It’s fair to say that personal injury lawyers and compensation claims companies receive their fair share of bad press. Although a few of these companies are a bit more ruthless and are only in the industry to make a ‘quick buck’, there are also many lawyers who work within personal injury that are trained professionals; dedicated to helping others receive what they deserve in what can be a traumatic time.
Let’s take a look at some of the common myths we hear about Personal Injury Lawyers, followed by the reality of how they actually work.
Myth: Claiming makes you part of a ‘Compensation Culture’
Truth: Despite the cries of some tabloid newspapers stating that the UK is following the USA into becoming a country that claims for absolutely everything and anything, there is actually no evidence to support this. In fact, the consumer group Which? have stated that the number of compensation cases has actually remained at around the same level since 1989. This goes to show that the vast majority of people who make accident or injury claims do so because their lives have genuinely been affected.
Myth: It will take years to get your compensation
Truth: Although some, more complex claims can take slightly longer to reach a conclusion, the majority are settled within the space of 12months. In fact, some claims can take as little as eight months, particularly those considered more ‘straightforward’ such as a road traffic accident when the injuries suffered are fairly minor. The work from the claimant’s side usually comes at the start when there is a fair bit of paperwork to fill out. However, after this there isn’t really much to do as it is very much left in the hands of the personal injury lawyer appointed to deal with the claim.
Myth: Your employer will sack you for making a claim against them
Although it couldn’t be guaranteed that your employer wouldn’t sack you, if they did so they would be liable for unfair dismissal. If you have an accident and are injured on your employer’s premises then they are liable to pay compensation. Employers are generally required by law to have insurance to cover them against this eventuality, so apart from maybe causing them a slight rise in their premiums, you are not going to impact them financially. It’s likely that you’ll actually persuade your employer to improve safety standards so the same thing doesn’t happen to one of your colleagues.
Myth: It’s better just to get money from the insurance company
You will sometimes find that an insurance company will try and deal with you directly if they know that it will save them money in the long-run. Although this can be a quicker option, you are then likely to lose out on the full amount of compensation you are entitled to receive. Insurers are big organisations who often look to intimidate an individual. This is why getting a personal injury lawyer to represent you will ensure you end up with the amount you deserve.
If you have been injured in an accident make sure you get the representation you need from a professional lawyer. Visit injurylawyers4u.co.uk for more information about your claim.
