BBC News has reported details of one of the largest medical negligence compensation settlements ever recorded in Northern Ireland.   The Western Health & Social Care Trust is to pay £21 million in compensation to the family of a 13-year-old girl who suffered brain damage during her birth due to her delivery being delayed.

While most dogs are friendly and well-behaved, any dog has the potential to bite or attack under certain circumstances. Dog attacks and bites are unfortunate incidents that can cause physical and emotional trauma to victims.

A client who was left paralysed from the neck down following a devastating road collision has spoken to the press of his disappointment and frustration with the delay of the PSNI and PPS in deciding to prosecute the driver who caused his accident.

Cases involving a serious injury can be incredibly complex and so it is vital that an injured person or their family instruct the right team of legal experts who have experience in dealing with these highly specialist cases.   

If an injured party is successful in their personal injury claim, the award of compensation can be in the form of one lump sum payment, periodical payments, or a combination of both.  

At Francis Hanna & Co Solicitors, we have built our reputation as one of Northern Ireland's leading law firms by recovering millions of pounds' worth of compensation for those who have suffered personal and serious injury due to the negligence of others.  

We are regularly asked " Can I make a claim on behalf of a relative or family member who lacks capacity?".  Sometimes, an accident can result in an individual suffering life-changing injuries which impact on their capacity to instruct a solicitor to make a compensation claim themselves.  

We are often asked "Can I make a claim for a loved one who has died from their injury?"  If a loved one has died as a result of an accident, their Estate may wish to make a claim on their behalf.   

It is perfectly natural to ask questions as to how much making a claim is likely to cost you before you embark on legal proceedings.  

BBC News NI has recently reported that on average, more than five people are killed every year due to farming accidents in the past decade. The HSENI have stated that there have been two fatalities involving farming machinery in 2023, with older men being most at risk.

In claims where there has been a serious or catastrophic injury and someone is unable to work, or will require medical care for the future, compensation will be sought to ensure that the person will have these needs met for the remainder of their life. When compensation includes an element of future loss of earnings or future medical care, a discount rate will be applied to any lump sum settlement obtained.

If an injured person is under the age of 18, they are unable to represent themselves in respect of any compensation claim and as a result, they will need to engage a ‘Litigation Friend’.    

The circumstances of every personal injury claim will be different and so the amount of compensation payable to any individual will depend on the accident, the nature and extent of the injury and the consequential loss suffered.   

After you have suffered a personal injury, it is always recommended that you seek specialist legal advice as soon as possible.   Claiming compensation in respect of a personal injury is a complicated process and this can be daunting for many if done without the assistance and guidance of a lawyer experienced in this area.  

We are often asked "How long do I have to make a personal or serious injury claim?"  Like the vast majority of compensation claims, a personal or serious injury claim needs to be issued within 3 years of the date you suffered the injury or the date you realised that your injury was the result of someone else’s negligence.  

One of the most frequent questions we get asked by our clients when dealing with a serious or personal injury compensation claim is "how long is it going to take to settle my claim?".  You can see why this is an important question for many clients - the claims process is complicated and as a result can be daunting and stressful.  A client may be out of work due to their injury and in financial need. 

As specialist solicitors in serious injury compensation claims, we are often asked what injuries are classed as serious for the purposes of making a claim.   

The first review of the discount rate has been completed under The Damages (Return on Investment) Act (NI) 2022. 

We have been listed as accredited and specialist Solicitors in the Headway Solicitor's Directory.

Today marks the final day of the consultation process on mandatory Court approval of children’s compensation claims in Northern Ireland.