If you have been injured in an accident which wasn't your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. If you are not sure if you have a case or what you might be entitled to, McKeowns Solicitors can offer independent, expert advice.

If you can provide us with some details in the online enquiry form we'd be happy to contact you with advice and guidance on your claim and how to proceed if you choose to. If, for whatever reason, you decide not to claim, you are under no obligation.

If you'd prefer to talk to someone in detail you could call our dedicated new claims number on tel 0870 428 3891.

We realise that making a personal injury claim can be a daunting experience, but our experienced team is on hand to help make the process as simple and straightforward as possible.

All our clients receive a:

• a genuine 'no win, no fee' service
• a professional, friendly service
• the best possible result, based on our long experience of accident claims handling work
• 100 per cent of the damages awarded

Situations in which we can help

Because every case is unique, each claim requires its own expert team. McKeowns Solicitors has a dedicated panel of experts in every field which means that whatever type of case you have, it will be handled confidently by a 'tailor made' legal team.

Road accidents account for a large proportion of all accidents in the UK.

Because it is compulsory for all drivers to carry insurance covering third party injury, individuals with valid claims can proceed with a claim knowing that they are eligible for compensation and will be paid.

In cases where a negligent driver has inadequate or no insurance at the time of the accident, a claim for compensation will usually still be possible through the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB).

Injured Motorcyclist

Most motorcycle accidents tend to be collisions with cars and can sadly involve serious injuries. The Carole Nash Motorcycle Accident Survey 2007 reported that 'over 66% of motorcycle accidents were caused not by the insured biker but other road users'. Other incidents are due to defects in the road surface. Whatever the case we'd be happy to help. To seek professional advice, please email us, or simply call 08000 328 328.

Injured Driver

As an injured driver, you can claim for losses and injuries if it can be shown that someone else - usually another motorist - was negligent. In practice, this means that you must be able to demonstrate that the other motorist's standard of driving fell below the standard of care normally expected of road users. To seek professional advice, please email us, or simply call 08000 328 328.

Injured Passenger

As an injured passenger you will, in almost all circumstances, be able to bring a successful claim for damages.Passengers who claim are generally succesful in cases where they have suffered as a result of their own driver's negligence, the negligence of another motorist, or a combination of the two. However, it's important to note that failure to comply with the law in relation to wearing a seat belt may affect the level of damages awarded to a passenger. To seek professional advice, please email us, or simply call 08000 328 328.

Injured Cyclist

If you have been injured as a cyclist where a motorist was at fault, a claim will be possible against the motorist. In addition to obtaining compensation for your injuries, you may also be able to recover losses for damage to your bicycle and clothing in addition to loss of earnings. To seek professional advice, please email us, or simply call 08000 328 328.

Injured Pedestrian

If you have been a pedestrian involved in an accident, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries and other losses if they it can be shown that they were caused entirely, or to some degree, by a motorist. Even if the pedestrian is partly to blame for the accident, you may still be entitled to some level of compensation. In this case it is advisable to seek professional advice, please email us, or simply call 08000 328 328.

Busy workplaces can be a danger zone for accidents. If you have been involved in a workplace accident, you may be entitled to claim for compensation if it can be shown that your injury was caused by your employers negligence, breach of statutory duty or breach of contract.

If a work colleague's actions contributed to a workplace accident which caused you injury, a claim is also possible against your employer.

It is important to note that you have an obligation to make your employer aware of any accidents that occur at work. This information should be properly recorded in the Accident Book.

Machinery at work

Many factors can contribute to accidents involving machinery in the work place. Poorly maintained equipment, or insufficient training for staff are just two examples of circumstances that might entitle you to make a successful claim.

Lifting at work

If you suffer a physical injury as a result of lifting at work, it may be that this was caused by your employer's failure to provide adequate training or proper manual handling equipment.

Your employer is obliged to provide a safe system of work for employees and if you believe they have failed to do that, you may be entitled to make a claim.

Dangerous Conditions in the Workplace

An employer is responsible for providing a safe, hazard free workplace environment for all employees.

If you have slipped or fallen in work, it could be as a result of an employer's failure to comply with current safety standards in respect of hazards in the work place.

There are also legal regulations in place for workplace standards in ventilation, indoor temperature, lighting, workstations and seating, room dimensions and working space, the prevention of falling objects, disposal of waste materials etc. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in injury to employees and the right to pursue a claim.

Accidents caused by co-employees

An employer must make efforts to choose appropriately skilled co-employees. The training, orders, record and personality of co-employees may all taken into account where an accident at work has occurred.

Absence of protective equipment

If a particular job requires the employer to provide adequate protective equipment such as goggles, gloves or special clothing and the employer does not this could result in injury and subsequently a claim.

Particular working environments may have a physical impact on employees and some may suffer disease as a result. The physical injury may not be evident immediately and symptoms often develop over a long period of time. However, it is usually the case that the employee was not aware of the cause of the symptoms until some time later.

The general rule of thumb is that a claim for compensation for occupational disease must be issued within three years from the date of "knowledge" of the onset of symptoms and that the injury may have been caused by the workplace.

It is illegal for your employer to terminate your employment if you make a claim for compensation. If you are concerned about this, please contact our employment division.

Beat knee

Bursitis (or beat knee) has long been considered an occupational hazard for miners. There are other similar occupational knee injuries including menisci cartilage damage and osteoarthritis. These conditions are often types of repetitive strain injury which arise when bones, muscles, cartilage joints or tendons are subjected to repetitive movements, usually under physical pressure, without adequate rest periods. In this case it is advisable to seek professional advice, please email us, or simply call 0870 4283891.

You can also fill in our questionnaire by clicking here. Please complete as fully as you can and send to us; the information you share will help us to help you more quickly.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder)

COPD is the overall term used to describe a variety of illnesses, including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease. People with COPD have permanently damaged lungs and find it difficult to breathe most of the time. Employers must assess the exposure (exposure means taking in chemicals by breathing in, by skin contact or by swallowing) and the risk that this exposure would cause undue health effects.In this case it is advisable to seek professional advice, please email us, or simply call 0870 4283891.

You can also fill in our questionnaire by clicking here. Please complete as fully as you can and send to us; the information you share will help us to help you more quickly.

Industrial Deafness

Your employer has a duty to minimise noise in the workplace, preventing the high exposure levels proven to be a potential cause of industrial deafness. Employers have a statutory duty outlining what acceptable levels of noise are, how employers should ensure that noise levels are minimised and that suitable protective equipment is provided. Any employee who is exposed to loud noise over a prolonged period, or in exceptional cases even for a relatively short period, is at risk of developing industrial deafness.In this case it is advisable to seek professional advice, please email us, or simply call 0870 4283891.

You can also fill out our questionnaire by clicking here. Please complete as fully as you can and send to us; the information you share will help us to help you more quickly.

Asbestosis & Mesothelioma

Asbestosis is a chronic inflammatory medical condition affecting the lungs. It occurs after long-term, heavy exposure to asbestos, e.g. in mining, and is therefore regarded as an occupational lung disease. Sufferers have severe shortness of breath and are at an increased risk regarding several different types of lung cancer.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos. Most people who develop the disease have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, but symptoms may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure.

In addition, there are other conditions, which may have been caused by exposure to asbestos in the workplace, to include pleural thickening, lung cancer, pulmonary firbosis and pleural plaques. To seek professional advice, please email us, or simply call 0870 4283891

Hand-arm vibration syndrome

Vibration White Finger (VWF) is a secondary form of Raynaud's disease, an industrial injury triggered by continuous use of vibrating hand-held machinery. Good practice in industrial health and safety management requires that worker vibration exposure is assessed in terms of acceleration amplitude and duration. Using a tool that vibrates slightly for a long time can be as damaging as using a heavily vibrating tool for a short time. To seek professional advice, please email us, or simply call 0870 4283891.

You can also fill in our questionnaire by clicking here. Please complete as fully as you can and send to us; the information you share will help us to help you more quickly.

RSI

A repetitive strain injury (RSI), also called cumulative trauma disorder (CTD), occupational overuse syndrome, or work related upper limb disorder (WRULD), is any of a loose group of conditions resulting from overuse of a tool, eg. computer, knife, etc. or other activity that requires repeated movements. It is a syndrome that affects muscles, tendons and nerves in the hands, arms and upper back. It is most common among assembly line and computer workers.To seek professional advice, please email us, or simply call 0870 4283891

Work related stress

Everyone is under some pressure in the workplace; some external pressures can be a positive factor, helping us to be more productive. However, excessive and prolonged stress can take its toll, producing a range of physical and emotional health problems. While stress can be triggered by sudden, unexpected pressures, it is often the result of a combination of stressful factors which accumulate over time. Most work-related stress is related to management of work, relationships at work, organisational set-up and whether you feel you have power and control in your work. In addition, stress can be caused by bullying and/or harassment in the workplace.To seek professional advice, please email us, or simply call 0870 4283891

Public places refer to land or property over which there is a public right of way, or to which the public has access.

Accidents can fall into two categories:

• Tripping and slipping accidents
• Accidents on private property

In simple terms, owners of land or property have an obligation to take reasonable care for the safety of visitors. If they fail to do so, resulting in an injury, a claim may be possible.

Slips, Trips and Falls

If your accident was caused by a defect on a path or pavement, for example an obstacle or pothole, you may be able to bring a claim against those responsible for maintaining the path or pavement.

Shops, Resturants and Public Places

Shop owners, restauranteurs and other public premises have a duty to take reasonable care that visitors will be safe when using their premises.

For example, if a floor is wet from a recent spillage, or even from a regular cleaning routine, signs normally need to be erected to alert customers and visitors to the hazard. If insufficient (or no) warning of the danger is provided, a claim by an injured party will normally be possible.

Landlord's responsibility to tenants

If you are a tenant who has been injured by defects in a property rented out to you by a landlord, you may be entitled to make a claim against the landlord.

This is a complex area because the law considers negligent construction/repair/maintenance work carried out on the property before the tenancy began as well as defects that arise during your time as a tenant.

If you'd like further advice please contact one of our advisers please email us, use the contact us page, or simply call 08000 328 328.

In cases where a product is defective and its use results in injury, a consumer can be entitled to make a claim from the manufacturer/supplier as well as individuals/companies through whom the goods may have been distributed.

If you have been injured as a result of negligent medical treatment you may have a right to compensation. You will have to obtain a lawyer to act for you because clinical negligence cases are always fiercely defended.

Clinical negligence is a highly specialist area so it is important that your solicitor has specific experience in this field. The clinical practitioner or authority will be defended by experts and you must have equal specialist advice. We offer this specialist clinical negligence advice and experience.

Compensation is payable in many circumstances

Other accidents which may entitle you to make a claim include:

Sports injury cases, where an injury occurs because of the reckless actions of an opponent, or the failure of an official to properly apply the rules of the game.

Injuries caused by animals, which might give rise to a claim under the Animals Act 1971 or under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

If you need advice please email us, use the contact us page, or simply call 08000 328 328.