By Greg Neill, Paralegal at Hampson Hughes Solicitors

If you have been involved in a Road Traffic Accident and were a passenger – whether in a car, taxi, bus or coach – and you have suffered an injury, then you are entitled to compensation whether you were in the fault vehicle or not!

It is common misconception that if you are a passenger in a vehicle that was at fault for the accident then you cannot claim for the injuries you suffered.
This is not true!
You can claim. An argument over fault (liability) is only between the drivers of the vehicles, therefore a claim for injury suffered by a passenger will always succeed.

Some people also think that it is only the driver in an accident who can make a claim for personal injury but this isn’t the case! If you have been in an accident and the vehicle you were in was not at fault then you, the driver and any other passengers in the vehicle can make a claim for compensation if you have suffered injury.

If you are aware that you can claim as a passenger but do not want to make a claim for the injury you suffered because, for example, the driver of the fault vehicle was a friend or family member then fear not, it is the insurance company that pays your compensation.

The driver has a duty to report any accident involving a third party to their insurance company regardless of fault. If they were at fault, their insurance premium will be adversely affected whether a passenger who has suffered injury makes a claim or not – you have nothing to lose!

Are you worried about costs? Then don’t be.
Here at Hampson Hughes Solicitors we don’t charge you a penny.

As a passenger, we still deal with your case on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis and you will be entitled to 100% compensation once your case is settled.

What if your accident was 18 months ago? That’s ok, you can still make a claim!
Remember, you have up to 3 years from the date of the accident to make a claim for personal injury.

So remember, if you are a passenger and you suffer injury then no matter who is at fault, you are entitled to compensation.

If you want more information on how to begin a claim for personal injury having been involved in a road traffic accident, please call the experts at Hampson Hughes Solicitors on 0800 888 6888 or email

Hampson Hughes are all excited about the start of the Olympics so we are running another Facebook competition to win an iPad2.

To enter simply “Like” us on Facebook and answer a simple question.

Click Here To Enter

The GMC recently announced that it was ready to introduce regular checks on the skills of its members. Appraisals for doctors are to be compulsory by the end of this year, the BBC recently reported.
 
The GMC guidance ‘Good Medical Practice – Framework for Appraisal and Revalidation’ sets out the broad areas which should be covered in a doctor’s appraisal and on which the recommendations to revalidate doctors should be based.
 
Doctors will have to undergo a regular appraisal based on core guidance for the medical profession and this will in turn, form the basis of whether or not they merit revalidation every five years.
 
Currently, there is no universal scheme for assessing doctors.
 
This proposed scheme, which is set to start at the end of this year, will ensure that doctors reflect on their practice and approach to medicine, identify areas of practice where they could make improvements or undertake further development, and more importantly, demonstrate that they are up to date and fit to practise medicine.
 
There will also be the opportunity for patients to have their say by giving them the ability to provide structured feedback about the care received by a particular doctor.
 
Once this scheme has been rolled out nationwide, all doctors will have to prove that they have remained up to date and are fit to practise. If there are no concerns, then the doctor will be revalidated to remain on the medical register. If on the other hand, the doctor is found to be underperforming, or concerns have been raised, then they would still have to go through the GMC’s fitness to practice procedure before they would be either be disciplined or struck off.
 
The GMC have stressed that revalidation is not designed to pick up bad doctors, or one off cases where things had gone wrong; it’s about assuring patients that doctors are keeping up to date.
Here in the Clinical Negligence Department at Hampson Hughes Solicitors, we welcome the idea of a uniformed appraisal scheme for doctors, as unfortunately, we are all too familiar with the devastation that negligent treatment can cause an individual and their families.
 
You can contact Hampson Hughes Solicitors on 0800 888 6888 or email [email protected] to discuss all matters relating to Clinical Negligence

In November Hampson Hughes Solicitors are sending their craziest and bravest to take on the 12 mile monster that is better known as Tough Mudder.
 
Tough Mudder is renowned as one of the toughest endurance events in the world, with a special obstacle course designed by the Special Forces spread out over 12 miles of challenging terrain. Designed to test endurance, strength, stamina, camaraderie and mental determination, it will surely test the mettle of the Hampson Hughes team brave enough to undertake the challenge.
 
According to their website http://toughmudder.co.uk/
 
“Tough Mudder events are hardcore 12 mile-long obstacle courses designed by the Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. With the most innovative courses and half a million inspiring participants, Tough Mudder is the premier adventure challenge series in the world.”
 
With all funds going to ‘Wounded Warrior Project’ we feel that it is a fantastic opportunity to test our grit and raise money for another great cause.
 
See below for what the Hampson Hughes team are going to put themselves through.
 

Hampson Hughes Solicitors have today donated £300 to St Vincent’s School for the Blind in West Derby, Liverpool.

This amount has been donated to cover the costs of an Open Day the school is planning to run this summer.
We’ve also pledged to continue to support the charity and will be involved with their Art Auction in November 2012.