Your questions answered
Can I claim compensation?
Yes, if another party was responsible for your injuries. However, you can't claim if it was an accident and no one was to blame. If another party was responsible, you need to establish three things:
- Who was responsible?
- Were you owed a duty of care?
- Did the party breach that duty, causing you to suffer an injury or loss?
If you were injured through a criminal incident with an unknown assailant or by an untraced motorist, you might still be able to claim. You could also claim if you were partly to blame for the incident, for example, if you weren't wearing a seat belt. However, the claim may be discounted.
Is there a time limit on when I can claim?
The usual time limit is three years. If you haven't started legal proceedings by the third anniversary of the accident or incident, you won't be able to claim. In some cases, the time limit is shorter, so make sure you get legal advice as soon as possible.
What can I claim for?
If you have a valid claim, you can recover compensation for your injuries. Usually, you must get reports from appropriate medical specialists. These must consider your injuries, your past and future medical treatment and long-term prognosis. Dorset Orthopaedic can help you with this.
You can also recover monies for your past and future losses. This can include loss of earnings and accommodation, equipment, treatment and travel costs. So, remember to keep a diary of all your expenses and keep receipts.
Do I need a specialist lawyer?
Yes, it's important you appoint a specialist lawyer experienced in limb loss and injury cases. That's because these cases are not always straightforward. As specialists in these legal matters, you can feel confident Dorset Orthopaedic will work with your chosen legal team to deal with your claim professionally.
Where can I find a specialist lawyer?
There are a numbr of good law firms that specialise in personal injury and clinical negligence.
What should my legal team take into consideration?
There are a number of factors your legal team should consider in relation to your case. Each case is different and considerations will also differ. You may want to talk to your legal team about the guidance outlined in the 2007 Rehabilitation Code. The aim of this code is to promote the use of rehabilitation and early intervention in the compensation process so that the injured person makes the best and quickest possible medical, social and psychological recovery.
Will you need to see me in your clinic?
If Dorset Orthopaedic is instructed by your legal team to produce a legal report, you will typically need to attend an appointment to see one of our clinicians.
I can't travel to Ringwood. Can you see me at any other clinics?
We hold prosthetic legal clinics in Ringwood, Hampshire, Harley Street London, Burton Upon Trent, Staffordshire, and at The Nuffield Hospital, Leeds. We currently hold orthotic legal clinics in Ringwood and Burton Upon Trent. If you can't travel at all, we can also visit you at your home.
How long will my legal consultation last?
Prosthetic legal consultations usually last around 1 hour, while orthotic consultations usually take around 1.5 hours. However, please allow a little more time for your meeting in case it takes longer.
I would like to proceed with the recommendations in my report. What happens next?
If, at the time of the report, we're aware you want to proceed, we can send you a quote and start our clinical care process. If at any point during your legal proceedings or on settlement of your claimyou wish to proceed with the recommendations in your report, please give us a call to arrange a consultation.
