Month: June 2018

Accidents in a public place- Retail Stores

Posted on June 20, 2018 by GLAdmin - Accidents in Public, Blog, Covid-19, Uncategorised

Accidents in a public place can happen anywhere and at any time. Although you may not have ventured into many shops as of late, apart from food stores, if you are decided to visit a retail store when they were re-opened, there is always the chance that something could go wrong. Even the safest buildings still have their faults and you could get yourself involved in an accident. Not only that, but if a public place has not installed social distancing features that could protect both the public and employees, there is a high chance that Covid-19 could be spread between people. That is why it is your responsibility to stay as safe as possible when you are out in public.

If something does happen, then you have the opportunity to ask for compensation from the party responsible for your injuries. Should the public place be a retail store, then the business itself will need to pay out from their insurance to help with your recovery.

Gowing Law Solicitors know exactly how to help claimants who have experienced accidents in a public place. These types of accidents can happen suddenly and may leave you in a state of shock. That’s why you need the correct form of legal counsel. Some people may just shake off the injury as an unlucky action of fate. But we would say otherwise. We can help you prove it was due to the retail store’s negligence.

Accidents in a public place claims: What are they?

In order to understand more about accidents in a public place claims, in particular in retail stores, it is important that we understand a little more about shop injuries. If you have suffered from an injury in a store, the only way you are going to be able to claim compensation is if you prove that the store breached their “duty of care” towards you and your fellow customers. Most stores in the UK now have strict social distancing policies put in place to protect their customers. These include:

Wearing face masks/visors when inside the store.
Maintaining social distancing from other customers and store clerks.
Following the one-way system around the store.
Not touching items unless you are going to purchase them.
Using hand sanitizer and other germ disinfectants.

However, despite these safety measures, accidents can still happen. A lot of things can happen during the day and potential hazards may be missed or simply left unmarked by staff members by mistake. Take a look below at Harry’s story for a small example of what could happen in a retail store that may result in an accident:

How does this case-study show my eligibility?

Obviously, you are probably not in the same scenario as Harry. But you do have the right to feel safe in a retail store. If you look at Harry’s story, you can see that the store he was in was negligent in informing him of the hazard on the ground. Therefore, he had no idea that he was in danger when he walked down the aisle. The lack of safety preparation put Harry in an unsafe position and got him hurt. This is evidence that he could claim for damages.

To put things simply, you need to prove:

The store you went into was negligent and breached their “duty of care”.
You were hurt because of this breach and their negligence.

If you have been put into a similar position in a retail store, you could easily apply for compensation for your damages. But the main question is, what counts as damages? These are a little more complicated than just saying you suffered physical injuries.

Compensation Claims 101: General & Special Damages

Take another look at the Harry case study. If you look closely, you can see that there are more damages than just his physical injury (aka. his torn Achilles tendon). Not only did he have to visit the hospital, where he could have accumulated medical expenses, but he lost out on his wages because he could not go to work. Not only could Harry claim for his physical damages, he could also claim for his financial losses.

If you are claiming for damages then there are two types you claim for. These are known as general and special damages. General damages normally account for your pain and suffering. They are the most common type of damages but can be difficult to measure. After all, you are trying to prove how much you have suffered on account of your injuries. How can you prove this if other people cannot feel it? That’s why it is useful to have physical evidence of your suffering to back up your claims, including photos, witness statements and videos.

Special damages usually account for any financial losses made due to your accident. So, for instance, if you were forced to miss work and lose out on wages. Make sure to keep the receipts to prove any financial losses that you have made.

Just to keep it simple, here is a list of most of the things you can claim for if you have suffered from any type of accidents in a public place:

Damages may include:

Physical injuries
Emotional trauma
Medical expenses
Transport fees
Lost wages
Loss of opportunity (i.e. career progression because of your injuries)

Make sure to speak with a trained legal specialist to ensure that you know precisely what you are claiming for. You may feel a little confused about what count as damages and losses. Therefore, having a solicitor on your side from Gowing Law can help you understand your rights and what you could be owed to help you recover from your injuries.

Physical injuries and accidents in a public place

Before we talk about how you could claim for any type of losses in a public place, or in a store, it’s important to understand the type of physical injuries you may have encountered. One of the most common questions we received about any sort of claim, including work accidents claims, is ”how bad does my accident need to be to claim damages?”

Most people would assume that to make an accident in a public place claim, you would need to have a severe wound that would require hospital treatment. However, you can actually claim with any sort of small or large wound. If it happened due to the store’s negligence, you can easily claim for compensation. But the other thing you also need to consider is whether or not it is worth pursuing a claim. If you do not think you will get the return you expect based on the severity of your injury, it is not worth pursuing. For instance, if you cut your finger on a display, you probably won’t get a large amount of compensation in return unless the wound got infected or the wound was extremely deep.

Consider the costs of the claim vs the amount of money you would estimate to get out of the claim. If you think you could get a bigger return, it is worth pursuing compensation. Discuss this with a solicitor if you are feeling a little unsure about moving forward. They can estimate your total costs and let you know an estimated pay-out.

What evidence do I need to make a compensation claim?

If you have been hurt due to accidents in a public place or in a store, you may be considering how you can prove your claim. You can’t just state that you were hurt. Instead, you need to bring in solid evidence to show that you were hurt due to the store owner’s negligence. Here are some examples of the evidence you could use if you want to get a successful compensation claim.

As you can see, there are lots of ways that you can gather evidence. However, one important thing you may want to also consider is involving the police. If there has been a violent altercation, or perhaps the injury is extremely severe, having the police there can give you witnesses that will provide you with a police report. This police statement will be completely unbiased and will document everything that happened. It can serve as important evidence in any sort of case.

If you also want to prove that you suffered financial damages on account of your accidents in a public place injuries, you should keep as many of your receipts as possible. Whenever you are forced to spend something due to your injuries, for instance on medication or on transport to the hospital, keep the receipts or tickets that show how much you paid. That way you can put these costs together and show that small financial losses have built up.

The more evidence you have the stronger your case will be. Your lawyer can help you organize your evidence to show how badly you were effected by your injury. That way you will have a successful pay-out in no time!

Can I claim compensation for catching Covid-19 from a store?

Unfortunately, this is where things get complicated. Covid-19 has changed the entire world as we know it. We have experienced pandemics before but never to the extent of how this disease has affected how we view the world. Most people are frightened about going out to public places in fear that they will catch Covid-19. So, if you have unluckily gone in to a store and have found that you have developed symptoms a few days later, you may be considering how you can claim compensation.

The tricky part comes from the fact that you cannot actually make a claim on catching Covid-19 alone. Not only do you have to prove that caught it from the store specifically but that you did not catch it from somewhere else that you have visited. If you do want to make a claim, it will have to be in regards to the damages it leaves you with. So, if you lost out financially or suffered physical injuries or disabilities that reduced your quality of life, there is a chance you could make a compensation claim.

As you can see, this is a very complicated issue in UK law right now. It is not worth pursuing this type of claim alone. Instead, ask our Gowing Law solicitors for advice on whether or not you should consider making a claim. They can let you know more information about your options and how you could move forward. Feel free to write in to info@gowinglaw.co.uk if you have any questions about this. We understand that it can be quite confusing!

Are you ready to make a compensation claim for an accident in a public place?

If you are ready to make a compensation claim, Gowing Law Solicitors are here to make sure that you get the pay-out that you deserve. All of our lawyers can offer you free help and consultations to get you started. These can all be done remotely to make sure that there is no threat of Covid-19. If you do decide to work with us, we can offer our services on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means that you will always come out on top. There’s no risk, so what is stopping you from contacting us today?

Get ready to start your journey with Gowing Law Solicitors. Call us on 08000418350, email info@gowinglaw.co.uk or even use our live chat feature and our contact page. Our friendly team will then be in contact to answer any additional questions you may have about accidents in public places claims.

Ready to learn more about UK law?

We are proud to have an informative blog that has a number of articles about different legal topics. These can keep you informed about the latest law updates and specific compensation claims. Our blogs cover RTA claims, work accidents, public accidents, financial mis-selling and cosmetic negligence claims. If you cannot find a topic that interests you, why not let us know about it? We would be happy to write about any questions you want covered. Feel free to send in your suggestions to info@gowinglaw.co.uk.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

What to do if you have a car accident abroad

Posted on June 20, 2018 by GLAdmin - Accidents in Public, Blog, Traffic Accidents

Having a car accident abroad can be frightening. In the UK, the rules of the road are pretty simple to understand if you are an experienced driver. Abroad, it can get complicated. After all, the roads are different in and outside of the EU. You will also have to consider the type of vehicle you are driving. Your own car may have been damaged in the process of the accident, however if you have hired out a vehicle, you need to consider what sort of insurance you need to protect yourself against any collisions.

Gowing Law Solicitors are here to help you with your car accident if you are travelling abroad. This informative guide will give you some useful tips about how you can get the compensation you deserve for any sort of car accident abroad.

Protecting yourself from car accidents abroad before the journey

One of most important things you may be worrying about is the impact of Brexit on any costly accidents you have abroad. However, the first thing you need to do is not panic. Although the rules for passports, EHIC cards, pet travel, driving and accident cover may change on the 1st January 2021 in the UK, if you plan for it in advance then you should be fully prepared to deal with any sort of car accident abroad.

Make sure to make preparations before you go on holiday. You should be considering what sort of insurance you should purchase if you intend to go to the EU or further abroad. If you are going to drive in EU countries then you will need to have at least third party cover. However, if you are going to a non-EU country, your “green card” should prove that you have at least minimum cover to protect you from any sort of accidents in the future. Your insurer should be able to know how to issue you with one.

Check the overseas driving rules before you go on holiday

Obviously, different countries have different rules for the road. That’s why it’s important to familiarize yourself with local speed limits and road signs. You may want to consider packing extra equipment that can help you drive safely on the road, especially if you are hiring out a car. This can include:

Emission stickers (permits) bought weeks in advance
Headlight converter stickers
Reflective jackets and warning triangle
GB stickers

Be careful if you intend to hire a vehicle abroad. The hire company may ask for your driving licence and driving information. You should consider getting a licence “check code”. This can be purchased up to 21 days before your trip.

Accidents in Europe: Your Rights

Car accidents abroad are more common than you might think. If you have had a collision in the EU, then you can use the system in the European Motor Insurance Directive. This should help you reach a fast settlement of your accident claim. However, keep aware that your claim may be under a different time limit as it happened outside of the UK. Make sure to familiarize yourself with this before your holiday. That way you can always be fully prepared for the worst.

If you were the cause of the accident then the victim, in the other vehicle, may be able to pursue legal damages against you through the green card scheme. You can only claim compensation for your traffic accident if you can prove that you were not the person at fault (aka. not liable for the accident). Traffic accidents are very complicated. You may have to accept partial responsibility, aka. that both you and the other driver in some way caused the collision, or it may even turn out that you were liable for the collision. Take a look at our example below to see what could make a victim of a collision a “non-liable party”.

As you can see from our case study, clearly Thomas suffered losses due to his accident. He had a passenger in the car who had whiplash, therefore was physically hurt, and his car suffered damages and was clearly in need of repair. His losses warranted him to make a compensation claim against the drunk driver. As they were intoxicated whilst driving on the road, and were not paying attention, they caused the accident. Therefore, they are the one who needs to pay compensation to help Thomas get his car fixed and potentially help with his wife’s injuries.

What should you do at the scene of a car accident abroad?

Whether you are involved in a car accident abroad or were on a motorcycle or bike, one of the first things you need to consider is your safety. Have you been hurt in the collision? If you are suffering from bad injuries then you should go to the hospital to get treatment, however you may also want to go to get a medical report (aka. proof of your injuries). You should also consider phoning the police to have a police report created about the car accident. This report can be copied so that you can use it as evidence once you take the case to court.

You should also:

Make notes about the accident.
Take photographs and videos of the accident (including any images of the car’s number plates and the position of the vehicles and environment).
Ask the other driver for their insurance driver.
Take statements/notes from witnesses (make sure to also take down their contact details)
Ask for a translator if you cannot understand the language

European Accident Statements

Now, this depends on whether or not you are driving in Europe. However, most insurance companies will give their drivers a European Accident Statement (EAS). These are statements that can be provided at the scene of an accident. It is a form that comes in various languages and states standard facts about your rights and insurance claims. Make sure to only sign this form if you fully understand the situation and the accident you have been party. You are entitled to receive a copy of the accident statement to be used as evidence in your claim.

If you do not have an EAS then you will need to write down the following information about the accident and driver:

The date, country and place of the accident
Contact details and name of the other driver
The contact details of the other driver’s insurer
Registration number of the other vehicle
Registration country of the other vehicle
Type of vehicle involved in the accident
Names & contact details of the witnesses
Information from police reports
Circumstances behind the accident and whether the parties agree on them

Hired Cars vs Your Own Car

Another thing that you will need to consider during your accident is the type of vehicle you are driving. It is likely that you will not be driving your own vehicle, and will most likely have hired a car. That’s why if it gets damaged it is your responsibility to tell your insurer and the hiring company precisely what happened. That way they can make preparations for you to get a different vehicle and make sure your insurance pay-out is fully arranged.

As you can see, there are a few differences when it comes to dealing with an accident claim in a hired car vs your own car. In any sort of rented vehicle, you need to remember that this is not actually your car. It is a loan. Think of it like you are renting a flat. The only way to get your deposit back is to make sure that that flat is in tip top condition or in the way that you left it. A rented car needs to be in a similar condition. If there are any problems then it will need to be reported immediately. Do not try to do any repairs on a rented vehicle. Instead, tell your rental agency about the problems with the vehicle. They can sort out the repairs for themselves or approve of any repairs you want to make.

How can a lawyer help you with your car accident abroad?

Road traffic accidents are some of the most common cases that lawyers deal with. However, these claims can get more complicated if they happen abroad, due to differing legal codes. This is why they can be extremely difficult to deal with on your own. Not only could you be suffering from your injuries, but adding on the extra stress of a claims case can really have an impact on your mental health and recovery time. This is where an experienced traffic accident lawyer can come in handy.

Your lawyer will know exactly what sort of compensation you could be looking at. Their main aim is to prove that you suffered losses due to the accidents. This includes:

Physical Injuries
Emotional Trauma
Damages to your vehicle
Financial losses
Medical expenses

A trained traffic accident solicitor will go through your case and pick out important evidence to support the fact that you were not at fault for the accident. Any compensation claimed will be to return you to the place you were before you had the accident. Therefore, they will be able to make a rough estimate about what you could potentially be owed. It is useful having this experience on your side. It will help you avoid any potential pitfalls that could invalidate your claim.

Gowing Law’s traffic accident solicitors can help you!

If you are ready to get the compensation that you deserve, it’s time for you to get in contact with Gowing Law Solicitors. Our trained car accident specialists know exactly how to get you the outcome that you deserve. Let them know as much as possible about your claim and they can get started.

Gowing Law’s specialists can offer you free advice and consultations about your claim. We can do this remotely if you are worried about Covid-19. This means that we can communicate over a phone or video call. We can also send you important documentation over email to ensure that we can lessen the spread of the virus. If you decide to work with us, our experienced solicitors can offer you their services on a ”no-win no-fee basis”. That means even if they do not win your case, you will not need to pay out for any fees. There is no risk, therefore you should get in contact with us as quickly as possible.

Make sure that you get your claim in as quickly as possible. Covid-19 has created a long backlog for the judicial system in the UK. That means there is a higher chance that it will take longer for your claim to process. So, let us know how we can help you as quickly as possible! Call 08000418350, email info@gowinglaw.co.uk or use our direct messaging chat located on our contact page. From there, a member of our team will be in contact with you as quickly as possible to answer your questions.

Ready to learn more about traffic claims?

If you want to learn more about traffic accidents in the UK, our blog has a number of interesting articles that cater to your interests! This includes information about traffic accident claim evidence and accidents on public transport. We also talk about financial mis-selling, personal injuries and accidents at work. These blogs are the perfect thing to brush up your knowledge on any sort of claims case. They will also help you understand your claim before you get in contact with your solicitor.

Keep an eye on our blog. We update it every week with new content! If you want to see us cover a certain topic or want to sign up to our weekly newsletter, let us know! Email info@gowinglaw.co.uk and we will listen to all of your suggestions. Our helpful team will be in contact with as quickly as possible to answer any additional questions.

We wish you the best of luck with your traffic accident claim and look forward to seeing you in our next blog.

Hairdressing Accidents: Did your appointment go wrong?

Posted on June 20, 2018 by GLAdmin - Blog

Hairdressing accidents are every fashionista’s nightmare. If you go on Instagram or Facebook, you will see video after video that shows what you can do with bleaching, colour and many different dyes. With the right attention to your hair, you can really enhance your look. However, this does all depend on the experience and expertise of your hairdresser. There is a chance that they could get the procedure wrong and “botch” your hair style.

In some cases, this may force them to cut your hair to a shorter length than you wanted, however in more serious cases, it may leave you with burns, scarring, hair loss and colour stains. You don’t deserve to be left feeling embarrassed, shamed or even in pain due to your latest trip to the hairdresser, especially after hairdressers re-open from the 4th July in the UK. This is when you should be considering looking into compensation to help you recover from hairdressing accidents.

What type of hair dresser accidents are there?

Honestly, hairdressing accidents are a lot more common than you think. Whilst your hairdresser may be experienced and have worked on all sorts of different styles during their professional career, unfortunately mistakes can simply happen.

Now, when it comes to these accidents, you may think that they are simply not worth pursuing. These usually come about because of the hairdresser being forced to rush to keep up with appointment timetables. It could be as a result of a sharp object cutting the skin, i.e. cuts due to scissors or minor burns due to curling/straightening tongs. However, in some instance the injuries can cause serious physical damage. Here are some examples of what you could experience if you go to the wrong hairdresser:

As you can see, some accidents can cause more harm than others. However, the main way that you can claim compensation is by showing that the accident was no fault of your own. Your injury came from the hairdresser’s negligence. You see, all stores have a duty of care towards their clients or customers. It does not matter what area of business they are in. They have to look after any customer that steps foot on their premises. If a mistake does happen due to their employees or hazards that have been left out on the floor, the accident was not your fault. Therefore, you could claim hairdresser accident compensation to help you recover from your losses.

Case Study: Mother & Bleaching

Now, we understand that it can be quite daunting launching a compensation claim against your hairdresser. They may be your local parlor and you may not know where else you can go to have your hair cut. However, all hairdressers are legally required to get employer liability insurance to protect themselves. Most ought to have also invested in hairdressers insurance. This means that if an accident does happen then they will not have to pay the damages out of their own pocket. They can pay from their insurance.

If you are wondering whether or not you should request compensation, take a look at this case study below to give you some inspiration. You may be in a similar situation to this mum:

Whilst this mum cannot claim compensation about balding, as it was caused by her own negligence, the product the hairdresser suggested clearly made it worse. Therefore, they are liable to pay damages for causing harm to her scalp and head. This mother suffered losses, including to her:

Appearance
Finances (if she chose to invest in a wig or sought medical help)
Mental health (including her emotional trauma)
Physical health (due to the injury of hair loss, scabbing and burning)

As you can see, there are a lot of different factors that add up to this mother’s damages that she could claim against the hairdresser. She expected to receive expert advice about her hair loss. Instead, things were simply made worse as she was forced to endure embarrassment and pain on her scalp.

Has something similar happened to you? It does not matter how small your injury is, if it has caused you pain or any sort, you could be due compensation. Your injury was not your fault therefore you will need financial aid to help you recover.

What sort of losses can you claim for?

Usually, when upset customers make a compensation claim against a hairdresser it to sue for physical damages to the hair and scalp. However, did you know that you could also claim for other types of losses? If your injury has been so bad that you have had to pay for medical expenses, or have had to take time off work, you could sue for financial losses. On the other hand, if you have suffered emotionally from your injury, i.e. the embarrassment of having to show your wounds or go out in public, you could also claim for emotional damages.

Discuss these carefully with your solicitor. You need to have evidence that backs up each of your claims. So, make sure to keep evidence that you have lost out financially (i.e. through bills) or emotionally (i.e. through witness statements, testimonies or through a personal diary). The more evidence you have, the more likely that you can prove that you were negatively impacted from the accident in more ways than just through physical damages.

Allergic Reactions to Hair Products

One other injury you could sustain whilst at the hairdressers is due to allergic reaction. If you have sensitive skin then make sure that you tell your hairdresser about it. In reality, your hair dresser should be asking you about whether or not you are allergic to any products. If they do not ask you about it then this could make them liable for any hairdressing accident that has occurred. After all, an experienced hairdresser would have asked you about your allergies and what sort of products would cause a reaction on your scalp.

A reaction to a product may include:

Itchy skin
A red rash
Raised bumps
Swelling of the hands, feet, lips or face
Fainting
Trouble breathing
Vomiting

Whilst minor allergic reactions may only cause skin irritation, which can be rectified by washing out the product, major allergic reactions may end up with the client being hospitalized. This could leave the client with losses that may prevent them from going to work or going on SSP. It’s important to remember that the extent of your injuries will determine the amount of pay out you get. After all, your compensation will depend on the extent you experienced “a loss”. This could include emotional, psychological, physical and financial damages. Remember these in relation to hairdressing accidents in the future.

Violence & Hairdressing Accidents

As we are currently talking about accidents at a hairdressers, one important thing that we need to bring up is violence in the workplace. Whilst women’s aid has taken a stand against domestic violence to look after their customers, sometimes there can be violent altercations in hair salons between co-workers and customers. Each situation is different. However, you could get hurt if you get involved. For instance, if someone was angry over a haircut and started to get violent, you may have tried to get involved in order to stop it. This could mean that you risk get hurt!

No matter what the situation is, the important thing is that you take notes on how the altercation happened and who was responsible. It may not have been an employee, instead it may have been a customer. In this case, partial responsibility may be the outcome if your case is taken to trial (i.e. the customer and the salon pay your compensation.

Make sure to speak to your solicitor before you decide who you are going to sue for compensation. They can guide you through the process and can ensure you pick the appropriate party so your claim is not invalidated.

What should you do if you have suffered an injury at a hairdressers?

The first thing that you need to do is not panic. Losing your hair or suffering burns to the scalp can be extremely traumatic, however you need to think carefully about reporting the incident to higher management. Ask for your injury to be recorded in the hair dresser’s accident book. You should receive a copy of your complaint. Keep this as it will have notes of your accidents and will add to your case. It will prove that you were not at fault for your accident.

From there, you should try and take down as much evidence as possible. This may include:

Photographs of your injuries and the environment
Videos/CCTV Footage
Police reports
Medical reports from your doctor
Witness reports
Diary entries
Receipts of any financial losses you may have made

Did you sign a waiver?

When you go in to any sort of beauty or hair salon, it’s important that you are informed about the type of treatment that you are going to undertake. This usually comes in the form of a waiver. A wavier will detail what sort of treatment you are going to receive. It will also list the type of products that are used. It is up to you to read this wavier and make sure there is nothing in it that could irritate or effect your hair or scalp.

This is where most beauty compensation claims and hair accident claims are most likely to fall or be invalidated. If you simply looked it over, signed it and then suffered an injury, you have claimed responsibility and know what you are getting yourself in to. This means your are liable not the hair dressing business. You were aware of the risk of hairdressing accidents, that is why you cannot claim.

If you sign a waiver then it is your responsibility to tell the hair dresser what could irritate your scalp. Should you not do this then any injuries your suffer could be your own fault, meaning that it is very unlikely that you will receive any sort of compensation claim pay-out.

Gowing Law Solicitors can help you with your hairdressing accident compensation claim

Gowing Law Solicitors is one of the top law firms in the UK. No matter how bad your injury is, we will be here to help you with hairdressing accidents compensation claim. Having a bad haircut can have a dramatic impact on your confidence. That’s why we want to help you with your case. That way you can feel like you have the financial means to recover in your own time without being rushed.

Here at Gowing Law, we can offer you free advice and helpful consultations. That way you know exactly how we can help with your claim. If you do decide to work with us, we work on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means there is no risk in claiming compensation. If we do not win your case then you do not have to pay any legal fees. Therefore, you will always come out on top!

If you want to get in contact with our law firm, feel free to call 0800 041 8350, email info@gowinglaw.co.uk or message us directly by visiting our contact page. We will get back in contact with you as quickly as possible.

Want to learn more?

It is important to read up about your claim before you proceed to court. That’s why Gowing Law Solicitors keeps its blog updated regularly with relevant articles about different UK law information. Whether you have been mis-sold a mortgage or have a PPI tax reclaim, or want to learn more about hairdressing accidents, we can inform you about the steps you need to take in order to have a successful claim. Feel free to browse through a different topics to see if there are any articles that could help you! Don’t forget, if you are a bit confused then make sure to ask your solicitor for more information. They would be more than happy to help.

We also have a weekly newsletter and are happy to accept suggested topics for our blog. Please email info@gowinglaw.co.uk if you want more information!

Gowing Law looks forward to hearing from you soon. We wish you the best of luck with your hairdressing accident compensation claim.

Are you the victim of a knife crime? Claim Criminal Injury Compensation!

Posted on June 20, 2018 by GLAdmin - Blog, Criminal Injury

No one wants to be the victim of a knife crime. To be fair, no one wants to be the victim of any sort of crime. But when the worst comes to the worst, we need to be prepared and ready to act. Now, if you live in London, you may be feeling a little scared about the UK’s current situation. Not only do you have to deal with being in the heart of the spread of Covid-19, but with the recent London protests and counter-protests, it can feel like wherever you go, you simply cannot avoid violence and destructive behavior.

It is important that in this hard times you try to keep yourself and your family safe. If you are worried about the spread of Covid-19, make sure to try and stay home as much as possible. However, if you are the victim of criminal activity, you can claim compensation to help you recovery from your injuries. That way if you do suffer from any losses, whether they are financial, emotional or physical, you can take steps to regain control over your life.

So, what is criminal injuries compensation and how do you claim for it? Read on to find out!

Knife Crime & Your Rights

If an unprovoked knife attack has taken place, and you are the victim of this assault, the first thing that you need to do is seek medical assistance. Seek assistance regardless of the apparent severity of your wounds, especially if your stab wound is classified as a penetrating trauma. Most of all it is important that you get out of the altercation as quickly as possible.

A knife crime can also include:

Carrying a knife that has been banned
Threatening a person with a knife
Trying to buy or carry a knife if you are under 18 years old
Robbing a house/public building with a knife as a weapon
Murdering another person with a knife (i.e. stabbing them)

If you are carrying a knife then you can get in serious trouble with the police, especially if you get into an altercation. Some people carry knives or some form of a weapon in order to feel safe when they are moving around their city. However, if you are caught with them after an incident has happened, this could make you liable for the incident in the first place. After all, you knew the implications of bringing weapons out in public and what may happen if you got into an altercation. This could mean that you may have to pay criminal fines as well as compensation for the victim’s injuries.

Knife Crime & Demographics

When we think about criminal activities, we normally end up thinking about the worst. This includes the impact on our family and friends, the financial impact if your injuries put you in the hospital and many other morbid thoughts, including whether or not you should make a will.

If we are looking at the demographics of knife crime around the UK, in 2019 there were estimated to be around 47,000 offences that either involved a sharp object or a knife. According to statistics, London has the highest rate of offences, leveling at around 169 per 100,000 population. This is most likely because London has a large population and expensive living standards. That means that there is a higher chance that you could be involved in an accident.

Take a look at the following case study below from North London to see what could of criminal injuries could warrant compensation.

Case study:

As you can see from this case study, this man truly was a victim of an attack that was due to no fault of his own. In fact, it simply seemed that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The two criminals admitted to ”not knowing him”, meaning that the liability of the attack fell on them. This admission of guilt meant that they now owed their victim a duty of care to ensure that they recovered from their wounds. This would be in the form of insurance payments and fines.

You may have been through a similar scenario where you were hurt due to no fault of your own. If you can prove that the criminal act was entirely unprovoked and you did nothing to start it, there is a chance you could claim a high amount of compensation. Keep this in mind when you are speaking to your solicitor about your case.

The aftermath and emotional support

Knife crime is a serious issue in the UK. It can leave you feeling like your life has been flipped upside. Not only can you experience physical harm from the assault, but you also may be left with emotional and psychological trauma that can impede your daily activities. This could include going to work or paying for bills.

This is why the UK government has created a compensation scheme for people who have been effected by criminal injuries. The criminal injuries compensation scheme. The scheme calculates your injuries and damages and awards you compensation. That way you will always be in a secure position to recover, even if you need to take time away from work. Visit the UK government website to learn more about this scheme.

Avoiding knife crime in your city

When it comes to avoiding crime, it’s a case of something that is easier said than done. Sometimes you can simply be in the wrong place at the wrong time. For instance, you could be walking down a quiet street to your car or you may be at home when a burglar is trying to break in to your property. However, there are a few things you can do to make it more unlikely that you will end up as a victim of a stabbing or assault.

Some attackers may be more talkative than others before you have to try and defend yourself. Avoid giving strangers any personal details or information about where you live. Instead, try and walk alternative routes or keep them away from your home. You may want to go into a shop or a restaurant in order to inform them that you are being followed. For more information and tips on how to protect yourself against a knife attack, make sure to look at knifecrimes.org. They have a lot of points that can keep your safe when you need to go out.

How much compensation could I receive from a criminal activity claim?

Now, this depends largely on the amount of injuries you have suffered from your attack. Every criminal injury compensation case is different. In some cases, the victim may have tried to fight back to protect vulnerable people or themselves, meaning that their wounds were made worse. In every case, the amount of risk is looked at carefully and actions are judged on whether they were justified.

The payment you receive will also depend on whether or not your crime was witnessed. Having evidence can show how you tried to de-escalate the situation, but were not successful due to the aggressor can be proof that you were not liable for your injuries. Evidence may include:

Photographs
Photographs of injuries or the scene of the crime
Videos
Witness Statements
Diary Entries
Medical Treatment
Police reports

If there were any witnesses to the crime, there is a chance that they could also receive compensation for mental disturbance, especially if they were involved in the aftermath of the knife attack. However, this will only be awarded in special circumstances.

What can I be compensated for?

As you can see, there are a number of different ways that you can claim compensation. Again, it depends on the severity of your injuries, but in this case it is important to consider physical and mental compensation claims. You can claim for more than just one state of damage. After all, you may have only suffered a minor stab wound, but are now suffer psychological trauma that prevents you from going outside without feeling frightened. You could claim more compensation if you can prove how the experience has negatively impacted your life. Make sure to keep evidence available, including videos, witness statements and diary entries. That way you can show instead of telling your story when you are in court.

Do not worry if you cannot go to court, your solicitor can represent you in the case. You may not be able to go due to the extent of your injuries. That’s why it is so important to have legal help when you start to file a compensation claim. If you cannot make the court date, then they can go in your place.

How long do you have to make a compensation claim?

Criminal injury cases must be brought to court at least 2 years after the incident date. It is recommended that you try to claim compensation as quickly as possible with the help of a trained lawyer. Think about it this way, you are still recovering from your wounds. You can therefore still be suffering serious financial losses due to being injured, for instance if you have not been able to go to work because you have been in hospital, and therefore lost out on some of your wages. Claiming compensation for the attack could mean that you can recover without having to worry about your bills. That peace of mind can really help you on the road to settling any trauma you may have endured.

Gowing Law’s Trained Solicitors can help you with your case!

Here at Gowing Law, we are proud that we can help people who have suffered from knife attacks. No one deserves to live in fear because of a criminal act. That’s why Gowing Law is here to support you. We can make sure that you get the compensation you deserve to recuperate at your own pace. Our specialist criminal injury lawyers can help you organize your information and represent you in court if you are still in the hospital due to your injuries.

All of our solicitors can offer free advice and consultations to discuss your case. If you choose to work with us, then we can offer you service on a “no win-no fee basis”. That means even if you do not get the outcome you want, you will still come out on top. You will not need to pay any additional fees.

If you are interested in working with us on your criminal injury case, please get in contact as soon as possible. You can call 0800 041 8350 or email info@gowinglaw.co.uk. If you want to directly contact us, please use our direct messaging services located on our contact page.

Gowing Law also has a weekly newsletter that we can sign you up for if you want more information on our different offered services. Let us know if you would like us to sign you up!

Want to read more about criminal Injury cases?

If you have enjoyed reading this blog, you are in luck! We have a number of detailed articles about UK law and current legal issues. For instance, if you are worried about Covid-19, please take a look at our safety at work and safety in retail pages. All of our blogs contain a lot of information that could be relevant to your case. If you have any questions about them then please feel free to let us know. We would also be happy to write about your own blog suggestions. Simply message info@gowinglaw.co.uk and we can get started.

We wish you the best of luck with your compensation case and look forward to hearing from you soon!

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