Suffering from an injury can literally become a right pain in the neck, and we're not just talking about the initial injury.
Any injury suffered in one's lifetime is one that you wish could have been avoided.
Unfortunately, some bumps in life's road just cannot be eluded.
But what about those injuries which could have been avoided and who can offer personal injury claim advice? This guide intends to offer some basic advice for the personal injury claimant.
An injury that is not your fault More often than not, injuries that have happened at home, at work or on the road could have easily been avoided.
If you have been injured and you believe it was not your fault then you could be rightly entitled to compensation.
Be aware, not all accidents entitle you to compensation.
If you can demonstrate that the accident could have been avoided or that someone else did not take reasonable due care then compensation may be awarded to you.
For instance, if you were sold a faulty item that later injured you at home, or if you were hit by a careless driver in the road, then another party is to blame.
This may not only lead to monetary compensation but to criminal proceedings also.
If you are unsure, advice from a personal injury claim specialist may clarify the nature of your accident.
Consequences of personal injury Suffering a personal injury can affect you in numerous ways.
On a basic level, physical injuries may cause the individual a lot of pain and range from the serious such as spinal, head and brain injuries to a simple slip or trip.
Alternatively, slight injuries such as a Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) may not even be noticeable at the time but could lead to long-term health problems later on in life.
Psychological trauma such as stress resulting from an injury or harassment can also be classified as a personal injury.
Leading on from injury is the effects this has on your lifestyle.
Depending on the level of injury, you may be forced to take time off work ranging from a few days to much longer periods of time.
A serious injury may in fact stop you from returning back to work all together as you may not be able to efficiently carry out your employment duties.
As a consequence, this could drastically affect the household income of yourself or dependents.
Persons often find their initial injury quickly escalating into bigger concerns if there are regular bills and payments such as mortgages which need to be paid.
In addition, the treatment of your injury could amount to thousands of pounds worth of medical fees.
It is hard to put a price on the knock on effects a personal injury.
After such dispiriting events, individuals find their self esteem taking a tumble, eventually affecting their quality of life on a more personal level.
The seriousness of the situation really hits home when a personal injury stops the enjoyment of activities which were once taken for granted.
Knowing your rights The UK can proudly boast some of the safest work, road and housing conditions in the world and there are many charities, regulators and organisations to promote and implement this.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is one such regulative body set up to protect people against risks to health and safety in relation to the workplace.
For instance, your employer has a legal right to protect you against any illness or injury you may suffer whilst at work.
The government's Health and Safety laws were brought into place to implement this.
Examples include your employer supplying you with the appropriate training or personal protection equipment if you are exposed to dangerous machinery or surroundings.
Work is not the only place in which you have legal rights.
Whether you are in a shop, supermarket or train station, an organisation which invites another individual onto their property has a duty to take precautions to prevent accidents and injuries occurring.
Whatever your injury situation, it may help to seek personal injury claim advice from a professional solicitor who will be able to discuss your personal injury claim.