Personal Injury

Have you suffered or are suffering with Personal Injury?

Accidents happen but if you are injured and it was not your fault, it is only fair that you should be compensated for pain, suffering and inconvenience incurred.

You’re entitled to claim against another party, whether that is your employer, a colleague at work, another driver, a shop owner or a local authority – if they have failed in their duty of care to prevent injury to others, it may be possible to claim compensation.

Road Traffic Accident

Have you been involved in a Road Traffic Accident in the last three years that wasn’t your fault? Perhaps as a:

  • Driver
  • Passenger
  • Cyclist
  • Motorcyclist
  • Bus Passenger
  • Pedestrian

Accidents at Work

An accident at work can be serious and costly. If you’ve been injured and it wasn’t your fault talk to one of our advisors. Perhaps it was due to:

  • Slipping, tripping or falling
  • Lack of training, safety guards or procedures
  • Being hit by a falling object
  • Becoming caught in machinery
  • Exposure to noxious fumes or chemicals
  • Excessive loud noise affecting your hearing

Accidents in Public

Are you suffering from an injury as a result of a slip, trip or fall in public? Perhaps it was:

  • In the street or in a cafe, park or shop
  • On public transport – bus, plane, train
  • At leisure – playing or watching sport

Bus Accident Claims

As a passenger on a bus which has been in an accident, you may be eligible to make a personal injury claim. Here are some examples of common situations that can result in an accident and injury, which you may be able to claim for:

  • If your bus collides with another vehicle, at no fault of your bus driver
  • If your bus collides with another vehicle and your bus driver is at fault
  • When your bus could be classified as officially ‘unsafe’
  • When your driver makes a mistake or is suffering from fatigue
  • The road that you are travelling upon is poorly maintained and/or the road markings are unclear

Bicycle Accident Claims

Sadly, many cyclists are killed each year and even more are injured as a result of road traffic accidents. Injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to broken bones, catastrophic injury or fatality.

Although not exhaustive, the list below highlights some examples of when cyclists can find themselves involved in a road traffic accident:

  • When a vehicle turns into your path
  • Poor road conditions
  • Drivers failing to see you when pulling out of a junction
  • Cyclists being hit by the wing mirror of a lorry
  • Motorists turning across your path
  • Drivers colliding with a you because of poor visibility
  • Motorists failing drive according to the weather conditions

Motorcycle Accidents Claims

Common injuries sustained by motorcyclists tend to be head, brain and spinal injuries, broken limbs, shoulder injuries, paralysis or even amputations. Accidents involving motorcycles occur for a variety of reasons, some typical examples of which are outlined below:

  • Drivers moving into a lane occupied by a motorcyclist
  • Other drivers failing to check their mirrors when overtaking
  • Drivers turning into the path of oncoming motorcycles
  • Oil or diesel spillages on the road
  • Drivers failing to look before pulling out of junctions
  • Obstacles or objects in the road
  • Defective or poorly maintained road surfaces
  • Other drivers not seeing a motorcyclist because of poor visibility

Injured Playing Sport

When you participate in sport, you generally accept there is a risk of sustaining an injury as part of the “nature” of the game. In some circumstances, however, you should not accept the risk of injury, namely:

  • If you are learning a new sport under guidance, your instructor should be properly trained to teach you safely to avoid accidents
  • The owner or occupier of the premises where the sport takes place has a duty to ensure the facilities are safe for the players
  • In contact sport, such as football or rugby, your fellow team mates have a duty not to injure you deliberately. Nor are they to play in such a dangerous way that you are likely to suffer injury
  • The referee or umpire should enforce the rules of the game to avoid unnecessary risks

Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries are those that severely affect a victim’s lifestyle or quality of life and have a devastating, long-term impact that deeply affects a person’s independence and ability to lead a normal working life.

Managing catastrophic injury compensation claims is a complex process that requires a sophisticated level of experience and knowledge. Expert witnesses are required, as is detailed knowledge of the relevant legal procedures and the treatment and management of injuries.

An intricate financial settlement structure is often necessary in order to encompass the many factors that need to be considered for the claim. The final settlement will take into account loss of earnings, expenses and the likely on-going effect the injury will have on a persons quality of life.

Catastrophic Injuries include:

  • Severe burns
  • Loss of vision in both eyes
  • Amputations
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Brain injury
  • Paralysis

Fatal Injuries

Whilst no amount of money will ever bring them back, and compensation may be the last thing on your mind, it can help cushion the blow of loss of income.

Paul Rooney Solicitors are here to support you and your family in this time of need and work tirelessly on your behalf to pursue the compensation you may be owed.

Surgical Claims

The most common medical negligence claims are those relating to surgery that has gone wrong. All surgery carries a risk of complications and when an operation hasn’t gone according to plan, it can be difficult to discover the reason why.

We frequently deal with claims relating to surgical procedures and can investigate on your behalf if you suspect the treatment you received may have been negligent.

Common surgical negligence claims are:

  • Complications during gall bladder surgery
  • Complications during bowel surgery
  • Cardiac surgery
  • Nerve damage during vascular surgery
  • Complications during hysterectomy (see also childbirth injuries)
  • Spinal surgery

Dental Claims

Dental negligence can occur in many ways – removing the wrong tooth, providing defective crowns and bridges, failed implants, accidents during bleaching and damaging nerves are all examples of negligent practice.

Failing to treat tooth decay or gum disease, or even identify oral cancer, can also amount to negligence in certain circumstances.

Proving a medical negligence case involving a dentist involves:

  • Breach of duty: The dentist owes a duty of care to patients when they carry out dental treatment. We have to prove with expert evidence that the standard of care you received fell below that of a reasonable and competent dental practitioner and was therefore negligent.
  • Harm: we need to prove that the negligence caused you harm

Undiagnosed Illness

Unfortunately, sometimes symptoms are not taken seriously enough, or are misdiagnosed, and vital time may have been lost in starting appropriate treatment.  If your condition is more advanced because of a failure to correctly diagnose or refer you sooner, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.

Our medical negligence team have considerable experience and expertise in dealing with these types of claims. Get in touch to see if we can help you make a no win, no fee claim. We can help guide you through the process of making a claim and also put you in touch with support groups during what is a very traumatic and difficult time.

Next Steps?

If you have suffered Personal Injury that was not your fault, call to see how we can assist you with making a claim.