About "negligence"
What is a negligent act and what should you do if you have been the victim of such an act?
Accident law can be very tricky.
Sometimes and accident is literally just an accident. Something that could not have been foreseen or avoided and something that because of its random nature - no one can be blamed for.
On other occasions though an "accident" might well have been the result of another persons actions. If the act / event was in anyway foreseeable or avoidable then this would be looked upon very differently from a legal perspective if others were affected by the act / event.
So what is negligence?
The concept of negligence dates back to the 1930's when the Courts first decided on the criteria for determining under what circumstances a person might have committed a negligent act.
The celebrated case of Donoghue v Stevenson outlined that:
"you must take care to avoid acts or omissions which you can reasonably foresee would be likely to injure your neighbour"
In this context "neighbour" was deemed to mean anyone so closely affected by the act that the impact upon them would have been foreseeable.
Anyone who has been the victim of a negligent act may be able to make a compensation claim and should seek advice from a solicitor about their case. There are a few interesting discussion points below on the subject of claims:
- Why make a compensation claim?
- Personal injury success stories
- How long do you have to claim for injury?
- Will you have to go to court to win my claim?
- Is there a compensation culture in the UK?
- *New* Also read our simple compensation guide.
Call our free legal care line now on 0800 0322210
Why should you choose us?
From the moment you call you are dealing directly with experienced lawyers - not middlemen or intermediaries.
We can help with:
- Car accident claims
- Whiplash personal injury claims
- Accidents at work
- Trip, slip, fall accident claims
- Medical Negligence - hospitals or GP
Nursing home claims
If you or a relative have been injured whilst in a care home we may be able to help with advice about compensation. Nursing home complaints are soaring but our team may be able to help you complain effectively and seek legal redress.


