Reports in this weeks media state that over 5 million UK families have payment protection insurance attached to a loan, credit card or mortgage.

Payment protection insurance has been in the headlines in recent times for all the wrong reasons as thousands of people have complained that they were mis-sold worthless insurance policies attached to personal loans, credit cards and mortgages.

Many people have complained that they were told by finance companies and loan advisors that their applications for credit would only be approved if they agreed to take out payment protection insurance (also referred to as PPI) on top of the money they were borrowing.

Finance companies and loan providers received big commissions for selling payment protection insurance and have now been deluged with thousands of complaints and have already had to hand back millions of pounds to consumers who have been mis-sold policies.

The process of making a complaint isn’t as simple as it may initially seem as many finance companies are trying their hardest to defend themselves to avoid having to make a costly payout.

There is also no way of consumers being totally confident that any money they are offered as compensation is the correct and fair amount, this can lead to consumers accepting an offer that is too low and undersettling their PPI claim.

Making a complaint can be hard work, time consuming, frustrating and often confusing, which is why Pinto Potts Solicitors recommend anyone looking to claim back payment protection insurance use their specialist no win, no fee PPI claims service.

By using an experienced Solicitor payment protection insurance customers can sit back and leave the complicated arguments and financial calculations to a PPI legal expert and when an offer of compensation is put forward claimants are safe in the knowledge that it will have been checked by a specialist before any recommendation to accept or reject is made.

Anyone looking to make a claim for mis-sold payment protection insurance should contact Pinto Potts Solicitors on 0800 316 4434.

The recent cold snap that has struck much of Britain brought with it treacherous driving conditions with thick snow and ice covering many of the UK’s roads.

Despite motoring organisations issuing warnings to car owners to only take to the road if absolutely necessary there have still been thousands of car accidents as a direct result of the terrible driving conditions.

Insurance companies will be bracing themselves, as it is estimated that the repair bill for damage caused to cars involved in accidents in the snow and ice could run into several million pounds.

On top of that is the cost of personal injury compensation payments that will be due to anyone who was injured in a car accident through no fault of their own, payouts will be due to car passengers and motorists who have been hit by another car.

Pedestrians and cyclists who have been involved in accidents with cars and other vehicles that have lost control on ice or snow will also likely be able to claim compensation for any injuries they received.

Anyone who has been hurt as a result of a car accident in the snow and ice should seek advice from a Solicitor who has specialist experience of dealing with road traffic accident claims.

Pinto Potts Solicitors have many years experience handling compensation  claims for victims of accidents on the road and always ensure clients receive private medical treatment where required and the best possible payout.

Pinto Potts handle road accident claims on a “No Fee” basis, this means clients don’t pay a penny as the legal fees are paid by the other persons insurance company.

For immediate free confidential legal advice about making a claim call: 0800 316 4434

Related article: 7 Tips on how to avoid a road accident

A man who fell from a ladder whilst working as an electrical engineer has been awarded a compensation payout of £450,000.

The man suffered serious injuries after the 13 foot fall from the ladder onto concrete paving slabs below, he sustained serious injuries to his ankles which resulted in him having to have his  left leg amputated below the knee.

The man was working on external cabling at the side of a house when the accident happened, he had not been provided with a safety harness or given any training by his employer.

The man now faces a long period of rehabilition and will require caring for at home, the compensation payment will help cover the costs associated with this and the money lost through him not being able to work. 

Falls from height are the most common type of injury in the workplace, with scaffolding and ladder falls being among the main type of work related accident.

Anyone who has to work at height as part of their job must be given the correct safety equipment and training from their employer by law.

If an employee is injured after falling from height there is a good chance they will be able to make a claim for personal injury compensation, especially if their employer has failed to provide suitable training or equipment.

After seeking medical attention the next step for anyone hurt in a fall from height is to speak to a specialist injury claims Solicitor. They will be able to give legal advice and information about making a claim and will give an indication as to the likelihood of the claim being successful.

The Solicitor will normally make a claim against the insurance policy the employer would have taken out to cover them against any accident claims of this nature.

Making a claim for injury compensation after a fall from height should not cost the claimant any money, any reputable Solicitor will handle the case on a “no fee” basis and will recover their fees from the other side.

Pinto Potts are specialist Solicitors with many years experience in handling claims for people who have sustained injuries at work.

If you, a friend or family member have been involved in an accident in the workplace call 0800 316 4434 to speak directly to a Solicitor who will provide confidential advice about making a claim and what to do next.

Related article: 5 steps to ladder safety

Concerts and sporting events often attract huge crowds, having such a large number of people all in the same place requires careful health and safety planning to ensure the correct deployment of safety barriers, stewards and emergency exits.

With large crowds safety must be the first priority, if too many people are allowed into the same area it can result in overcrowding which can lead to people in the crowd being crushed and injured.

A recent case at a free Christmas concert by boy band JLS in Birmingham resulted in members of the audience being crushed and suffering injuries ranging from bruising to broken bones and fractures. The incident appears to have happened as a result of too many people being allowed to stand in the same area at the same time.

Anyone who has been injured through no fault of their own in a large crowd would generally be able to make a claim for personal injury compensation.

Pinto Potts Solicitors are compensation claims specialists, for free, confidential advice about making a claim call: 0800 316 4434

For a reliable, low cost document signing service Pinto Potts Solicitors are pleased to recommend DocSign.

DocSign work with Pinto Potts and arrange for forms to be completed for our clients, which saves our clients time and hassle having to fill them in themselves.

DocSign send their professional, courteous agents to clients homes so they can sign the forms and documents which are then securely returned to us.

We are pleased that the DocSign document signing service makes life much easier for our clients and saves them time and effort having to fill in forms and questionnaires.

The DocSign agents will even collect paperwork and documents from our clients when they go to visit, some of the items we have had agents collect include photographs, insurance documents and loan agreements (for PPI claims).

If you are a Solicitor looking for a low cost, reputable document sign up company get in touch with DocSign.

Visit the DocSign website

PPI (Payment Protection Insurance) claims continue to make the headlines, recently “Which” have issued a stark warning to people looking to recover mis-sold PPI premiums, warning them against using claims management companies to reclaim payment protection insurance.

Research has shown that many claims companies charge upfront fees (in addition to a percentage of any compensation awarded), exaggerate success rates and don’t have the same robust regulation as Solicitors, the report  said that a minority of claims companies were also unable to explain about their regulation.

“Which” also points out that people can make a PPI claim themselves without using a claims company, whilst this is true and many people follow this route, our experience as PPI claims Solicitors has shown that a vast majority of people don’t have the time or inclination to get involved in writing letters and entering into complaints and arguments with loan companies.

As a minimum anyone making a complaint about PPI mis-selling will need to have a good understanding of the rules that were in force at the time of the mis-sale and should the lender reject the complaint they need to be prepared for more complicated legal arguments.

In addition there are also complex calculations used to work out and check compensation offers, anyone claiming on their own would unlikely be able to know whether an offer has been correctly calculated or not and once an offer has been accepted it is “full and final”, you can’t go back and ask for more, so it is crucial that the calculations in any compensation offers are checked (there is specialist software that can do this).

Our advice for anyone considering making a claim to recover their PPI premium is to speak with us first, we are a specialist Solicitor with a dedicated team of PPI claims experts.

We provide free advice about making a PPI claim and any cases we take on are handled on a “no win, no fee” basis. 

For more advice and information about making a PPI claim call Pinto Potts Solicitors on: 0800 316 4434.

List of UK Lenders who sold  PPI (Payment Protection Insurance):

Ford have said that the inflatable seat belts spread the force from a car impact over five times more body area than a normal seat belt. This significantly reduces chest pressure upon impact and also helps to control head and neck motion. 

The belt can sense a crash and the tube shaped airbag is able to inflate with cold compressed gas from a cylinder below the seat in just 40 milliseconds.

The cutting edge technology isn’t just restricted to the car driver, Ford have also developed inflatable seat belts to protect passengers in the front and rear. Ford believe the seat belt will dramatically enhance safety and reduce whiplash and other injuries, especially for children who are particularly vulnerable in a car accident.

A spokesman for Ford said: “It’s a very simple and logical system, but it required extensive trial and error and testing over several years to prove out the technology and ensure precise reliable performance in a crash situation.”

In 1955 Ford became the first ever car manufacturer to introduce seat belts and they were at the forefront of air bag technology with air bags as standard in nearly all of their models by 1993.

For anyone hurt in a car accident they need to consider whether they should make a claim for any personal injuries they suffered, if the accident wasn’t their own fault (which is always the case with passengers travelling in a car) then the likelihood is they will be able to obtain a compensation payment for any injuries they have sustained.

The best course of action is for anyone who has been injured is to speak with a reputable, specialist personal injury Solicitor who deals with car accident claims.

A Solicitor will provide legal advice about what to do next and also give an indication of the likely value of a claim and the chances of success, most law firms will give an initial consultation about a possible claim free of charge and many will be happy to take a case on a “no fee” basis.

Pinto Potts Solicitors have a team of specialist road traffic accident lawyers with many years experience, if you, a friend or family member have been hurt in a car accidents you can call 0800 316 4434 for free, confidential advice about making a claim for personal injury.

Every year there are around 250,000 people injured on the UK’s roads, many in car accidents or as pedestrians or cyclists.

This figure amounts to nearly 700 people a day being hurt on roads in the UK, which is an average of one person every 2 minutes and many of these accidents involve serious and even fatal injuries.

The UK government, car manufacturers and road accident groups have worked hard to reduce the figure and the number of people injured each year has come down slightly year on year, which is a positive result when considering how many new cars and drivers come to the UK’s roads per annum.  

The most common injury sustained in a car from a road traffic accident is whiplash, but it is not uncommon for accident victims to sustain injuries ranging from cuts and bruises through to broken bones and serious fractures. 

Anyone hurt in a car accident through no fault of their own is entitled to make a compensation claim for personal injury, after seeking medical treatment for their injuries the next step should be to speak to a specialist Solicitor.

Pinto Potts are specialist Solicitors who have been helping victims of road traffic accidents since the 1970’s and have recovered many millions of pounds in damages for people who have been injured.

If you have been hurt in a car accident through no fault of your own call Pinto Potts Solicitors on 0800 316 4434 for confidential, free initial advice about making a claim.

Pinto Potts Solicitors a specialist personal injury firm in Aldershot require a Para-Legal to work in a new “preliminary” department dealing with the setting up of new personal injury matters, assessing the merits of success, advising clients on the law regarding Health and Safety, Limitation, Date of Knowledge and Damages.  

The role will include completing risk assessment documentation, direct inter-face with potential new clients to obtain information to sufficiently and accurately risk assess cases, prepare client care documentation and Conditional Fee Agreements.

The successful candidate will also be required to give verbal explanations .

Successful candidates will be computer literate have a good telephone manner and a commitment to work as a team and will have done personal injury and clinical negligence elective in LPC.

There may be more than one vacancy of this type and the role has the opportunities for the right candidate to develop their legal skills in the field of personal injury and possible progression within the firm although currently no training contracts are being offered

Candidates should expect a starting salary, depending on age and experience of between £14,000.00 and £17,000.00 per annum.

Candidates should submit their CV and letter of application to:- nigel.cragg@pintopotts.co.uk

College of Law notified 29/10/2009

Recent reports have highlighted the dangers faced by todays maritime workers, in particular those involved in on-shore work, mooring and anchoring ships and boats at ports and docks.

There has been a large increase in the number of shore based UK shipping workers injured during the mooring and anchoring process.

With there being so many different designs of large ship in use, the forces acting on them can be huge and need to be understood by today’s mariners and shore workers.

Pinto Potts Solicitors have learned this week that over 75% of all accidents that happen in Supermarkets involve members of staff.

This shocking revelation could indicate a major problem with safety standards in the supermarket industry as thousands of workers suffer injury every year.

Among the most common accidents in supermarkets where staff end up injured are:

• Slips and Falls on spillages (liquids, produce, fruit etc’)
• Injuries after being hit by items falling from height
• Back strains and muscle injury from heavy lifting
• Accidents with vehicles (when working in a supermarket car park or delivery area)
• Falls and trips on uneven floor surfaces or car park potholes
• Injuries caused when safety clothing hasn’t been provided (gloves, eye goggles, boots etc’)

A member of the supermarket staff may not know what to do if they end up hurt through no fault of their own while they are at work, the first thing should be to seek medical assistance, depending on the severity of the injury this may be with the supermarket first aider or for a more serious injury a trip to hospital or an ambulance may be needed.

Once medical treatment has been administered it is important to have the incident logged in the accident record, all supermarkets are required to keep an accident book to comply with health and safety regulations.

If the accident happened because of a defect (such as uneven flooring or a pot hole in the car park) photographs should be taken as this will help the case for claiming compensation. If details of witnesses to the accident can be obtained this would also be useful.

At this point the victim should speak with an injury claims Solicitor about making a claim for compensation, they do not need to worry about the fact that the claim will be against their employer as the Solicitor will deal with the supermarkets insurance company rather than the supermarket directly.

A specialist Solicitor with experience of handling claims against supermarkets will already have the details of who the insurance company is and will be able to correspond directly with the insurer from the outset of the claim.

By dealing with a Solicitor who has previous experience of making claims against supermarkets it will likely ensure the victim obtains the maximum possible amount of compensation and will take away the danger of a claim being under-settled.

By using a specialist Solicitor the victim will also be safe in the knowledge that their experience will have given them an excellent understanding of the claims process and increase the chances of making a successful claim.

Pinto Potts Solicitors have considerable experience in making claims against supermarkets, both on behalf of staff and customers. If you, a friend, colleague or family member have been injured in a supermarket please get in touch for free advice on what to do next, call freephone: 0800 316 4434.

Who are the UK’s Leading Supermarkets?

• Tesco
• Sainsburys
• Asda
• Iceland
• Morrisons
• Somerfield
• Lidl
• Netto

Related article about supermarket accident claims.

After the recent case at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant chain “Jamies Italian” where a chef was awarded £8500 compensation (plus legal costs) after being badly burned with hot oil while she was on a training day, all restaurant owners and kitchen workers have been warned to be aware of the dangers of their workplace.

In the UK the modern restaurant is often a busy, fast moving environment, the kitchen is normally full of hot stoves, ovens and pans and an accident can easily occur.

There is also a further risk of accidents from spillages on the floor and sharp utensils left on kitchen work surfaces.

Video – Restaurant Kitchen Safety

It is the responsibility of the restaurant owner to ensure all staff (and customers) are kept safe, should a member of staff be involved in an accident and end up injured through no fault of their own they would normally be able to make a claim for personal injury compensation, generally the claim would be made against the restaurants insurance policy.

Some of the most common restaurant accidents that involve a compensation claim being made are:

• Burns in the restaurant kitchen
• Cuts from sharp knives and other kitchen equipment
• Slips on spilt liquids left on the kitchen or dining room floor
• Falls and trips over boxes or other items that should have been stored away
• Food poisoning
• Falls from height when a ladder hasn’t been supplied
• Trips on worn or uneven flooring (carpet and tiles)
• Electric shock injuries and burns from faulty electrical equipment 

Injuries to workers in restaurant kitchens can range from minor bruises and cuts through to serious burns and broken bones.

Anyone who is hurt through no fault of their own while working in a restaurant kitchen should seek legal advice from a specialist Solicitor about making a claim for injury compensation.

Pinto Potts are specialist Solicitors with considerable experience in handling such claims, clients are generally provided with access to private medical treatment to ensure the quickest possible recovery from their injuries and Pinto Potts always endeavour to obtain the very highest compensation payout.

For free, confidential advice about making a claim, call Pinto Potts Solicitors on 0800 316 4434.

Forklift accidents can be a danger for many people in many types of industry, the modern forklift truck is used in a variety of different workplaces, from factory floors, courier depots, distribution centres and engineering plants.

Anyone who uses or works where forklift trucks are operated should be given the appropriate health and safety training by their employer (and where necessary suitable safety wear and clothing should be provided).

Video – Forklift Driving Safety Golden Rules
 

When used correctly forklift trucks are a very useful piece of equipment that makes the movement of heavy objects much easier, especially if they are located at height

However when used incorrectly forklift trucks can represent a serious danger both to the operator and anyone in the area where the forklift is being used.

There are over 8000 accidents in the UK every year involving forklift trucks, an accident involving a forklift will almost certainly invlove an injury of some description, either to the driver or their colleagues, the most common forklift accidents that lead to injury are:

• People being hit or run over by forklift trucks (especially when reversing)
• Falls from forklift trucks (unsafe platforms are common)
• Crush injury accidents
• People hit by unstable items falling from the forklift truck forks
• Overturning forklift trucks

All employers have a duty of care to their staff, this means they must take the appropriate steps to ensure all employees are correctly trained on health and safety matters and anyone operating machinery or equipment (such as a forklift truck) has been properly shown how to do so.

If an employer fails to take adequate safety steps or doesn’t provide proper  training, supervision or instructions to staff there is a likelhood that an accident will occur, anyone injured in an accident under these circumstances would very likely be able to make a claim against the employers insurance policy.  

It is recommended that anyone hurt in an accident involving a forklift truck seeks specialist legal advice about what to do next.

By speaking with a specialist personal injury Solicitor the accident victim will generally be provided with private medical treatment to ensure they recover as quickly as possible from their injuries.

In addition a personal injury Solicitor with experience of dealing with forklift truck accidents will understand the process involved in making a claim for compensation, meaning a much higher chance of a succesful outcome with the highest possible payout award.

Pinto Potts are specialist personal injury Solicitors with many years experience, for free advice about making a claim and to speak directly with a qualified Solicitor please call 0800 316 4434.

Farm accidents are unfortunately fairly common place, generally an accident on a farm will result in only minor injury, but sometimes it can be much more serious.

Farms are a place of work , but over the years farming has had a pretty poor health and safety record. The agricultural industry has one of the worst fatal accident health records of any UK major employment sector.

Just like any other place of work, an accident can happen on a farm, but farms can be much more dangerous than the average work place, farms are full of equipment, machinery, chemicals and animals that can all present serious danger if not handled properly.

Farm owners have a duty of care to all staff who work for them, it is the farm owners responsibility to ensure suitable training is given to staff who use specialist farming machinery and equipment or handle animals or chemicals as part of their job.

In addition the farm owner must ensure they fully comply with health and safety rules which are designed to help prevent accident and injuries to staff and other visitors to the farm.

The most common farm accidents that result in injury are:

• Accidents involving farm vehicles (tractors, combine harvesters, diggers, balers, quad bikes)
• Falls from height (ladders, bales, lofts)
• Injury and illness caused by dangerous livestock and animals
• Accidents from items falling from above (bales, tools)
• Burn injuries (hot machinery, naked flames)
• Accidents with machinery (fork lifts, conveyor belts,  baling machines)
• Trips and Slips (uneven surfaces, wet or muddy floors)
• Sickness, burns and injury from powder or liquid chemicals

Farm workers aren’t the only people who are exposed to dangers that can result in an accident and injury, visitors to a farm are equally vulnerable, this includes children and adults alike.

Leaflet - Child Safety on Farms

Anyone who is injured or taken sick after visiting a farm should seek the advice of a specialist personal injury Solicitor who has experience of handling farming claims.

An expert Solicitor with experience of farming claims will not only understand the process of making a compensation claim but will also ensure the victim receives the best payout award possible.

In addition, a specialist farming Solicitor will also normally provide access to private medical treatment to ensure the victim recovers from their injuries as quickly as possible.

Pinto Potts are specialist personal injury claims Solicitors with considerable experience, if you, a friend or family member has been injured or suffered illness following a visit to a farm please get in touch for free legal advice about what to do next, call free on: 0800 316 4434.

Travelling on a bus, coach or other public transport is generally one of the safest ways to get around.

However, a bus or coach, just like any other vehicle on the road is exposed to the dangers of the highway and accidents do happen, every day buses are involved in collisions and accidents that result in the passengers on board being hurt.

The safety of the passengers on board rests with the bus driver, if the bus driver causes an accident that results in passengers being injured then they will very likely be able to make a claim for personal injury compensation against the bus operators insurance policy.

Likewise, should the bus driver accelarate or brake in an excessive manner that causes passengers on the bus to be thrown from their seats (or fall if they are standing) there is also likely to be grounds for making a compensation claim.

If an accident occurs with the bus which is the fault of another vehicle on the road any passengers who are injured can generally claim against the company who insure the vehicle that was to blame for the accident.

The most common injuries sustained by passengers on buses are:

• Whiplash Injuries
• Cuts & Bruises
• Muscular Strains & Injuries
• Broken Bones & Fractures

Britain has a large public transport network, with thousands of buses on the roads every day, the chances of being injured as a passenger on a bus are slim, but should it happen it is important anyone injured takes specialist legal advice from a personal injury claims Solicitor.

The main bus and coach operators in the UK are:

• National Express
• Arriva
• Green Line
• Stagecoach
• Megabus
• Transport for London
• City Link

If you, a friend or family member have been injured or hurt while travelling as a passenger on a bus get in touch with Pinto Potts Solicitors for free legal advice about making a personal injury claim, call now on: 0800 316 4434.

Our new series of radio adverts go live this week, for an exclusive listen to the new adverts click the links below, be sure to tune into 96.4 Eagle Radio to hear them on air.

Accident at Work Radio Advert 

Road Traffic Accident Radio Advert

Payment Protection Insurance Radio Advert

Pinto Potts Solicitors are delighted to announce the launch of a new dedicated property conveyancing website.

The Pinto Potts Solicitors Conveyancing website aims to be a one stop portal providing information for anyone looking to buy or sell property in Hampshire, Berkshire or Surrey.

Our Property Conveyancing Department is located at our office in Reading Road South, Fleet, Hampshire which means it is perfectly located to help anyone looking to make a move in any of the three surrounding counties.

In addition we can deal with most property transactions via e-mail, telephone and post, meaning a personal visit to the office isn’t necessary.

You can find out a lot more about what the Property Conveyancing Department offer and how they can help by visiting www.pintopotts-conveyancing.co.uk

An accident involving a burn or a scalding injury can be very nasty and painful. Depending on the severity of the burn it can also lead to permanent and sometimes disfiguring, life changing scarring.

A burn or scald injury can also lead to psychological suffering, which can affect the person who has been injured in many different ways.

If the accident that caused the burn wasn’t the victims fault it is very likely they will be able to make a claim for personal injury compensation which should go a long way to helping them on the road to recovery.

The most common accidents where people are burnt or scalded that result in a personal injury claim being made are:

• Accidents at Work (Commonly in Kitchens, Factories and Building Sites)
• Faulty Products (Often faulty electrical items)
• Car and Road Traffic Accidents
• Accidents on Holiday

When someone is accidentally burnt or scalded it is very important that the correct medical treatment is given as quickly as possible.

The burn should be cooled straight away under cold running water for at least 10 minutes, or until the pain lessens, for minor burns this may be all the treatment that is required, for anything more serious you should always ring an ambulance.

Video – Basic Treatment for Burns and Scalding

Once the burn injury has been properly treated the victim should think about making a claim for personal injury compensation.

They should speak to a specialist Solicitor with experience of handling claims for people who have suffered similar injuries as they will understand the complexities involved in making a claim and most importantly will ensure they obtain the best compensation payout possible.

Pinto Potts are expert injury Solicitors with experience of handling claims for victims of burn and scalding injuries, for free, confidential advice you can speak directly to a fully qualified Solicitor by calling: 0800 316 4434.

PPI claims (Payment Protection Insurance) are becoming more and more common as people who have got (or have had) personal loans and credit cards realise they were mis-sold the extra PPI insurance cover and that they can claim it back – plus interest, often the amount of money claimed back runs into thousands of pounds.

Many people were pressured into having extra PPI on their loan or told they couldn’t have the money without taking PPI, now after many successful settlements and millions of pounds recovered from loan companies there is a wave of PPI claims.

As a result PPI claims companies have sprung up across the UK, they promise to help people who want to make a claim, but people considering making a PPI claim have been warned they should be very careful who they choose to act for them.

People with a PPI claim should beware, it is crucial the case is handled by an expert who understands the complex nature and legal arguments surrounding payment protection claims.

Many claims companies simply churn out template letters and send them to the loan company, the letters are not specific to the individual case and they aren’t all geared up to handle the difficult legal arguments that may follow or to properly assess any offers of compensation to ensure claimants receive the right amount of money.

In addition, some PPI claims companies have been charging clients a fee to take their case on, rather than handling them on a no win, no fee basis.

The problem is so serious that the Ministry of Justice has written stern letters to hundreds of PPI claims companies, amongst other things they have been warned against using template letters to lenders and not being specific enough about the individual PPI case they are complaining about.

The Ministry of Justice also warned firms that their clients face having PPI claims delayed or declined if they continue not to handle them properly.

This could have very serious consequences for people using a third party claims company, a copy of the letter sent to PPI claims companies can be found here.

If you are interested in claiming back PPI that was attached to a loan or credit card you should get in touch with a proper legal expert, the best person to speak to is a Solicitor who handles PPI claims.

Pinto Potts are Solicitors who specialise in PPI claims, by dealing with a Solicitor directly you have peace of mind that you are dealing with a company regulated by the Law Society.

In addition, Pinto Potts Solicitors take pride in the fact that we have some of the best PPI legal experts dealing with the many hundreds of cases we handle for PPI mis-selling victims across the UK.

Pinto Potts handle claims on a no win, no fee basis and don’t charge any upfront fees, you can have your case assessed totally free of charge, simply call: 0800 316 4434 for instant advice on whether you can make a claim.

Or you can take a simple, quick online test to see if you were mis-sold PPI.

Video – Making a PPI Compensation Claim

A broken bone or fracture is a serious and very painful injury that will require urgent medical attention and normally a minimum of four to six weeks recovery time.

A bone that has a crack or break is termed a fracture, a fractured bone can happen to any of the bones in the human body, but the most common are broken arms, broken legs and fractures to the hand, wrist and foot.

When the skin around the area injured remains unbroken the fracture is termed ’closed’ or ’simple’, in cases where the bone has penetrated the skin the terms ‘open’ or ‘compound’ fractures are used.

Open or compound fractures are the most serious kind of broken bone as the wound can be left exposed and therefore open to infection, there are many other different kinds of fracture, the most common are:

• Avulsion Fracture - Means a small piece of broken bone has detached from the main bone.
• Bowing Fracture – Means the bone has bent but not broken, generally only affects children,  as young bone is less brittle that an old bone.
• Comminuted Fracture – Means a bone is totally crushed or shattered into pieces.
• Complete Fracture – Means a bone is broken into two pieces.
• Complicated Fracture – Means there is other injury near the fracture,  such as veins, major blood vessels or nerves.
• Compound Fracture or Open Fracture – Means the bone penetrates through the skin.
• Compression Fracture – Means the bone has collapsed (common with spinal injuries).
• Fracture dislocation – Means a joint has dislocated and one of the joint bones has fractured.
• Greenstick Fracture – Means a bone has fractured on one side only (common in the young).
• Impacted Fracture – Means a fragment of broken bone has driven into the other, rather than separating as normal in a break.
• Longitudinal Fracture – Means a break that runs down the shaft of the bone.
• Oblique Fracture – Means a slanting break across the bone.
• Single Fracture – Means the bone has only broken in one place.
• Spiral Fracture – Means a break that goes around the bone.
• Transverse Fracture – Means a break that goes straight across the bone

More serious broken bones and fractures can lead to osteoarthritis (the most common type of arthritis in the UK) this is most common in breakages involving joints (knees, hips, elbows etc’).

Someone who has broken a bone may not always know it, depending on the severity and location of the fracture there are many different symptoms, the most common and obvious are:

• Swelling and pain (in many cases the pain is extreme) 
• Limbs may be bent at an unusual angle
• A grinding sensation may be felt in the area of the joint or bone
• Bruising in the area of the fracture 
• Restricted movement
• Inability to put weight on injured area

The best treatment for a broken bone or fracture is to keep the injured bone immobile, many people also require a series of physiotherapy sessions after the fracture has healed, this can help build mobility and strength.

Many people suffer broken bones and fractures in accidents that are not their fault, some examples of common non-fault accidents that result in breaks to bones are:

• Road Traffic Accidents (drivers, passengers, cyclists & pedestrians)
• Slips & Trips (on wet floors, icy surfaces and uneven pavements) 
• Accidents at Work
• Injury sustained while playing sport
• Accidents on holiday

Anyone who suffers a broken bone in an accident that isn’t their fault is very likely to be able to make a claim for personal injury compensation.

With an injury as serious as a broken bone it is important that anyone considering making an accident claim seeks specialist legal advice. A personal injury Solicitor will have considerable experience of handling claims involving similar kinds of injury.

In addition a specialist injury claims Solicitor will normally have access to a UK wide network of medical experts and their clients will be provided with the very best private treatment to ensure the quickest possible recovery.

An experienced injury claims Solicitor will take care of all the complicated negotiations and legal arguments with a view to making sure the maximum amount of compensation is paid by the party responsible for the accident (or their insurance company). 

Pinto Potts are expert personal injury claims Solicitors with considerable experience in handling claims for people who have suffered broken bones and fractures, for free, confidential legal advice about making a claim call: 0800 316 4434.

Anyone who has used a high powered jet pressure washer will know the incredible force they are able to spray water with, especially modern industrial pressure washers.

When used with care jet pressure washers are excellent pieces of equipment that can help quickly clean anything from cars or bikes to pathways and brickwork covered in thick moss or dirt.

As with any high powered equipment it is essential that health and safety measures are followed with care, otherwise there is a significant danger of accidents and injuries happening, especially when using industrial pressure washers while at work.

The power of the water from a jet pressure washer can literaly peel away someones skin if it comes into contact with them, there are also other significant dangers, some of the most common injuries with jet pressure washers are:

• Injuries to the face and body when the hose is dropped and recoils
• Slips and trips (wet surfaces, wires and the hose itself)
• Injuries after being hit by high pressure water
• Electric shock injuries (often when plugs come into contact with water)
• Accidents on ice (when water has frozen in cold conditions)
• Falls from ladders whilst using pressure washers at height
• Injury from flying debris (often to the eyes and face)
• Burn injuries (common with hot water pressure washers)
• Chemical injuries and burns (common with industrial pressure washers)

Anyone who suffers an injury through no fault of their own whilst using a pressure washer will likely be entitled to make a claim for personal injury compensation.

Video – How to Use a Pressure Washer Safely

This is very much the case for people who use pressure washers as part of their work (car wash assistants, high pressure cleaning contractors, sandblasters etc’). If an employer fails to follow health and safety guidelines and a worker is injured the employer is very likely to face having to make a personal injury payout through their insurance.

Examples of employers being negligent and causing workers who use pressure washers to have an accident are:

• Failing to provide suitable safety equipment (goggles, gloves and other protection)
• Not taking care to suitably water-seal electrical sockets and wires
• Not providing sufficient safety training on how to use the pressure washer
• Failing to follow working at height regulations

For a person injured in an accident with a pressure washer it can be a life changing experience, if the injury is severe they may require ongoing medical treatment and even home help.

By speaking to a specialist injury claims Solicitor anyone who has been injured can discuss what to do next with a highly skilled expert, normally the Solicitor will also arrange for private medical treatment to ensure the quickest possible recovery is made.

The Solicitor will also be able to make a claim for compensation and ensure that the sum of money properly reflects the level of injury that was sustained in the accident.

Pinto Potts are specialist personal injury Solicitors, if you or a member of your family have been injured in an accident with a pressure washer you can call for free, confidential advice about making a claim on: 0800 316 4434.

Popular makes of pressure washer are: AR Pressure Washers, BE Pressure Washers, Briggs & Stratton Pressure Washers, Central Wash, Delco, Demon, Dirt Killer Pressure Washers, Global, Honda, Karcher, Kranzel, Maxus, Mazzoni, Mi-T-M Pressure Washers, Pressure-Pro, Shark, Simpson, Taskmaster

Some insurers are deliberately settling car accident injury claims before victims get a chance to contact a Solicitor and injured people are getting lower payouts as a result, this is according to the Law Society.

The Law Society said insurance companies are intentionally reducing how much compensation an injured party could receive by contacting people involved in accidents with their customers directly and trying to settle any claims quickly, before a solicitor gets involved.

A spokesman for the Law Society said determining the full extent of injuries and the amount of compensation due requires expert medical advice and will take more than a couple of weeks.

The Association of British Insurers has rejected the criticism.

The practice, termed “third party capture”, happens when the person who caused the car accident gives their own insurance company details of who else was involved.

The insurance company then use the details to contact other people injured in the crash, sometimes just hours afterwards, and offer to deal with all personal injury claims and vehicle repairs without involving lawyers.

The practice is believed to be depriving innocent victims out of millions of pounds in injury claims payouts.

The Law Society believe some insurance companies are involved in this bad practice.

The spokesman went onto say “Victims are being discouraged from taking medical advice, they are being actively discouraged from seeking legal advice.”

A representative from the Association of British Insurers defended the criticism, saying that ”Insurers may contact the innocent party to offer help with any claims direct.”

“Independent research has shown that claimants do not need legal representation to get fair compensation, and that legal advice does not lead to higher pay outs.

“Nevertheless insurers should always advise claimants that they have the right to seek legal advice.”

However, the Law Society’s stance has been backed by the Consumer Council.

“Any insurance company that actively discourages consumers from getting legal advice is behaving unfairly and should be stopped,” said a spokesperson from the Consumer Council.

“Consumers involved in accidents may be vulnerable because they are still recovering, or they don’t feel confident enough to insist on their rights because English may not be their first language or they are unfamiliar with the legal system.”

A visit to the hospital can be a harrowing experience even at the best of times, unfortunately for some people a trip can be made much worse when they have an accident or suffer further injury or illness while they are  in the hospital.

Hospitals are very busy places, with people, equipment and deliveries moving from one place to another all the time, on top of this there is a 24 hour cleaning routine carried out by busy teams of cleaners throughout the hospital building. 

In such a hectic environment it is inevitable that accidents will happen, injuries in hospital accidents can be sustained by visitors, staff and patients and anyone else who happens to be in the building or grounds of the hospital.

Some of the most common accidents that happen in hospitals that result in a personal injury claim being made are:

• Accidents involving faulty equipment (beds, lifting hoists, wheelchairs)
• Slips and trips (on wet floors and pot holes in car parks)
• Food Poisoning (hospital cafes and food served to patients)
• Illness from hospital infections (MRSA, C Difficile and other Superbugs)
• Injury from falling objects (items on shelves, signs)
• Accidents with vehicles (such as ambulances and delivery vans)

As with any area open to members of the public, all hospitals have a duty of care to its visitors, this means they must take the appropriate steps to ensure the chances of an accident occurring are as low as possible.

With most hospitals having thousands of visitors pass through their doors every week it is almost impossible to prevent accidents happening, anyone who is injured in a hospital through no fault of their own will normally be entitled to make a claim for personal injury compensation.

It is essential that anyone wanting to make a claim against a hospital (normally the claim will be made against the NHS trust or their insurance company) seeks expert legal advice about what to do next.

By speaking to a specialist personal injury claims Solicitor the person who has been injured will get an understanding of the process involved in making a claim and will also be given an indication as to the possible amount of compensation they might receive.

In addition, a Solicitor will normally provide anyone who requires further treatment for their injuries with access to expert private medical treatment, for example someone who has injured their back in a slip on a wet floor may be sent for a series of sessions with a Physiotherapist, Chiropractor or Osteopath. 

Pinto Potts are specialist personal injury claims Solicitors with considerable experience in handling claims against hospitals and NHS trusts, if you or a member of your family have been injured or suffered illness through no fault of your own get in touch for free, no obligation, confidential advice about making a claim for compensation.

A visit to a pub or restaurant is usually a pleasant experience, however on occasion the trip can result in injury.

As with any premises that is open to the general public there is always a chance of an accident occurring, pubs and restaurants have a duty of care to all visitors and should follow procedures to try and prevent accidents happening.

Pubs and restaurants can be dangerous places, especially if staff don’t take time to follow health and safety procedures, some examples of accidents that have happened in a pub or restaurant are below:

• Slips and trips (often on food or drink left on the floor)
• Falls and injury in the grounds (commonly pot holes in car parks)
• Injury on broken glass (generally from a dropped, broken glass)

Anyone hurt while visiting a pub or restaurant should seek specialist legal advice.

A personal injury claims Solicitor will fully understand the process involved in making a claim against a pub or restaurant, this means they will ensure the maximum amount of compensation is achieved before the claim is settled.

Pinto Potts Solicitors have expert legal staff with considerable experience in dealing with claims of this nature, for immediate, free advice about making a claim call: 0800 316 4434.

With the new term just beginning and thousands of children returning to school across the UK, it is worth remembering that accidents in the classroom do happen from time to time and children should always be careful while they are attending school.

There are many hazards in schools that can lead to an accident, some of the most common that lead to a personal injury claim being made are:

• Trips and slips in the school playground
• Accidents during PE (Physical Education) and sports lessons
• Injuries on transport (school bus)
• Accidents in the classroom
• Burns during science and cooking lessons

All schools have a duty of care to their pupils, any child who is injured at school through no fault of their own will generally be able to make a claim for compensation.

It is recommended that the parents and child seek specialist legal advice, because an injury claim involving a child may need to be handled slightly differently to a claim for an adult.

By dealing with a specialist personal injury Solicitor the injured school child should also be able to gain access to private medical treatment (if necessary) to ensure they make the quickest and most comfortable recovery.

A Solicitor who has experience of making claims for children against schools will have a sound understanding of the personal injury claims process and will increase the chances of the best possible payout being made.

Pinto Potts have Solicitors with experience of handling claims for children who have had an accident at school and suffered an injury, claims are handled on a no fee basis, which means clients receiving 100% of their compensation and don’t pay a penny.

For free, confidential legal advice about making a  claim call free on: 0800 316 4434.

Recent research has shown that many passengers travelling in cars that are involved in accidents don’t know that they are able to make a personal injury claim – regardless of who was to blame for the accident.

The fact is that even if the driver of the car they were travelling in was at fault for the crash, or even if it was the only car involved in the accident – a passenger in the vehicle may still make a claim if they suffer an injury.

The passenger injury claim can be made against the insurance that covers the car they were travelling in, which will pay out for injury to all passengers in the vehicle.

Some injured passengers are often reluctant to make a claim as it may be against a friend or family member, but generally the owner will be claiming for damage to the car and may also have a claim from the other driver against their insurance anyway - so a claim from a passenger would make no more difference in terms of their no claims bonus or future insurance premiums.

Obviously if another vehicle caused the collision then the claim for passenger personal injury would be made against their policy instead.

The most common injury suffered to by a car passenger involved in an accident is whiplash, it is also common to see cuts and bruising.

Pinto Potts Solicitors are specialists in dealing with claims for people hurt in car accidents, for free, confidential advice about making a personal injury claim call 0800 316 4434.

With the sheer number of cars on the road it may come as no surprise that London is the UK’s capital of road accidents that result in a whiplash injury.

There are over 20 million road users every week in the capital city, with this volume of traffic and the sometimes tricky driving conditions, accidents are common place.

Accidents aren’t restricted to drivers of cars, often passengers, pedestrians and cyclists end up being hurt, in many instances through no fault of their own.

Whiplash injuries commonly occur when someone in a motor vehicle is shunted from behind, causing their head to be thrown forward then quickly back again.

A whiplash injury can be very painful and last for a number of weeks before it starts to ease, for some more serious whiplash injuries, the pain can last for months, or even years.

Anyone suffering whiplash should take legal advice about making a personal injury claim, doing so will normally allow them to access expert private medical treatment and receive an award to compensate them for the pain and suffering.

Treatment for whiplash is available from medical specialists, such as physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors, such treatment can greatly reduce the pain and suffering following an accident.

Pinto Potts Solicitors are specialist personal injury claims experts with considerable experience in dealing with claims for whiplash injuries, for immediate free, confidential legal advice about making a claim call 0800 316 4434.

What causes Asbestosis?

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that occurs naturally, it can often be found in  the materials used for insulation around tanks and pipes, in tiles and in other building materials.

Asbestos was used extensively in the 1970s because of its heat resistance and strength.

White, blue and brown asbestos are all potentially dangerous and have been banned in the UK.

When asbestos is damaged, the fine fibres become airborne and can be inhaled.

When asbestos fibres are inhaled the fibres penetrate the lung tissue which triggers an inflammatory reaction. The body identifies a problem and sends white blood cells as a defense to attack the fibres.

The fibres will usually resist the attack and destroy the white blood cells, this causes further inflammation and scarring of the lungs, called fibrosis.

There is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos. However, it’s thought the higher the levels of asbestos and the longer the time someone is exposed to it, the greater their risk of developing problems.

Pinto Potts have specialist Solicitors and Legal Executives who specialise in making personal injury compensation claims for people whose lives have been affected by asbestosis and exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos compensation claims are handled on a no fee basis and clients always keep 100% of their compensation award.

For free immediate legal advice about making a claim call in total confidence on 0800 316 4434.

Figures released this week have shown that the number of people injured on Britains roads has dropped over the last year, however personal injury claims have increased. 

The report says there has been an 8% reduction in the number of people injured on UK roads since last year.

It also states that data from the Association of British Insurers confirms that personal injury claims payouts have increased from £8.8 billion in 2006 to £9.6 billion this year.

Such an increase could suggest that people hurt in an accident are becoming more likely to make a claim for personal injury compensation, even for less serious injuries such as minor whiplash or bruising.

Pinto Potts Solicitors are specialists in claiming compensation for personal injury, for free, confidential legal advice about making a claim call 0800 316 4434.

Most injury claims are handled on a “no fee” basis, meaning clients don’t pay a penny and keep 100% of their compensation payout.

Whiplash is the common name for neck sprains, such as those caused by injury to the spine and Pinto Potts solicitors are here to help you with any claim for whiplash compensation you may have.

If you wish to make a claim for compensation because of whiplash, please contact us today.

In law, conveyancing is the transfer of title of property from one person to another, and Pinto Potts specialist Conveyancing solicitors are here to give you all the support and  conveyancing advice you need.

Contact us today, or ask a question in the comments below.

Trip injuries on uneven kerbs, paths, slabs and pavements are costing local councils millions of pounds in personal injury claims and compensation payments, it has been revealed. Recent statistics show that over £82 million has been paid out in the last five years alone. According to the figures there are over 10,000 cases waiting to be settled, which means this figure is set to go even higher.

A spokesman for the Liberal Democrats (who revealed the statistics) said that “some councils were too ready to ignore pedestrians and put all of their funds into motorists with little or no effort going into helping people who walk, cycle or take public transport”.

He went onto say: “It appears that some councils seem to be making the cynical calculation that they can afford to pay out compensation rather than invest in improving pavements.

“This could prove to be a costly mistake if pavements are allowed to deteriorate too far.”

Pinto Potts Solicitors have specialist legal experts with many years experience handling personal injury claims for people who have been hurt when they have tripped on an uneven pavement or kerb.

For free, confidential legal advice about making a claim call 0800 316 4434.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s most popular rollercoaster “The Big Dipper” was the scene of a major incident involving Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service this week.
More than 30 people were injured in an accident in which two cars on the Big Dipper rollercoaster collided with each other.

Victims involved in the crash were left trapped on the Big Dipper 50 feet above ground.

Emergency services called in a specialist rope team to help people off the roller coaster.

The injured victims have suffered injuries such as whiplash, broken bones and back injuries. Several people were treated at nearby Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

The Health and Safety Executive are launching an investigation. It has been reported that they will be focusing on the roller coaster braking system which is supposed to keep the cars apart at all times.

Pinto Potts are specialist injury claims Solicitors, find out more about claims for accidents on theme park, rides and attractions here.

We have recently celebrated holding our third CPD qualifying seminar at the Elvetham Hotel in Hartley Wintney, Hampshire.

The latest event was held on 3rd June, with a full house of delegates attending from across the South East.

The seminars, which have covered a range of topical subjects are offered to the rehabilitation industry, Physiotherapists, Chiropractors and Osteopaths.

Delegates at the most recent Seminar were treated to a fascinating medico-legal talk from Barrister Steven Weddle followed by a lecture from renowned Osteopath Jeff Richards.

After the talks came a question and answer session followed by a delicious hot and cold buffet, which was very well received by everyone in attendance.

Pinto Potts are now established as a leading provider of CPD qualifying Seminars for the rehabilitation sector in the South East, there are two further seminars scheduled for 2009 and thoughts are already turning to planning for 2010.

Upcoming CPD Qualifying Seminars

24th September 2009 -for Physiotherapists – Speakers: Steven Weddle, Barrister and Physiotherapist Steve Evans. Click Here for full details and to book a place.

March 20010 (Exact Date TBC) - for Osteopaths & Chiropractors - full details to be confirmed soon.

2010 Seminar dates - to be confirmed

Have you been mis-sold PPI (Payment Protection Insurance)? Contact Pinto Potts today and we can assist you and determine or not wether you can make a claim and have your Payment Protection Insurance repaid.

Unfortunately many have been mis-sold PPI, and our solicitors are experts in this field.

Contact us today and we’ll andle everything to do with your PPI Claim.

Thousands of people visit Fun Fairs, Amusement Parks and Theme parks every year in the UK, most of them have nothing more than a great time experiencing the most exciting thrill rides and having a fun day out.

However, for a few people a trip to a Theme Park or Fun Fair can end painfully,  numerous people are injured every year at Amusement Parks.

Some of the most common Theme Park & Fun Fair injuries are:

Injured on Rides & Attractions (for example, whiplash on a rollercoater or big dipper and fast moving rides, or injuries on rides that are faulty or malfunction)

Hurt on Theme Park property (for example, trips, falls and accidents on defective pavements in the amusement park)

Injured by falling items from height (for example, an item falling from a high attraction or ride)

Food Poisoning at a Fun Fair or Theme Park (illness after eating at the cafes and food outlets)

Britains Top Theme Parks

• Alton Towers in Staffordshire
• Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey
• Thorpe Park in Surrey
• Legoland in Windsor, Berkshire
• Blackpool Pleasure Beach in Lancashire
• Drayton Manor in Staffordshire

Any Theme Park, Fun Fair or Amusement Park has a duty of care to each and every visitor, this means they are responsible for the safety of each person who visits.

If a visitor is hurt within the Amusement Park through no fault of their own they will likely be able to make a claim for personal injury compensation against the Theme Park insurance policy.

A claim could be made for pain and suffering as well as any costs incurred as a result of the accident or injury such as, lost earnings, travel expenses and any care or rehabilitation costs.

If you, a friend or family member suffer injury at a Fun Fair or Theme Park it is recommended that you speak to a specialist Solicitor who has experience in handling claims of this nature.

Pinto Potts Solicitors are specialist personal injury claims Solicitors who offer free advice about making a claim and a “no fee” arrangement for anyone who instructs us to act on their behalf in a personal injury claim.

To speak to an expert simply call free on 0800 316 4434, all calls are dealt with in the strictest confidence.

Pinto Potts Solicitors are now on Twitter – you can follow us by clicking here.

Username: “PintoPotts”

Accidents happen all the time and often catch us when we are least expecting it, injuries can be sustained when doing something as simple as walking through a park or sat as a passenger in a car.

The 5 most common accidents in that lead to personal injury claims being made are:

1. Road traffic accidents – injuries to drivers, passengers, cyclists and pedestrians on foot
2. Accidents at work – including manual handling and lifting injuries
3. Accidents in public places – including trips and falls on defective pavements
4. Injuries caused by defective goods or products
5. Medical negligence

Despite having some of the strictest health and safety regulations in the world there are still thousands of accidents every day in the UK, with many hundreds of people needing hospital treatment.

Often people involved in an accident that wasn’t their fault don’t realise they can make a claim for compensation which can provide much needed money not only to compensate for the pain and suffering but also to cover other expenses that may be payable as a result of the accident, for example, home care, travel costs and loss of earnings.

By speaking to a Solicitor who specialises in personal injury claims anyone who has been injured can find out for free if they may be able to make a compensation claim.

In addition a Solicitor will have access to expert medical rehabilitation professionals, to help ensure the person who has been injured receives suitable treatment and is back on the road to recovery as quickly as possible.

Pinto Potts are specialist personal injury claims Solicitors, if you would like free, confidential advice about making a claim for injury compensation call us on 0800 316 4434.

As a specialist Claimant Personal Injury Practice based in Aldershot, North East Hampshire we handle all types of claimant personal injury work.

We currently have a vacancy for a personal injury fee earner to handle a predominantly road traffic accident caseload with prospects for progression to other more varied personal injury work.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of two years experience and will ideally have good computer literacy, a working knowledge of the Civil Procedure, be personable and smart and will be able to demonstrate an ability to handle road traffic predictable fee cases with minimal supervision to litigation stages. Previous experience of Conditional fee agreements and ATE insurance will also be an advantage.

We provide modern offices and facilities, good supervision and a varied case load and also offer a good salary with on-site parking.

Interested candidates should submit their application with C.V. to Ms Terry Honeker, Pinto Potts LLP Solicitors, Manor Park Chambers, 304 High Street, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU12 4LT or e-mail terry.honeker@pintopotts.co.uk

In this video, we discuss how you actually make a personal injury claim. What is involved, and why you should use a specialist injury claims solicitor who knows the personal injury claim process inside out.

When making a claim for compensation, it’s important you consider all aspects of you claim. Using a solicitor like Pinto Potts ensures even if you lose your claim, you’re not left with a hefty bill to pay, as we absorb these costs, or take our costs from the other party if we win – in a no-win-no-fee, win-no-fee claim agreement with you.

Don’t jeopardise your accident claim! Watch the video for more information, and contact us today.

By Pinto Potts Solicitors www.pintopotts.co.uk -   Being injured in an accident is a painful and inconvenient time for the person who has been hurt, they may need to take time of work to recover from the accident injuries they have suffered, this can mean losing money and out of pocket expenses, especially for the self employed.

If the accident was someone elses fault then making an accident claim for compensation will ensure that out of pocket payments are recovered along with costs for private medical treatment and a sum of compensation based on the level of injury suffered in the accident itself.

Making an accident claim is a fairly straight forward process if the injured person uses a specialist accident claims solicitor, as they will have knowledge of the accident claims process to ensure the best possible settlement for the person making the accident claim.

In addition a specialist accident claims Solicitor will have access to a network of UK wide rehabilitation experts to ensure the person making the accident claim can have the best possible treatment and make the quickest recovery from their injuries.

Pinto Potts Solicitors are expert accident claims solicitors, who offer a “no fee” service, people making an accident claim don’t pay a penny, win or lose, claimants always keep 100% of their compensation with no deductions.

For immediate, free advice about making an accident claim call 0800 316 4434.

Anyone who has been involved in an accident and suffered a personal injury will know the first thing they want to do after the accident is get better as quickly as possible, it’s only after a period of time will they to consider whether they might be able to make a personal injury claim.

It is at this point they may respond to an advert on television or in the newspaper offering legal advice and the chance to claim thousands of pounds in compensation with a no win, no fee service through a claims management company.

But people contacting claims companies should be wary and make sure they understand exactly what they are getting into.

Some claims companies charge a “success fee” which entitles them to a percentage of the clients compensation when the case is won, the fees can be as high as 40% of the damages and sometimes people are unaware a deduction is going to be made as the details can be tucked away in the small print of the agreement they sign with the claims company.

In addition the Claimant has no way of knowing who will end up dealing with their claim as many claims companies will simply sell the case on to the highest bidder.

By dealing directly with a personal injury claims Solicitor you immediately cut out the middleman, everything is transparent, with no hidden deductions or fees, in short a no win, no fee Solicitor will only get paid if they win the case and their fees are met by the other party in the claim, so clients pay nothing, win or loose.

In addition and more importantly, a specialist injury claims Solicitor will have access to a network of rehabilitation experts and will arrange for the injured person to have private medical treatment as soon after the accident as possible to ensure the quickest recovery.

Solicitors are one of the most regulated industries in the country, which provides piece of mind for anyone using their services.

If you have been involved in an accident and would like some free, impartial legal advice about making a compensation claim you can call Pinto Potts on 0800 316 4434.

How Much Is My Personal Injury Claim Worth?

Notes – If you make a successful clam for compensation, how much will you get?

This is a common question were asked every day. Lets start with an injury to the head – very common in all types of accident claims, from car accident injuries to bike accident claims.

• For minor head injuries you could get between – £1,250 to £7,000 compensation
• For moderate head injuries you could get between -£4,500 – £23,000 compensation
• For severe head injuries you could get as much as £40,000+ for a successful compensation claim

Neck injuries, such as those common in whiplash injury claims, are also types of injury people make compensation claims for every day.

• For minor neck injuries you could get between – £1,400 to £3,000 compensation
• For moderate neck injuries you could get between -£3,500 – £13,500 compensation
• For severe neck injuries you could get as much as £1,4500+ for a successful injury claim

Back and spinal injuries are another very common type of injury:

• For minor back injuries you could get between – £1,000 to £7,500 compensation
• For moderate back injuries you could get between -£7,500 – £21,000 compensation
• For severe back or spinal injuries you could get as much as £21,000+ for a successful injury claim if you have injured your neck

We have more examples on how much compensation you can expect on our site.

Many people each year are injured slipping on wet floors in UK sports grounds, stadiums and concert venues, all of whom generally have a strict cleaning regime to ensure they meet high standards of cleanliness.

The venue cleaning routine will usually involve the public concourse and walkway floors being regularly mopped and left wet while spectators are in the area, this can be very dangerous for people walking on the wet floor.

Due to the large numbers of people visiting events at stadiums and arenas, floors left wet will often lead to slips that cause nasty injuries.

The UK has many large and impressive venues, with Wembley Stadium, Millennium Stadium Cardiff, Twickenham and the City of Manchester stadium being among the most spectacular.

With crowds often in excess of 75,000 people it is crucial the stadiums are kept as clean as possible, including the flooring. Normal practice is to display a “wet floor” warning sign, but people who slip over on the dangerous flooring are often unable to see the warning signs due to large crowds obstructing them.

Common injuries from slipping on a wet floor include bruising, back injuries and muscular pain in the hands and arms.

If you have slipped over and been injured at a stadium, arena or other venue we would like to hear from you to discuss making a claim for personal injury compensation.

We don’t charge a penny and our clients always keep 100% of the compensation they are awarded.

Calls are dealt with in the strictest confidence and our legal professionals will offer advice on the best course of action to help aid recovery from any injuries and also obtain a compensation payment, you can get in touch by calling 0800 316 4434.

Anyone injured in a school should seek legal advice from a specialist Solicitor who has experience of handling education related claims against the local authority.

Workers and former employees who have suffered hearing damage from noise induced deafness are often awarded significant amounts of compensation, regularly running into thousands of pounds when Pinto Potts Solicitors handle their workplace deafness claim.

Many people who have worked in factories, plants, airports or other noisy environments, often for many years have been exposed to high levels of noise without adequate ear protection. Over a long period of time this level of noise exposure can cause hearing damage and deafness, for which personal injury compensation can normally be claimed.

Employers have a duty of care to their staff and must ensure that anyone exposed to high levels of noise has suitable protection, such as ear protectors.

Many people with hearing loss think they cannot make a claim as the firm they used to work for are no longer trading or not in business anymore, however, this isn’t the case.

Pinto Potts Solicitors have a huge database with details of  insurance companies who provided cover for many of the UK’s noisiest employers. Compensation claims can be made directly to the insurance company – even if the original business no longer exists.

Anyone suffering the symptons associated with working in a noisy environment (such as dizziness, ringing in the ears and tinnitis) should seriously consider speaking to a specialist Solicitor such as Pinto Potts about making a compensation claim.

Pinto Potts Solicitors offer free, confidential,  impartial legal advice about making a deafness claim, in addition claims are handled on a “no fee” basis, meaning claimants won’t pay a penny, win or loose.

You can speak with a specialist deafness claims expert right now, simply call 0800 316 4434.

Victims caught up in the scandal of mis-sold Payment Protection Insurance or PPI added onto personal loans, mortgages and credit cards now have access to instant free legal advice online using the new free  Live Chat service offered by Pinto Potts Solicitors.

Pinto Potts Solicitors  have a very successful team of PPI claims experts, all of whom are very knowledgeable about the complex rules, regulations and documentation involved in the mis-sale of payment protection insurance. 

Payment Protection Insurance claims are handled on a no win, no fee basis and Pinto Potts have recovered many thousands of  pounds for victims of PPI mis-selling.

The online Live Chat facility allows visitors to the Pinto Potts site to instantly see if a payment protection legal expert is online and if so, talk to them using an instant messenger facility built into the website.

Live Chat is totally secure and all conversations are handled in the strictest confidence, if you would like to try it for yourself simply click here.

Reports by the BBC say an MP has called for the law to be changed to protect attacks by dogs on private land, particularly to protect those who have to access private land as part of their work, the main occupations most at risk from dog attacks are:

• Postal Delivery Workers
• Leaflet Distributors
• Meter Readers
• Window Cleaners
• Milk & Supermarket Delivery Staff
• District Nurses 

MP Angela Smith wants the Dangerous Dogs Act changed so workers are protected from dog attacks on private land and to allow dog owners to face prosecution.

She has said “There clearly is a problem as far as these attacks are concerned”.

It is believed that thousands of workers are vulnerable to savage dog attacks because the law does not cover dog attacks on private property.

Postal unions have said that as many as 6,000 postal workers are attacked every year by dogs during their post deliveries with hundreds suffering disfiguring injuries and post traumatic stress.

Ms Smith MP for Sheffield Hillsborough, said the law should be changed to make owners of dogs liable for their animal when it becomes dangerously out of control on their own property.

She also said simple precautions by dog owners can prevent a nasty accident, such as putting a mail box away from the house (i:e on the gate) or installing a cage around the letterbox, she said owners should also think about keeping dogs hidden away when the post was delivered.

But she said that the power to prosecute and suitable penalties for offenders, were needed in extreme cases , a stance she said was supported by the Royal Mail.

“If there is an attack by a dog on a child or an adult, more often than not, the dog is destroyed” she said. “But it is the owner that needs to face the consequences.”

Owners have a duty to control their animal, victims of dog attacks can take civil action and claim damages for injuries, trauma, loss of earnings and any other expenses they incur as the result of an attack by a dog.

If the dog owner has household insurance, the task of making a claim is made easier as it will usually be handled by the insurance company under the “liability to others” part of the home insurance cover.

Pinto Potts Solicitors have specialist legal experts with years of experience in dealing with claims against owners of dogs that have attacked innocent people.

If you, a friend or family member has been the victim of a dog attack it is your right to receive compensation and proper medical treatment to ensure a quick recovery from any injuries.

There is no risk, all claims are handled on a “no fee” basis and we will give initial advice about making a claim either face to face, over the phone or by e-mail in total confidence and without cost. 

You can speak directly to a dog attack claims expert right now by calling 0800 316 4434. 

You may also like to read the article: Top 10 Dangerous Dogs

Below are some examples of our recent successful claims

1. Mrs. K.

Pinto Potts acted on behalf of Mrs. K from Southampton who sustained a serious head injury in an accident at work on the 4th of July 2001. Mrs. K. walked into an open window and sustained a serious blow to her head. She severed a nerve in her forehead and as a consequence suffered frighteningly severe migraine headaches on a frequent basis. As a result of those headaches she would often have no choice but to stay in bed for days on end and reduced her working hours in a Call Centre.

Her employers admitted responsibility for the accident but were not prepared to negotiate settlement of her claim. Her employers made her an offer of £9,500.00 in full and final satisfaction of her claim and then refused to negotiate thereafter. Acting under a No Win, No Fee Agreement Mrs. K took her case all the way to Trial in Southampton County Court in December 2005, where she was awarded compensation by the Court of £73,492.16.

Pinto Potts acted on behalf of Mrs. K. under a No Win, No Fee Agreement and she had no deductions whatsoever from her compensation and she received the full amount

2. Mr. B

Mr. B. of Epsom was an ambulance technician who was involved in an accident on the 9th of December 2001 when the motorcycle he was riding was involved in a collision with another car. Liability for the accident was admitted by the other drivers Insurance Company at an early stage. Mr. B. decided to represent himself and the other drivers Insurers who were Norwich Union helpfully arranged for him to have physiotherapy. However, when they started talking about settlement of his claim he decided to take independent legal advice and instructed Pinto Potts. We arranged for Mr. B. to see a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon who determined that he had suffered a short term injury to his shoulder from which he made a full recovery within 3 years but a long term injury to his right knee from which he would be likely to experience symptoms indefinitely.

Ultimately the parties were unable to reach an agreement as to the value of the claim and Mr. B. issued Court proceedings. Norwich Union Insurance on behalf of the other driver made an offer of compensation of £8,300.00, which Mr. B. rejected. Norwich Union decided they were not prepared to negotiate and allowed the matter to proceed to a Court hearing in December 2005. Pinto Potts represented Mr. B. at that Court hearing where he was awarded compensation of £10,791.00 plus his legal costs.

Pinto Potts acted on behalf of Mr. B. on a No Win, No Fee Agreement and, Mr. B. received the full amount of his compensation without any deductions.

3. Mr. P.

Mr. P. worked for ICI Chemicals in Liverpool between 1969 and 1990. During the course of that employment he was exposed to constant high levels of noise without any provision of hearing protection from his employers. Pinto Potts argued that ICI knew that exposure to noise levels in excess of 85 decibels for long periods of time was likely to cause permanent levels of hearing loss and this had been known to them since around 1963.

Pinto Potts pursued a claim on behalf of Mr. P., which resulted in Mr. P. accepting an offer of compensation of £9,000.00 in February 2006 plus his legal costs without the need to issue Court proceedings.

If you would like to speak to one of our personal injury Solicitors for free legal advice, call us now on Freephone: 0800 316 4434 or click here to make an online enquiry.

Anyone can make their own case and attempt to claim personal injury compensation through the courts. An individual undertaking this task would have to consider the cost involved in obtaining medical examinations and police reports, not to mention the up front payment of barristers fees. In addition there are complex negotiations and paperwork to be dealt with, if these aren’t handled correctly it could potentially jeapordise the entire case.

Deal directly with us instead and it won’t cost you a penny. In addition, we know and understand the personal injury claims process inside out, we are also regulated by the Law Society for your own peace of mind and protection. We have expert Personal Injury Lawyers with countless years of experience in dealing with Accident and Injury Claims who can negotiate and deal with the defendants on your behalf.

After an accident it is essential that you take the time to rehabilitate and recover properly, by using the services of a reputable personal injury solicitor you can let us take the burden on your behalf, leaving you free to concentrate on the road to recovery.

If you would like to speak to one of our personal injury Solicitors for free legal advice, call us now on:
Freephone: 0800 316 4434 or click here to make an online enquiry.