A driver from Watford whose injuries from a road traffic collision impacted his career progression at a warehouse, has had his case settled for £25,000.
The 40-year-old, who wishes to be known as Z.D, had been stationary in the central reservation of a dual carriageway waiting to turn right, when a car shot out of an adjacent petrol station and ploughed into his vehicle.
Suffering from shock and unaware of the severity of his injuries, Z.D walked home after his vehicle was recovered, but soon
A workman from Blackpool, suffered severe injuries when he slipped in his work van and fell onto a drill bit, which penetrated his lower abdomen.
After the event in 2016, he was given a CT scan which confirmed the foreign body, and was subsequently admitted to surgery to remove it.
Shortly after his discharge from hospital, he began to feel unwell and attended a walk-in-centre in Blackpool, where he was advised the wound was likely infected and referred to Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
He underwent further surgery to washout the abdomen, however when he came round from the procedure he saw that in place of his one inch surgery scar, he was left with a five inch packed wound.
The wound took almost six months to heal, and despite regular attendances to his GP for dressing and observation, he suffered a prolonged infection which resulted in the reopening of the wound.
In 2017, further scans at the hospital confirmed that doctors failed to remove a fragment of clothing which had entered his abdomen alongside the drill bit.
Surgery to remove this went ahead the same year, and whilst he has recovered fully since, the negligence left him with a 12cm scar across his abdomen and significant loss in earnings.
He said: “All the way through this process Lauren at Hampson Hughes has been there any time I needed her, I have had a few worries and she has always been able to reassure me. I know she has worked very hard on my case and got me the best settlement she could and I trusted her all the way through. I would recommend Lauren to any of my friends that ever need a solicitor. I now feel the stress has gone and that is all down to her”.
Hampson Hughes settled the case for £44,000.
If you feel you’ve been subjected to instances of medical negligence, please contact the Hampson Hughes clinical negligence team today to see if you are eligible to claim compensation, call us free on 0800 888 6888, or email us at
A driver from Watford whose injuries from a road traffic collision impacted his career progression at a warehouse, has had his case settled for £25,000.
The 40-year-old, who wishes to be known as Z.D, had been stationary in the central reservation of a dual carriageway waiting to turn right, when a car shot out of an adjacent petrol station and ploughed into his vehicle.
Suffering from shock and unaware of the severity of his injuries, Z.D walked home after his vehicle was recovered, but soon began to experience cramps on the right side of his body.
He was signed off from work for two weeks by his doctor but, on returning to his role as a packing and finishing assistant at a warehouse, he struggled to carry out his daily duties that included heavy lifting.
Having only been in his job for three months, Z.D was approaching the end of his probation period and was on course for a promotion to become a warehouse supervisor. However, when his injuries began hindering the quality of his work, Z.D was refused a permanent contract with the company.
He was also forced to give up his role as a freelance kickboxing instructor and personal trainer.
As such, Z.D suffered major financial loss and turned to credit cards and loans to help him stay up to date with his bills and living costs.
His mental health was also severely affected as he spiralled into depression.
Z.D said: “Straight after the accident, I didn’t realise I was hurt so I walked home – I was in shock and was angry at what at just had happened. It was only as I was on my way home that I started experiencing bad pain all the way down my right side.
“As soon as I was authorised to go back to work, I did so but my injuries majorly affected how much I could do and, despite being promised a promotion and a permanent role, I lost my job.
“It was an extremely tough time as I had to rely on borrowing money to stay afloat and my mental health suffered badly.”
Z.D added: “From the beginning, Hampson Hughes was incredibly helpful and supportive, explaining everything to me very clearly. The team were very professional, often bearing the brunt of my frustration at the overall situation, but they remained calm and supportive, promising to achieve a positive outcome for me.”
Z.D suffered physical injuries, including whiplash, muscular damage to the right side of his body and a shoulder injury, for 18 months following the incident and was later diagnosed with a specific phobia disorder. He underwent physiotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy to aid his recovery.
His claim was settled in August 2020 for £25,000.
Niamh Wilson, Head of Civil Litigation at Hampson Hughes Solicitors: “The impact of this client’s accident went far beyond the scope of physical injuries – not only was his career hindered, but he also suffered major mental health issues as a result.
“This is often the case for victims of road traffic accidents as the effects of a serious incident such as this can last far longer than the physical injuries. It’s therefore important to seek legal advice from day one so that we can support you along the way and arrange private treatment that deals with both the physical and emotional impact of your accident.”
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.
Are you interested in a legal career? At Hampson Hughes, we are always keen to progress talent, having taken on many trainee solicitors in the last ten years.
But, getting a training contract can be tough, so we sat down with Hollie, Nick, Gary and Lisa to get some insight into their journeys, as well as a few of their tips for any inspiring solicitors.
NICK, PERSONAL INJURY SOLICITOR – ADMITTED TO THE ROLL JULY 2020
Initially, I studied Criminology and Psychology at Sheffield Hallam University before deciding to pursue a career as a solicitor. I went to BPP in Manchester to study the graduate diploma in Law before undertaking the LPC at BPP Liverpool.
I was delighted when I was awarded a training contract at Hampson Hughes. Getting a training contract is extremely competitive, especially at a top law firm. It wasn’t an easy process and I had to work hard to get my placement. There have been a number of trainee solicitors at Hampson Hughes before me who were all of a high standard, so I’m pleased to have joined the ranks and achieved my goal.
My advice to anyone considering a career in law is to expect ups and downs but to never give up your end goal. If you have faith in yourself and your abilities, you’re sure to get there!
HOLLIE, TRAINEE SOLICITOR
My journey with Hampson Hughes started in August 2019, once I had finished my LPC LLM at the University of Law in Chester. Despite early aspirations to go into psychology, I found that studying law at A-Level alongside personal experience and research ignited a passion for the legal side of healthcare. I gained as much experience in the industry as I could during my undergraduate LLB degree, and looked into many different areas of law but remained passionate about healthcare and particularly clinical negligence law.
Since joining Hampson Hughes I have gained invaluable exposure to clinical negligence law through assisting with all day to day aspects of client files, from initial client enquiries all the way through to trial. In July 2020 I became a trainee solicitor for the firm, and will be using this opportunity to become the best I can be in my field.
My advice for anyone considering law would be to never underestimate the knowledge experience of your peers and colleagues, be keen and inquisitive and put the hard work in! Furthermore, make sure you network as much as possible, utilising networking profiles such as LinkedIn to connect with as many professionals as you can.
GARY, SOLICITOR – ADMITTED TO THE ROLL DECEMBER 2019
I joined Hampson Hughes in March 2015, fresh from studying my LPC at the University of Law in Manchester. To be honest, once I had finished all my studies, I wasn’t completely sure what I needed to do next. So, I put my CV out there and luckily got a call within a few days from a recruitment agency who put me in touch with Hampson Hughes.
I accepted a role as a first response advisor. It was a great experience as I had never worked in an office environment before, so I was excited by everything going on and meeting the team. Within four months, I was promoted to a paralegal working for one of the heads of the RTA department at the time. After about 18 months in the role, I was offered a training contract to start in January 2018 which of course I duly accepted.
I started my training contract in 2018 and worked under one of the assistant heads of department. This exposed me to work of a higher difficulty and gave me the opportunity to learn from the senior team, following which I was given the chance to run my own caseload. Hampson Hughes helped me through my PSC and supported me fully through this.
I would definitely advise getting work experience in a number of different law firms before applying for a training contract as the job is much different to how it is often portrayed. The benefits of getting multiple work experiences is invaluable as it gives you an insight into different firms and allows you to find the one that suits you.
LISA, SOLICITOR – ADMITTED TO THE ROLL JULY 2020
I completed my LLB Honours Law degree at the University of Liverpool in 2011 before studying my LPC at the University of Law in Manchester. I completed the LPC on a part-time basis, whilst commencing my role at Hampson Hughes in July 2015 as a full-time paralegal.
When I had completed the LPC, I decided to undertake my LLM Masters degree in Professional Legal Practice, which helped prepare me for my role as a trainee solicitor. I began my training contract in July 2018 at Hampson Hughes. I managed to gain in-depth experience across a number of different departments, including clinical negligence, personal injury, costs law, housing disrepair, commercial law, holiday sickness and sexual abuse claims. Following my two year training contract and completion of my Professional Skills Course (PSC), I qualified in July 2020 as a solicitor in the Clinical Negligence department where I hope to continue progressing my career.
My main tip for aspiring solicitors is to gain as much exposure as possible to a variety of different areas of law during your training contract. This will provide you with a better understanding of which area you want to pursue once you are qualified, whilst also giving you the opportunity to learn new skills and broaden your knowledge of the legal industry.
Read more from our team of legal experts in our other blogs, or find out more about making a claim by contacting our team on 0800 888 6888, [email protected] or via the contact form.
A former cyclist, who suffered life-threatening injuries after he was knocked off his bike, is calling for increased safety awareness as more people take to two wheels post-lockdown.
Pat Lee, from Liverpool is warning cyclists to be aware of the potential dangers of the road after being thrown from his bicycle when a car collided with him as he travelled home from work.
The 56-year-old was rushed to hospital following the incident in July 2017, being treated for a fractured skull, broken ribs and collarbone, and a dislocated shoulder, while neck injuries also meant he had to wear a collar in the months after the accident.
More than three years later, Pat is still “terrified” to get back on a bicycle and believes more needs to be done to educate both drivers and new cyclists on the rules of the road.
Factory worker Pat, who instructed Hampson Hughes Solicitors to seek compensation for his injuries, was awarded £25,000 following the accident.
He said: “I had been cycling home from work – taking the same route I always did – when a car ploughed into me from the left hand side as I went across a roundabout.
“The driver had failed to give way and drove straight into me, sending me flying up into the air. It was all very surreal – I remember a loud bang and then waking up with paramedics surrounding me. I had to undergo surgery for my injuries and was forced to take five months off work.
“I’ve been cycling ever since I was a child and my bike was my only mode of transport – but I’m absolutely terrified to get back on one now and haven’t done since.
“With us all being told to avoid public transport where possible and lots of people taking up cycling for a new way to exercise, we’re obviously seeing a lot more people on bikes on our roads. But, it worries me to think that many drivers – and indeed the cyclists themselves – are not clued up on road safety, including what is and isn’t the law.
“I wouldn’t wish my experience on anyone and I truly miss getting out on my bike – so I’d urge anyone considering taking it up to really do their homework and, importantly, remember that not everyone on the road will be as sensible as you are!”
However, Niamh Wilson, Head of Civil Litigation at Hampson Hughes Solicitors, said Pat’s case is not unusual and more education is needed among drivers and cyclists.
She said: “Cyclists like Pat often rely on their bicycles as their main way to get around, so when that’s taken away from them, there can be a huge impact.
“Pat was very lucky to fully recover from his injuries, but the fact that he is simply too fearful to cycle on the roads indicates that we all need to increase our knowledge of cyclist safety, especially as more people buy bikes to get to and from work, or to enjoy the fresh air.
“Novice cyclists, and even people who haven’t been on a bike for 15-20 years are getting them out again to avoid public transport and it is vitally important that they are fully aware of the rules of the road and the severity of the potential consequences if they are not followed.
“Our team has worked with many cyclists who have had serious accidents on the roads, often due to motorists failing to abide by road safety laws, so it is clear that more education is required.”
A total of £25,000 was secured in compensation for Pat.
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.
Eric Whittington, from Liverpool, suffered severe injuries at work after he was refused sufficient personal protective equipment.
The 49-year-old had asked for PPE, such as safety boots, upon starting work as workshop manager at an independent car dealership in 2018.
However, he was informed that, due to the nature of his role, such equipment would not be required.
His employer told him that his job would be mainly desk-based and he would not be needed on the workshop floor on a regular basis
However, Eric later found himself on the workshop floor and slipped on some spilled liquid – he believes that the appropriate safety footwear would have prevented this fall.
He said: “As soon as I started the job, I asked whether PPE would be possible, but was promptly told that this wouldn’t be needed. I’d worked in similar roles in the past and it had always been a given that safety footwear would be provided.
“Shortly after, I slipped while walking through the garage – I put my left hand down to try to save myself and severely injured myself in the process.
“I carried on working that day – even after telling my manager what had happened – but the next day the pain had worsened so I visited the hospital.
“It was incredibly frustrating as it was an accident that so easily have been prevented if I’d been given the appropriate safety boots or non-slip shoes.”
Eric, who has since left his role suffered post-traumatic arthritis in his left thumb, leaving him with a permanent decrease in function.
He added: “I wasn’t sure whether to make a claim at first or whether it would even be possible, but the team at Hampson Hughes explained everything thoroughly and made sure I was updated every step of the way.”
Niamh Wilson, Head of Civil Litigation at Hampson Hughes Solicitors, which secured a total of £14,425 in compensation for Eric, said: “Cases regarding PPE are, unfortunately, not rare and we regularly see clients come to us with similar experiences.
“The major concern here is that the employer in question deemed it unnecessary for Eric to be equipped with the appropriate footwear and made an assumption about his role. It’s therefore particularly poignant in the current climate that companies do not allow the safety of their staff to be compromised in line with budget constraints.
“Many businesses will be facing challenging times as we move through a post-Covid period, but health and safety is more important than ever before, and we’d therefore urge employers to take stock and review what they have in place for staff members.”
A total of £14,425 was secured in compensation for Eric.
Accident at Work
If you have suffered an injury at work you could be entitled to personal injury compensation, take a look at our Accidents at Work page for more information.
Remember, we offer you a FREE no-obligation consultation – discover today whether you have a claim. Speak to one of our professional and friendly advisers today on 0800 888 6 888 or email .
The government has committed £2bn to boost the number of people cycling across the country over the next five years.
As part of its ambitious plans to “build a healthier, more active nation”, it has pledged to overhaul the Highway Code and enforce quality control on new cycle lanes in an effort to make UK roads safer for cyclists. While it clearly recognises that public safety is a key priority, more education is needed among drivers and cyclists to address these safety concerns.
Lockdown encouraged millions of us to take to our bikes and it’s no wonder the government wants to continue this upward spiral – cycling alleviates pressure on crowded public transport systems and congested roads and switching from cars to bikes is one of the easiest, cheapest ways to cut emissions. But, there are still fears among cyclists about the lack of cycling infrastructure and a poll in 2009 revealed that almost 60 per cent of people are put off cycling by the idea of sharing the road with lorries or reckless drivers.
As more and more novice cyclists take to roads up and down the country, we ask how strong is their knowledge of the Highway Code now they’re on two wheels?
SO, WHY DO WE NEED TO KNOW THE RULES OF CYCLING?
With the Prime Minister actively encouraging more bums on bicycle seats, we can expect to see the number of cyclists on our roads continue to increase as we ease out of lockdown.
This is a potential issue for a few reasons, though. While the Highway Code is tested for car drivers, no test is required to if we want to pick up a bike and get cycling. This, in turn, could mean a high number of new cyclists who have little knowledge of their rights on the road.
Not only that, but many of these new cyclists will have enjoyed travelling on previously very empty streets in the midst of lockdown. How will they fare when moved to busy roads and faced with congested junctions, and how will drivers cope with more people on the roads?
The government has promised to set out plans that will force local authorities to build new high quality cycle infrastructure – with a strong preference for segregated lanes. It has even revealed plans to give cyclists the right to ride in the wrong direction on one-way streets and proposed to reduce ‘unnecessary motorised freight’ like lorries and vans in UK cities and towns, by shipping freight to out-of-town depots. Our Head of Litigation Niamh Wilson was recently quoted in the Daily Mail exploring these topics in more detail.
Overall, these measures are welcome, but they will take time and even with these in place there needs to be more education and clearer messaging around safety awareness, so cyclists and drivers are fully aware of the rules of the road and the severity of the potential consequences if they are not followed.
COULD WE SEE AN INCREASE IN ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS?
With inexperienced cyclists, we’re likely to see a rise in road traffic accidents, sadly. We already see huge numbers of road traffic accidents involving cyclists, where both the cyclist and car user have been at fault.
Recently, we settled a claim for cyclist, Pat from Bootle. While cycling home from work, he suffered a collision from a car who hit him due to the driver failing to give way to him as he travelled straight across a roundabout. Sadly, he suffered a fractured skull, dislocated right shoulder, broken ribs, fractured collar bone and skin abrasions. Fortunately, he made a fantastic recovery and was fully healed within two years of the accident.
Following a court case, we settled his claim for £25,000. This covered his costs for physiotherapy post-accident, as well as for his bike plus further compensation for damages.
DO YOU KNOW THE RULES OF THE ROAD?
While many of us should, hopefully, be very aware of the Highway Code for drivers, just how good is our knowledge of the rules for the road as a cyclist?
With conflating public opinion on cycling issues like, can you cycle on the pavement, do you legally have to wear a helmet and more, we’re putting the question to the public – give it a go and let us know how you get on…
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.
Medomsley Detention Centre in County Durham was a correctional facility for young male offenders, operating from 1961 until the late 1980s. It was created to provide an alternative prison for boys and young men aged 17-21, with the aim of deterring inmates from committing more serious crimes later in life.
WHAT HAPPENED AT MEDOMSLEY?
Reports of physical abuse started to emerge in 1967, when David Watkins MP raised concerns about the treatment of inmates at the facility, after hearing claims from a mother that her teenage son was subjected to repeated beatings. The victim spent five weeks in hospital receiving treatment.
Mr Watkins took his complaint to the then Home Secretary but was told the claim was unsubstantiated. The matter was not pursued.
However, in 2003, prison officer Neville Husband was convicted of raping inmates throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He was suspected of operating as part of a paedophile ring and further investigations led to the arrest of Leslie Johnson, a storeman at Medomsley.
In 2013, Durham Police Force launched ‘Operation Seabrook’ to investigate allegations of sexual and physical abuse, primarily in the 1970s and 1980s. To date, 1,848 men have come forward to police to report allegations of abuse while detained at the centre.
Both Husband and Johnson have since died in prison of natural causes, and further cases have been brought against other staff members working at the centre.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MEDOMSLEY VICTIMS?
It is believed that hundreds of boys and young men suffered at the hands of abusive staff at Medomsley, with a ‘short, sharp shock’ policy implemented to steer offenders away from a life of crime. However, the regime was, in fact, described as brutal and violent.
For some, the ordeal stretched to sexual abuse, with victims being raped ‘almost on a daily basis’.
Victims later told how their experiences there have had a major impact on the rest of their lives, with some reporting they hadn’t slept well for more than 30 years due to the severe anxiety and stress it caused.
HOW HAVE VICTIMS BEEN COMPENSATED?
It is estimated that In excess of £3 million has been awarded in out-of-court settlements to the victims of physical and sexual abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre.
Those who were physically abused can apply for between £1,750 and £5,000 subject to the amount of time served in Medomsley and permanent nature of injuries sustained.
Among those who suffered is victim Gary Wallace, who told the BBC that some wardens were “definitely sadistic”. He said: “If they did go a bit over and give you a black eye and you were due a visit they would cancel the visit by saying you weren’t too well, or you didn’t want to see them.”
WHAT TO DO IF YOU WERE A VICTIM AT MEDOMSLEY?
At Hampson Hughes, we have a team of highly experienced legal experts, who have acted for many victims of physical and sexual abuse, including those affected by the traumatic events at Medomsley Detention Centre. We recognise the trauma survivors have to deal with on a daily basis and handle all cases in a sensitive and confidential manner.
We are here to listen, advise and support you every step of the way. We provide access to the support services you need and ensure you achieve the compensation you deserve, so you can start to seek a sense of justice and closure.
For further information and free, no-obligation advice, contact our team on0800 888 6888 or find about more about our work supporting victims of criminal injury and sexual abuse.
At the time of the accident, the claimant was travelling at approximately 30 miles an hour along London Road, High Wycombe when the defendant attempted to change lanes when it was unsafe to do so, causing a collision with our client’s vehicle.
As a result of the collision our clients vehicle was damaged and they suffered whiplash injuries to their neck, back and shoulders.
Successful outcome
Liability was admitted in this case.
Our team of dedicated Personal Injury solicitors secured a total of £4,000 in compensation on this occasion.
Following settlement, our client commented:
“Hampson Hughes Solicitors provided an excellent service from the start to finish. Their experience and advice allowed me to make an informed judgement on my compensation”.
If you’ve suffered whiplash injuries after a road traffic accident that wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to claim personal injury compensation. Whether you were injured as a driver, passenger, cyclist, or as a pedestrian Hampson Hughes Solicitors could help you claim maximum personal injury compensation.
More information can be found via our ‘Road Traffic Accident’ page, or contact our dedicated team of solicitors today on 0800 888 6888 or email .
Hampson Hughes Solicitors Road Traffic Accident (RTA) team recently secured personal injury compensation for a client who suffered whiplash injuries in a non-fault road accident.
Incident
Our client was correctly proceeding when the defendant, driving a white BMW, pulled out of a parking bay when it was unsafe and collided with the front of our clients motorbike.
Injuries
Our client sustained whiplash injuries to their neck and shoulders. Their training as an Army reservist was also restricted following the incident.
Successful outcome
On this occasion we managed to secure a total of £2,801 in personal injury compensation for our client.
After her case was settled, our client commented:
“Can’t thank you enough for sorting my claim out for myself. Would have struggled to claim back my expenses and damages without you. Simple process kept updated by your staff who were always courteous and friendly.”
Road traffic claims – specialist advice
If you have suffered whiplash as a result of a non-fault road traffic accident, contact us today. Whether you have been injured as a driver, passenger, pedestrian or cyclist, we could help you secure maximum compensation.
Our team of dedicated personal injury solicitors in Liverpool recently secured criminal injury compensation for a client who was injured in an unprovoked attack, resulting in £15,000 compensation.
The incident occurred as our client was at a local recycling centre dropping off an old fridge when he was attacked with an iron bar. The client suffered from injuries to his head with cuts and bruises to his face and a black eye.
The medical expert who examined our client for the purposes of the claim recommended that he was to be further referred for psychological treatment.
Also included within the criminal injury settlement were claims for loss of earnings due to the time the client had to take off work.
Commenting after their case was settled, our client said:
“I am very pleased with the outcome of my claim, the full circle service I received from Hampson Hughes was excellent”.
Criminal injury compensation – expert advice
Criminal injury compensation may be available if you have experienced physical trauma or psychological trauma as a result of a violent crime. Speaking to a member of our team about your criminal injury may be the first time that you have spoken to anybody about your experience – this is common among our clients. We guarantee complete confidentiality throughout your criminal injury claim.
We understand that if you have been subjected to an act of violence, your thoughts will turn to making a full recovery – compensation will likely be the last thing on your mind.
There is, however, a government scheme that provides compensation to those who have been victims of violent crime. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme is governed by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
If you would like expert advice on this type of case, contact Hampson Hughes Solicitors today. Call 0800 888 6 888 or email m.
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