| Are you one of the millions of people who | | | | also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement |
| have had an accident, suffered as a result, | | | | means that no fees must be paid to your |
| but are toying with the idea of claiming | | | | lawyer should your case for compensation |
| compensation. Maybe your accident was at | | | | prove unsuccessful. However, it is often |
| work and you are worried about losing your | | | | advised that claimants take out insurance |
| job. Maybe you slipped on uneven concrete on | | | | cover against their claims, because whilst |
| a public path but are unsure what to do next. | | | | the fees to the lawyer may be waived under |
| | | | the CFA, there still lies the problem of the |
| There seems to be a stigma attached to | | | | opposition's legal fees and expenses, which |
| getting compensation which I think is because | | | | you are entitled to pay in the event of |
| of America being on the other end of the | | | | losing your case. The conditional fees must |
| scale meaning you only have to sneeze in the | | | | be set out by the solicitor at the start of |
| wrong way and you are sued. Obviously this | | | | the case before the claimant makes their |
| is an over exaggeration, but the Yanks do | | | | decision as to whether to pursue compensation |
| tend to claim for compensation for any minor | | | | or not. If the solicitor is not explicit |
| ailment. | | | | about any 'hidden costs' and possible further |
| | | | expenses before hand, then they run the risk |
| Having an accident serious or minor is no | | | | of not being paid at all. As with most legal |
| funny matter for the wounded. You might have | | | | procedures, it is imperative that clients |
| to take days or weeks off work. Who is going | | | | read the small print, and are fully aware of |
| to pay all your bills then? What if you're | | | | the financial implications for themselves |
| off work for months? How will you manage? | | | | should an accident claim fail. Generally a |
| Maybe your injuries are not affecting you now | | | | solicitor will not take a case on unless they |
| but they might in the future. This is why | | | | think they have a very good chance of |
| you should really consider claiming | | | | winning. |
| compensation. At the end of the day it is | | | | |
| your civil and legal right to claim for | | | | So there really is no excuse for not putting |
| compensation. The money you would receive | | | | in a claim for compensation if you had an |
| would cover all lost wages for the days off | | | | accident that was not your fault. There are |
| work you had. Also any expenses like petrol | | | | plenty of personal injury lawyers available |
| and parking at hospitals. But more | | | | and you don't have to use one in your part of |
| importantly you will get compensated for your | | | | the country. Only a very small percentage of |
| suffering. This will vary on the severity | | | | claims go to court so solicitors up and down |
| of the injuries and how much you suffered. | | | | the country will take on your case if they |
| But it will be taken into account any | | | | believe they can win as they can do all their |
| possible problems in the future that could | | | | work in their offices. This is good news as |
| arise due to your injuries. When I talk of | | | | you can do some research and find the best |
| suffering and injuries it doesn't just mean | | | | personal injury solicitors in the UK. All it |
| for instance a broken leg. You might have | | | | takes is a phone call and an initial form to |
| suffered mentally which should be mentioned. | | | | fill out with the accident details and you |
| Many people suffer from depression or anxiety | | | | will be well on the way to receiving what is |
| attacks after the incident. Anxiety attacks | | | | rightfully yours. |
| or panic attacks are quite common in road | | | | |
| traffic accidents. | | | | Another important reason why you should claim |
| | | | for compensation is because it might stop the |
| Another reason many people don't bother | | | | accident happening again to someone else in |
| claiming the compensation which is rightly | | | | the future. For instance if your accident |
| theirs is because they think it will cost | | | | was at work and you were hurt by a poorly |
| them a fortune in legal fees. This could not | | | | maintained accident, then suing the company |
| be further from the truth. There was a time | | | | will make them think more carefully about |
| when people on low incomes could get legal | | | | their health and safety procedures. Remember |
| aid for personal injury claims, but this was | | | | any compensation and legal fees will get paid |
| not fair on the people who weren't on a low | | | | by your employers' insurance company and not |
| income. Why should people on low income be | | | | out of his pocket. |
| able to get a solicitor for free when anyone | | | | |
| classed as not a low income should pay? This | | | | Carolyn is the webmaster for Accident |
| is why they brought out 'no win no fee' | | | | Consultant, experts in accident claims and No |
| claims. This 'no wins no fee' agreement is | | | | win no fee. |