PIP Breast Implants Guidance

Our guidance is to return to your breast implant surgeon if you are concerned to find out whether your implants are PIP (Poly Implant Prothese) implants. It is important to have them regularly checked.

We have taken instructions from Patients where the implants have ruptured and they have had no option but to have them removed. Some have been able to have further replacements but many simply cannot afford to pay a second set of fees for the surgery.

The difficulty in pursuing the French company PIP, which exported its products to 66 countries is that they have gone into liquidation which has meant they are not in a position to satisfy judgements obtained against them for supplying defective implants.

Therefore we need to look at other avenues and consider pursuing the clinics or indeed the surgeons where these procedures took place.

If you have any concerns and wish to obtain further advice please contact me today on 0161 615 0699 or email enquiries@ralli.co.uk

David Cameron Should Listen To The Dowler Family

I cannot imagine what it is like to lose a child in any circumstances, let alone the tragic circumstances surrounding Milly’s death.  To compound matters, they then have to face the fact that their lives were thrown into the spotlight yet again, by the actions of representatives of The News of The World.

Milly’s family have written to the Prime Minister urging him to abandon legal reforms that will prevent victims suing for compensation.  I hope he listens.   Over the last 35 years Ralli have acted for thousands of clients, who without the benefit of the much criticised “no win no fee” agreements, would not have had access to justice.

If we take for example a client of Farhanah Ismail’s, partner at Ralli. Ms X was being given a trampoline lesson. Under instruction which was not clear and correct, she suffered a terrible injury to one of her legs, resulting in her leg snapping and bending the wrong way round.

Ralli worked tirelessly to achieve the best possible settlement for her and despite the trauma of full court hearings following denial of liability, Ralli successfully settled her claim.   The insurers had the opportunity to settle at a very early stage but the matter resulted in a full trial, costing the insurers more in the long run.   Without funding, Ms X would not have been able to make this claim.  As a result of the accident, she has now been left with severe restrictions in her daily life. Read more »

Ralli Renews Membership to Injury Lawyers 4U scheme

Our continued contribution to the scheme allows us to help many innocent victims of accidents make claims for personal injury compensationfor another year.

The scheme, now in its 11th year aims to provide the best possible legal advice for innocent victims of accidents of any nature and help them receive compensation for their injuries. The scheme operates under a strict ‘No Win No Fee’ policy, so if the claimant doesn’t win, they won’t pay a penny.

The scheme allows injured members of the public to be connected with specialist accident injury lawyers quickly and effectively.

Low Velocity Impact Argument Raised After 2mph Crash

Maria Penny (Associate & Personal Injury Solicitor)

It was reported this morning that scaffolders tried to claim thousands in compensation after a council van collided with their lorry – at less than 2mph. The full article can be read here.

Low velocity is an argument raised frequently in road traffic cases.  It essentially means that the speed of the collision was not sufficient to have caused injury to the occupants of the vehicle.

Such arguments are based on ‘studies’ carried out in controlled environments and each case will turn on its own facts.

What would injure you may not injure me and each claim must be considered carefully.  In this case it seems the claimants’ account of the injuries and losses sustained were found to be false and therefore the claims failed.

Costs orders will inevitably follow if a claimant is found to be untruthful therefore in a case involving arguments of low velocity it is imperative that you know your client/your case well.  GP records, a detailed statement from the client, witnesses, friends, and family confirming the injuries sustained, effect on daily living and any damage sustained to the vehicle, however minor, will all assist in establishing whether your client’s/your claim has merit and is likely to succeed.

Injured Parties Most Likely To Suffer Under ‘No-Win, No-Fee’ Reforms

Maria Penny (Associate & Personal Injury Solicitor)

The proposed changes with regard to abolition of success fees and payment of costs out of damages will benefit no one but the insurance industry.

The same are, to my mind, intended to placate the insurance industry and are not intended to increase or ensure access to justice.

Litigation is, certainly in cases I deal with, a last resort and is never entered into lightly.  Cases without merit are not freely litigated and a careful assessment of the risks should always take place as it is the solicitor concerned who takes the risk on behalf of the Claimant.

Litigation usually arises as liability is in dispute and the parties cannot reach agreement or, as in most cases I suspect, due to the fact the insurers fail to respond in good time.  This in itself drives up the costs of litigation and it is interesting to note that the insurers do not count their own failures and apathy as being a valid reason for legal costs increasing year on year. Read more »

Grave day for justice in this country

James Reilly, Associate at Ralli, gives his views on Naomi Campbell’s recent case.

James Reilly, Partner & Personal Injury Solicitor

The most obvious comment is that the Mirror Group lost the original action.

 “We are disappointed to have lost the breach of confidence claim on a story which everyone agrees was in the public interest and which we have fought to defend for 10 years.”

They blatantly feel aggrieved that they lost as they have been fighting for such a long time and have clearly deployed significant resources to do so.  As the Defendant took the case to a trial and lost, they are obliged to pay a success fee of 100%. The Defendant believed they would win the original action and I would wager the fact that they could still print articles regarding a high profile case was more than a passing consideration in their motivation to defend.

The conduct of the litigation was in the Defendant’s own hands; it is a hugely profitable organisation and could have settled this matter at any stage. Read more »

Admiral comments all at sea?

Maria Penny (Personal Injury Solicitor)

Henry Engelhardt, head of Admiral, recently commented that the insurance group had increased motor premiums by 12pc over the last year to “compensate for claims inflation”. He also predicted that the trend would continue this year.

However, it is also noted that premiums are likely to rise due to comparison websites, which give the consumer access to cheaper prices without the hassle of telephoning different insurers direct.

It should not be forgotten that we have also seen one of the worst winters in many years Read more »