In our increasingly provocative society, it’s beginning to seem as though avoiding the court of law is about as easy as avoiding the common cold. From minor traffic violations and petty theft to more serious criminal allegations, such as fraud or murder, our nation has a seemingly unlimited number of codifications, rules, and stipulations. Such rules imply that everyone is bound to need the assistance of a lawyer at some point or another. A notion such as this is spot-on nowadays, as the CSEW reports over six million incidents of crime per year in the United Kingdom alone.
In an effort to tend to our nation’s growing legal requirements, each individual attorney usually focuses on a narrow, well-defined field, such as licensing, agency law, or trademark legalities. However, it’s important to note that the busiest lawyers in the world are almost always those who work with accidents, injury compensation, and medical malpractice. This brief article will shine a light on this all-too-important field by diving headfirst into the realm of personal injury litigation.
Accidents in the UK
No matter who you are or where you come from, everyone makes mistakes from time to time, which is why every pencil features an eraser. However, many of the accidents and medical emergencies that transpire each year aren’t brought on by common mistakes; they are actually caused by someone’s negligence or malpractice. With this in mind, take a look at some of the UK’s eye-popping figures from this past year alone:
- Over 1.3 million workers suffered a work-related illness, which ended up costing companies more than 12 billion pounds in workplace relief.
- More than 2,500 deaths reported due to asbestos-related conditions.
- The Labour Force Survey reported over 600,000 workplace injuries.
- Over 42,000 people were injured in traffic accidents, and almost 400 of those individuals died due to fatal injuries. As a result, the annual cost of traffic accidents in the UK has risen to approximately 6.5 billion pounds.
If you find yourself in one of these dire situations, it isn’t the right time for you to put on your lawyer cape and attempt to self-represent, especially if your livelihood and mental wellbeing are at stake. So whether you need assistance with a workplace incident in Dartford or help with filing brain injury compensation claims in Kent, it’s important for you to understand how a reputable attorney can help.
Why Hire an Attorney?
The modern personal injury attorney is essentially a trained, qualified, and experienced individual who understands the nuances of our complex justice system, namely the slip ‘n fall arena. Therefore, if you have sustained a work-related injury or if you have been hurt due to the negligence of a third party, such as a medical practitioner, it’s time to call on a reputable legal team. Shown below are the three hallmarks of a renowned attorney:
- Superior Knowledge – Right from the beginning, your lawyer will be able to pull from their experience in the field to ascertain the validity of your situation and whether it’s worth your time to pursue legal action. For instance, you’ll be advised to immediately visit an emergency room or doctor’s office following the incident to get medical attention, for the resulting treatments, prescriptions, therapies, and records are instrumental in creating a viable case against the perpetrating party. Plus, your initial consultation will be free of charge.
- Fee-Free Assurance – If your case is worthwhile, some personal injury attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning if they don’t obtain a desirable outcome, you won’t owe anyone a single dollar. This concept is particularly helpful in potentially lucrative cases in which the client is financially strapped.
- Ideal Outcomes – If the case ends up going to court (as opposed to an out-of-court settlement), your lawyer will craft a viable plan of attack and help you obtain rightful compensation for your injuries, suffering, and medical bills.
