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Compensation claims?

I was a passenger involved in a 70mph crash (into a stationery vehicle) on a Saturday night and was taken from the scene to hospital where I was apparently given X-rays and released after nothing was found.
On the Monday my brother called the hospital to complain about my quick release considering the crash speed and the next day the hospital called me to check how I was feeling. As I was still in enormous pain, I was advised to return to hospital by ambulance.
Further x-rays showed broken ribs and a scan confirmed a torn aorta (80% immediate fatality rate) which required emergency surgery, from which I will now require annual check ups and daily medication for the rest of my life. Had it not been for a pain I was in from the broken ribs, I would have returned to work at the pub I lived in that evening.
I have been signed off work for 6 weeks and as a consequence of not being able to work at the pub I lived in (work for accommodation), I have been asked to move out of the pub leaving me homeless.

Do I have a claim against the hospital for clinical negligence?
Do I have a claim against the drivers insurance?
Do I have a claim against the pub?

I am interested in contacting a 'no win, no fee' company however I am dubious about hidden costs - can anyone recommend a company they have used and feel is suitable?

Your help & advice is appreciated.
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Comments

  • Premier_2
    Premier_2 Posts: 15,141 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Forget no win no fee, go and get yourself a good solicitor that specialises in personal injury claims.

    If/when you win, your legal costs will (almost invariably) be met by the defendant anyway
    "Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 2010
  • Anihilator
    Anihilator Posts: 2,169 Forumite
    Advice - Maybe worry about fully recovering rather than who you are going to sue?

    Tbh If you were so seriously injured I suspect you would have other things on your mind right now.
  • leveller2911
    leveller2911 Posts: 8,061 Forumite
    Remarkable recovery considering the "accident" only happend 3 days ago.Totally agree with Anihilator......
    I may be cynical but why are you on here spouting on about legal action so soon....???
  • mattymoo
    mattymoo Posts: 2,417 Forumite
    The claim will need to be made against the driver of the vehicle and they will ask their insurers to deal with it. You can claim for the pain and suffering and loss of earnings. There may also be a claim for future medical costs as well.

    A claim against the hospital would fail since you are no worse off because of their delay in diagnosing. Your dispute with the pub is an employment one and probably best posted on the employment board.

    Questions:-
    1) Were you wearing a seatbelt - I suspect yes but just checking.
    2) With it being a Saturday night and you work in a pub is there any suggestion that the driver of the vehicle was drunk? If so, were you drunk as well?

    Reason I ask the 2nd question is it can have an affect on the levels of compensation awarded - by a significant margin.
  • geri1965_2
    geri1965_2 Posts: 8,736 Forumite
    Premier wrote: »
    Forget no win no fee, go and get yourself a good solicitor that specialises in personal injury claims.

    "No win, no fee" is just a method of funding a claim, not a type of solicitor.
  • Quote
    Quote Posts: 8,042 Forumite
    (into a stationery vehicle)
    Was it a WHSmith lorry?
  • Clive_Woody
    Clive_Woody Posts: 5,949 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Quote wrote: »
    Was it a WHSmith lorry?
    :T LOL :rotfl:


    :D
    "We act as though comfort and luxury are the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about” – Albert Einstein
  • I'm sorry to hear that you were injured, you would normally go through the drivers insurance company, you 'could' sue the hospital for negligence and the employer issue can be seen as disabilty discrimination (have a word with ACAS and Cit Advice) - were wou working cash in hand (off the books) at the pub?
  • olly300
    olly300 Posts: 14,738 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    The employer issue isn't disability discrimination unless your condition causes you a long term disability. At the moment it's too early for the doctors to say this as it's only been 3 days. Doctors do not like writing people off in this way as they know it ruins lives.

    However in regards to pushing you out because you are signed of sick for 6 weeks there is an issue which actually Shelter can advise you on - 0808 800 4444

    According to what I've read you should have been given notice to quit your accommodation and not pushed out immediately. Contact Shelter on the free phone number immediately as they may help prevent you becoming homeless.
    I'm not cynical I'm realistic :p

    (If a link I give opens pop ups I won't know I don't use windows)
  • luci
    luci Posts: 6,105 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    The OP said it happened on A Saturday night. They didn't say it was last Saturday night.
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