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18-Apr-2011
Environmental health officers from Leeds City Council have warned tanning salons in the area not to let under-18s use sunbeds.
The officers point to a recent change in the law which prevents youngsters from using the tanning method and allows local authorities to take action against business that fail to comply.
In response to the new legislation, tanning salons have been issued with guidelines on how best to enforce the rules and it recommends asking for identification as to a young person's age and having prominent displays warning of the dangers of sunbed use. The Health and Safety...
16-Dec-2010
A worker had to have two fingers amputated after getting his hand caught in a drilling machine.
John Watson, from County Durham, was working for Komatsu UK Ltd, one of the country's leading producers of construction and mining equipment, when his right hand became caught in the rotating parts of the machine. His third finger was completely amputated and he lost part of his middle finger. Mr Watson, who has been working for the company for almost 20 years, has not been able to return to work since the accident, which took place in June last year.
At Consett Magistrates Court, Komatsu...
15-Nov-2010
A former teacher, who had to give up the profession because of problems with her voice, has won £150,000 in compensation.
Joyce Walters, who taught at Harlington Adult Education Centre in Hillingdon, was forced to give up her work after developing vocal cord nodules which she said were caused by having to address large class sizes and the fact that her classroom was located near to a noisy playground. She said that these aggravating conditions put a constant strain on her voice and she has had to have regular therapy. She says that even now she finds it difficult to hold long...
19-Oct-2010
Lord Young's long awaited review into health and safety in the UK has been published with the government committed to tackling the "damaging compensation culture".
The former Conservative minister said that changes were needed as the standing of health and safety in the eyes of the public has never been lower with businesses often operating such policies in a climate of fear.
David Cameron said that he hoped the review would turn out to be a turning point with a new system being introduced to replace unnecessary bureaucracy.
The report has received a cautious welcome from business leaders...
06-Oct-2010
British consumers are contacting Fisher-Price in their hundreds over fears of personal injury to their children after the company announced a US-led recall of a quarter of a million toys and high chairs.
The company has taken the decision to recall over 72,000 high chairs in the UK alone due to safety fears after seven children in the US required stitches. A consumer association in the States said that children could fall on pegs on the backs of the high chairs, which could lead to cuts and other injuries.
Other items to be recalled include inflatable balls where the valve has detached and...
06-Oct-2010
The government is to act on recommendations which seek to limit the "compensation culture" which it fears has grown out of control over recent years and is targeting lawyers advertising "no win, no fee" lawsuits.
Lord Young, a minister under Margaret Thatcher, has compiled a report which details much of the health and safety culture which has been condemned by the government and in particular highlights the advertising techniques used by many lawyers to entice members of the public to pursue personal injury and negligence cases.
In his report, to be published next month, Lord Young will...
30-Sep-2010
A Cumbrian factory worker has been awarded compensation of £3,000 after developing repetitive strain injury.
Geoffrey Coleman was an employee at a factory in Kendal packing a new product into the company's finishing department. He had to pack large sheets of paper into a plastic bag which, when full, weighed 50 kilograms. He suffered a ligament strain in his forearms due to the repetitive nature of the job.
When the working injury became apparent Mr Coleman approached his union, Unite, which funded his claim.
The union's regional secretary Paul Finegan said: "To the company's credit they did...
13-Aug-2010
Learn more about the personal injury reforms planned for 2010
This page is an archived document on the reforms:
There has been much discussion about the forthcoming proposed reforms which are due to be implemented late 2007 or early in 2008.
Both APIL & FOIL have provided their views on the matter. These issues relate to the most part to accident compensation claims and not medical negligence claims. There will be an impact on clinical negligence cases but they are subject to a separate protocol.
Here we provide a snapshot of the key issues and proposals:
Track Limits
Small...
11-Aug-2010
APIL otherwise known as the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers was founded to help the victims of accidents, or those who become ill through no fault of their own.
They are an independent and not for profit organisation.
They campaign for improvements in personal injury law such as amendments to legislation and ensuring that all victims have access to justice.
They also aim to promote fair compensation for all victims and alert the public to hazards and so aim increase safety standards across all walks of life.
APIL also provides its members with support,...
16-Jan-2009
More people than ever before are using the internet to find lawyers across the full range of legal services. Times are definitely changing.
The world of legal services is a much changed environment. Today the Law Society published details of recent research which indicated that more people than ever before were using the web to obtain legal advice and representation across a range of issues.
Every are of law is covered online with a wealth of information websites and direct opportunities to obtain No win No fee advice or fixed fee services. The volumes of "legal traffic" online have...
01-Oct-2008
Ministry of Justice once again delay release of the long awaited personal injury reform process
Please read our update on the April 2010 personal injury "fast track" reforms.
The MoJ have come under fire this week for failing to release on time the latest in a series of consultation documents promoting the reform of the personal injury process in England and Wales.
Both claimant and defendant lawyers are criticising the delay which only serves to promote more uncertainty. The reforms will incorporate many new initiatives aimed at reducing time and costs - but ironically the changes will...
29-Sep-2008
The Ministry of Justice criticise solicitors for over charging
Please read our update on the April 2010 personal injury "fast track" reforms.
Jack Straw labels "no win, no fee" legal work "scandalous".
At the recent Labour Party Conference, Jack Straw told the amassed members that some "No win, No fee" lawyers were guilty of "scandalous" behaviour by "ramping up their fees".
"No win, No fee" arrangements were introduced in 1995. The Government broadened the rules in 2000 in order to encourage solicitors to take on personal injury work (at the same time, the Government abolished legal...
13-Jul-2008
Dolcis shoe company to pay compensation following a personal injury claim made by a customer who fell when a stiletto heel snapped.
A woman suffered a serious leg injury when her stiletto heel snapped when she was on a night out. The shoes were brand new and hadnt been worn before yet the heel gave way and was later found to be defective. The injured victim made a compensation claim for injury.
The victim had to have an operation to correct her injury and was forced to give up her job. The case was successful primarily because Dolcis could not establish that the shoes were of "...
23-Jun-2008
Compensation culture apparently to blame for the falling standard in the condition of Britain's pavements and highways
In what has to be a truly remarkable attempt to delegate responsibility GMTV today reported that local councils are unable to maintain pavements because of money being drained away by over zealous personal injury claimants and their lawyers.
The argument seems to be that because they are having to spend time and money defending claims brought by injured parties, they could not divert the funds appropriately. This has led to a downturn in repair work and maintenance...
12-Apr-2008
RJW study suggests that most people believe personal injury claims are pursued by those looking to earn a quick buck!
A recent study by one of the top PI law firms in the UK - Russell Jones and Walker - has revealed that people worry about pursuing a personal injury claims because of how they will be perceived by others.
Most people surveyed indicated that the UK was heading for a US style legal system where every man and his dog tries to claim for the slightest reason or detriment. Up to 53% of people suggested that anyone making a personal injury claim would be on the make - trying to...
08-Feb-2008
Chinese imported sofas have caused injury to customers who are now claiming compensation
There have been many reported incidents of people suffering from severe skin complaints after purchasing furniture from some of Britains best known stores.
Argos and other major retailers have become embroiled in a consumer class action that centres around an allegedly flawed manufacturing process. Chemical residue appears to have been left on the leather material and this for some has led to severe skin complaints.
Many of the sufferers are now proceeding with compensation claims because their...
03-Jan-2008
Statutory award for bereavement under the Fatal Accidents Act increased
The term "Bereavement award" in this context relates to the statutory lump sum payment that is made to families or loved ones following the death of a partner, child or spouse.
The Government have the unenviable task of trying to provide a lump sum to represent an award which compensates the family for the loss of their loved one. No award can possibly be enough but statutory laws dictate such a sum should be paid.
The categories of dependants who can claim bereavement are narrow. If a husband or a wife...
16-Sep-2007
The forthcoming injury claim reforms are being embraced by some insurers.
In a move which has surprised many, Allianz Cornhill the well known insurer has decided to take a lead regarding the personal injury reforms which are soon to be introduced by the Ministry of Justice.
The reforms are still going through the consultation stage but observers anticipate the changes to take effect by spring 2008. The reforms will introduce tough new guidelines and protocols for both claimant and defendant parties and most agree that the end result should allow for a slicker, more...
21-Jun-2007
When addressing a conference recently the claims regulator Mark Boleat has suggested that more than 90% of firms applying for authorisation had problems that prevented them receiving a licence.
He did not specify the nature of the problems but the indication was that there are still many firms operating in a way which must be deemed inappropriate. The public need to be aware that firms dealing with compensation claims are now subject to strict rules. A warning was given to solicitor firms who flout the rules by purchasing claims from firms that are either not authorised under the...
02-May-2007
The DCA has confirmed its intention to press ahead with reforms aimed at speeding up the claims process. After the event (ATE) insurance will be targeted.
Following the recent press release from the DCA on the future of personal injury claims - more here - the ATE insurance market is in turmoil.
The DCA are promoting new processes within the claims environment that will mean simple personal injury cases will not require any ATE cover. The risk of having to take out court proceedings in the majority of claims is relatively low and the DCA have (subject to further consultation)...
24-Apr-2007
The DCA announced this week that they will not be considering adjusting the small claims limit for personal injury claims which is currently at £1000
Following recent consultations with both sides of the personal injury claims divide, Charles Falconer this week announced that the DCA did not consider it appropriate for the personal injury small claims limit of £1000 to be increased.
This hugely important decision came as a disappointment for insurers and the defendant based lobbyists who have been pushing for an increase in the ceiling for some time.
The reason for the consultation was...
26-Feb-2007
Mark Boleat surprised delegates at a recent legal conference by suggesting the 6th April Regulation deadline may need to be delayed
In what is likely to be a busy year for the compensation industry, Mark Boleat the newly installed Government Regulator has admitted that there may be delays in implementing the new rules.
The official start date for the regulations scheduled for the 6th April 2007 is now thought to have been put back because of the last minute surge in companies applying for regulation. Around 1200 firms have now applied which is far more than was expected....
12-Jan-2007
More discussion regarding the small claims limit
The debate regarding the personal injury small claims limit continues to rage although the Department of Constitutional affairs has attempted to introduce a compromise.
The DCA has suggested a figure of £2500 be agreed in relation to the official small claims limit the compensation claims involving pain and suffering. This figure is believed to be far too high by most claimant lawyers and to low to satisfy most defendant insurers.
The Law Society published the details last month of its own research into public attitudes...
17-Oct-2006
Fast and fair justice for personal injury victims
The Law Society's Fast and Fair small claims proposals launched today would improve the claims system for thousands of victims who suffer injury because of someone else's negligence to provide simple, quicker and cheaper justice.
Fast and Fair offers a better way forward than an increase to the small claims limit which the Government is expected to consult on later in the year.
The current small claims limit prevents people with personal injury cases worth less than £1,000 in damages claiming back their legal costs from the losing side....
