Author: Mark Reynolds

If you live in a rented property, your landlord has a duty of care to ensure your home is safe to live in. This includes dealing with damp and mould problems that can have a serious effect on your health.

Here’s a look at the health risks of damp and mould, and what to do to make a personal injury claim if your health has suffered as a direct result.

Causes of Damp and Mould

Damp is caused by the build-up of excess moisture settling on cold surfaces. Condensation damp is due to lack of ventilation and inadequate heating in winter. Damp can also be caused by leaking pipes, rising damp from basement areas, and damage to roof and window structures. This can result in mould growth, which appears on surfaces and even furniture.

Health Risks

Mould produces toxic allergens that are extremely harmful if you’re exposed over a period of time. Those most at risk are the elderly, and babies and children. Mould exposure can cause skin allergies such as eczema and respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis.

Agricultural workers can also develop respiratory problems known as ‘farmer’s lung’ due to exposure to mould spores found in grain, animal feed and straw.

Who’s Responsible?

If mould is due to poor living or working conditions, your landlord or employer must be notified to be deemed responsible. Only if they refuse to act on the problem, will you be entitled to take legal action.

Legal Action

To pursue a personal injury claim, you’ll need to present evidence that your landlord or employer is responsible and has failed to act on the problem. You’ll also need medical reports stating that your illness is a direct result of the damp and mould conditions.

Call Mark Reynolds Solicitors on 0800 002 9577 today to speak to our no win, no fee personal injury advisors.

Across the UK every single day motorists find themselves in traffic collision that they never dreamt would happen and as a result they have no idea what to do. The laws on what to do in these situations can be quite strict especially with time restrictions if you wish to make a claim. If you don’t follow the correct procedures your claim may not be possible so it is important to be fully aware of all the legal aspects of your accident.

Depending on the circumstances of the accident it is not always clear who exactly is responsible. In these situations there can be complications as either the other driver may not want to admit fault or may be advised by their insurance company not to do so. In order to avoid this it is important not to try to force anything that might cause arguments in an already tense situation, but to collect evidence. This may include a written account of what just happened, photographs of the cars, including their positions and any damage done as well as collecting the contact details of eyewitnesses. Once you have this evidence, you are able to refer back to it later if you choose to file an accident claim.

Sometimes people feel unclear on whether or not they need to stop when they are involved in a traffic accident, however if any of the following occur it’s important to do so;

• If either vehicle or the property of another person is damaged in the process
• If any animals either in a vehicle or on the road were injured or killed
• If any part of the road and surrounding area was damaged
• If anyone including yourself has been injured

If any of these things have happened and you do need to stop, it is important that you stay with your vehicle until you have been able to swap contact and insurance information. If you were unable to leave your details with the police at the time of the accident, you must within 24 hours, call your local police station and report what happened. As well as this you must also tell your insurance company, preferably within the same time period. It is imperative to always inform your insurance company whenever there is any damage to your vehicle but even more so when you plan to file an accident claim. Any discrepancies in this area can ultimately invalidate your claim in the long term which is why following these steps is so important.

Once you’ve have made sure that each and every one of these things has been done and you have followed the correct procedures can you begin to make an accident claim.

Call Mark Reynolds Solicitors on 0800 002 9577 today to speak to our no win, no fee personal injury advisors.

Many people forget or don’t bother making a will. Some even choose to avoid the issue considering it too morbid, especially if they are young, fit and healthy.

However, family relationships can be complicated and the absence of a will means that others may benefit from your death no matter what your personal wishes.

If you die without leaving a will you will be intestate. This means the law will decide who gets what. If you haven’t made a will, the following implications may surprise you.

Nearest and Dearest

If you are married and have no children, your spouse is entitled to everything. If you have children and your estate is worth more than £250,000, your spouse will inherit that sum and 50% of the rest. The remaining sum will be divided equally between your children, which they can access once they turn 18. Stepchildren who are not legally adopted by you have no claim to your estate.

Unmarried Partners

Unmarried partners will have no automatic right to inherit, no matter how many years you have been together.

Separation

Many couples separate, but don’t divorce. If you’re separated and have no children, your estranged spouse will inherit everything.

Out of the Woodwork

It’s a cliché, but it’s true… when money and property is involved, many relatives come crawling out of the woodwork. Without a will, even a distant relative can make a valid claim to your estate if they can prove a biological connection.

Friends and Carers

If you have no surviving relatives you may want to leave your estate to a friend or carer. With no will, they won’t be able to claim anything. The Crown will get everything.

Whether you want to write a Will or deal with the affairs of a loved one that has passed away, Mark Reynolds Solicitors are here to help. Contact Mark Reynolds Solicitors on 0800 002 9577 today to speak to our no win, no fee Wills & Probate advisors.

If you have been involved in a car accident which wasn’t your fault you may be entitled to making a compensation claim. It is a common misconception that you can only make a claim if you were driving the car whereas in reality you have the right to do so if you were a passenger or even a pedestrian hit by the car. You have the right to be compensated for any lost income, medical expenses, income that you may lose in the future as a result of your injury or any other expenses that relate to the accident.

The amount of compensation you will be able to claim will vary depending on what injuries you have and your circumstance. In order to ensure you have the strongest case possible there are a few things that it is advised you do immediately after the accident.

• Getting an official record of the accident is the first step to take. The best way to do this is by contacting the police the moment the accident occurs. This is a step that people often overlook if there is no immediate damage to themselves or their vehicle but it is extremely important. In doing so you will have access to a police report which will contain all the important details you will need when filing your claim.

• As well as the police writing a report on what happened, you should also write your own account as soon as possible. This should include as much detail as possible and if necessary photographs of damage to the car and any injuries sustained. Any documentation that occurs as a result of the accident should also be kept; this may consist of medical bills, prescriptions, doctor/hospital appointments. Travel costs and costs of any help you have had to hire to look after those in your care such as babysitters will also fall into this category. If as a result the injuries sustained have caused you other financial issues in your life, these should also be recorded. Some people have to take time off work causing them to lose money or impact their future wages if the injury is long term. Any time taken off work because of this should be verified with a signed document from your employer. These should all be signed and dated so they can be used as evidence.

• Finally, just keeping a daily diary of how your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing is impacted by your injuries is important. Often it is important for people to see and understand how much your life has been impacted so that your case can be strengthened, ensuring a quicker result.

Call Mark Reynolds Solicitors on 0800 002 9577 today to speak to our no win, no fee personal injury advisors.

An employment contract is an official agreement between parties (an employer and an employee) to carry out a service and also to receive agreed payment for that service. Failure to follow this agreement can result in ‘breach of contract’.

If a contract is breached in any way by either party, the first step is to try and work things out informally or through mediation. However, in certain cases, if an agreement cannot be reached, an employee may be entitled to compensation if they have made any financial losses due to the breach.

Here’s a look at some examples of breach of contract and the general terms that are covered in an employment contract.

Types Of Breach

It’s possible to claim compensation for various types of breach of contract. These can include:

• Being dismissed without the correct amount of notice and non-payment in lieu of notice. Usually notice is 4 weeks. Equally, an employee cannot seek compensation if they decide to leave before notice is worked.
• Non-payment of holiday pay
• Non-payment of sick pay
• Non-payment of travel expenses

Work Conditions And Duties

Compensation can also be claimed if work conditions and duties set out in the contract are changed unreasonably. Changes include job duties, pay, location and conditions that affect employees with childcare issues and disabilities. Compensation can also be claimed if an employer doesn’t follow the correct disciplinary procedures set out in the terms of the contract.

Claims

In cases such as non-payment, it’s better to claim for unlawful deduction rather than breach of contract. However, for unpaid issues in lieu of notice, it’s better to proceed with a breach of contract claim as this is regarded as wrongful dismissal.

Are you dealing with an employment law issue at your place of work? Call Mark Reynolds Solicitors on 0800 002 9577 today to speak to our employment law advisors.

According to the Health And Safety Executive, farms are one of the most dangerous workplaces in the UK. It’s easy to see why when you consider the hazards of large machinery, unpredictable livestock, slippery surfaces and varying weather conditions.

Farm owners, however, are responsible not only for the safety of employees but also visitors, so it’s essential to provide a safe working environment by implementing precautions, warnings and making sure employees undergo relevant training.

Here’s a look at the most common causes of personal injuries in the farming industry.

Machinery

The possibility of tractors overturning, especially on rough terrain, is high. Other common vehicles such as balers, combine harvesters and forklifts can be death traps if not adequately maintained. Blades, prongs and machinery entrapment can cause limb loss, disfigurements and even death.

Slurry Pits And Grain Bins

Slurry pits and grain bins are extremely dangerous, and only trained and authorised personnel should have access to these areas. Drowning and asphyxiation can easily occur, so stringent safety measures must always be implemented.

Bales

Unstable straw and hay bales that are not stacked correctly can risk falling and causing head or back injuries and even death. There is also a risk of falling from perched ladders or even form the high stacks themselves.

Livestock

Large farm animals such as cows, bulls and pigs can be unpredictable and dangerous. 8% of farm deaths in the UK are caused by livestock.

Personal Injury Claims

Many claims for farm injuries are the result of:

• Inadequate warnings and notices
• Defective vehicles and machinery
• Lack of safety equipment
• Inadequate training procedures and lack of relevant employee training.

Call Mark Reynolds Solicitors on 0800 002 9577 today to speak to our no win, no fee personal injury advisors.

If you’ve booked your cabriolet ready to discover the Côte d’Azur or the Amalfi coast, you may need to know a thing or two about driving in Europe to stay safe on the roads. There’s nothing to stop you from having a wonderful European holiday, but it’s best to make sure you are prepared for a different kind of driving.

Obviously the first thing to bear in mind is that you’ll be driving on the right, so you’ll need to be more cautious anyway. 

Here are a few more things to be aware of, so you can limit the risk of having an accident.

Rules of the Road

Road symbols are basically the same throughout Europe, however each country has it own regulations such as speed limits and even different blood alcohol levels for driving within the limit. Obviously, the safest thing to do is not drink at all if you’re driving. In France you’re legally required to carry your own breathalyser, which is a wise decision if you’re touring the wine regions.

Safety seats for children are required and the use of mobiles while driving is illegal wherever you go.

The problem is that Europeans are more inclined to ignore a lot of road safety rules, especially the Italians and Greeks who seems to consider them suggestions rather than rules.

The Baltic States have the worst road safety records in Europe and poor road infrastructure and drink driving are the causes of many preventable accidents.

Road Accident Tips

Make sure you do the following immediately after an accident:

• Call the police
• Fill out a European Accident Statement
• Take notes and photos
• Get witness details
• Never admit fault

Call Mark Reynolds Solicitors on 0800 002 9577 today to speak to our no win, no fee personal injury advisors.

The gender pay gap has been a hot topic for a while now and the government are in the process of drafting regulations that will require companies to report on how they pay staff to demonstrate complete transparency and that pay between men and women is appropriate. If you’re an employer, here are key areas that you need to be aware of:

Who is this relevant to? If you employ at least 250 people that work in Great Britain and has an employment contract governed by UK law then you are affected.

What does pay cover? This covers basic pay, paid leave, maternity pay, sick pay, bonus pay, shift pay, car allowances, area allowances. It doesn’t include expenses, overtime, redundancy pay, tax credits.

Bonus payments – You will need to publish the difference between the mean bonuses paid to men and women. You will also be required to show the proportion of male and female employees that received a bonus.

What do I have to publish? You will have to publish the mean and median gender pay gaps.

When do I have to publish? The provisional commencement date of the legislation is the 1^st October 2016 so you will have 18 months after this date to publish it for the first time and then it needs to be published annually after that.

Where do I have to publish? You must publish the information on your website and it needs to be accessible to employees and the public. It needs to stay online for 3 years to show progression and will also need to upload the information to a government designated website.

For more advice about your legal responsibilities regarding gender pay and to help prepare you for the proposed legislation. Are you dealing with an employment law issue at your place of work? Call Mark Reynolds Solicitors on 0800 002 9577 today to speak to our employment law advisors.

Accidents at work happen every day no matter how many precautions you take and can happen under any circumstance. Injuries can vary in severity; it could be a sprained ankle or a minor cut but equally it can sometimes be more severe and even result in death. Regardless of how bad your injury is, you may be entitled to compensation by filing a work accident claim.

There are many injury that are valid to file an accident claim with if you are injured at work. If you have suffered any of the following, you may be entitled to do so;

• Any objects in the work place falling onto you
• Dangerous machinery causing you injury
• Assault within the workplace
• Accidents when operating heavy machinery
• Accident due to improper training
• Slipping, falling or tripping
• People within the workplace being negligent
• Poorly maintenance equipment
• Dangerous or toxic environment
• Industrial injuries
• Health and safety regulations not being adhered to

As a result of any of these happening you may have suffered some of these common work injuries;

• Loss of sight
• Loss of hearing
• Brain injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Burns
• Head injuries
• Amputated limbs
• Fatal injuries

The most important part of making this claim is being able to prove that you were injured and that the injury was caused as a result of the negligence of your employer. Even if the injury was not directly inflicted by your employer, because it happened within the place of work that they are accountable for it makes them liable. In instances like this it may be difficult to prove which is why it is advisable to appoint a personal injury solicitor to help with the case. They will assess the situation, collect all the necessary evidence and present it for you.

In the UK there is a 3 year time limit on filing a work accident claim and if you try to make a claim outside of this time limit you may not be entitled to any compensation. This 3 year period begins the day that the accident occurred or depending on the injury, the day you realised the injury was as a result of what happened in the workplace.

To help you through this process, it is recommended that you contact a personal injury solicitor so that you can receive the accident claims help that you need. Once you have a solicitor they will be able to take over the case and with their experience they will work to get you the compensation you deserve.

Call Mark Reynolds Solicitors on 0800 002 9577 today to speak to our no win, no fee personal injury advisors.

If a fatal accident happens at work and you lose a loved one, then the process of claiming compensation from the employer (if they are found to be liable) can be fairly complex. There are a number of things to take into consideration such as:

Bereavement loss – this is a sum that is paid for the pain and suffering for the loss of a loved one. This is normally divided between the wife/husband and any children.

Dependency loss – this is the amount of compensation that is payable for the financial contribution made by the father/mother. This is payable to the husband/wife and children typically when they are 18 years old. Some of this compensation money can be used by the father/mother on the children’s behalf. Depending on instructions, solicitors will normally be under a duty to ensure that any monies that are payable to the children are retained in the court fund office until the children reach the age of 18 years.

Pain and suffering before death – if your loved one was not killed immediately and survived the accident for a period of time before dying, then the estate of the loved one would be entitled to compensation for their pain, suffering and any other losses incurred before death.

Funeral costs – the costs of the funeral of your loved one can be claimed, usually through a fixed sum.

The above list is not exhaustive and, depending on the nature of how your loved one died, there may be other factors to be taken into consideration. If you have lost a loved one through an accident at work and need professional advice on the best course of action to take in order to make a claim for compensation then please contact us now.

Call Mark Reynolds Solicitors on 0800 002 9577 today to speak to our no win, no fee personal injury advisors.