Transport For Wales Train Collision 21-10-2024

BornAgainWelshman

Hi all.

I had a good look around the forum before posting this, and didn't see any other threads. If I missed one, I apologise in advance!

I was aboard the TFW train that was travelling to Aberystwyth last monday evening (21-10-2024).

After no response to emails, lengthy phone waits followed by being disconnected 3 times, I was wondering if any of you lovely folks had any advice on how to proceed with a possible claim for some form of compensation.

Cheers.

Wonka_2

On what basis are you asking for compensation ? That will help filter the answers 

BornAgainWelshman

Cheers Wonka_2.

Loss of earnings for 5 Days, After Effects of Mild Concussion (Light sensitivity, Headache, Stiffness in upper shoulders & neck), Anxiety, Sleep Deprivation & Associated Stress after such a large impact, witnessing the death of a fellow passenger and assisting traumatised passengers & staff.

Aylesbury_Duck

BornAgainWelshman said:

Cheers Wonka_2.

Loss of earnings for 5 Days, After Effects of Mild Concussion (Light sensitivity, Headache, Stiffness in upper shoulders & neck), Anxiety, Sleep Deprivation & Associated Stress after such a large impact, witnessing the death of a fellow passenger and assisting traumatised passengers & staff.

I'd have thought your first point of call is to gather the medical evidence to show all of the above.

Have you got legal cover on your home insurance?  If so, give them a call for advice.

user1977

The Insurance board may be a more appropriate place to ask, this isn't really a "consumer rights" query.

Wonka_2

In which case I’d have expected finding fellow passengers and an experienced legal resource would be the best way forward. My related experience after an incident on a plane led to all passengers being contacted by the airline and given details of the company handling this. Presumably in your case they won’t have a full passenger list/contact details so maybe a social media post/search by you will find fellow travellers and allow a group/consistent approach 

Okell

user1977 said:

The Insurance board may be a more appropriate place to ask, this isn't really a "consumer rights" query.

Or the public transport board.

As you say, it's not really a consumer rights issue...

(Or legal beagles  -  General Legal Issues - LegalBeagles Forum)

daveyjp

I am amazed, but also sadly not surprised, that following such a traumatic incident passengers are left to get advice from a public forum.

Have Transport  for Wales not set up  any sort of aftercare programme?  If not I'd be onto their CEO and my Welsh Senedd representative asking why not.

born_again

daveyjp said:

I am amazed, but also sadly not surprised, that following such a traumatic incident passengers are left to get advice from a public forum.

Have Transport  for Wales not set up  any sort of aftercare programme?  If not I'd be onto their CEO and my Welsh Senedd representative asking why not.

I would have expected that all passengers details were collected by emergency services at the time & will be passed to the relevant parties, to then contact people in due course & collect the required information for claims.

Injury claims are not settled in weeks. These will take a lot longer. Maybe even years for some.

Main thing OP needs is proof of injuries & proof of any losses incurred. & avoid being suckered into one of the claim co's.

So after 9 days this is far to soon when investigations are still ongoing. Sadly people start jumping the gun.

DullGreyGuy

BornAgainWelshman said:

Cheers Wonka_2.

Loss of earnings for 5 Days, After Effects of Mild Concussion (Light sensitivity, Headache, Stiffness in upper shoulders & neck), Anxiety, Sleep Deprivation & Associated Stress after such a large impact, witnessing the death of a fellow passenger and assisting traumatised passengers & staff.

Do you have legal expenses cover on your Home Insurance or are you a member of a union that includes legal expenses cover? If so they will instruct someone to deal with it for you. 

If you dont you can do it yourself, you have two heads of claim, Loss of Earnings (special damages) and PSLA (general damages) which based on the very limited amount of information sounds like whiplash plus psych. Thankfully it's not a road traffic accident and so not captured by the whiplash reforms act that would have limited your compensation for PSLA to £260 (assuming full recovery within 3 months). Alternatively you could use a no win no fee solicitor, if they believe the losses are sufficient to get you into the Fast Track level of court... not seen what's happened to non-RTA whiplash claims since the reforms.

eskbanker

DullGreyGuy said:
Alternatively you could use a no win no fee solicitor, if they believe the losses are sufficient to get you into the Fast Track level of court.

Given the circumstances of an accident considered to have been caused by ineffectiveness of brakes on abnormally slippery rails, OP probably shudders at that term....