Personal Injury Practice Blog

PIP supports Hope & Help for Elliot

admindom — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 08:33:57 +0000

PIP supported a fund raising event held over the August bank holiday for four-year-old Elliot Worsley who is fighting a crippling disease that means he can’t walk. Senior partner’s daughter Dolly (pictured) was one of the acts that played at The Cotton Mill venue in Warrington.

Then event raised much needed funds for treatment for Elliot and was organised by Harry Nut Productions.

For more information call Laura on 07732 894711 or go to Elliot’s website at wix.com/help_for_elliot/hope-and-help-for-elliot or Facebook page at facebook.com/#!/pages/Hope-and-Help-for-Elliot/118006758260790.

LAW FIRM GIVES ‘LEXCELLENT’ SERVICE

admindom — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:10:32 +0000

The Personal Injury Practice is delighted to announce that it has been awarded the Lexcel practice management quality standard. Lexcel is the Law Society’s best practice standard for solicitors’ firms. It is regarded as a symbol of trust, integrity and quality, with law firms being accredited only when they meet specific the stringent practice management and service criteria as set down in the standard.

Our Lexcel accreditation serves as an acknowledgment of the high quality of client care offered by The Personal Injury Practice. All aspects of practice management such as customer care, case management, financial and risk management are inspected to confirm that the highest possible internal standards are maintained, ensuring the delivery of consistent excellence in legal services.

“By successfully gaining Lexcel accreditation, The Personal Injury Practice is proving its commitment to delivering a high quality service to injury victims”, commented independent Lexcel expert Dr Michael Jackson. “The Law Society’s Lexcel standard is a prestigious achievement for any legal practice. Clients can feel reassured that they will receive a top quality service which is committed, focused and businesslike.”

Dominic Moss, Senior Solicitor at The Personal Injury Practice, “I am immensely proud that The Personal Injury Practice has achieved this accreditation and I want to thank every member of our staff and Dr Jackson for all their hard work in helping us gain this confirmation of our quality assurance standards. It ensures that the service our clients receive exceeds both their own and industry expectations and we see this accreditation as a reflection of the provision of excellence in the standard of our service.”

For further information please contact:

Dominic Moss 01606 872200

Web links:
Lexcel: http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/productsandservices/lexcel.page
The Law Society: http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/home.law

Senior Partner Dominic Moss (right) being congratulated by Dr Michael Jackson, Lexcel Consultant.

Closing the Northwich courthouse – a sign of the times

Moderator — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:50:38 +0000

The closure of Northwich’s courthouse could have a much deeper economic effect on the town as a whole, according to Dominic Moss, senior partner of the Personal Injury Practice.

Dominic said that the closure of the magistrates’ and county court, recently announced by the Ministry of Justice, will not just affect criminals and their victims.

“People locally may think it does not affect them but it’s not just the person involved in litigation or in criminal proceedings,” he said.

“It’s another nail in the coffin of Northwich as a thriving market town. I used to put barristers up in the Floatel and at Nunsmere Hall. They would all stay in local hotels and would eat in local restaurants – now they won’t.”

Dominic said that one of the main reasons for opening the Personal Injury Practice in Northwich was because the county court was based in town. “Anyone looking to set up a law firm may think twice about setting up where there’s no court.”

Read the full article in the Northwich Guardian at

http://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/news/8772304.Solicitor_s_warning_over_court_closure/

Putting you in the picture – motorcycle accident claims

Moderator — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 09:00:52 +0000

Motorcycling can be one of the most exhilarating experiences – and loads of fun! But sometimes accidents happen, and some of them are serious.

While a motorcycle accident can be very traumatic in several ways – and we would never underestimate that – it’s important not to overlook the legalities of making sure you get compensation if it was not your fault.

If you are involved in an accident, it is essential that the police attend the scene ensure a detailed report of the accident, even if it seems insignificant.

Apparently minor injuries or damage to your motorbike can make a successful accident claim.
You can make a claim if your motorbike accident was not your fault or only partially your fault.
Your speed and wearing protective clothing are among many details, that will be considered while the fault is being determined.
Swift action is essential – an accident should be reported as soon as possible. If the person responsible for your accident doesn’t stop or has no insurance, you can still make a claim – see below.

This will be dealt with by the Motor Insurers Bureau, an organisation through which compensation is found for claims in the UK against uninsured drivers and those involved in ‘hit & run’ incidents.

Caring for you whilst you accident claim

If you have suffered an motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault in the last three years then The Personal Injury Practice is here to help you – give Dominic Moss a call on 01606 872200 We are based in Northwich, Cheshire and will always make time to see you. Free parking is available and there is easy access for those with mobility problems.

We strive to ensure that all our clients receive the maximum level of compensation, getting your claim settled as quickly as possible and getting you back on the road.

If you have suffered a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault in the last three years, then The Personal Injury Practice can help. We offer a special rapid response service for bikers and our Senior Partner, Dominic Moss, is an experienced motorcyclist who has been helping motorcyclists with their accident claims cases for many years, We fully understand specific bike-related accident conditions involving situations such as filtering between traffic, diesel spills and road surface defects.

We can help you by:

• Obtaining compensation for your injury

• Recovering any loss of earnings you may have incurred

• Providing access to a replacement hire vehicle

• Recovering any policy excess with your own insurers

• Providing access to specialist rehabilitation care including physiotherapy

A change in the law – but not a change for the better?

Moderator — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 09:00:37 +0000

Lord Justice Jackson was appointed to review the rules and principles governing the costs of civil litigation and to make recommendations in order to promote access to justice at proportionate costs.

Below Dominic Moss, Senior partner at The Personal Injury Practice, gives his perspective on the findings of the report.

‘It is my view that the emphasis on BTE Insurance and the removal of ATE and the success fee is linked to the inception of The Legal Services Act and the ABS’s (alternative business structures) that the Act will make possible.

As its stands the business models of BTE insurers only work because high referral fees are paid; the premium itself not being based on risk but on what the consumer will pay.

By removing referral fees, the report’s recommendations on one hand remove the need for claims management companies, and on the other make the current referral arrangements between large insurers and large solicitor firms illegal.

However, after the Act comes into force, the insurers will still be able to offer discounted BTE premiums by referring the work to their own in-house lawyers without a referral fee. This will generate a greater income for them than the current referral arrangements.

Thus, at a stroke, the government will get the slick, corporate, compartmentalised approach to claims handling that it thinks will benefit consumers. The insurers get to control the majority of claims from the commencement of insurance to completion of the claim – with not an independent solicitor in sight!’

Jargon buster

Moderator — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 09:00:17 +0000

Brief explanations of some commonly used terminology in the world of accident claims.

Before the Event (BTE) Insurance

An insurance policy taken out by those wishing to protect themselves against potential litigation costs, which could be incurred following a future event. It is usually paid on an annual basis to an insurance company and often sold as part of a household or car insurance policy.

After the Event (ATE) Insurance

Insurance taken out after an event, such as an accident which has caused an injury. This is to insure the policyholder for disbursements, as well as any costs should they lose their case. It is most commonly used by individuals that do not have BTE insurance. If the claimant loses their case, then the insurance company will pay their opponent’s legal costs and expenses.

The Legal Services Act 2007

Legislation that will liberalise the market for legal services in England and Wales, allowing what is known as alternative business structures (ABS – see below) with non-lawyers in professional, management or ownership roles.

Alternative Business Structures

These new types of law firm, permitted from about 2011, such as those with more than 25% non-lawyer managers, or a company taken over by a non-lawyer enterprise. They will need to be licensed by a licensing authority as a licensed body.

Why choose a solicitor and not a claims management company?

Moderator — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 09:09:46 +0000

If you have had an accident, you want to ensure you receive the very best legal advice about how to pursue your accident claim.

Choosing a claim solicitor to handle your case gives you advantages you may not get from a claims management company:

You will get completely impartial advice provided by a legal expert and always receive 100% of your compensation.
We will never take a percentage of your compensation as commission.
A solicitor will not try to sell you expensive litigation insurance policies and you won’t have to sign a loan to pay for insurance.
All solicitors in England and Wales are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and are members of the Law Society. If you have a problem you can complain to the Legal Complaints Service.

Why Choose The Personal Injury Practice?

By Dominic Moss, Senior Partner at The Personal Injury Practice.

You may rarely require legal advice. When you do we want to make sure that it is a positive experience that you would happily recommend to your friends, colleagues and family.

The Personal Injury Practice legal team are an acknowledged specialist personal injury law firm dedicated to providing a client-friendly service.
We give free impartial advice and 100% compensation guaranteed. No deductions, no loans, no catches.
As soon as you instruct us you will be designated a solicitor who will get to know you and look after your claim from start to finish.
Aside from being the Senior Partner of the firm I am also a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (with a Graduate Diploma in Personal Injury Litigation).

In short, your claim is in good hands with the Personal Injury Practice! Until next time if we can help, please call us on 01606 872200.

Personal Injury – what can be claimed for?

Moderator — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 09:00:51 +0000

If you have suffered an injury in an accident that was not your fault you may well be eligible for claiming personal injury compensation.

Being injured is no laughing matter, particularly when you didn’t do anything to cause the injury, and even a minor injury can leave you out- of-pocket or suffering with pain.

There are a great many types of accidents you may be able to claim personal injury compensation for. The main types of claims involve:-

Car accident claims – Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, accidents involving cyclists or pedestrians, and accidents caused by dangerous roads or roads which have been poorly maintained.
Whiplash – This is a common car accident injury and can cause long- term pain and problems.
Work Accidents – those caused by faulty or poorly maintained machinery, poor working practices, hazards or obstacles, inadequate training or poor risk assessment.
Slips, trips and falls – These can happen in the workplace, in a supermarket or on an uneven road or pavement. They can be caused by a poorly maintained pavement or a spillage or wet floor not having a ‘wet floor’ sign.
Criminal injury – Injuries sustained from being a victim of a crime.
Industrial Disease – RSI, asbestosis, Vibration White Finger, and deafness are just a few examples of disease or conditions that can be caused by a person’s job or working conditions.
Medical negligence – Including misdiagnosis, birth injury, a delay in diagnosis, not receiving adequate care, illness caused by an unclean hospital, being given the wrong medication, receiving unnecessary treatment or surgery going wrong.
Public liability – This includes accidents in supermarkets, shops, business premises and public areas.
Sport Injury – Injuries sustained playing sport or being a spectator.

If the accident was not your fault then you have every right to make an accident claim. You may be put off claiming for your accident, thinking that too many people claim, that we live in a “compensation culture” or fearing making trouble. Don’t be!

Call the Personal Injury Practice 24hr Helpline on 0800 071 1100 or contact us online. Our advice on compensation claims is Free, Confidential and Professional.

Beating the weather with an ice cool idea…

Moderator — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 09:09:21 +0000

With the big freeze set to continue, a new sense of community spirit to help local motorists has surfaced in the Winnington area.

The Personal Injury Practice has teamed up with several local businesses to provide sturdy ice-scrapers to people who find their vehicle windows and windscreens frozen in the current cold spell.

Dominic, senior partner of The Personal Injury Practice in Northwich, said: “Chatting to local companies, we just thought that it would be a small but perfect idea to hand out these ice-scrapers as a seasonal gesture to their regular customers.

“Too many people just pour hot or boiling water on their screens, which of course can crack the glass, or otherwise chance ruining their personal credit cards by using them as improvised scrapers!

“I have ordered a few hundred hard plastic scrapers, subtly printed with the PIP firm’s details, and these are available at the Londis store in Winnington, Hartford MOT Centre, Homestead Garage in Weaverham, and of course our own offices in Solvay Road.”

Sue Ghag, proprietor of the Londis store added: “This is a simple but very kind idea of Dominic’s and the reaction from my customers so far has been very positive, they love the thought that somebody is thinking of them in the current weather conditions and the scrapers are going fast.”

Dominic is pictured trying out the first batch of ice-scrapers with Sue Ghag and shop assistant Lisa Hagen (front), at the Londis store in Winnington.

Welcome to the Personal Injury Practice blog

Moderator — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 08:45:46 +0000

Here at the Personal Injury Practice we handle accident claims for those involved in a non-fault accident.

We are genuine Personal Injury Solicitors, members of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and members of the Law Society. We are also regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

We don’t do conveyancing, family law is not our thing and if you have just been arrested it is also likely you will need to speak to another law firm! Our clients are the centre of our attention.

We are genuinely interested in your case and will always take time to meet with you and find out about your situation.