Latest Blog posts from Balindaandco.com

Personal injury claims arising from cosmetic surgery on the Increase

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Personal injury solicitors are seeing an increase in the number of medical negligence claims from people who have suffered at the hands of plastic surgeons.

Recent data from the Medical Defence Union (MDU) has shown that personal injury compensation claims arising from cosmetic surgery are upheld in 45% of all cases. For medical negligence claims in general, the figure is 30%. The Union also said there had been a significant increase in the number of claims over the last five years.

One case involved a claimant who said the surgeon did not get fully informed consent or collect a full medical history before a facelift operation. The claimant went on to suffer a stroke after the procedure and eventually received more than half a million pounds in compensation.

Another case highlighted by the MDU involved a man who ended up with breathing problems after a nose reduction and a woman who received the wrong size breast implants.

The Royal College of General Practioners’ chair, Dr Clare Gerada, explained that while it may be easy to obtain cosmetic surgery, profit should never override high quality care.

Asda Employee Receives £27,000 in Compensation after a Slip And fall Accident at Asda

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Irene Heslop an ex-Asda worker has won £27,000 in compensation after suffering a serious back injury due to slipping on a broken egg. The accident occurred in an Asda store warehouse in March 2007 where she worked.

Mrs Heslop was employed in the Asda store as a bakery assistant for seven years prior to the accident. Following the accident, she was left unable to walk long distances or use heavy equipment. She currently needs to receive regular injections and acupuncture to aid her recovery.

Despite her request to return to work on lighter duties once she had partially recovered, Mrs Heslop was told that there were no such positions open.

Since the accident, Mrs Heslop has been unable to work. Doctors at Manchester Royal Infirmary confirmed as part of the slip compensation claim, that Mrs Heslop’s lifestyle had been ‘considerably curtailed’ by the accident, and although they had been unable to agree upon the exact extent of her back injuries, one specialist was convinced that she had suffered a fracture to her spine.

Mrs Heslop claims that Asda could and should have settled far earlier to avoid the on-going discomfort of a now retired former employee.

In the immediate aftermath of the accident, a private detective was twice sent by the management of the store to film Mrs Helsop and to prove she was able to work.

It was only during the case, three years later, that Mrs Heslop realised she had been followed. She said that she felt sick when she saw the footage; she thought that it seemed so over the top for them to follow her around and invade her privacy like that.

Mrs Heslop has since paid the Department of Work and Pensions £6,000 out of her settlement to pay back the industrial injury benefit she claimed once her statutory sick pay ended after six months of injury hell.

An Asda spokeswoman said that health and safety of all their customers and colleagues is their biggest priority and if Asda fall short of their high standards, they would work to put things right.

Council employees paid over £228,000 personal injury claims

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Recent figures have revealed that 28 employees of North Lincolnshire Council have received more than in £228,000 compensation between 2007 to 2011.

In addition to the compensation, the council has also paid unspecified costs amounting to £181,134.

The highest payout was for £47,751. This amount was for an industrial disease for a former council employee who contracted mesothelioma following asbestos exposure.

The second highest payout was £43,138 to an employee whose hand became trapped while changing blades in a machine.

Other payouts were made for various personal injuries, including hands getting caught in machinery, slips and trips, people colliding with objects and falling down holes.

Compensation payments were also made for injuries incurred while lifting, knee injuries, and fingers getting caught in a door.

Personal injury solicitor, Andrew Havery, said the financial value of each compensation pay-out takes into account the pain and suffering received and the amount of time the affected person will be out of work.

The figures also showed a steady decline in the amount of compensation paid out to employees with just £3,100 paid out over the last 12 months in personal injury claims.

A spokesperson for the council said: “The council has a responsibility, as far as is reasonably practicable, to safeguard health, safety and welfare of all its workers and other people who might be affected by the council’s work activities.

Terminally ill man in a £200,000 personal injury claims fight

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Malcolm Bogges, 67, from Halesowen, who is dying from cancer caused through asbestos exposure, has launched a personal injury claim against his former employers, for £200,000.

Mr Bogges suffers from malignant mesothelioma, which is a form of cancer affecting the lungs and abdomen.

According to the High Court Claim, his exposure to asbestos came as a result of working for Simon Dudley Ltd as an engineer between 1959 and 1977.

During this time he would use asbestos blankets, which were used to stop flash from escaping the welding shop. Sadly, they were prone to damage and produced asbestos dust fibres when they were moved.

The claim also state that asbestos was used on pipes in the fitting shop where Mr Bogges was based, and his work required him to work around these pipes.

Mr Bogges, according to the court papers, came into contact with asbestos blankets in the repair shop, where he worked with hydraulically operated equipment. Pipes fitted to the fire engines on which he worked were also lagged with asbestos and these too produced dust and fibres when moved.

His symptoms first began to manifest in 2008. He has since undergone various medical treatments, but chose not to have chemotherapy. His health is now deteriorating rapidly.

The High Court claim brands the company negligent on a number of levels, including failing to warn or protect Mr Bogges from the dangers of asbestos, and failing to provide adequate ventilation, dust suppression, and a safe place to work.

If you or your loved were exposed to asbestos in your workplace as a result of which you have suffered mesothelioma, you may be entitled to claim personal injury compensation.

To get a good workplace illness solicitor, contact Balinda and Co now on 0800 321 3287 and find out how we can help.

Claiming Compensation For Laser Eye Surgery Gone Wrong

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Can laser eye surgery go wrong? This is one of the most common questions asked by those considering having laser eye surgery.

Laser eye surgery is an operative procedure and so naturally things sometimes go wrong with all operations.

If all the potential risks were not fully explained to you by your doctor prior to undergoing the procedure, then it is possible you did not give informed consent for the laser eye operation.

Without informed consent, you will potentially have a medical negligence claim against the surgeon if the surgery went wrong and you suffered injuries or damage as a result of the operation.

After surgery, some people who were short sighted struggle to read without glasses, others experience dry eyes or night vision problems.

It is possible laser eye surgery can wrong due to your doctor’s negligence.

If you have had laser eye operation and you are experiencing pain and or difficulties with your sight, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

You need to consult an experienced medical negligence solicitor to advise you on your potential claim.

To get a lawyer about laser eye surgery gone wrong, contact Balinda and Co now on 0800 321 3287 and find out how we can help.

Claiming Compensation For Medical Treatment Gone Wrong

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When a person engaged in the provision of healthcare services such as a doctor, dentist or nurse accidentally injures a patient while providing medical treatment, the patient may be entitled to claim compensation.

In order to prove that medical treatment went wrong, it’s necessary to show that the medical service provided was below the standards required by the relevant medical profession.

For example, if you had a wrong tooth extracted by your dentist, and in the process you suffered additional pain and required another visit to the dentist to remove the right one, you would have to prove that another dentist would not have made the same mistake.

Medical mistakes are not only made by doctors. Anyone employed by a hospital such as a nurse or technician can also make mistakes.

HOW TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOR MEDICAL MISTAKES

It’s important to speak to a specialist medical negligence solicitor as quickly as possible if you suspect that you have suffered injury or pain as a result of a medical treatment going wrong.

A good lawyer will provide you free consultation and guide you through the process of making a medical negligence claim at no cost to you.

After you have spoken to a solicitor, you should keep all your medical records including photographs in order to help prove your case. For instance, if you have marks on your body that could help prove your medical negligence claim, please take pictures of those marks as soon as possible.

If you believe you have suffered injury or pain, as a result of medical negligence, you should consult a clinical negligence solicitor. A medical negligence lawyer can help you claim the full compensation you deserve.

Contact Balinda and Co now on 0800 321 3287 to find out how we can help.

Injury Claims For Children

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Though children are safe most of the time, there may come a time when your child may get involved in an accident either on a school bus or while crossing a road. When such an accident takes place your child could get injured.

Sometimes such injuries can be so serious resulting in the child missing school for a number of years or altogether. For example if the child has sustained severe brain injury, she may never resume school. You may also have to take time off work for sometime to look after your child.

If you are not able to work for a number years, you will most likely be unable to provide for your family. This is the reason why you need the assistance of a good personal lawyer the moment your child is involved in such an accident.

When you make a child injury claim using the services of a professional, you may be able to obtain substantial compensation for your child’s pain, suffering and loss of amenity.

It is important that you use a law firm that actually specialises in personal injury claims. In this way, you can be assured that you have got the services of a lawyer who knows the ins and outs of the personal injury compensation claims process. These types of specialists solicitors can generally move the accident claim at a faster pace than a generalist lawyer.

If you want to pursue full compensation to which your child is entitled to get following an accident, then you should consult a lawyer immediately. Don't wait until a month or even a week after your child’s accident.

To get a lawyer about child injury claims contact Balinda and Co now on 0800 321 3287 and find out how we can help.

£27,000 compensation for injury suffered at work

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A 55-year-old sales executive has received £27,000 in damages, more than four years after he permanently injured his leg in an accident at work.

Quentin Martin from Ruislip has been told he will never fully recover from the broken leg injury he suffered while at work. The accident occurred in August 2007 when he slipped on a clear sheet of plastic that had been left on the floor of the firm where he worked.

Although he knew that his colleagues had been putting window stickers up on some of the glass partitions in the office earlier that day, Mr Martin said he did not know that the plastic backing sheets had been left lying on the floor. He added that the sheets were completely transparent and were barely visible.

Following the accident at his work place, Mr Martin was taken to Wrexham Park Hospital by ambulance and given an x-ray which confirmed the fracture to his femur. After undergoing surgery to have a metal pin inserted into his leg to help heal the bone, he was discharged and signed off work for the next five months.

Three years later, Mr Martin was again admitted to hospital in September 2010 because his broken leg wasn’t healing properly. While in hospital, he underwent surgery to have the original metal pin removed and replaced.

Although Mr Martin has now returned to his job he still uses a walking stick and feels pain when walking on uneven ground. Mr Martin, who also works as a part-time DJ, takes painkillers daily and has been told he will never make a full recovery from his injury.

69 year old woman gets compensation following a slip and fall accident at Birmingham International A

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A 69-year-old woman who suffered multiple injuries as a result of falling on hazardous stairs at Birmingham International Airport has been paid compensation.

The 69-year-old's accident happened when she used temporary stairs between the boarding gate and the plane. Her solicitor said the stairs had not been connected properly, with wet steps and handrails creating an added hazard.

Despite suffering a dislocated shoulder, torn hamstring and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, personal injury solicitors initially told the woman that she would not be able to secure passenger injury compensation.

The woman said she was devastated when the first solicitor she approached turned down her claim. She said that she knew the accident wasn't her fault but was told she couldn't win.

However, after contacting another firm, the woman was told that her claim had a realistic chance of success.

After getting her compensation, the woman's solicitor said it was only right that she was compensated not only for her pain and suffering but for the time she missed at work and also the holiday which she and her husband had to abandon.

Dental Negligence claims: Claiming Compensation for Dental Mistakes

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Mrs Bridges, 36, successfully claimed compensation against her NHS dentist after the doctor wrongly extracted the wrong tooth leaving her in pain.

She experienced very extreme pain because of the dentist’s mistake.

Mrs Bridges was in severe pain for five days, after the wrong tooth was removed and before the correct tooth was subsequently extracted.

The dentist had negligently removed one of her upper front teeth. In addition to the physical pain, Mrs Bridges suffered a lot of embarrassment. She lost her confidence overnight.

The dentist had failed to properly interpret the results of X-rays which she had performed to diagnose the defective tooth.

Once the dentist’s practice discovered their mistake, they wanted to settle Mrs Bridges’s claim for one thousand pounds.

Mrs Bridges was still having difficulty coming to terms with the loss of her front tooth when the dental practice wrote to her making their offer.

Fortunately, her husband, Michael knew someone who had successfully made a dental negligence claim against a dentist. The lady in that case received a reasonable sum of money for her pain and suffering and other losses.

Because Michael knew a specialist dental negligence claims lawyer to contact, his wife got competent advice quickly.

The lawyer promptly met both Mrs Bridges and her husband and found out more about the history of her condition and a detailed statement about the events leading up to the dentist’s mistake was taken.

As a result of the dentist’s mistake, Mrs Bridges was in a lot of pain and was unable to resume work for about two weeks.

Mrs Bridges’ lawyer helped her to get full compensation for the serious pain and suffering she had endured.

Full compensation was possible for Mrs Bridges because her husband knew not to accept the derisory amount the practice had offered her at first.

Anyone can learn from Mrs Bridges and her dental negligence experience. She got compensated in full because her husband knew someone who had a dental negligence claim.

To get a lawyer about injuries caused as a result of dental errors, contact Balinda and Co now on 0800 321 3287 and find out how we can help.