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Month: November 2024

How Do NI Courts Work Out Personal Injury Compensation Awards?

Posted on by Lacey Solicitors

Trips, slips, falls, road traffic accidents and workplace accidents all happen on a daily basis. Everyday in Northern Ireland a person can be injured through no fault of their own. One of the main questions that we are asked is how Judges in Northern Ireland calculate how much to award for a personal injury claim.  

If you are uncertain over your personal injury claim then we can help. Call +44 28 9089 6540 today to talk to one of our experienced, trustworthy advisors.

How Much do You Get For A Personal Injury Claim?

Whether you make your personal injury compensation claim in  Belfast, Saintfield or Newry, the process for working out how much your personal injury claim is worth is the same.

Where any injury is to be compensated by compensation, in settling the sum of money to be given, the aim of the judge is to try and put you in the same position that you would have been had you not been injured. 

It is therefore impossible to say exactly how much your personal injury compensation claim is worth without knowing the intricacies of your case. Contact Lacey Solicitors today to arrange an appointment so we can better value your injuries.

How is The Compensation For Personal Injury Claims in Northern Ireland Calculated?

In Northern Ireland the amount of damages awarded typically goes by the guidance of the “Green Book.” The Green Book gives guidance which can help the judge in your case to determine what your personal injury claim is worth.

Even though these are the guidelines used, other factors will come into play. For example, the severity of injury you suffered and what the discount rate is as applied to any lump sum awards.

Your personal injury compensation award could depend on the following factors:

  •       How severe your injury was
  •       How painful the condition
  •       the presence of any additional symptoms or areas of pain
  •       The impact of those symptoms on your daily life
  •       The impact of those symptoms on your ability to work in future
  •       The treatment required
  •       The need to take medication
  •       How long it takes you to recover

The guidelines are there to assist in determining levels of compensation, but they are not a rigid framework.  Assessing is not an exact science and it is up to your solicitors to use their training and experience in each individual case.

Should You Make a Claim for Compensation After a Personal Injury?

If someone else’s negligence causes you to experience a physical or psychological injury, you are perfectly entitled to seek legal redress and compensation for your suffering. how much your personal injury claim is worth depends on a number of factors.  The judge will use the Green Book to try and compensate you fairly.  

How to Make a Personal Injury Claim in Northern Ireland?

Posted on by Lacey Solicitors

From Belfast to Bangor, people in Northern Ireland are involved in incidents that aren’t their fault and are injured as a result. But how do you make a claim for compensation if it happens to you?

If you have been involved in an accident in which you became injured and it wasn’t your fault, seeking compensation could provide you with the financial support to help you recover and move forward after an injury.  Reporting the incident could even prevent that accident from happening to someone else. At Lacey Solicitors Belfast, our lawyers specialise in Insurance and Injury and could help you achieve the maximum possible compensation after a slip and fall, medical treatment gone wrong, or an accident at work.

How do you Make a Personal Injury Claim in Northern Ireland?

If you live in Belfast, Antrim, or anywhere else in NI, the process for bringing a compensation claim after an accident is always the same. The first thing you will need is an accident lawyer capable of representing your interests.

Lacey Solicitors have a proven record of commitment to a high quality service.  Whether we are dealing with a significant fatal accident, to a minor whiplash injury, our approach is always the same and which is why our clients recommend us.  We invest in technology that can speed up your appointment times, court dates and meetings etc.  This frees up our solicitors to speak with you personally and speak with our opposition directly.

After you have chosen a personal injury solicitor, you can begin the process of making your claim for compensation.

Making Your Claim for Compensation

To begin your claim for compensation, our personal injury solicitors will arrange a discussion with you to take as much detail as possible.  Some of the details that we might need is;

The date of the accident.

The location of the accident.

Employment details if it was an accident at work.

Registration numbers if it was a road traffic accident.

Your detailed recollection of how the incident occurred.

The names of all parties involved.

Any witness details

The treatment sought by you.

Once we have this information, we can determine if we think you have a case. If so, we will put together a claim summary for your perusal. Once you sign this and return it to us, we can create a Letter of Claim.

What is a Letter of Claim?

A Letter of Claim is a document which summarises the details of the accident and delivers these details to the person/company (or their insurance company) who you believe to be at fault. It will outline what happened, how it affected you, and notify the third party of your intent to bring a compensation claim.

After this letter is sent, the third party has a short timeframe to acknowledge the claim. There is a protocol in Northern Ireland that suggests they are then allowed a few months to fully investigate the matter.   They should later indicate whether they accept liability or deny liability. 

Do you Have to go to Court for Personal Injury Claims in Belfast?

While taking your case to court is an excellent way to establish the other party’s fault, it is not the only way to receive compensation.  

Legal fees are higher if a case proceeds to Court.  At Lacey Solicitors Belfast, we believe that bringing a case to court should be the last resort.  We will, throughout all stages of your case try to discuss the matter with our opposition to try and settle the case without going to court.  

Our belief is that settling a case before court, saves time, money and stress for all parties.  

We only bring cases to court for two reasons;

  1. Liability for the accident is in dispute.
  2. We cannot reach an agreement with the otherside on a settlement figure

Finding a Personal Injury Lawyer Near You

At Lacey Solicitors, we pride ourselves in our ability to provide assistance to clients across all of Northern Ireland.  With the latest technologies you no longer need to have a solicitor on your doorstep and we can arrange an appointment at a location suitable to you.  In some circumstances our solicitors can even come directly to you.   We recommend using injury lawyers for injury claims.  Our experience in Insurance and Injury Law allows us to make a claim on your behalf against the at fault insurance company.  Whether you are in Enniskillen or Lisburn, the Lacey Solicitors team are here to help.

Enquire Now to Begin Your Personal Injury Claim with Lacey Solicitors.

Stepping Out Safely: How to Be a Safe Pedestrian This Winter in Northern Ireland and Ireland

Posted on by Lacey Solicitors
Winter walking brings its own set of challenges, with darker mornings, icy roads, and reduced visibility. Staying safe as a pedestrian is especially crucial during this time of year. According to the RSA, 2023 saw 38 pedestrian fatalities on Irish roads, the highest number in 15 years. To help you stay safe this winter, Lacey Solicitors have compiled a practical guide tailored for pedestrians across Northern Ireland and Ireland.

STOP, LOOK, LISTEN: Essential Road Safety

The Green Cross Code—STOP, LOOK, LISTEN—remains one of the simplest yet most effective ways to protect yourself when crossing the road. Here are some key do’s and don’ts to keep in mind:

NEVER:

  • Cross roads at bends or blind spots.
  • Cross between parked cars.
  • Cross while using your phone or when distracted.

ALWAYS:

  • Use pedestrian crossings such as zebra crossings, traffic lights, or traffic islands.
  • Stick to footpaths whenever possible.
  • If no footpath is available, walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing oncoming traffic, and stay as far off the road as possible.
  • Remove headphones and listen carefully for oncoming vehicles before crossing. Even if you don’t see a vehicle, one could be approaching.

Winter Awareness: Staying Visible and Alert

Winter months bring poor weather and limited daylight, which can make pedestrians harder to spot. Follow these tips to ensure visibility:

  • Stick to well-lit, public roads with clear footpaths during early mornings or evenings.
  • Wear fluorescent, reflective clothing to make yourself easily identifiable. Reflective gear is essential for children and pets, ensuring they can be seen from a distance.

Additional Tips:

  • Be extra cautious during fog, rain, or icy conditions, as drivers may have reduced stopping times.
  • Teach children the importance of wearing bright clothing and practicing road safety.

Alcohol Awareness During Festive Celebrations

With the festive season fast approaching, it’s vital to remember how alcohol impacts decision-making as a pedestrian.

  • Avoid walking home after drinking—use public transport, arrange a taxi, or rely on a designated driver.
  • Stay aware of your surroundings and look out for others who may be distracted or impaired.

Step into Safety: Protecting Children

Pedestrian accidents peak among children aged 12, often when they start traveling independently. Over half of these accidents occur during after-school hours. As parents and guardians, teaching children about pedestrian safety can have a lasting impact.

Practical Steps for Parents:

  • Help children map out the safest routes to school or frequently visited places.
  • Emphasize the importance of using crossings and being cautious around busy roads.
  • Encourage responsible pedestrian habits, which pave the way for safer future drivers.

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy

Walking during the winter months is a fantastic way to maintain physical and mental well-being. However, safety should always come first. By staying alert, visible, and mindful of the rules, you can enjoy the benefits of walking while minimizing risks.

For more expert advice on personal safety and legal support in Northern Ireland and Ireland, get in touch with Lacey Solicitors. We’re here to help.

Stay safe, and step into the winter season with confidence.

Lacey Solicitors: Guide to Medical Negligence Claims in Northern Ireland

Posted on by Lacey Solicitors

Both the NHS and the private sector has exceptionally talented and caring professional that provide us with invaluable care during our most vulnerable times of need. It is a sector filled with incredibly hard-working and dedicated professionals. That said, often due to factors outside of the individual health care worker’s control such as staffing, funding etc, medical negligence can occur and when it does, we believe that the patient should be aware of their rights.

Common factors that lead to medical negligence include;

  1. Communication breakdown;
  2. Inadequate staffing;
  3. Insufficient funding;
  4. Technical failures;
  5. Inadequate policies
  6. Healthcare worker incompetency;
  7. Inadequate training.

Here is our advice on the steps to take if you have suffered medical negligence:

  1. Speak to your healthcare provider

In cases of medical negligence, it is important to prove that a healthcare professional failed in their duty of care towards you. Making a complaint about the harm you have suffered will legitimize your claim and may result in an admission of liability.

If you are seeking compensation, an admission of liability, or an admission of wrongdoing, is essential in progressing a legal claim.

  1. Seek legal advice 

In most cases, seeking legal advice and instructing a solicitor with experience in medical negligence cases. 

It is important to do this as soon as possible as there is usually a three year window during which these claims can be made though it is always worth obtaining legal advice, irrelevant of how long ago the incident occurred.

It is also a good idea to create a personal timeline of events, in order to provide as much information as possible.

In medical negligence cases, your care, recovery, and compensation are the main priority. By gathering documentation of the incident, and how it impacted your well-being, you provide legal professionals with a great starting point.

  1. Gather medical records and evidence 

Your solicitor will begin by requesting copies of all relevant records. 

This could include:

  • Letters from your GP, or other medical professionals surrounding your condition;
  • Records of your stay in hospital;
  • Any reports published regarding your incident; and, 
  • Records of any GP consultations, hospital visits, or medical appointments after the incident.

These records will allow legal professionals to assess your claim and determine whether a claim can be brought.

  1. Obtain a preliminary opinion on liability and the likely prospects of success.

Using all the information above, your solicitor will seek an opinion from a medical expert in the relevant field to address liability.

That expert will establish who might have a duty of care, what the standard of care might be, whether there was a breach of that duty and finally what the consequences are likely to be as a result of that breach.  

This report will help direct your legal team on their next steps and is a vital step  in the initiation of a medical negligence case.

To conclude

Medical negligence is a complex area of law.  It can be draining for the victim and can easily result in significant costs and often takes significant time.

Speak to a medical negligence lawyer if you have concerns about the care given to you.  

Lacey Solicitors Belfast have dealt with and succeeded in a number of high profile medical negligence claims over the years.  

Speak to an Expert at Lacey Solicitors today.

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