Compensation Claims
A Brief Guide to Leg Injury Compensation Claims
By Graham Alker
Leg injuries are one of the most common outcomes in accidents and are one of the most frequent compensation claims. Leg injuries can have damaging and long lasting effects on a person's life and leave them with enduring physical disabilities which require the use of a walking aid or wheelchair.
A leg injury compensation claim could be made if you believe the injury was caused by someone else's fault and not your own. Every type of leg injury compensation claim is assessed on its own values and situation so it's important to remember that the amounts awarded can vary. Proving that the injury was in fact caused by the other party involved is one the main factors when pursuing compensation for your accident.
Leg Injury Symptoms
An injured leg is often considered a less serious injury due to the low threat to life this causes but realistically a serious leg injury could cause permanent irreparable damage making the victim wheelchair bound for the rest of their lives. This can severely affect someone's life and is not something that should be considered lightly. Symptoms of a leg injury include pain, swelling or discolouration of the leg and decreased mobility.
As legs are involved in a lot of activities and transport we undertake they are often one of the first body parts to be damaged in an accident. Protecting your legs with the correct clothing for each activity is important to avoid permanent or serious injuries.
Road Accident Leg Injuries
A large proportion of leg injury claims happen during road accidents involving motor bikes, bicycles and cars where the other driver involved was to blame and therefore can be claimed against.
A road accident always carries a high risk of leg injury due to the precarious position our legs are often in e.g. underneath the dash board in a car and fully exposed on motorbikes and bicycles. In a car there is the risk of the driver or passengers legs being crushed during a head on collision which pushes the engine towards the dashboard and driving column. For bikes and bicycles the uncovered nature of the vehicles makes legs the prime body parts for damage during a crash or collision.
Slips, Trips and Fall Injuries to the Legs
Falling over or slipping on a wet or slippery surface such as ice can lead to a number of different injuries to a person's legs including twisted or dislocated knee joints, torn ligaments & tendons and fractured or broken bones. Broken pavements or wet supermarket floors are two common circumstances that often lead to winning a leg injury compensation claim.
Medical Negligence Injuries
Although hospitals are meant to be safe places where we go to heal or for treatment, sometimes things can still go wrong through human error and negligence. When a trained health practitioner's negligence has caused injury to your legs whilst treating you for an illness or previous injury you can make a claim against the hospital involved and see that justice is served.
Leg Injuries through Violent Assault
Unfortunately some leg injuries are caused by a violent assault deliberately carried out by someone with no regard for the victim. A lot of these assaults result in some form of injury to a person's legs as they are an easy limb to aim for to demobilise or stop a person from getting away. So long as a certain amount of evidence or proof has been collected by the victim or the local police involved, a compensation claim should be made against the violent culprit.
March 2, 2011
3:58 pm
I recommed you get certified in work comp claims adjusting. This can be done in 2 ways. Take an exam offered annually by the Industrial Commission or take courses given by IEA to get a certificate.
If you decide to take classes, click on this link. http://www.ieatraining.com/programs/azcca.asp
Once you get the certifcation (diploma), take it to your employer and express you interest and now qualifcation to being an adjuster.
Good luck.
May 4, 2011
5:14 pm
uk law states compensation claims for accidents must be made within 5 years of the accident, unfortunately for your friend its very unlikely that anything could be done
June 24, 2011
3:30 pm
How to become a Workers Compensation Claims Adjuster?
Does anyone know how I can become a workers compensation claims examiner in the state of Arizona. I’m currently a Claims Assistant for a private company, but I want to move on and work for an insurance company. Thanks…
July 17, 2011
5:11 pm
Compensation claims?
Bit if advice needed….
Someone i know had a serious accident at work causing them a fractured skull in 1963, The case was settled out of court for a mere £200. 40 years later he is suffering from it seriously due to brain damage, Obviously this was not known to happen at the time of the accident but would a claim be possible?
July 24, 2011
8:09 pm
Are VA disabilty compensation claims paid from when the claim is filed or from when the disability occured?
I’ve been out the military for 10 years and have filed for VA disability compensation. If I am granted disability compensation, will it be from when I was in the military when the disability occurred or from when I filed the claim which was about 4 months ago, assuming I’ve sent them all my documentation? Thanks for helping!!
July 28, 2011
2:55 am
They should be paid retroactively to the disability date.
July 29, 2011
2:18 am
The decision was in the High Court last week. The link below is to the full text of the decision.
July 29, 2011
1:26 pm
What is the latest rulings about asbestosis and the status of compensation claims?
i would like to know about the latest rulings regarding industrial injuries compensation from asbestosis and asbestos related illnesses in general.
July 29, 2011
4:21 pm
UK – How to stop ridiculous compensation claims?
A caretaker fell off a ladder and sued the local authority for not training him to use a ladder – and won.
He could get up to 50.000 pounds compensation.
I’m surprised he didn’t sue them for not teaching him that he had a brain he could have used.
People who really deserve compensation would be punished if a change in the law to limit claims is introduced as in the US, so what can we do to stop this madness? In my opinion this is theft from the taxpayer.
Apologies if this question has been asked before. I couldn’t find it.
July 29, 2011
4:41 pm
I think a change of culture is needed, really. People see this as an oppertunity to get rediculous payouts, not realising that they will end up paying for it in higher taxes and insurance premiums etc. I agree that it is theft – perhaps we should sue these people? But no, I think that changing how people look at this sort of thing is the only way forwards. If someone is seriously injured because of another person’s neglect, and they have a serious case, then of course they should get compensation, but for things like this!! it’s stupid. We should ban the adverts on TV which encourage people to claim compensation for silly things like tripping over an unlevel paving stone, you just want to shout “look where you’re going then!!” at them, but people just see it as an easy way to get a bit (or a lot) of cash.
A change in culture and mindset is the only way to stop rediculous claims, whilst allowing those wth legitimate and serious claims to get the money they deserve.