Types of Claims

  • Unsafe working environment
  • Unsafe or dangerous working practices
  • Inadequate health and safety

Damaged or unsuitable equipment You may be able to make a claim for compensation if you have been injured as a result of an accident whether the accident happened at work, on the road, abroad, through a trip or slip or as a result of medical negligence. Below outlines in some detail the types of accidents that you may be able to claim for.

Accidents at Work

Accidents and injuries at work are common and can occur in any type of job or situation, such as an office, construction site, factory, warehouse or shop. Many of these accidents are due to the negligence of someone else, such as a colleague, employer, or another company based at your place of work. Your employer has a responsibility to provide you with a safe working environment and the correct equipment for you to carry out your designated job, and if they do not fulfil this obligation then they are breaking the law and putting you at risk. The law sets out rules and regulations to protect you from accidents at work and to compensate you if you are injured while working.

Some people are reluctant to pursue a claim against their employer for fear of reprisals against them. Your employer is not allowed to dismiss you or treat you unfairly for making a workplace accident claim and compulsory liability insurance will protect your employer in the event of an accident claim being brought against them. It is your right to make a claim for compensation as a resultof a workplace accident that was not your fault.

Typical workplace accident claims might arise in the following situations;

  • Contact with dangerous materials
  • Excessive or unreasonable demands on employees
  • Bullying or discrimination by other employees

Our comprehensive and personal attention to the details of your case means that we will aim to achieve the maximum amount of compensation relative to the injury sustained and we will assess the value of your claim based on published guidelines and previous similar cases. We are able to deal with claims on a No Win-No Fee basis in appropriate cases so please ask for full details.

Road Traffic Accidents

Road traffic accidents are one of the most common causes of personal injury. They can be very traumatic for the victim even if the injuries sustained are minor. If you make a claim the other driver's insurers have to decide whether to accept liability for the claim and what compensation to offer you for your particular injury and to cover your other losses arising from the accident, such as loss of earnings and any necessary treatment needed for your rehabilitation.

The most common types of claims for compensation for road traffic accidents are for whiplash, but claims can be made for a variety of injuries including broken limbs, bruises, or even psychological injuries.

A majority of road traffic accidents are due to human error, whether from lack of judgement or concentration or because of intoxication. If you have suffered an injury in a road traffic accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. It is not just the driver of a vehicle that can make a claim for compensation either - if you are a passenger in the vehicle, an occupant of any other vehicle involved, a pedestrian, a motor cyclist or a pedal cyclist and you have been involved in an accident that was not your fault you may also be able to make a claim for compensation against the driver of the vehicle that caused the accident.

If you have had a road traffic accident abroad then different laws and regulations may apply, and any compensation and the value of your claim may be subject to the law of that country. Whilst the EU Motor Directive 2003 will also assist when making a claim for compensation in the UK for car accidents abroad, such an accident abroad can be extremely complicated and it is important that you seek expert legal help as soon as possible.

Symes Robinson & Lee will guide you through the claims process following your accident. We will look at all of the evidence, take statements from witnesses, and liaise with your insurers on your behalf. If it is necessary we will try to arrange local treatment for your injury and we will include in your claim any financial losses that you may have suffered. Compensation may not make you better, but it may help to ease your suffering and cover your losses. A huge strain on many accident victims is due to lack of earnings through being unable to work.

Our comprehensive and personal attention to the details of your particular case means that we will always aim to achieve the maximum amount of compensation for the injury suffered. We will discuss with you how the accident has affected your health and your life in general, and we will assess the value of your claim based on published guidelines and previous similar cases. Should your injuries be more serious, we will also advise you on any benefits or additional financial help that you may be entitled to, and attempt to secure interim payments of compensation to relieve the financial pressure particularly where you may have suffered a substantial loss of earnings.

We are able to deal with claims on a No Win-No Fee basis in appropriate cases so please ask for full details.

Accidents and illnesses abroad

Travelling abroad should be an enjoyable experience, whether it is for business or pleasure. Fortunately most of the time this is the case, but accidents and illnesses are bound to happen, even when abroad, and when the accident is in a foreign place with different laws and regulations, it can cause considerable upset and stress for the accident victim and all concerned.

Making a claim for compensation for an accident or illness abroad can be extremely complicated and it is important that you get expert legal help as soon as possible. The compensation and value of your claim is usually subject to the law of the country where the injury occurred and different time limits and restrictions may apply and in certain circumstances the vital evidence that you need to bring a successful claim may be difficult to obtain. The good news is that the recent changes in UK and European law mean that it has become much easier to make a claim for compensation if the accident happens with the European Union area.

If your holiday is a package deal then it is usually easier to make a claim for compensation as there are regulations in place to facilitate a claim in the UK following an accident overseas. If your accident is a road traffic accident then the EU Motor Directive 2003 will also assist you when making a claim for compensation in the UK for car accidents abroad. Your tour operator and hotel also have a duty of care to provide you with a safe service and environment and, if they are fail to do this, you may be entitled to make a claim.

It is imperative that you have adequate insurance in place before commencing a foreign holiday to safeguard you and your family against illness and accidents abroad. Some travel insurance policies have cover for medical treatment and/or specific types of claims. It is important that you ensure that the policy you take out meets all of your particular requirements and that you comply fully with any disclosure requirements particularly those relating to pre-existing medical conditions.

If you have been taken ill or had an accident abroad, and it was not your fault, then you may be able to make a claim for compensation. We will look at the details of your individual case and give you help and guidance through the claims process. As part of your claim we may be able to cover the cost of medical treatment necessitated by your accident or illness and also any financial losses you may suffer once you are back in the UK.

We are also able to deal with claims on a No Win-No Fee basis in appropriate cases so please ask for full details.

Examples of incidents that may give rise to a claim are;
  • Accidents while in a hotel or resort such as a trip, slip or fall due to wet flooring, misplaced objects, or uneven surfaces
  • Accidents in the hotel room, on an excursion, or whilst taking part in sports or leisure activities such as diving or skiing
  • Road traffic accidents, whether driver, passenger or pedestrian.
  • Accidents that occur as a direct result of a faulty hire car
  • Boating and Cruise ship accidents or illnesses
  • Injuries which occurred on foreign transport
  • Food poisoning or stomach upsets caused by the hotel due to poor cleanliness
  • Illness resulting from bad general hotel hygiene

Trips and Slips

Trips and slips are common occurrences which can happen through going about our normal day to day business and, statistically, they are one of the most frequent causes of claims for compensation. But how would you know if you can make a claim for compensation for your accident?

Every occupier of land or buildings has a duty to care for people coming on to the land or entering the buildings whether they are visitors (invited or uninvited) or people going about their lawful business such as postmen or meter readers. If you have had an accident that is not your fault in a shop, office, park, road, leisure centre or even someone else's home and the accident was due to due to the occupier's neglect then you may be entitled to claim compensation.

The most common type of claim is for a trip or slip caused by spills on floors which have not been attended to or do not display warning signs, obstructions, and poorly maintained roads and paths. To make a claim for compensation it is necessary to show breach of the duty of care by the organisation or person responsible for the maintenance of the land, building or area. This may be the local council, your employer, the local supermarket or even your neighbour! We will discuss your individual circumstances with you to find out who may be responsible for your accident and advise you on the best course of action to take. Almost all organisations should be covered by public liability insurance and most householders will carry appropriate insurance cover for such claims. If it is necessary we will try and facilitate local treatment for your injury and include as part of your claim any financial losses that you may have suffered as a result of your accident. Our comprehensive and personal attention to the details of your particular case means that we will aim to achieve the maximum amount of compensation for the injury suffered assessing your claim on the basis of published guidelines and previous similar cases. We are able to deal with claims on a No Win-No Fee basis in appropriate cases.

Medical Negligence

We rely on doctors and other medical professionals to care for us but unfortunately sometimes things can go wrong. Your condition may be incorrectly diagnosed, an operation may be performed badly or your child may suffer an injury due to a difficult birth. Medical negligence can arise when sub-standard care by an NHS or private health professional such as a GP, hospital or a dentist, causes pain, injury, psychological problems or even death. You have a right to make a complaint about the treatment that you have received and to seek compensation for the accident or injury caused. We do appreciate however, that very often compensation may not be the most important factor in wanting to bring the poor treatment to the attention of the professional body concerned. We have acted for clients where patient awareness has been heightened and improvements in medical standards and treatment have been brought about as a consequence of bringing their cases to light. It is in addition that compensation has been offered as recompense for the pain or suffering caused.

We understand that approaching a solicitor in the first instance may be daunting and we offer a sympathetic personal service, and we will always give you honest and straightforward advice about the prospects of success of any claim for compensation that you might wish to bring. Whilst many victims of medical negligence are understandably put off making a claim by the thought of having to go to court we are often able to avoid this by settling claims at the earliest possible stage by good and effective preparation, utilising medical experts committed to our claims ethos. We are often able to win cases due to this method of negotiation.

We offer free initial advice either by telephone or appointment on claims relating to clinical and medical negligence, evaluating whether you have a case. We aim to achieve the maximum amount of compensation relative to the injury sustained, and in doing so, we will discuss with you how the accident has affected your health and your life in general, and we will assess the value of your claim based on published guidelines and previous similar cases. We are able to deal with cases on a No Win-No Fee basis in appropriate cases.

To discuss you accident in detail, simply submit your claim on line or alternatively telephone or email one of our experienced personal injury team and we will call you back as a matter of urgency.

Telephone our compensation lines : Exeter 01392 260297 or 01392 270867

Email: map@srl-solicitors.co.uk

For more infomation please contact one of the following:

Name Position Office
Patrick Langrishe Partner Budleigh Salterton
Mark Perry LLB Solicitor Exeter
Craig Oliver Solicitor Exeter
Denise Strawbridge Litigation Executive Exeter


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