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I was knocked off my bike by a car and injured. I only have the car's registration number, can I make a claim? — by Maria Mason — last modified 09-05-2008 10:54

I was knocked off my bike by a car. I had a broken ankle for which I am still off work. The driver told me that he would call me with his insurance details but never has. I have his registration number, is there any way I can claim for my injuries?

My wife was driving our car and had an accident and I suffered whiplash. She is the named driver on my policy, can I claim against myself? — by Maria Mason — last modified 08-05-2008 10:24

My wife was driving our car, she is insured as a named driver, when she hit another vehicle in the rear. My question is, as I am the insured can I claim against myself for whiplash etc?

I am pursuing a negligence claim on my mother's behalf. However, her home insurance does not cover this and she is not eligible for public funding. Is there another source of funding available? — by Maria Mason — last modified 07-05-2008 13:30

I have just started proceedings against a Health Trust in pursuit of a negligence claim for my 88 year old mother. Her home insurance does not cover for clinical negligence and I do not think she is eligible for public funding as she owns her house and has a pension of approx £11K. Is there any other source of funding that can be accessed?

My partner and I were badly injured when I lost control of our car due to oil on the motorway. Can either of us claim for our injuries? — by Maria Mason — last modified 07-05-2008 12:29

My partner and I were badly injured when I lost control of our car and collided into the central reservation due to there being oil on the motorway. Can either of us claim for our injuries?

Whilst at work I slipped and fell on steps which were covered with moss and filth. I hurt my leg and back and am still in agony. Can I claim? — by Maria Mason — last modified 07-05-2008 12:01

I was working in an office building that is rented but not owned by my employers. It had been raining earlier in the day. Upon exiting the building there are five steps leading down from the main entrance. I was walking down the steps when I slipped. The steps were green with moss and filth and I landed heavily - a colleague who was with me at the time was convinced I had broken my leg. I managed to get to my feet but was aware of a pain in my leg and lower back. I have suffered the pain ever since. I am still in agony and have reported the accident to my boss. Can I claim?

I tripped over a loose paving stone and damaged my face. Can I claim and how much will I get? — by Maria Mason — last modified 07-05-2008 11:07

I tripped over a loose paving stone and damaged my face. This may affect my work, can I claim? How much will I get?

I work in a very dusty environment and now have difficulty breathing. Can I claim for this? — by Maria Mason — last modified 07-05-2008 10:47

I work in a very dusty environment where we are only supplied with basic face masks whereas I think we should be issued with respirators. I now have difficulty breathing and my doctor says it may well be as a result of the dust at work. Can I claim for my chest and can my employer be forced to supply better equipment?

I worked as a window cleaner for a friend but fell off the ladder and broke my arm and now cannot work. I don't want to claim against my friend but I am finding it hard to get by. — by Maria Mason — last modified 06-05-2008 13:29

I worked as a window cleaner for a friend for a couple of weeks whilst I was out of work, however I fell off the ladder and broke my arm and am now unable to find work. I am torn as to what to do as I don't want to claim off my friend but am also finding it hard to get by.

I was hit by a pallett at work causing a 3 inch gash in my leg. How do I go about claiming? — by Maria Mason — last modified 06-05-2008 12:13

I was walking past a wagon that was being unloaded by one of our company's stacker trucks. I was on the opposite side to the stacker truck when he pushed a pallet off catching me on my leg causing a gash of about 3 inches which required stitches. It was put in the accident book. How do I go about claiming?

I have recently fallen in a shopping centre, badly injuring my knee. Can I claim? — by Maria Mason — last modified 06-05-2008 11:34

I have recently fallen in a shopping centre when entering a shop within the centre. The floor was uneven with broken tiling at the entrance of the shop. I reported the accident to the shop manager and details were entered into the accident book. I visited my GP later that day as my right knee is severely swollen. I am struggling to put any weight on the knee, therefore having problems getting around. I may have to have time off work and I will not be paid, can I claim?

My son was punched in the face during a basketball match at a Leisure Centre. Do the Leisure Centre have a duty of care regarding this incident? — by Maria Mason — last modified 25-04-2008 11:03

My 14 year old son was punched during an organised basketball match by an opposing player causing my son to require 5 stitches. The attack was one sided and my son did not retaliate. There was little, if any, first aid offered to my son by the establishment where the match took place and while he was injured on the floor little concern for his continued safety. I am not sure what duty of care the Leisure Centre have regarding this matter and would be interested to find out if in fact they have any?

I was hit from behind but other driver left the scene before I could get his details. How can I claim for the damage to my car and the injuries my wife and I suffered? — by Maria Mason — last modified 25-04-2008 10:52

I was hit from behind at traffic lights but the other driver left the scene before I could take his details, I didn't even manage to get his registration number. How can I claim for the damage to my car and injuries to myself and my wife?

I cut my finger on a slitter at work, will I be able to claim for my injury? — by Maria Mason — last modified 25-04-2008 10:45

I cut my finger on a slitter at work. The slitter had no guard fitted and I was only given minimal training on it. I have only worked there for 3 months will I be able to claim for my injury?

Injured in a car crash: how much compensation will I get and how long will it take? — by Matthew Roddan — last modified 23-04-2008 10:35

I was injured in my car last month in a head-on collision for which the other driver accepted the blame. I was taken to hospital where I stayed for 8 days and was found to be suffering from a c2 neck fracture (2 broken bones in back of neck) in addition to severe bruising. Can you give me an estimate of the compensation amount I may receive and the time-scale I should expect to wait.

My wife tripped down some badly lit stairs to a bar/nightclub in Paris breaking her arm as a result. There was no handrail: can she claim compensation in the UK or does she need a French lawyer? — by Conrad Murray — last modified 17-03-2008 19:23

Whilst on holiday in Paris, my wife tripped down some badly lit stairs in a bar/nightclub. The stairs had no handrail. My wife sustained a broken arm and required surgery. As a result of the broken arm she will not be able to work for several months and will suffer loss of earnings. What is the process for claiming injury compensation and loss of earnings? If such claim would be against the bar's Public Liability insurance would the claim be have to be made through a local firm of lawyers?

Injured knee on holiday in Mexico: can I claim against the tour operator? — by Conrad Murray — last modified 16-11-2007 11:52

I injured my knee on Holiday in Mexico. The stairs leading to our room collapsed (faulty concrete) causing me to twist my knee and fall. I attended hospital in Mexico. That was in August. I am still receiving physiotherapy. My tour operator says the hotel says it will give me one week's stay for three people, (free) as compensation. I deem this unacceptable. Please could you tell me if the offer would be acceptable and whether I have a claim against the tour operator?

Food poisoning from restaurant: can I claim compensation for loss of earnings? — by Conrad Murray — last modified 13-11-2007 14:20

I have been suffering food poisoning since eating at a restaurant on Friday last week. I have missed two days of work and will probably miss the rest of the week. This is very expensive for me as I am a contract worker. Can I make a claim against the restaurant?

Child broke hand on riding lesson but no treatment was offered by riding school: can she claim compensation? — by Conrad Murray — last modified 12-11-2007 11:52

My 5 yr old daughter was horse riding, when the horse got spooked and threw her off and subsequently stamped on her. The instructor taking the class, dusted her down and promptly put her back on the horse. She applied no first aid, did not advise me to get it checked out nor did they ask me to sign an accident book. This was also witnessed by another parent watching the class. Is this not bad practice or a breach of H & S legislation? We understand that there is a risk of injury, that is not the issue. The problem is the lack of care they gave afterwards. On attending hospital, it became apparent that she has broken 2 bones in her wrist and is unable to do any sports for 6 weeks. Please advise,

Field engineer mugged at work: can he claim compensation? — by Conrad Murray — last modified 08-11-2007 06:35

I am a field engineer and was mugged at the back of my van, I was struck several time on the head and had my work mobile stolen and also my wallet containing £370.00, credit cards, driving licence. I collapsed in the police station and was taken to hospital were I was monitored for approximately 3 hours, I was then released and told to rest. My forehead just above my right eye was swollen, I also am still suffering with severe headaches, and a tighten stiff neck, I have had 1 black out since the accident last week. I was given 4 days off work (but did not lose any sick pay or bonus).

Ate fingernail found in Tesco muffin: what would be reasonable compensation? — by Conrad Murray — last modified 03-11-2007 14:02

After bringing home my muffins from Tesco's freshly baked counter. I was horrified to find myself eating somebody's fingernail. As I am sure you can understand I was sickened and horrified and also very angry. After being violently sick I rang my local store and spoke to a manager. It was agreed I would go back into the store the following day. When I spoke to the manager in person I was advised that the muffins aren't actually baked on-site so all complaints go to head office with the item (and fingernail) to be tested and investigated. I received a measly ten pound gift card on receipt of them taking the product etc. I feel cheated and disgusted at how I was treated and am just wondering whether I have done the right thing letting them take the food and what I should do if they offer me no compensation. Is this a normal occurrence? What would be your advice for me!