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Tuesday, 10 September 2013

Personal injury can happen anytime anywhere

Source:

The most common form of personal injury often heard about is those experienced through being involved in a vehicle accident. Whiplash and the consequences of this is one of the more difficult to diagnose as there are unscrupulous people who will feign such illness just to get a claim. However there are many more types of persona injury which require much more attention as these claims are not always straightforward or produce instant or obvious physical damage.

People are often harmed by contact with dangerous or defective products – E.g. Children’s toys may be unsafe for normal play and your child will be cut. You may suffer an accident from a home tool or machine which was not correctly constructed or substandard – E.g. a D.I.Y tool may malfunction and you could have permanent damage to a finger or even loss of part of a limb. If you or your family are unfortunate to be one of these victims you will qualify to proceed with a personal injury claim.

However this procedure is not quite as straightforward as a car accident claim where there will already be insurance policies in place. For this type of claim you will have to ask for legal advice as how to proceed, this particular instance is commonly referred to as a product liability claim.

There are four types of personal areas where you may become injured through no fault of your own:

  • Consumer products e.g. food, water 
  • Medicines and other pharmaceuticals not prescribed by a doctor e.g. dietary aids bought over the counter or online
  • Faulty products often mass produced e.g. toys, home fitness or DIY products such as drills, bench saws, hedge trimmers etc.
  • Bio-mechanical Devices – e.g. Orthopaedic aids, implants, silicone implants DePuy Hips Time
Limits for making your claim:

It is also important to realise that e.g. in the UK there are time limits set by law; to the time after which the accident/personal injury has occurred in that you are able to make a personal injury claim. This is 3 years but there are exceptions to this time limit for claiming compensation for specific types of claim. An example of this is when a person may have been working with asbestos and many years after is diagnosed with asbestosis. The rule here still applies but in this case the claim must be made within 3 years of the official medical diagnosis of the disease. It is advisable to ask solicitors for legal advice for any type of claim especially in the wake of new medical evidence constantly being produced about the dangers of handling what used to be classed as harmless products but now are known to be dangerous to long term health.

Injured outside the UK?

The laws differ from country to country as to when or if you are entitled to make a personal injury claim. Health and Safety regulations also differ and travelling or living in any country means you must become aware of the laws for injury claims of that country. Holidaying abroad you will be covered to some extent for some personal injury in your travel insurance however it is not always adequate and must be checked. In the case of actually being injured you must immediately contact a legal authority both in the country you have been injured and in your home country to avoid the risk of losing your right to a personal injury claim.

Thursday, 29 August 2013

Rubber Gym Mats To Avoid Injuries


Mats and other flooring techniques add up a beauty and style in the way to decorate or design a room interior. The prime purpose for which the mats and flooring are conducted is to keep all the damages away from the floor and also to provide a long lasting impact to the surface of the floor beneath the mats and sheets. The different kinds of flooring techniques differ from place to place that where it is to be installed. Different sorts of sheets, mats and flooring are available depending upon the room type like house rooms, office rooms, gym areas, playground areas and other surfaces to be covered from the sheets.

Gym areas are now a day try to cover with many materials as to provide a long lasting shine, maintenance and for other styling to the entire environment. The gym mats are added up in the working out environment to provide many safety purposes as well to the clients and trainees so that they can easily perform the tough and tiring exercises without any harm to the body. The gym mats on the floor of the gym creates the impact during the workout which is also quite pleasant and relaxing and so increase in the benefits of implementing the flooring to the gyms.

The gym mats according to their characteristic are made up of the material that will bring in them different kinds of qualities and also increase their demands. These synthesized materials just like the rubber can give them flexibility, strength, durability and ease for using. The ways to produce the rubber gym mats are also meeting the criteria of thickness and length so that their prime purpose to avoid any harm to the body will be gained. Their thickness is defined in such a way that they can not only provide a soothing texture while doing workouts and heavy exercises but also give protection in the case of any jerk, shock or falling.

The shocks and other injuries are absorbed into the surface of the gym mats and it all depends on the thickness from which they are manufactured. The fine quality gym mats can easily endure with the pain giving incidents and also they can reduce the contact between human body and the floor. For this purpose the person performing the exercises can not experience the serious injuries and damages to the skin, bones or in any part of the body. The jerks that are produced during the exercise and working out can also effect on the neck, shoulder bone, back and other common joints of the body in the case any fall and slips. These can be easily avoided by the gym rubber mats as they give a secure surface. Also the gym flooring and rubber gym mats or sheets are water resistant and also used for bacteria prevention as to give a neat and clean environment.


Author:
Bethany Janick is the author of this article on rubber gym mats by Slip-Not. Know more about Gym Matting & Flooring Visit www.slip-not.co.uk

Thursday, 11 July 2013

Four Things To Watch For After An Injury


When accidents occur, you may not immediately realize you have been injured. The shock of the accident itself may make it difficult to determine if damage to the body has occurred. Anyone who has been in an accident should be monitored closely for signs that damage has occurred that may not be immediately evident.

Bleeding

Bleeding from a wound is generally seen immediately. However, bleeding can occur inside the brain without an external wound. Bleeding from a wound should receive immediate medical attention. Call for an ambulance and apply direct pressure to the wound. Avoid applying a tourniquet unless absolutely necessary, as this can damage tissue. Bleeding often requires stitches and may indicate further damage within the body. Surgery may be needed to repair damage of the internal organs. Broken bones may protrude through the skin causing bleeding and visible pieces of the bone. These injuries require not only repair and setting of the injured bone, but also care of the open wound.

Symptoms of Head Injury

A head injury is a situation that requires special care. Sometimes, there is no indication If an injured person shows signs of confusion, disorientation, headache, nausea, vomiting, difficulty walking or mood changes, you should seek medical attention immediately. It could be a sign of traumatic brain injury or brain swelling inside the skull. A head injury can cause a concussion and severe injury to the brain. The person may feel headache, bleeding from the eyes or nose, unconsciousness and coma. A head injury that causes unconsciousness can be a medical emergency. Get medical help immediately.

Pain

After an accident, pain anywhere in the body is a concern. Pain can be an indicator of fractured bones, muscle tears, nerve damage or other problems. Of course, some pain can be the simple sprains and strains. Minor injuries often respond quickly to simple home treatment and may not require medical care. However, if you are in an accident and have pain, seek medical attention to ensure that no bones have been broken. X-rays and MRIs are common tests to determine if damage has occurred to bones or soft tissues within the body.

Swelling

Swelling of a body part is an indication that the body is producing fluids in response to an injury. A joint may visibly swell after an injury. The protective fluids may even cause stiffness and pain in the joint. Swelling can also indicate bleeding under the skin. In this case, the skin is usually discolored, as in the common “black-and-blue” of a bruise, or it may be yellowish or purple. Applying ice packs to the area can reduce swelling. However, extensive swelling or bruising should be seen by a physician to ensure that no internal injury has occurred.

Any accident can be serious. If you have been in an accident, getting immediate medical care can be critical. Some injuries can be severe and can lead to long-term disability. For a personal injury attorney Stockton CA residents can call our office to discuss their options.

Monday, 8 July 2013

Medical Negligence Compensation Claims


Source: Clearwatersolicitors.com
This is the type of infographic that you'll want to share all over the internet! If you have been the victim of clinical negligence, or if you know someone who has been, you can find all the information you need about making a claim for compensation with this one handy infographic! It's perfect for the victims of dental negligence, GP negligence or malpractice in private and NHS hospitals - in fact, the victims of any kind of clinical negligence can get all the information they need through this single image!
And this infographic isn't just informative, detailed, clear and simple - it is also a pleasure to read! The graphic designers who made it pulled out all the stops, adding exciting and vibrant images, cartoons and cool colour schemes to ensure it's pleasing to the eyes as well as packed with information.
Dealing with questions such as 'which insurers pay out following clinical negligence claims', 'what are the advantages of using an expert solicitor', 'are there any disadvantages of doing so' and 'what is the process of claiming clinical negligence compensation', you'll be sure to be completely informed when you read this infographic! Send it to someone who needs it and do them a good turn.

Click here to view the infogrpahic

Wednesday, 3 July 2013

Ignoring Industrial Deafness won’t make it Disappear


Hearing loss is often a part of the aging process. Partial deafness can often even lead to family jokes and cruel tricks demonstrating the lack of respect that this ailment is afforded. In many cases, deafness is caused by the environment in which the sufferer spent a significant amount of their life, most notably their workplace. When a person suffers from hearing loss in the workplace, it is professional known as industrial deafness.

Many industries such as steelworks and mining take place almost exclusively in incredibly loud and stressful environments that will place undue pressure on the ears of the workforce. This undue pressure could lead to long-term effects such as partial or complete hearing loss or tinnitus. All of these ailments could lead to significant repercussions.

Tinnitus is an ailment that affects the hearing of an individual, leading them to suffer from ringing, buzzing, hissing or whistling in their ears. Not only can this be incredibly irritating for the sufferer, it can also lead to nausea, headaches and even fits of fainting.

People who had lost their eyesight through no fault of their own would not sit idly by as they miss some of the most beautiful and poignant moments of their life, so why do so many ignore the fact that they are missing out on beautiful sounds due to the negligence of another party. Whilst no medication will be able to bring their hearing back to its fullest ability, a full and complete compensation package can help ease the situation.

It is not just the older generations working in physical industries who may suffer from industrial deafness, younger generations who work in loud environments like clubs and bars without the correct safety equipment may suffer from loss of hearing and may find significant difficulties in their personal and private lives henceforth.

Anybody who has lost full or partial use of their hearing may be entitled to significant financial compensation from the party responsible for their ailment. This money could go towards easing the pain of deafness, or paying for hearing aids and implements or simply serve as a sense of justice for the party responsible for creating the disability. This justice cannot be brought forth unless action is taken.

Additionally, a successful claim can be used to compensate the loss of earners that a sufferer may experience. An individual who has lost full or partial use of their hearing may not be able to work to their fullest potential in their area of industry. This will be particularly difficult for individuals who have been in the same industry all of their life and feel that it is too late for them to retrain. This could lead to a loss of earnings, jeopardising the individual and any family members who are reliant upon their earnings. 

Specialist law firms can work on behalf of the victim to ensure that they receive the justice and compensation that they deserve. Concise and full understanding of the way in which the legal system works and the factors that need disclosing allows specialist accident claims companies to bring justice to claimants.

Chris Balme Writer @ Walker+

Chris Balme works with Walker Prestons, an accident claims company specialising in helping accident victims receive the compensation that they deserve.

Tuesday, 2 July 2013

A Guide to Filing a Personal Injury Claim


When you are involved in an accident that has caused injuries, you can take the driver at fault to court to seek compensation. The process of filing for a personal injury claim can be complicated and stressful. This article will outline how you can process your claim and hopefully getting compensated for your injuries.

After the car accident happens, the first thing you should do is to contact your insurance company and local police department. The police will investigate the accident to determine who was at fault and they will file a report.  Always request a copy of this report since you will need to use it later.
The next step is to visit a doctor for a thorough checkup. This should be done within 24 hours of the accident, regardless of how severe your injuries are. On the outside, your injuries may not look serious. However, after some months, they can develop into something chronic, leaving you to pay large medical treatment bills. You should also take photos of any wounds that may be visible as a result of the accident. If you don’t go to the doctor within the first 24 hours, some insurance companies may not honor your injuries.

Gather as much evidence as you can about the accident. The more evidence you have, the more likely your claim is going to be successful. Some important things you should record include names of eye witnesses, hazardous road conditions, where the accident took place, the time and date of the accident, the injuries that resulted, damage done to both cars, and lost income as a result of the accident. You will have to provide your existing medical records to ensure you are not being treated for a pre-existing condition.  Make sure your treatment is consistent with the injuries you claim.
When you contact your insurance company and ask them for compensation, they will try to get you to settle fast. These companies are looking to save money and will try to low-ball you. Don't rush for a settlement before you know the costs of all injuries associated with the accident and other factors like income lost from missing work.

To ensure you get maximum compensation, it is advisable to hire a personal injury lawyer to take over your case. However, keep in mind that the lawyer may charge you 33% of your total compensation. Therefore, do the math to see whether the amount of compensation you receive is worth hiring a lawyer.  As a rule of thumb, your “pain and suffering” compensation is approximately 3 times your medical expenses.

The best thing about using a lawyer is that the insurance company is likely to take you more seriously, and will probably give you a higher compensation than if you sought made the claim on your own.

If the case goes to court, the settlement amount for your personal injury claim will depend on what the judge deems as "fair and reasonable", in relation to the injuries that you suffered. This amount will be determined based on your medical expenses and how your injuries affected your ability to work. You are likely to get a higher compensation by using a lawyer. However, it will ultimately be up to the court to decide how much you will get paid.

David Hurley

David Hurley writes for CarAccidentSchool.com, a website that helps people make important decisions regarding car accidents, lawyers and insurance companies.

Sunday, 30 June 2013

Why You Should Care about Asbestos in the Workplace?

Image Credited by Rilmac.co.uk

In the office, a majority of your thought process throughout the day involves anything work-related, including how you interact with different personalities you encounter. While all this is in motion, you tend to ignore the subtle dangers posed by health hazards you may not be aware of. In Brisbane and all other parts of Australia, asbestos is still prevalent in some buildings, and it’s not easily identified especially by untrained eyes.

Asbestos 101

The usage of asbestos gained popularity back in the 19th century when builders discovered its fire-retardant properties. It was immediately identified as a staple of building materials, and it was used in most office buildings and homes. Several decades ago, it was discovered that the fibrous characteristic of asbestos led to respiratory diseases, eventually forcing the government to ban its use at the turn of the century. Today, asbestos removal has become one of the demanding industries that keep suppliers busy, in line with the effort of business owners to comply with building codes and regulations.

Diseases related to asbestos

The first documented case of its dangers involved a construction worker who had trouble breathing while tearing down a structure. Asbestos is only unsafe when disturbed, because once the fibres escape to the environment, the people in the room unknowingly breathe them into their lungs. The fibres cling to the walls of the lungs and they settle in, ready to cause damage. As time passes, the lungs lose their functionality and eventually fail, deeming it too late for the person to even think of going to the doctor. Back then, inhalation almost always guaranteed death for the victim.

Workplace incidents

If not identified immediately, asbestos can cause sickness to unsuspecting employees. Pipes and walls could have been constructed with asbestos, and they wear down with time. Respiratory problems are not diagnosed immediately, leading to missing work days and affecting office operations. It becomes even more of a problem because not everyone is aware of how to handle cases involving asbestos-related diseases.

Legal implications

Companies are required by law to keep their premises safe from the dangers of asbestos and the diseases connected to the material. Public liability cases can necessitate long hours of research and gathering of evidence before the case is presented in court. You need to ensure that the corporate firm you hire has the legal expertise and experience to deal with special circumstances such as those related to asbestos.

Non-profit initiatives such as the Asbestos Related Disease Support Society Qld Inc (QARDSS) focus on dealing with any issues regarding the subject, and it’s advisable to contact them regarding any inquiries you have about asbestos. They can also refer you to law firms who can help you build your case.

Asbestos in the workplace is a big issue that is not given much attention in the media, so it’s up to you to keep yourself and family informed of its dangers. Take time to read and research on the subject so that you’re prepared if there is ever a need to resort to legal steps in the future.

Katherine Flowers

Katherine Flowers documents her experiences with various office environments and looks for ways to improve work dynamics. She talked to asbestos lawyers in Brisbane and hopes to help make buildings safer for employees.

Thursday, 27 June 2013

Legal Action of Personal Injury Claim


Personal injury claim can be made only if the accident which harmed you was entirely not your fault but negligence of any other person or authority. Analyze your loss if it's significant enough then you must make a claim for compensation. It is not recommended to claim minor scratches as a result of an accident. If your injuries sustained for more than two weeks and you stayed more than 14 days out of your job then you are eligible to make a claim. If you have suffered a lot from your injuries then you must inform about your accident and injury to the responsible person, driver, employer or authority. You can only make a claim within 3 years after the accident. So, make your claim soon after becoming aware of your injury and other losses.

Source: www.clearwatersolicitors.co.uk



Wednesday, 26 June 2013

The Benefits Of Brain Injury Compensation

Brain injury compensation can be absolutely vital in ensuring that people who have sustained a traumatic head injury can continue to achieve a high quality of life. There are very few injuries that can affect every aspect of a person's life, but a brain injury is one of the most commonplace and apparent.



Frequently, it is only the loved ones of the injured person who realise the extent of the injury and the impact it has had. Often, people who have sustained brain damage do not realise how much it has changed them and they can underestimate how much head injury compensation they deserve, and while brain injury solicitors can help them to come to a realistic assessment, the family and friends of the victim are usually essential.

Recovery following brain injury compensation

It is possible to recover from brain damage, although this usually requires extensive rehabilitation. Children usually recover faster than adults, as a child's brain still retains a level of 'elasticity', meaning they can use other uninjured parts of the brain to compensate for the damage. Adults and the elderly may still be able to recover, but a person's prognosis usually worsens with age. Furthermore, damage to certain 'interior' parts of the brain, such as the brainstem, can be much more difficult to recover from than damage to other parts, such as those that deal with higher functions like reading and speech.
  • Compensation for brain injury care

Significant brain damage can often require lifelong care, and even mild trauma to the brain can lead to neurodegenerative diseases, in which cognitive function becomes progressively worse. The injured person and their loved ones may have to undergo huge adjustments to their lifestyle and may have to prepare for the possibility of long-term support and care.
  • Head injury compensation considers long-term recovery

Research into brain damage recovery is constantly advancing, and medication or lifestyle changes may help to limit the impact of this kind of trauma. However, potential 'miracle cures' such as stem cell injections are many decades away and patients should expect recovery to only take place in the long-term.

Brain injury compensation can help people to meet the associated costs of recovery and get their lives back on track. It is hard enough to sustain brain damage, but many people who suffer from this injury find themselves falling into financial difficulties and struggling to make ends meet. Brain injury solicitors can help them to protect themselves financially.

What causes a traumatic brain injury?

Traumatic brain injuries are defined as injuries or damage to the brain caused by trauma to the head. However, the initial impact might not be directly responsible for the extent of the injuries. Oxygen deprivation following head trauma can result in the death of brain cells, while clots, bleeding, hypotension and other secondary issues can also lead to brain damage.

Inflammation of the brain is an important factor in many head injury compensation cases. Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine found that inflammation can often lead to the development of neurodegenerative disorders many years after the initial trauma. This means brain injury solicitors must consider the risk of a client developing Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia or other mental health problems, as well as the most obvious immediate impacts on their clients.

The research, which was published in Brain Pathology, revealed that people who suffer mild or moderate trauma to the brain are at a higher-than-average risk of developing tangles and neural plaques, which are strongly correlated to age-related neurological disorders.

What effects will my brain injury solicitors consider?

The brain is an unbelievably complicated organ and the best neurologists are still generally unaware of how it works. Brain injury claims have actually been an essential research tool in the field of neurology - one of the most important test subjects in the field is 19th-century railway foreman Phineas Gage, who suffered a terrible brain injury involving an accident at work that caused dramatic personality changes.

Cognitive effects relate to changes in the ways a victim perceives the world, such as the way they learn, think or remember. Specific regions of the brain that relate to particular cognitive functions may be impacted by trauma to the head, so a victim may find it difficult to perform certain cognitive tasks while finding it simple to handle others.

Behavioural or emotional changes are also commonly seen in brain injury compensation claims. Although it is natural for people to feel anxious or cautious following a traumatic event, brain damage can frequently lead to changes in people's personalities. Phineas Gage's friends and family remarked that he no longer was the same person after he suffered his accident at work - he is said to have turned from a hardworking and polite man to a crude and offensive one.

Communication effects relate to difficulties speaking, understanding conversation or recognising facial cues and other non-verbal speech. It is common for people to understand other conversations but to be unable to hold a conversation themselves, or to be able to speak fluently but unable to follow what other people are saying.

When making a head injury compensation claim, it is important to deal with a brain injury solicitor who understands all these factors. Solicitors must understand the impact that brain damage can have for loved ones as well as for the victim.

Monday, 24 June 2013

Can accident at work compensation cases make workplaces safer?


While some accidents at work are very minor, with victims not requiring hospitalisation and not needing to take any time off work, other cases see people sustaining life-changing injuries and facing huge financial repercussions that only accident at work compensation can help them to cope with.

For instance, a worker at Plymouth-based steel manufacturer Condor Allslade recently suffered dreadful injuries when he was struck by a 1.4-tonne steel beam. The unnamed has not been able to work since the incident, which took place on June 10th 2011 and saw him suffering from crushed discs, a skull fracture, broken ankle bones, a broken knee and a blood clot that affected his lung.

Investigations by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that the firm had not undertaken proper risk assessments and had not implemented simple safety devices that would have prevented these steel beams becoming unsteady.

The steel beam that landed on the worker was positioned on top of a metal trolley and had not been secured when the employee knocked it with the hook of his crane. He had to be airlifted to Southampton hospital and was hospitalised for a month. Despite the fact that more than two years have passed since the accident, the worker is still having to undergo surgery and other forms of medical treatment.

What could the business have done to prevent industrial accident claims?


Tragedies like this point out exactly how essential accident at work compensation can be and show that it is not just industrial accident claims employers should worry about when implementing safety measures in the workplace. The injured worker in this case was a 64-year-old fabricator and welder and businesses do not want to harm trained, skilled staff members by failing to consider their health and safety obligations.

Furthermore, HSE also enacted a prohibition notice on the site, which prevented staff from conducting any other work on unsupported steel beams that were not secured on to trolleys, which would have reduced the amount of work that could be done on site until these safety issues were resolved. And while the firm may have had to have paid accident at work compensation to the unnamed worker in an industrial accident claim, it also faces a fine of £16,000 and court costs of £5,074 after pleading guilty to breaching health and safety regulations at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court.

Craig Varian, Inspector at the HSE, pointed out that while risk assessments may be denigrated as a 'tick box' exercise or as technicalities, this accident showed how important the exercise actually is. The company could have easily implemented measures in place that would have prevented the accident, and it actually did implement these measures after the incident took place, he continued.

Unfortunately, this happened too late to prevent the worker suffering these terrible, debilitating, lifelong injuries, Mr Varian added.

The manufacturing sector and accident at work compensation

According to the HSE, the last five years have seen an average of 31 people dying in workplace accidents in the manufacturing sector. Furthermore, more than 4,500 people reported major injuries in a typical year, while this timeframe would also see approximately 19.500 people sustain injuries through accidents at work that kept them away from their jobs for at least three days. Around 2.8 million people are employed in the sector.

Manufacturing also poses a range of other risks - airborne particles and other materials can cause workers to suffer health complaints, which can be long-term.

However, despite the high number of injuries suffered by people in the industry, workers should not accept risk as a part of the job. If you are employed in the sector, you should take reasonable care to ensure you do not become injured, and you can start an industrial accident claim and receive accident at work compensation if you can show that the accident was someone Else's fault.

Businesses are not allowed to fire you or treat you negatively if you make an industrial accident claim while still employed by them and should have an insurance policy that will cover your compensation costs. This means that even if you love your workplace, you do not have to be reluctant to make an accident at work compensation claim - you can still keep your old job and the business will continue to run as normal following your court case or settlement.

Furthermore, your industrial accident claim could also prevent your colleagues from becoming injured. If a worker had sued Condor Allslade before the incident that led to the employee suffering his dreadful injuries, it is likely that they would have improved their safety practices and that the tragedy would have never took place.

Wednesday, 19 June 2013

Can Government Schemes Reduce Medical Negligence Claims?

Clinical negligence claims will always take place - no matter how many improvements are made to private healthcare companies and the NHS, incompetence, negligence and breaches of health and safety regulations will inevitably happen occasionally.

When medical negligence solicitors succeed in cases against healthcare providers, the organizations should implement changes to their operations to ensure similar issues do not arise in the future. Improving healthcare standards is a constant process that requires close monitoring and careful observation, and even the most watertight system cannot be completely foolproof.

The government also occasionally releases reports and initiatives that could reduce the number of medical negligence claims. For instance, on May 10th, the Department of Health revealed that the Care Bill has been published, which should see improvements to people's care in hospitals and should ensure they do not have to pay a huge amount of money for healthcare in later life.

This report follows the scandal at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, and uses the recommendations of the Francis Inquiry into these scandals to come up with strategies that could improve the quality of care across the UK's healthcare industry.

The Care Bill - could this reduce clinical negligence claims?
Some of the recommendations in the Care Bill include ensuring that people do not experience an interruption in their treatment if they move to another local authority area, ensuring that people will have closer levels of involvement in assessments that determine their support and care needs, and that these assessment processes will consider what a person can do for themselves and what their family members will do for them.

On the face of it, these initiatives look like they might actually lead to a reduction in the level of care and support that needy people receive - rather than receiving all the help they require, they could find themselves having to ask non-professionals, such as friends and family, to assist them. If the assessments inaccurately determine their requirements and capabilities, negligent parties could end up facing medical negligence solicitors in court.

However, the Care Bill also confirmed that people will no longer have to sell their homes or spend all of their life savings to pay for later-life care. The Department of Health confirmed that this is important due to the aging populace.

Via Domadeed.com
Read Full Story Can Government Schemes Reduce Medical Negligence Claims?

Mother who stole children's criminal injuries compensation cash has sentence cut on appeal

A woman who stole more than £69,000 from her children has had her sentence cut.

The Craven Herald reports that Alexandra Eastham, 41, has had her sentence reduced by over one-third.

Eastham had received a three-year sentence after admitting to 15 charges of fraud by false representation and two charges of theft at a hearing at Skipton Magistrates Court. She stole the majority of the money from her children, after a large sum of money had been awarded to them by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.

She pleaded guilty to the theft of £23,214 from one child, with this offence occurring at some time between April 1st 2008 and May 20th 2009, a previous article in the publication had revealed.

Furthermore, she admitted stealing £37,386 from a second child, as well as two separate charges relating to fraud by abuse of position relating to the thefts from each child.

She was deemed to have abused her position, as the criminal injuries compensation payout had been put in a trust fund, of which she was a trustee.

Eastham had stolen the cash from her late husband's estate, with £60,000 of this money awarded to the estate as criminal injuries compensation.

The other 13 charges the perpetrator pled guilty to relate to forged signatures at the Skipton Building Society. Eastham was found to have committed frauds on a number of dates between May 2007 and March 2009, through which she had unlawfully obtained money with a total value of £8,825.
One of these charges relates to a fraud at The Bailey, Skipton, where she gained £750 after committing fraud by false representation.

Alexandra Eastham's former husband Gregory Eastham was killed at the age of 36 when his then-girlfriend Tina Buckley stabbed him in the neck on January 16th 2005 in the Liverpool home they shared.

His body was found at the foot of his stairs and he had an 8cm stab wound. According to reports, the relationship had been violent and turbulent, with Buckley previously damaging Mr Eastham's mattress, clothing and cabin with a 4in knife and a marlin spike.

Police found the weapon that had led to Mr Eastham's death - a black-handled knife - in a kitchen drawer in the household, with later forensic tests revealing the presence of his blood. A pathologist found he had also suffered six other knife-related injuries, but the fatal wound had killed him within minutes.

Further investigations revealed that there were bloodstains throughout the flat and that somebody had attempted to clean blood from the sofa's arm.

Ms Buckley denied murdering Mr Eastham and suggested that the fatal wound was an accident. She was unanimously found guilty of manslaughter at a trial at Liverpool Crown Court and received a jail sentence of seven years.

Mr Eastham is buried at Earby Cemetery. He had previously attended West Craven High School and been employed at Albert Hartley Textiles Ltd, before he went on to become part of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Ms Eastham, who stole the criminal injuries compensation money, had relocated to France, where she was originally from, but Skipton magistrates issued an international arrest warrant and she was sent back to Britain to stand trial.

At the recent hearing at London's Criminal Appeal Court, Eastham's sentence was cut to two years, with an additional 31 days removed to allow for the length of time she spent in custody in France as she awaited deportation.

Criminal injuries compensation following homicide


If a parent, wife, husband, partner (including same sex relationships) or child dies as a result of violent crime, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority might be able to make a payment. Currently, the flat rate for this payment is £11,000 in cases with one single claimant, or £5,500 each in cases with more than one claimant. Furthermore, people may also be eligible to receive a flat rate funeral expenses payment of £2,500, with this cash going towards the benefit of the victim's estate.

People who were financially dependent on the person who passed away may also be eligible to make a larger compensation claim, which will factor in lost earnings and other expenses.

It is still possible to claim criminal injuries compensation in cases where the perpetrator of a crime has not been located or convicted. Payouts are made through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and awards range from £1,000 to £500,000.

People who have lost a loved one due to the criminal actions of another person are strongly advised to make a criminal injuries compensation claim. The losses, damages and psychological harm suffered by the bereaved can be impossible to quantify but the money received through compensation can help people to cope with some of the more immediate challenges they face.

Author & Writer


Bethany Janick works with a team of Clearwater Solicitors to help the victims of crime achieve the highest criminal injuries compensation payouts possible.