectively barred from participating in the legal profession, being unable to become magistrates, jurors or solicitors.

Also, in 1913, the Law Society refused to allow four women to sit their law examinations. Those women took the case to the Court of Appeal – Bebb v The Law Society. The Court of Appeal upheld the Law Society’s decision with the Judge ruling that women were not ‘’persons’’ within the meaning of the Solicitors Act 1843.

It was only in 1919 when the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act paved the way for women to become lawyers in the UK. In 1922 four women passed their examinations with first class degrees and were the first to be admitted to the role of solicitors.  Although it was an immensely significant change for women,it was still a struggle. If women did not have family who were solicitors, it was often financially impossible for them to access the profession.

It is said that in 1931 there was around 100 women who had qualified as solicitors but as of 2018 there are 92,384 (50.8%) women on the roll compared to 89,584 (49.2%) men*. This shows how far women really have come in law.

Notably, in 1975 the Sex Discrimination Act made it unlawful for women or men to be treated less favourable because of their sex. And, more recently in 2010, the Equality Act came into power, in which women and men can seek legal support if they are not being treated / paid fairly.

In 2019, 78% of companies overall had a pay gap in favour men. Sadly some women are still paid less than their male colleague equivalents. The statistics show, that on average, women earn 9.1% ph. less than men*.

Although women have come a long way in law there are still changes to be made. But we should not forget those women whose work made it possible for ourselves and others to pursue our chosen careers.

At Hampson Hughes Solicitors we pride ourselves on equality and diversity. Did you know that we have more female employees within management roles? Our solicitors are also made up of more women to men.

As this year comes to a close, we sat down with two women from Hampson Hughes to talk about their reaction to the changes over the last 100 years and what attracted them to a career in law.

Niamh Wilson, Associate Solicitor:

‘’ I am ashamed to say that I probably didn’t know very much about the history of women in law until this year with the First 100 years’ ground-breaking history project charting the journey of women. It is truly humbling to see how hard women fought and paved the way for us all

I feel that there are definitely more women in leadership roles which is positive and inspiring. There is also definitely more awareness of the need for a work/life balance especially for working parents.

I identified a career in law as I liked working with words, logic and business. It is a fast-paced environment and does come with a certain prestige. I most enjoy working at Hampson Hughes because I have a wider exposure of job functions and work on a range of projects so I am continuously learning and with a varied workload it keeps it interesting and fulfilling! There is also a strong commitment to nurturing and developing staff so I really enjoy the mentoring side of things. Finally as a working mum, the firm allows me to fit my life around work and what I need to do to help navigate that all important work/life balance’’.

Trainee Solicitor, Lisa Kane:

‘’I have always been interested in a legal career as it provides a unique opportunity to help members of the community with a range of legal issues. Client care is at the heart of my daily role and being able to provide access to justice for victims of negligent medical treatment gives me a great sense of achievement.

In addition, my job role is highly varied with every day presenting new challenges. This has allowed me to utilise my analytical and problem-solving abilities as well as improved my time management and communication skills.

I thoroughly enjoy working at Hampson Hughes as it has given me the opportunity to work with talented and knowledgeable legal professionals which has greatly assisted my development as a solicitor. Working at the firm has also given me exposure to numerous areas of law, each of which has presented its own unique challenges and greatly improved my legal knowledge’’.

Sources:

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/women-in-the-law/100-years-of-women-in-law-a-timeline-of-sexism-and-equality/5102081.article

https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/law-careers/becoming-a-solicitor/entry-trends/

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/women-in-the-law/100-years-of-women-in-law-a-timeline-of-sexism-and-equality/5102081.article