Concern
What will it cost me?
Pursuing a claim for compensation need not be expensive or risky. If at your free initial consultation we consider that your claim has a reasonable prospect of success; we will then consider the most appropriate method of funding your case. Assuming that you are not entitled to public funding and don't have any other financial support in place, such as legal expenses insurance, you will probably be advised to consider a conditional fee agreement. This is also known as a "no win no fee" agreement. Under such an agreement no fee is payable if your claim fails. Your solicitor will only get paid if your claim succeeds.
The terms and effect of conditional fee agreements can vary widely with different firms and agencies. Ensure that your solicitor explains clearly what your responsibilities and obligations are under the agreement. Not every conditional fee agreement is as advantageous as it sounds. It is our standard policy to limit our fees to what we can recover on your behalf from your opponent. Other less generous "no win, no fee" agreements can result in the unpleasant surprise of facing a substantial success fee deduction from your compensation award. It is our usual policy to insist that our client's take out legal costs insurance to protect them from the risk of having to pay their opponent's costs.
Otherwise you could be held personally responsible for payment your opponent's costs; not just where you entire claim fails but also were you to fail in a dispute on a point law or issue within an otherwise successful claim. Fortunately you can recover the insurance premium from your opponents if your claim succeeds.
What if I can't fill out the paperwork? And what if I haven't claimed before and don't understand the process?
Claim Today Solicitors are unique in that we can offer you a home visit, whereby we will visit you at your home address, fill out all the documentation for you and explain the entire claims process. We have competent multi lingual staff to assist you with your claim and if we obtain an admission of liability, we can arrange a Medical Expert to visit your locality.
Do I really need a solicitor?
When making a claim you will be up against an insurance company that has a vast amount of experience in dealing with personal injury claims. This is what they are trained and specialised in doing. Laws governing compensation are complex and time consuming and insurance companies will try to do all they can (within the law) to reduce the amount of compensation they wish to pay to you. In order to combat this and to lead you through the legal jargon, it is highly recommended that you instruct somebody who knows this specialist area of the law to represent your interests. At Claim Today Solicitors we have expert solicitors that cover all these areas of law and are here to act upon your behalf, providing a fast and effective service.
Will I have to attend a court hearing?
The vast majority of claims settle without the need even for court proceedings. Of those claims that do result in proceedings, only a small percentage results in a court hearing. However, this is sometimes necessary and so it is necessary to prepare each claim diligently, as though it were destined to proceed to a trial. Your solicitor will have helped you prepare a written statement that will usually form the basis of your evidence in court. You will be represented at court either by your solicitor or by a barrister whom your solicitor will have instructed on your behalf.
How good are my chances of winning my case?
We will make an initial assessment of the merits of your claim at our first meeting, We will then write and confirm that advice. The prospect of success is one of the factors that affect the level of the success fee.
What will people think of me if I claim?
Making a claim is your legal right, if you have had an accident that wasn't your fault then you are legally entitled to make a claim. You are claiming because you have suffered an injustice and you should not be expected to suffer in silence. In addition, by claiming you could prevent another innocent person from injuring themselves in the future.
Can I lose my job, if I have an accident at work and decide to make a claim against my employers?
No, it would be unlawful for your employers to take any disciplinary action against you for making a claim. Your employers would have Insurance policies in place to cover for accidents that their employees have whilst on their premises. Your employer's Insurance Company would therefore pay the compensation, if you were successful in your case, not your employer.
If any disciplinary action was taken, this would amount to Unfair Dismissal.