Why Should You Claim Compensation after an Injury?

evaholmes247
December 5, 2012

There is a notion that claiming compensation after suffering an injury at the hands of another is somehow wrong and it is frowned upon by many people. Yet there are many reasons for claiming and not all are related to money. Here are some of the benefits that can arise from an accident claim.

The idea of the stiff upper lip has, for many years, been a part of British culture. When misfortune occurs, you just pick yourself up, brush yourself down and get on with it. There is an undercurrent of mistrust towards those who claim compensation after being injured by the negligence or carelessness of another, as though doing so is somehow un-British.

But there is no reason for this attitude to prevail when it comes to seeking justice after suffering some form of personal injury. Claiming compensation is a very beneficial course of action, not only for the injured person themselves, but for society as a whole. Seeking personal injury claim advice should not always be the first course of action after any accident, but it certainly should not be discounted.

When Should You Claim?
There are many instances in which seeking personal injury claim advice is a good idea. Claims can only be brought against those who have acted negligently or carelessly and who have breached some form of duty that they have towards you. This duty can be general, such as that of road users to other road users, or more specific, such as that of a doctor to a patient. This ‘duty of care’ needs to be examined and a good personal injury lawyer will be able to determine whether or not such as duty exists.

Why Should You Claim?
Making a claim can be beneficial to society as a whole as successful claims tend to lead to improved measures of care being taken. Drivers know that they can be sued if they fail to take adequate care and doctors know that they must always follow ‘best practice’ when dealing with their patients. Claiming acts as a guard against standards slipping in many areas of life, as would-be negligent persons will be made to face the consequences of their actions.

There is also a good practical reason for claiming. If you have been injured following an accident for which you were not responsible, the chances are that you will have had to take some time off work. Unfortunately, bills still need to be paid and statutory sick pay is not always enough to cover expenses. Other costs can mount up too, such as increased travel costs if you are unable to drive, or medical care that cannot be accessed through the NHS. These costs should not have to be borne by the innocent victim, but should be reimbursed by those responsible for causing the injuries in the first place. Compensation following a successful claim can do just that.

AUTHOR BIO :
Karen Jones is a retired solicitor who now enjoys writing on legal matters for a number of blogs. She lives in the country with her husband and four dogs and is passionate about ensuring that people know where to go for personal injury claim advice so that they can access justice for themselves, particularly in cases involving accidents in the workplace.