Dorset Personal Injury Solicitors – When Can They Be Used?

The first thing to determine when considering a personal injury claim after an accident is eligibility. There are three points that need to be clearly established in order for :

• That a third party had a legal duty of care to you at the time and place of the injury
• That they breached this legal responsibility in some way
• This breach resulted in an accident that caused you harm.

The main pieces of legislation that outline duty of care are:

• The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 for the workplace
• The Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 which covers public areas
• The Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code for road users.

By demonstrating that a lack of duty of care caused you harm, Dorset personal injury solicitors could take up your claim and work with your evidence to build a case for compensation.

Certain Dorset solicitors can offer a kind of No Win No Fee contract called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) which presents the following advantages:

• Claimants can benefit from the services of a skilled solicitor without the need to pay any upfront or ongoing fees.
• An unsuccessful claim outcome typically means that solicitors ask for no payment.
• Successful claim outcomes will result in a legally restricted amount being deducted from the compensation to cover solicitors’ services.

Is There A Time Limit For A Personal Injury Claim?

Under the terms of the Limitation Act 1980, there is a three-year time limit to starting a personal injury claim. This starts from the date of the actual injury itself.

Time limits may be extended by three years for people under 18, giving them until age 21 to start a claim. Furthermore, if a claimant is seriously injured and lacks the mental capacity to launch their own claim, the time limit can be suspended indefinitely and will only begin again in the event that they become mentally capable of claiming again.

A litigation friend offers another way to start a claim. Please speak to us if you would like guidance on the role they can play.

What Types Of Claims Could You Use Personal Injury Solicitors In Dorset Help You With?

Dorset personal injury solicitors are skilled at handling personal injury claims in three areas:

• Workplace accidents – This is where you have been injured by your employer failing to take reasonable steps to ensure your safety. For example, you could experience a slip or fall because they failed to clear away a trip hazard.
• Public liability claims – The party in control of a public space may have failed to carry out repairs to ensure the reasonable safety of those who use the space for the intended purpose.
• Road traffic accidents – A pedestrian could be hit by a car and injured if the car failed to stop at a red light- this would be a breach in their duty of care.

Learn more about the way Dorset personal injury solicitors could give your claim the best chance of success. By using the 24/7 live chat feature below or the website, we could help direct you to more resources and possibly connect you with a lawyer to help.