August 20, 2009 – Worcestershire, England – Hinchliffes Solicitors, a leading firm of personal injury compensation claims solicitors, issue a warning to everyone involved with Fork Lift Trucks (FLTs) highlighting the dangers associated with this type of equipment, particularly during the month of September.

Statistically, September is the “deadliest” month of the year for accidents involving FLTs.  Accidents frequently occur when FLT drivers or pedestrians in warehouses are distracted, or simply assume that they have been seen by the other party. Most of these accidents are entirely avoidable. In respect of those that happen because of the failure of an employer to have a safe system of work in place, or because of the negligence of a colleague, the injured person may well have a strong claim for personal injury compensation against the employer (who will also be responsible for the actions of their workforce).

Around 400 workers are seriously injured in FLT accidents every year, with the most serious accidents resulting in around 10 fatalities annually.  Many more suffer less severe injuries, but which can still be painful and result in having to take time off work to recover.

Solicitor Steven Hinchliffe, the Principal and owner of Hinchliffes Solicitors, said: “Whether it is because people are returning from holiday and not fully concentrating on their work, or for some other inexplicable reason, there are about twice as many FLT accidents in September than in any other month.  As September is almost upon us, workers need to be extra vigilant for their own safety and also for the safety of others.”

Because FLTs are such heavy machines, accidents often result in the injured worker having to take time off immediately afterwards, which can mean they lose wages and struggle to keep up with household bills.  Even though they have 3 years in which to start personal injury claims against their employer, it is always the best option to contact experienced claims solicitors straight away.  Specialist personal injury compensation solicitors will not only ensure that the correct level of compensation is recovered for their injuries, but will also strive to recover all financial losses, including lost income.

For many years the Government and health & safety interest groups have taken steps to try and improve safety in the workplace and also to reduce the number of personal injury claims from work accidents.  They have achieved a degree of success in this regard.  However, Phillip Roberts, an Associate Solicitor with the firm, says: “There is still a cavalier attitude with some employers about the safe use of FLTs and many employees race about the workplace in these high powered and potentially lethal machines.  It is therefore not surprising that accidents continue to happen, with workers being badly injured.”

Steven Hinchliffe believes that it will be a long time before accidents in the workplace become a thing of the past, and it is likely that a certain number of accidents will always happen.  Fortunately for injured workers, in cases where the accident was the fault of another party they have some means of redress by making injury compensation claim against the party at fault.  In this situation, in order to maximise the amount of injury compensation claim they can recover, they may want to consider contacting specialist claims solicitors direct.

If you are in any doubt about how to make personal injury claims, discuss the matter with solicitors Steven Hinchliffe and Phillip Roberts, who can be contacted free on 0800 138 1348.  Alternatively, they will respond to enquiries made via the firm’s website www.hinchliffes.co.uk

August 17, 2009 – Worcestershire, England – Hinchliffes Solicitors, a leading firm of personal injury compensation claims solicitors, say that recent research shows the number of children and young people injured in road traffic accidents in the morning rush hour has reduced considerably.  Between January and June 2008 there were 344 road accidents involving children, but for the same period in 2009 this number dropped to 228.  Some commentators suggest the recession may be linked to the reduction in this type of accident, occurring at the time of the morning “school run”.

Solicitor Steven Hinchliffe, who is the Principal and owner of Hinchliffes Solicitors, said:  “Fuel prices and the other overhead costs involved in running a car have become a great burden on many families during the current economic downturn.  Many parents are now walking their children to school rather than travelling in the family car.  Fewer car journeys have resulted in a reduction in accidents, and which is a good thing.”

The statistics from the Department of Transport also reveal that the number of children who are either killed or suffer serious personal injury in this type of accident has decreased by 9% in 2009 when comparing the figures for the same period in 2008.

Phillip Roberts, an Associate Solicitor with the firm, says: “Traffic is at its busiest first thing in the morning and this may well be the most dangerous time for anyone to be driving, particularly for those taking children to school, as they are often distracted by the demands of the children or are having to rush because they are running late.”

Many personal injury claims following a road accident involve multiple parties, for example with the driver and passengers from one vehicle seeking personal injury compensation from the driver of another vehicle, who may have caused the accident due to their lack of attention and carelessness.  Sometimes personal injury claims are made by passengers against the driver of the car they are in, even if it is friend or relative, if that person has caused the accident.  Whatever the situation, the passenger will almost always be an innocent party and their personal injury claims are usually straight forward to deal with.  Therefore, a child who is injured while a passenger would always have a strong claim for personal injury compensation against the guilty party, which would be met by their insurers – even if the guilty party was the parent!

Adults involved in accidents only have 3 years from the date of the accident to pursue personal injury claims, but for a child this period is extended until their 21st birthday, even if the accident occurred when they were very young.  Nevertheless, it is always best to consider making a personal injury compensation claim as soon as possible, while the evidence is fresh and the guilty party can be traced.

If you are in any doubt about how to make personal injury claims, discuss the matter with solicitors Steven Hinchliffe and Phillip Roberts, who can be contacted free on 0800 138 1348.  Alternatively, they will respond to enquiries made via the firm’s website www.hinchliffes.co.uk

Worcestershire, England – July 15 – Hinchliffes Solicitors, a leading firm of personal injury claims solicitors, have issued a warning to people looking for personal injury compensation to be wary of companies who state they are specialists in this area.

They have found that the current trend is for almost everyone involved in personal injury claims to assert that they are specialists.  Companies want you to use their services and will do and say almost anything to attract your business.  One definition of the word ‘specialist’ is someone “who is devoted to a particular occupation or branch of study or research”.  However, they may be devoted to a particular occupation, but that does not necessarily mean they are any good at it!

The Internet is full of companies offering so called specialist personal injury claims services.  Many of them are claims management companies who promise you the earth and then sell your case for £700 or more to the claims solicitors on their panel.  It does not matter to them whether those claims solicitors are true specialists in this field, so long as they will pay a high price for the work.

When asked to comment, solicitor Steven Hinchliffe, the owner of Hinchliffes Solicitors, said: “It really is a minefield for people seeking advice on personal injury claims, for at every turn there is someone desperately trying to get hold of their claim.  Injured people should be careful to choose a true specialist, who can achieve the correct level of personal injury compensation.  All claims solicitors at my firm are senior members of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, which supports injured people by fighting for their rights.”

Since all personal injury claims are actually handled by firms of solicitors, an injured person may want to consider contacting a specialist firm direct, rather than using a claims company which will add nothing to the claims process at all.  Internet searches using phrases such as “personal injury claims solicitors” or “personal injury compensation solicitors” should provide ample choice.  However, bear in mind that many claims management companies’ websites give the impression that you are dealing direct with solicitors when you are not, so be careful.

Phillip Roberts, an Associate Solicitor with Hinchliffes Solicitors says: “It can be a very worrying time for a client following an accident.  We do our best to reassure them and fully explain the procedure throughout the whole claim, guiding them through both the practical and legal issues.”

The firm’s advice to injured people is that once they have found a website offering a personal injury claims service, they should take a look at the whole site.  Is there information about how compensation for various injuries is valued or how the claim is dealt with?  Are personal injury claims dealt with in a call centre style operation by unqualified staff, or personally handled by an experienced claims solicitor?  Be sure that the website tells you everything you want to know, because if there is a lack of clear information, there may also be a lack of expertise in handling the claim. If you have a question before deciding whether to use their service, send an email or call them. Avoid being pressured to make a hurried decision and commit yourself before you have had time to reflect and consider what they can truly offer.

If you are in any doubt about how to make a claim for personal injury compensation, solicitors Steven Hinchliffe and Phillip Roberts can be contacted on the freephone number 0800 138 1348, or they will respond to an enquiry made via the firm’s website www.hinchliffes.co.uk

Worcestershire, England – July 15- Hinchliffes Solicitors have recently confirmed that over £5,500,000 in personal injury compensation has now been recovered for clients who have used their services. This shows that their specialist claim solicitors provide high quality services to make a successful personal injury claim.

Hinchliffes Solicitors, one of the leading firms of personal injury compensation solicitors, help people every day to make personal injury claims.  The firm has recently confirmed that over £5,500,000 in compensation has now been recovered for clients who have used their services to make a successful injury compensation claim.

The Principal and owner of the firm, Solicitor Steven Hinchliffe, said: “This is a great achievement and shows that our committed team of specialist solicitors and skilled support staff can provide a high quality, personal service, putting clients’ interests and wellbeing first.  Whether the injured person has suffered a relatively minor injury (such as a whiplash injury in a road accident) or a devastating and catastrophic injury (such as a head injury or loss of a limb following a work accident), our specialist personal injury solicitors have the legal know-how to achieve the best possible level of compensation for the client.”

Remarkably, their legal services are provided on a No Win No Fee basis, without cost or risk to the injured person. This is because if the injury compensation claim is successful, the client will also be able to recover the legal fees and costs incurred from the negligent party’s insurers, and no deductions are made from their personal injury compensation.  However, if the claim is unsuccessful the client is protected from all costs and has no bills to pay. Therefore, win or lose, clients of Hinchliffes Solicitors do not have anything to pay!

Associate Solicitor Phillip Roberts says:”We understand how an accident can radically alter a person’s life and that in severe cases; no amount of personal injury compensation can return them to their previous condition.  Our aim is therefore for clients to receive the right award of compensation, together with excellent medical and rehabilitative treatment.  We have access to outstanding medical experts and based upon their reports we work with the negligent party’s insurers to make available the rehabilitation treatment necessary to help each client rebuild their lives.”

The firm has developed its service to be as uncomplicated as possible. In the majority of cases there is no need for clients to visit the office, as everything can be done by letter, telephone or email. The firm believes their success as one of the foremost personal injury claims solicitors is the result of their commitment to providing a personal service and treating people as individuals.

Steven Hinchliffe added: “Our team of injury compensation claim specialists has the experience and expertise to deal with most types of personal injury claims, including work accidents or work related diseases; car and other road accidents; accidents on holiday; defective product claims; animal attacks and accidents in a public place such as slip, trip or fall accidents.”

The firm has built its reputation by ensuring their clients have access to justice, confident in the knowledge that win or lose they will not be asked to pay a penny to the firm, so long as the client does not breach their agreement with them.

Potential clients who are uncertain whether they can make a claim for personal injury compensation are encouraged to call free on 0800 138 1348 and speak to solicitors Steven Hinchliffe or Phillip Roberts, or to submit a claim form via the firm’s website www.hinchliffes.co.uk. All enquirers are under no obligation to proceed and will not be pressured into making an injury compensation claim.