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Continue readingHundreds of local people are failing to get the compensation they deserve after suffering personal injury, warns Managing Partner, Charlotte Pegman of Hubbard Pegman and Whitney LLP.
Each year, over three million people in the UK are injured in accidents and many have a right to compensation. However, an increasing number of victims are being offered premature compensation deals by the other side’s insurers, and Charlotte Pegman is warning people not to take the bait.
Research from the Financial Services Authority, which only became publically available because of a freedom of information challenge, revealed personal injury claimants who turn down an insurer’s initial offer and take legal advice from a solicitor get on average three times more compensation.
In their eagerness to offer victims quick cash, the other side’s insurers contact a victim shortly after an injury or accident and makes a cash offer- one that usually falls far short of what they deserve. If they accept the offer, it usually means they can’t make any further claims.
Many personal injuries happen at work or are a direct consequence of clinical negligence, where the victim sustains an injury during medical treatment. Victims may suffer loss of earnings as well as physical problems resulting from personal injury.
Hubbard Pegman and Whitney’s Managing Partner Charlotte Pegman said: “Many of our clients who suffered serious and life changing injuries due to the negligence of others, can not work anymore meaning they can’t lead a normal life. They not only deserve compensation- they need it to survive. “
Many of our clients were initially made lower offers by the other side’s insurer but made the wise choice not to accept. We want to make people aware that they do not have to accept the first offer made to them, but should speak to a solicitor before accepting anything”
The Law Society of England and Wales has just launched a ‘Don’t get mugged by an insurer’ campaign, urging the public to use a solicitor for personal injury claims.
Members of the public are directed to advice on how to pursue a claim and, via the Law Society’s Find A Solicitor search, how to find details of personal injury solicitors near them.
Desmond Hudson, chief executive of the Law Society said:
“This campaign doesn’t pull any punches, but we need to make a clear message, see your solicitor, don’t accept the insurers’ first offer and don’t deal with claims management companies. Pursuing your claim with a solicitor will mean you will get what you are genuinely entitled to.”
The campaign will feature posters on public transport and stations, PR coverage in regional media, radio advertising, online-advertising and a video on YouTube.
The Society is also offering A3 size posters and postcards to all firms as well as a rotating banner advert for websites.
Find out more about the campaign here http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/promote
Charlotte Pegman can be reached at her email address:cip@hpwsolicitors.co.uk or direct dial: 0208 735 7996.