We will find a method of funding you can afford. There may be no personal expense. We will consider with you:-

1. Legal expense insurance Pre-existing insurance to cover legal expenses could be attached to any number of insurance policies such as:

• Home/Building insurance
• Motor insurance
• Life/Critical illness policies
• Credit cards

2. Trade Union funding If you are a member of a Trade Union they may be able to offer you legal assistance.

3. Public funding/Legal Aid - We have a Legal Aid franchise with the Legal Services commission (LSC) to undertake publicly funded work. The LSC will determine all applications on merit and financial eligibility. This is only available for birth injury cases.

4. Conditional Fee Agreement (No Win No Fee) - If we believe your case merits investigation we can enter into a Conditional Fee Agreement with you. We have access to insurance policies which are necessary to run alongside this agreement.

5. Private payment

It is necessary to prove that the treating doctors, nurses or dentist owed you a duty of care that they breached and as a consequence you suffered an injury.

1. Breach of Duty of Care. Medical expert evidence is required to prove that the standard of care/treatment you received fell below the standard of a reasonably competent Doctor. Without supporting expert evidence your claim cannot succeed.

2. Causation. If there has been a breach of duty, using medical expert evidence we have to show that as a consequence of that breach you suffered an injury. If we are unable to establish causation your claim cannot succeed.

3. Time Limit. You have 3 years from the date of injury or your date of knowledge of injury in which to issue proceedings. After that time the claim is likely to become statute barred.

The value of your case will depend upon the injury sustained and its impact upon you. Damages can be divided into two categories:-

1. General Damages   This is an award of damages for your pain, suffering and loss of amenity as reported by medical experts. It will be limited to the injury caused by the negligence.
2. Special Damages  This head represents expenses which have arisen as a consequence of the negligence and could include past and future losses such as:

• loss of earnings
• care and assistance
• travel
• medical fees
• medicine/prescriptions
• accommodation changes
• aids and equipment
• decorating/gardening/DIY
• increased bills
• clothing

These expenses should where possible be supported by documentation. A record of all assistance by family/friends should be kept.

State Benefits   If, as a consequence of your injuries you have received any state benefits, certain of these benefits may have to be repaid from your special damages.

Award of compensation   Damages can be paid by way of a lump sum or periodic payments. As a Claimant the Court may choose which they believe is most appropriate.

It is necessary for us to:-

1. take a detailed history
2. understand what you hope to achieve
3. consider funding options
4. write a letter of complaint and/or
5. if you are seeking compensation:-

• secure copies of your notes
• prepare a Chronology
• instruct the appropriate medical expert
• consider the value of your claim
• write a detailed letter of claim
• instruct a Barrister
• settle your claim or proceed towards a hearing

Most cases will settle prior to a trial/hearing.