In the UK, personal injury, from a legal standpoint, can be considered one or both of the following:
- A physical illness or injury
- A psychological illness or injury
Example of Personal Injury Claims
Sometimes a personal injury leads to death. Therefore, examples of personal injury claims can be any of the following:
- An illness at work that was caused by exposure to a chemical or a material such as asbestos
- A stress-induced psychological illness that originated at work
- An injury that resulted from a faulty service or product
- An injury received in a traffic accident
- An injury caused by a hospital error
- A psychological or physical injury that resulted from a crime
- A psychological illness that resulted from harassment on the job
Do You Need to Submit a Claim?
So, if you have suffered an injury or illness yourself or want to receive compensation for someone who died as the result of a personal injury, you need to speak with personal injury solicitors in Yorkshire about your claim.
You also need to consider the following:
- Are you unable to work and have problems with paying bills because of a personal injury or illness?
- Do you need to contact an organisation about counselling for a psychological illness related to a personal injury?
- Do you wish to complain to the party that you believe was responsible for your injury or illness?
Have You Been Injured in a Car Accident?
If you have been injured in a car accident, you need to report the mishap to the police and your insurance company. Your policy may be voided if the accident goes unreported. Also, report the injury to your doctor in case it becomes serious. You should always take this step even if you believe your injury is minor. If you eventually go to court, you will be required to supply a medical report.
Also, collect any evidence about your condition and the accident. It is always helpful to take photos of the accident scene or write an account of the incident when it is still fresh in your thoughts. You should also take down the contact information for any witnesses.
Work-Related Accidents
If an accident happens at work, it needs to be included in the accident book. If your employer does not have an accident book, you need to write details about the mishap and the ensuring injuries. Send the information to your company and keep a copy for yourself.
If you are self-employed and are injured, you are legally required to report the injury to either the local authority environmental health department or the HSE (Health and Safety Executive).
You can elect to obtain compensation in one of several ways. You can solicit help from a claims assessor or take your case to a civil court. You can also submit a personal injury claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. Special compensation schemes are also in place for injuries that result from asbestos exposure or damage from a vaccine. A criminal compensation order may also be submitted to the court for personal injuries suffered during a crime.