Whether they are physical or psychological, the after-effects of experiencing a personal injury can be life-changing. Here at Hodgkinsons Solicitors, Skegness, our Personal Injury Department aim to secure you compensation for not only physical injuries but also financial losses you may have suffered as a result of your accident. The aim of compensation is to help put you back into the position you were once in, before the incident occurred. Our Personal Injury Team understand that compensation is only one part of the problem and therefore we also help you to access medical care and specialist rehabilitation if required. Whilst you focus on your recovery, our Solicitors follow a specific procedure explained below, to pursue your case.
1. When you contact Hodgkinsons Solicitors on 01754 897150 for an appointment a member of our Personal Injury Team will obtain your personal details alongside any details of the incident.
2. Following your appointment or telephone call, your Solicitor will review the given details and decide whether your claim has merit and whether they can represent you. Upon decision you will be notified of the outcome and if successful, the claims process will begin.
3. Your Solicitor will provide you with all the necessary documentation which you will be required to complete and return to your Solicitor for them to begin formally acting on your behalf.
4. Witness statements, evidence of financial losses and any further verification of the injury will be gathered by your Solicitor to further support your claim.
5. Once enough evidence has been collected, your Solicitor will contact the responsible party, otherwise known as the Defendant, to inform them that a claim is being made against them. Based on the nature of your accident, the Defendant will either be a private individual, a company, a local authority or an insurer.
6. Your Solicitor will then obtain copies of your medical records and arrange for you to have an appointment with a medical expert who will prepare a medical report based on the injuries you have sustained from the accident. If necessary, your Solicitor will arrange medical treatment such as physiotherapy.
7. When your Solicitor receives a response from the Defendant, depending on whether they have admitted liability for the accident, your Solicitor will negotiate a settlement. Your Solicitor will not propose a settlement until your medical evidence is finalised as they will not yet know the maximum value of your case.
8. Providing liability is admitted, a copy of your medical report will be sent to the Defendant. Your medical report outlines the severity of your injuries and indicates how long the injuries will last. This provides both parties with an idea of the value of your injuries. A list of your financial losses will also be drafted in a ‘schedule of special damages’ by your Solicitor.
9. A settlement will be negotiated and made. Once your claim is settled you will receive your compensation within an estimated 21 days.
10. If the Defendant denies liability i.e. blame for the accident, they must provide evidence to support this decision and providing you have enough evidence to prove your claim, steps will be taken to issue Court proceedings where a decision will be made through the Courts as to whether the Defendant is liable or not.
If you have experienced an accident which was not your fault and you are now suffering as a result of this, you may have a claim for compensation. Please note that there is a 3-year time limit on pursuing a Personal Injury Claim. Whether you are located in Skegness, Boston, Sleaford, Lincoln, Grimsby or beyond, we can assist you. To discuss your potential claim in further detail, contact a member of our Personal Injury Department on 01754 897150 or start your claim online at https://www.hodgkinsons.co.uk/accidents-claims/personal-injury and we will call you.