Wellies, umbrellas and accident claims

In usual circumstances our phone lines would be jammed and our inboxes full with accident claims for holiday accidents involving Jet Skis; product liability claims for faulty flip-flops and public liability claims for salmonella caused by dodgy ice-creams. But this year the personal injury compensation claims that we have received are of a completely different variety.

The YouClaim offices saw a little bit of sunshine back in April, which we always thought was spring, but since then, minus a few peeks of sunlight here and there, we have experienced rain storm after full-on shower. Most of the Midlands is a few foot under water and the rest of the country is on flood warnings, ready to reach for the nearest dinghy at the first sign of a rain cloud. There was even an announcement on 20th July that two months worth of rainfall was due to fall in just one day. Who stole the sun? All is forgiven.

Some have made whisperings about climate change others are more sceptical and have put the undesirable weather conditions down to coincidence. Me, I'm not sure, but what I do know is there is no summer to speak of.

We are used to a bit of rain in June when keen tennis fans have no choice but to shield their strawberries and cream under a brolly while Henman gets beaten once again and die-hard Glastonbury goers don their wellies and waterproofs to slosh about and enjoy a bit of musical entertainment in a field in Somerset. But never, as far as I can remember, has such wetness descended upon British summertime.

As a result of the excessive rainfall over the past few weeks a variety of compensation claims are expected to be made by residents in affected areas who were wise enough to take adequate insurance cover out. The problem with floods is that the water is often contaminated with sewage and other pollutants, meaning that the clean up process isn't always as simple as just drying everything out. As well as claiming for new possessions and redecoration, claimants may be entitled to claim for the cost of alternative accommodation while repairs work is carried out on their home or business premises.

Instead of the usual, we are receiving no win, no fee accident claims from those who have sustained personal injury by slipping on wet floors in supermarkets, train stations and alike. These kind of public liability compensation claims are usually successful if the person responsible for the health and safety in the area in which you slipped can be proven as negligent. If you do trip or slip in a public place, make sure that you report it to the person in charge and have it recorded in their company accident logbook as well as taking the details of any eye witnesses. These could come in especially useful if your case goes to court.

Car accident claims are also more common during wind and rain. Unfortunately, many motorists in the UK are still not used to our wet conditions and they partake in dangerous driving antics such as tailgating and speeding. It is advised that all drivers leave a larger space between their car and the car in front to reduce the chances of a rear-end collision occurring and reduce their speed as tyre grip and break efficiency are not quite so good on slippery road surfaces.

The extreme weather also has the potential to increase the amount of work-related accidents that happen in the UK. It is likely that YouClaim will receive numerous personal injury claims from workers who have been harmed in accidents at work as a result of wet, slippery conditions.

Our advice to those who have not yet been hit by the floods is that you get your sand bags ready and keep your wits about you. We also recommend that those who are living in flooded areas only travel when it is absolutely necessary to avoid the chances of having to make an accident claim.

This article may be published on another website free of charge, on the condition that a link is provided from this article to our website: http://www.youclaim.co.uk/product-liability-claims-eye-products.htm

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