Bartletts Solicitors

Helping Chester & Wrexham Families & Business For Over 158 Years

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What Is Probate?

Probate is the legal authority to handle someone’s estate when they die – this includes organising and distributing their possessions according to the wishes expressed in their Will or to the rules of intestacy if they don’t have a Will.

Bartletts Solicitors What is ProbateA legal document, probate provides the right for an individual to distribute an estate and complete the process of probate – also referred to as estate administration.

Who Can Apply For Probate?

If there is a Will, the person named as an executor within the Will can apply for a grant of probate. If there is no Will, the closest living relative can apply for a Letters of Administration document.

What Does Probate Do?

By getting a grant of probate or Letters of Administration, the executor or personal representative is able to access the deceased’s estate. The estate includes all property and possessions.

With probate, the individual has the legal right to access the deceased’s bank account and to organise their property and possessions, ready to distribute to the beneficiaries.

How Long Does Probate Take?

The probate process varies depending on the size and complexity of the estate. For smaller and more straightforward estates, it takes between 2-4 months to get a grant of probate or Letters of Administration.

To complete the process can take several months and even years, depending on the nature of the estate.

Is Probate Always Needed?

No, probate is not normally needed for estates worth less than £5,000.

Spouses and civil partners are usually exempt from probate as jointly owned property would automatically pass to them anyway. However, probate would still be needed for any property the deceased owned in their own name or property owned as tenants in common.

To check if probate is needed, you could contact the deceased’s financial organisations such as bank or mortgage provider to ask if you can transfer assets without probate. Each organisation has its own rules on probate.

Can You Complete Probate Yourself?

Yes, you can apply for probate and handle the estate administration yourself. Or you can use a specialist probate solicitor who would ensure the process is completed efficiently and accurately.

How We Can Help You With Probate

Our specialist probate solicitors have the legal knowledge to assist you with your application for a grant of probate or Letters of Administration as well as carry out all duties for estate administration on your behalf.

Whether it is to distribute the estate according to the deceased’s Will or the rules of intestacy, our probate solicitors will help you by speeding up the process for you and providing the reassurance that everything has been done on time and with full compliance.

To speak to us about probate or administering an estate on your behalf, you can arrange a face-to-face consultation with one of our specialist solicitors in our Bartletts Solicitors Hoole office at Martins Bank Chambers, 31 Hoole Road, Chester CH2 3NF. Alternatively, you can contact us on 01244 311 633 or by email on advice@bartletts.co.uk

 

How Do I Buy A Property At Auction?

Buying a property at auction is becoming increasingly popular because of the shortage of homes for sale on the open market combined with the far faster completion process that auction property offers.

Making A Bid On Property At Auction

Before You Make A Bid

Before you place a bid on property for sale at auction, make sure you research the property in advance first. Enlist a solicitor to review the sale pack before the date of the auction – this should contain the property’s title deeds and recent searches.

It’s vital you understand the property you’re potentially going to buy at auction.

Although being thorough means spending money on a house you might not buy, you will know which questions to ask at the start of the auction before the bidding starts, as your solicitor will give you a report highlighting any areas of concern.

You should also arrange a suitable survey so that you are aware of any defects in the dwelling/building and the costs of rectifying them.

Your Bid Is Accepted

If your bid is accepted, you are legally committed to making the purchase.

The contracts are exchanged at the auction and a completion date is set, often 28 days after the auction day.

You cannot raise any queries after the sale is agreed and contracts exchanged – this is why it’s worth the cost of a solicitor prior to the auction date, to ensure you don’t receive any unexpected news or costs related to the property at a later date.

Your solicitor will then deal with the completion process, transferring legal ownership of the property to you and making arrangements for any stamp duty to be paid to the H M Revenue and Customs.

Paying For Property At Auction

You will have to pay a 10% deposit on the day of the auction, if your bid is successful, so it’s vital to ensure you have the necessary funds cleared in your bank account before the auction date.

Furthermore, as you’re legally committed to buy the property if your bid is accepted and completion is far quicker than for a standard home purchase, you must have sorted funding in advance. There will be no time to sort a normal mortgage between the auction and completion dates.

Is It A Good Idea To Sell Your Property At Auction?

The advantages of selling your property at auction include a fast turnaround time – if you need to sell the property quickly for whatever reason, an auction sale will offer a far faster completion time than a normal house sale.

The downside to selling at auction is that you could end up accepting a lower offer than you might have done if you sold the property on the open market.

How We Can Help You With Your Auction Property Purchase

Our solicitors have the specialist legal knowledge and experience of helping clients to buy and sell property at auction – and are here to help you if you’d like to find out more about the process or to instruct a solicitor to review a sale pack.

To speak to us about buying or selling property at auction, please contact us on 01244 311 633 or email advice@bartletts.co.uk

Alternatively, you can Make An Online Enquiry and one of our team will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

 

Can You Claim For Loss Of Sight?

Eyesight is precious and one of our most important senses, and if you have suffered loss of sight due to someone else’s negligence then you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.

Whether it’s temporary or permanent loss of sight, or partial or total blindness, eye injuries are potentially life-changing and there are likely many changes you’ll need to make to your existing life, including home and work, as a result of the injury. It is only fair you are compensated for the suffering, difficulties and losses incurred if the accident that caused the injury happened because someone was negligent.

How Can Eye Injuries Happen?

Eye injuries can happen when you’re at work, in the car, in a public place or even at home.

Road traffic accidents, a big fall in the work place or on the pavement, can all lead to eye injuries, either directly or as a result of a brain injury.

Eye Injuries At Work

When eye injuries happen in the workplace, the work often involves manufacturing or the use of chemicals. Hazards in the office can be a cause too, but certain industries have a higher rate of eye injuries than others.

Employers have a duty of care to ensure employees are kept as safe as possible at work and protective measures should be in place to limit the risk of accidents.

As a guide, employers are expected to have safety measures in place that include:

  • The use of protective equipment for staff such as goggles and face shields
  •  Screens in certain areas
  • Regular training for staff on how to safely use the equipment

Can You Claim For Compensation For Loss Of Sight?

If your injury happened as a result of someone else’s negligence, you can make a claim for compensation.

Your compensation will reflect the impact your loss of sight has had on your life. This includes the pain and suffering caused by the injury itself but also any financial losses incurred after the accident and ongoing costs in the future – it may be that you lose your pension because you’re unable to work following your loss of sight, or alterations to your home are needed or even a new home, or you have to travel a lot for rehabilitation treatment.

How Can You Claim For Loss Of Sight?

If your loss of sight happened in an accident that wasn’t your fault, we will work hard to establish the cause and to confirm if you have a case to make a claim. We will then help you with your claim for compensation, ensuring you secure the compensation you deserve for your loss of sight.

You usually have 3 years from the date of the injury, if you’re aged 18 and older, to make a loss of sight claim. If you’re under 18 then the 3-year time limit starts from the date of your 18th birthday.

How We Can Help You With Your Loss Of Sight Claim

Bartletts personal injury solicitors have the legal knowledge and claims experience to help you make a successful compensation claim for your loss of sight.

We will work with you to ensure we fully understand the details of the accident that caused your eye injury and the cause – quickly establishing if someone else’s negligence led to your loss of sight. Our understanding of your loss of sight and the impact this has on your life will form the basis of your case, ensuring you receive the level of compensation you both deserve and need to cover any treatment or life changes now and in the future.

Furthermore, we will assist you at every stage of the process to make the experience as stress-free and straightforward as possible for you.

To discuss making a loss of sight claim with one of our solicitors, call FREE on 0800 988 3674  or via a Mobile 0333 200 4465 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch.

Gifting Property To Children

Gifting property to your children can be a great way to pass money onto loved ones and ensure they are provided for in the future. The process can come with the added benefit of reducing inheritance tax (IHT) implications or protecting the property from a sale at a later date to fund care home fees.

Conditional Gifts in wills Bartletts Solicitors ChesterHowever, gifting property to children needs to be carefully structured as the rules are complex and the benefits won’t automatically arise from giving away your assets.

What Should You Consider When Gifting Property To Children?

Inheritance Tax

The gifted property will only be exempt from IHT if the gift is made 7 years before you die. However, there are exceptions to this rule and HMRC won’t recognise the property as a true gift in some circumstances and will include it in your estate for IHT purposes.

Gifts With Reservation Of Benefit

To be considered a true gift, there needs to be no benefit from making the gift. If there are benefits, then HMRC will view the gift as a GROB (gift with reservation of benefit) and make it part of your estate for IHT calculations.

A key example of a GROB is when parents gift their home to their children but continue to live in the property. Transferring the legal ownership isn’t sufficient if the parents still benefit from the property by living there – it is not considered a true gift.

To be a true gift, the property needs to be transferred legally to the children and either vacated by the parents or the parents agree to pay the market rent.

Capital Gains Tax

If the property is the main home, there should be no capital gains tax to pay, but there will be CGT payable if the property is a second home or a rental property.

Stamp Duty Land Tax

If the gift is a true one, there will be no stamp duty land tax as no money would have changed hands. However, stamp duty is payable if there is a mortgage on the property or a price was paid for the property.

Care Home Fees

By gifting property to your children, you can ensure that it is not included in your estate as part of the assessment for care home fees. However, this is a complex area of law as the gift can be scrutinised by the local authority and still included in their assessment for care home fees, and needs to be handled carefully.

No Guarantees

You no longer own the property and might not have anywhere to live if your children decide you can’t stay in the property or to sell the property.

Bankruptcy

If your children are declared bankrupt after you gifted the property, you might lose the ability to live in the property as it could be sold as a result of the bankruptcy.

Divorce

If one of your children goes through divorce proceedings after you gifted the property, the property becomes an asset in the divorce settlement, and you might not be able to continue living in the property. You may also lose the ability to keep the house within the family depending on the outcome of the divorce proceedings.

Legally Binding

Unlike a Will which can be changed and updated according to your circumstances, a gift is binding, and you can’t reverse any gifts that you make.

Early Death

If your children die before you do, the gifted property becomes part of their estate and will pass according to their Will or the rules of intestacy. The property could pass to someone you don’t wish to benefit.

How We Can Help You With Gifting Property To Your Children

Our specialist Wills, probate and trusts solicitors have the expert knowledge and extensive experience of helping clients structure property gifts in the most effective way possible – one that results in the best possible benefits for their individual circumstances.

Estate planning is complex and we will help you to plan for your future, including gifting property to your children in the right way for your situation. By ensuring that you consider every aspect and implication of gifting property, you will be able to choose the best option for you and your loved ones when it comes to passing wealth on to loved ones.

To speak to us about gifting property to your children or any aspect of estate planning, please contact us on 01244 311 633 or email advice@bartletts.co.uk or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch.

 

 

How Long Does It Take To Sell A House?

Selling a house is often an exciting time and almost always a stressful period, and the process depends on numerous factors which can slow down or speed up the transaction.

Bartletts Solicitors Residential conveyancing ChesterIn terms of how long it will take you to sell your house, it is difficult to say with certainty as every conveyancing transaction is different. As a guide though, the average time for the process of house selling, from the acceptance of an offer through to completion, is 6-15 weeks.

How Can You Speed Up Selling Your House?

Selling a house is an individual experience and every sale goes through at a different speed, depending on factors such as whether the buyers are cash buyers or in a chain.

However, an effective way to speed up the overall process is to start early – find a solicitor as soon as you decide you want to sell your house. By doing so, you’ll be able to complete all the necessary paperwork before you accept an offer, rather than delaying the process by doing the paperwork afterwards.

When it comes to finding a professional conveyancing solicitor, it’s a good idea to phone for a quote. You’ll be able to ask questions and understand what the service will be like as well as what the quote includes – more so than finding quotes online.

There is a lot of paperwork involved with selling a house, and Bartletts Solicitors are always happy to help, going though the paperwork with you in person or over the phone, whichever is easiest for you.

Once you’ve chosen your solicitor and completed your paperwork, let your estate agent know which solicitor you’ve instructed. This enables them to communicate effectively with the relevant parties on the sales particulars and improve the conveyancing process.

The Conveyancing Process

After you’ve completed and returned the sellers property information form, fittings and contents form and leasehold information form (for leasehold properties), your solicitor sends out a contract package to your buyer’s solicitor. This provides your buyer’s soliciotrs with the opportunity to check all the details and make sure they’re happy with the terms of the contract, title to the Property, information provided in the transactions forms, results of their searches and the terms of buyers mortgage offer.  Your solicitor liaises between your buyer’s solicitor and you, addressing any enquiries they have and responding to their solicitors accordingly. Your buyer’s solicitor then reports to the buyer, have the documents signed and arrange funds for the deposit.

Exchange

The exchange of contracts between your solicitor and your buyer’s solicitor makes the purchase legally binding. After this point, changing your mind about selling or buying the property comes with financial fines. A completion date is set.

Completion

The conveyancing process is finalised at completion – when the funds are transferred from your buyer’s solicitor and once received, your keys are handed over.

This is usually done by midday on the day of completion, so it’s a good idea to have vacated your house by then.

How We Can Help You With Your House Sale

Our specialist conveyancing solicitors are here to help if you’re selling your house. We can provide advice and act on your behalf as your solicitor to ensure the process is as straightforward and efficient as possible.

To speak to us about selling your house or to instruct one of our solicitors to act on your behalf, please contact us on 0800 988 3674 or 01244 311 633 or email advice@bartletts.co.uk

Alternatively, you can Make An Online Enquiry and one of our team will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

 

Accidents At Work: What Should You Do If You’re Injured?

If you’re hurt in an accident at work that happened through no fault of your own, you should seek legal advice as you might be able to make a claim against your employer for compensation for your injuries.

Accident At Work ClaimsWhilst this can feel like an awkward or difficult decision to make, the majority of employers will handle a claim against them sensibly and will simply pass it on to their insurance company – after all, it is your employer’s insurers you are claiming against and not your employer itself.

What Should You Do If You’ve Had An Accident At Work?

If you’ve suffered because of an accident at work in the last 3 years or you feel like your health has worsened due to your workplace environment, our specialist solicitors can advise you whether you’re able to make a claim.

As a guide, if you’re hurt in an accident at work, you should do the following:

  • Complete an accident at work report as soon as possible
  • Take photos of where your accident happened and your injuries, if you can
  • Get the contact details of any witnesses to your accident
  • Speak to a personal injury solicitor for advice

Your Employer’s Duty Of Care

Your employer has a duty of care to keep the workplace safe and ensure measures are in place to support your wellbeing whilst you’re at work.

Your employer’s duties include:

  • Having health and safety measures in place
  • Carrying out risk assessments
  • Providing PPE (personal protective equipment) to staff
  • Providing relevant training
  • Ensuring the workplace is safe and free from hazards

Accident Types

Poor working environments can cause accidents to happen that lead to injuries ranging from the minor to major.

Types of accidents at work include:

  • Slips, trips and falls
  • Falls from height
  • Injuries related to moving vehicles or machinery
  • Burn injuries
  • Manual handling accidents
  • Lifting accidents
  • Electrocution injuries

Should You Claim For Accident At Work Compensation?

If your employer’s negligence has caused your accident at work, you should claim compensation for your pain and suffering as well as any financial losses such as loss of pay.

Furthermore, by making a claim for compensation you are highlighting the potential hazards in the workplace and helping to ensure others don’t suffer in similar accidents at work.

Even if your employer won’t admit negligence, you could possibly achieve a settlement outside of court without an admission of liability – so make sure you speak to a legal specialist as soon as possible about your accident at work.

How We Can Help You With Your Accident At Work Claim

It’s important to know that you wouldn’t be punished for making a claim against your employer for your accident at work – and that if you are entitled to compensation, your employer will pass your claim to their insurers and your solicitor will work hard to secure the compensation you deserve for your injuries. You’ll be helping to prevent similar accidents in the workplace from happening, too, by making your employer aware of potential hazards.

Our personal injury solicitors have the relevant experience combined with a caring and friendly approach, to ensure you are supported and guided at every stage of the claims process, and that the best possible outcome is achieved on your behalf.

To discuss a potential accident at work claim with one of our specialist solicitors, call FREE on 0800 988 3674  or via a Mobile 0333 200 4465 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch.

Can You Claim For Dental Negligence Compensation?

Going to the dentist can be daunting for some of us and you need to place a lot of trust in the dental professional to provide the correct treatment and in the best possible way – thankfully this is the norm and the trust is usually well placed.

dental negligence Bartletts SolicitorsHowever, on rare occasions, dental professionals make mistakes and when this happens it is painful and can cause damage to your teeth as well as physical and mental suffering.

If you’ve suffered a dental injury or error due to negligence or malpractice, you are entitled to make a claim for compensation.

What Is Dental Negligence?

Dental negligence is the term used for any injury or suffering caused by dental treatment or procedure, or as the result of a missed condition or misdiagnosis by your dentist.

The types of dental negligence injuries include:

  • Treatment mistakes
  • Nerve injuries
  • Cosmetic dentistry errors
  • Diagnosis delays
  • Misdiagnosis

Can You Claim For Dental Negligence?

Yes, you can. If you’ve suffered unnecessary pain because of something your dentist has done or failed to do or not done properly, then you can claim for compensation.

Whether you received treatment from a private dental practice or an NHS one, you can claim.

The amount of compensation you’ll receive depends on the severity of suffering you’ve experienced due to the negligent treatment together with any financial losses you’ve incurred, including for any corrective or restorative treatments that are needed.

What Is The Claims Process?

Ideally, you should make your claim as soon as possible after the date of the incident, and within 3 years of the incident. There are exceptions to the 3-year rule but usually a claim has to be made within this time frame.

As a guide, the claims process is usually similar to this:

  • Obtain dental records
    Initially, we’ll work with you to obtain dental records from your dental practice as these will form a key part of the evidence for your claim.
  • Review dental records
    Your solicitor will review the records and put together a report that highlights your suffering and the grounds for your claim.
  • Examine
    Sometimes, a specialist will examine your teeth and mouth to confirm the trauma you’ve suffered and the restorative treatment needed.
  • Make The Claim
    Your solicitor will outline the negligence claim and send it to the dental provider. The provider will then forward it to their insurers who have 4 months to investigate the allegations and respond with either an admission or denial of liability.
  • Settle
    If the dental provider admits liability, your solicitor will negotiate the amount of compensation you deserve.

Dental negligence compensation cases vary between a few months and a few years to settle, depending on the severity of trauma and if the provider admits liability.

Our specialist solicitors always work quickly and efficiently to achieve the best possible outcome in the shortest time. You will be supported at every stage of the claims process if you decide to go ahead with making a claim, to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

To find out more about making a compensation claim for dental negligence or to speak to one of our specialist solicitors about your particular injury, call Freephone 0800 988 3674  or via a Mobile 0333 200 4465 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch.

 

How Do You Claim Following A Surgical Error?

There is no doubt that surgery is daunting, regardless of the type and reason for it – and you are entitled to receive the best possible care and treatment. But what happens if there is a surgical error and you are injured as a result? If the mistake was caused by negligence, then you may be able to make a claim for compensation.

FortBartletts medical negligenceunately, the standards of surgical treatment are high in the UK, but mistakes still happen. When mistakes happen during an operation, such as the surgeon operating on the wrong arm or accidentally hitting and injuring a nerve, the resulting injuries can be severe.

When a doctor’s care is shown to have been below a reasonable standard, then you are entitled to make a surgical negligence claim for compensation for your pain and suffering.

Is Your Post Surgery Pain Normal?

Following most operations, it is normal to experience some pain or discomfort during your recovery period. This might be swelling, temporarily restricted movement or soreness at the site of the area operated on.

However, your expectations should have been managed by the doctor prior to your surgery and you should be fully prepared for what your recovery will be like. If you suffer symptoms that are different to those discussed with the doctor beforehand or the symptoms go on for longer than they should, it may be due to a surgical error.

What Are The Types Of Surgical Errors?

There are many different types of mistakes that can be made during an operation, often leading to much suffering and discomfort.

As a guide, any of the following could form the basis of a medical negligence case:

  • Poor decision making and incompetence by the surgeon, resulting in below standard surgery
  • Damage to the patient’s arteries or nerves
  • A lack of monitoring during and after surgery
  • Operating on the wrong limb
  • Providing too much or too little anaesthetic
  • The surgery itself was unnecessary
  • Instruments left inside the patient after surgery
  • Failure to obtain full consent for the operation

How Can You Claim Against Your Doctor For A Surgical Error?

If you believe you have suffered an avoidable and negligent surgical error that has caused you pain and suffering, we will work hard to quickly establish if you have a case to make a claim – and if so, we will work with you to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve and need to fully recover.

You usually have 3 years from the date of the surgery, if you’re aged 18 and older, to make a surgery error claim.

The amount of compensation you receive depends on your injury and how much is needed to get you back to the position you should have been in had you received the correct surgical treatment.

By making a claim, you can ensure the mistake is only made once and that no one else suffers like you have during the same surgery, as lessons will hopefully be learnt by the doctors and hospital staff.

How We Can Help You With Your Surgical Error Claim

Our medical negligence solicitors have the proven track record of helping many clients make successful claims after receiving below standard care during surgery on the NHS and private hospitals, for both adults and children.

We will assess whether the care you received was sub-standard and work hard to establish whether surgical negligence took place in order to secure the compensation you deserve for your experience – and to cover any current and future medical treatment and losses sustained.

In a recent case, a local customer services advisor in her early 50s made a claim with the help of Bartletts Solicitors’ personal injury team in Chester. Following remedial surgery, the lady developed a vaginal fistula and when the hospital tried to fix the issue, they made it worse and she ended up with significant difficulties for 12 months before another consultant was able to resolve it.

Our solicitors were able to prove the original surgeon should not have carried out the second surgery and that when he did this was not in accordance with hospital protocol for this type of procedure and led to more pain. We also demonstrated that the hospital failed to pick up on the vaginal fistula for months, causing the lady many months of stress and anxiety.

The lady was awarded £35,000 in compensation for her injury and loss of earnings. Thankfully she has since made a full recovery.

Thanks to their experience and knowledge of this complex area of law, our specialist solicitors are here to help you if you have received negligent surgical treatment or suffered due to a surgical error, and will assist you at every stage of the process to make the experience as stress-free and straightforward as possible for you – and to secure the compensation you deserve.

To discuss making a surgical error claim with one of our solicitors, call Freephone 0800 988 3674  or via a Mobile 0333 200 4465 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch.

What Are Your Rights With Work Related RSI Claims:?

Your employer has a legal duty to keep you safe at work and protect your wellbeing whilst you’re in the workplace environment – if this has not been the case and your RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) was caused or worsened by poor working conditions, you may be entitled to claim for compensation.RSI Claims Bartletts Solicitors

What Is RSI?

Repetitive Strain Injury, sometimes called Occupational Overuse Syndrome, refers to the damage that your muscles, tendons and nerves suffer due to repetitive tasks and awkward posture.

It is usually work-related and commonly occurs in the fingers, hands, arms and neck. With proper and effective health and safety measures in place, RSI is avoidable most of the time.

There are numerous actions and tasks that increase the risk of RSI with most injuries happening to people who work in offices, factories or in manual labour roles. Common causes include:

  • Repetitive tasks
  • Poor posture
  • Insufficient or infrequent rest breaks
  • Cold environment
  • Using vibrating equipment

RSI Symptoms

Symptoms range from mild to severe, but in every case, you should seek medical help to prevent further damage and pain from occurring.

If symptoms are mild, you may only notice the pain during the task itself – should this happen, you should stop your activity straightaway and tell your employer. If symptoms are constant or the pain is serious, as well as seeking medical advice you should seek legal advice too.

RSI Facts

It is estimated that more than 5 million working days are lost in sick leave because of RSIs every year – which means this type of injury isn’t just impacting on the day-to-day life of the sufferer but the wider economy too.

Various UK studies have shown what a difference it makes to people’s mental health and job satisfaction levels, having management that treats staff fairly and with consideration of working conditions. This is why it’s vital more is done to prevent employees from suffering with RSIs in the workplace

Other Work-Related Injuries

As well as RSI, HAVS and CTS are common work-related injuries that can be caused by poor safety measures and working conditions.

HAVS stands for Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome and is a form of Raynaud’s syndrome which causes poor blood circulation and nerve damage. It is most often found in individuals who use vibrating equipment or power tools in their work and usually causes permanent damage.

CTS is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and is caused by swelling in the wrist area that suppresses the median nerve and leads to the area around the thumb becoming weak or numb. This syndrome can be caused or made worse by poor working conditions in the manufacturing and construction industries.

How We Can Help You With Your RSI Claim

Your workplace should be a safe environment and your employer should have measures in place to protect your wellbeing. If your employer has failed in their duty of care and been negligent either through a lack of health and safety measures or by failing to take action after you raised concerns then you may be able to make a compensation claim for your RSI.

It is important you consult legal help as well as medical assistance if you’ve suffered or are suffering from RSI, HAVS or CTS. Your solicitor will guide and support you at every step of the claims process, if you decide to go ahead – and work hard to ensure you receive the help you need to recover as well as to secure the compensation you deserve.

To discuss a potential RSI claim with one of our specialist solicitors call FREE on 0800 988 3674  or via a Mobile 0333 200 4465 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch.

 

Can I Claim Compensation If I have Been Injured In An E-Scooter Accident?

E-scooters are increasingly popular but just how dangerous are they?

E-Scooter Accident Bartletts SolicitorsThere have been reports of people being injured whilst riding e-scooters and of pedestrians being hurt when e-scooter riders have failed to stop in time. If you’ve been hurt in an e-scooter accident, get in touch with our professional personal injury solicitors about whether you can make a claim for compensation for your injuries.

What Are E-Scooters?

E-scooters are electric scooters that provide an alternative way to travel to walking or cycling.

Quite new to our streets, e-scooters are becoming a familiar sight in some UK cities thanks to Government-led trials that have made them available to hire in certain areas.

What Is The Law For Riding E-Scooters?

You must have a valid provisional or full driving licence and be over the age of 16 to ride an e-scooter.

In England, the law states it is illegal to ride a privately-owned e-scooter on public roads and these e-scooters must only be ridden on private land with permission from the landowner.

An individual who is caught illegally riding a privately-owned e-scooter on a public road can be fined up to £300 and have 6 points added to their driving licence.

The Government is currently trialling e-scooter hire in more than 40 towns and cities – and it is legal to ride e-scooters in these areas. However, it is still illegal to ride e-scooters on pavements and they can only be ridden in cycle lanes and on the sides of roads.

The E-Scooter Hire Trials

The cities that have e-scooters available for hire under the Government trial scheme include London, Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham.

During the trial period, it is compulsory for all e-scooters to have motor insurance – this is currently provided by the rental operator.

Each e-scooter provider has slightly different rules for e-scooter use so it’s always worth checking before deciding whether to hire an e-scooter or not.

E-Scooter Safety

Similar rules that apply to cycling, apply to e-scooters. Helmets are recommended but not mandatory.

The speed limit for most e-scooters available to hire is 15.5mph. In London, the speed limit is 12.5mph and you need to complete an online safety course before starting your journey when you hire one for the first time.

How Safe Are E-Scooters?

The combination of electric power, lack of training on how to ride one safely, and the speed they can travel at means they pose a certain danger to the rider and to pedestrians who may be in the path of one if the rider can’t stop in time.

Regardless of whether the e-scooter trials make it compulsory to have insurance whilst on the public road on an e-scooter, it’s always a good idea to have insurance – just in case you’re involved in an accident that causes injury to another person.

How We Can Help You With Your E-Scooter Accident Claim

If you’ve been injured in an accident involving an e-scooter, contact us for advice on whether you can make a claim for compensation and what your rights are.

We can also provide guidance and information on e-scooter safety and the law surrounding them, on a more general basis.

For more information on e-scooters and the law or to speak to one of our specialist solicitors about making an e-scooter accident claim for compensation, call Freephone 0800 988 3674  or via a Mobile 0333 200 4465 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch.

 

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