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Here the author Steven Hinchliffes writes about how to select the right person to handle your accident compensation claims and gives advice taking care when deciding who handles your work accident claims

Author's Name

Steven Hinchliffes

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01684580 x900

Web Site

www.hinchliffes.co.uk

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September 21, 2009 - Worcestershire, England - How do you select the right person to handle your accident compensation claim, particularly in respect of a work accident claim? Personal Injury compensation claims solicitors, Hinchliffes Solicitors, give some advice.

Solicitor Steven Hinchliffe, the Principal and owner of the firm, says "Always find out if a solicitor will handle the claim and how much experience the proposed file handler has, particularly in dealing with more complicated cases such as accident at work claims. Also consider how long the firm of solicitors or the claims company has existed, and question whether the proposed file handler is a true specialist in accident compensation claims. Many companies and solicitors offering personal injury claims services have a mixed caseload of work in various areas of law, which can result in the client not achieving the best possible outcome." When making your choice, the length of time that a solicitor has been qualified is often less important than their level of expertise.

Most accident claims settle without the involvement of the Courts, and therefore a question often asked is "Do I need to use a solicitor?" Phillip Roberts, an Associate Solicitor with the firm, confirms that "The objective is always to try and settle accident compensation claims out of Court, but it is important that Court proceedings are issued as soon as required, especially where there is any element of dispute, which often happens in accident at work claims. To delay taking this action may suggest to the opponent that there is a weakness in the case, which they will readily exploit to the detriment of the injured person".

Therefore, it is prudent to instruct an experienced solicitor who will be able to fight your case all the way and more importantly, can fight it successfully. Your opponent's representatives will be far more respectful of a solicitor who means what they say and puts their words into action, which must mean a better outcome for the claim.

Most people with an injury compensation claim will never actually meet their solicitor, because the majority of cases (including complex work accident claims) can be dealt with through correspondence (including post and e-mail) and on the telephone. However, how can you develop a good working relationship with someone you have never seen? Steven Hinchliffe's view on this is that "It is important for a client to feel confident in the lines of communication, and their impression of the firm is initially formed during the first telephone conversation or response to a written enquiry. If this first contact does not provide an immediate level of confidence, then the situation may not improve in the future and the client might want to look elsewhere for representation."

Often a good way to choose accident compensation claims solicitors is to look at what their existing clients say about them. Their website should contain testimonials from their clients, but be careful to ensure that these are genuine and from real people. Nothing speaks louder about the solicitors' standards and performance than the comments of people who have already used their services.

Also, check if their website contains lots of relevant information, including how long a work accident claim might take, its potential value and what the procedure is. If little detail is given, or it is vague and unclear, this might mirror the standard of service provided in handling your case.

Finally, Phillip Roberts warns that "A claimant also needs to be wary of the motives of insurance companies. Their own insurers may pressure them into instructing one of their panel solicitors, without saying that the insurers will make at least £600 by selling the accident compensation claim to that solicitor. In reality, claimants can instruct whoever they want to handle their claim, and they should not be mislead by insurers pursuing purely commercial motives".

If you are in any doubt about how to make accident claims, discuss the matter with solicitors Steven Hinchliffe and Phillip Roberts, who can be contacted free on 0800 138 1348. Alternatively, they will respond to enquiries made via the firm’s website www.hinchliffes.co.uk