COVID-19 and Personal Injury

COVID-19 is new to us all and is affecting aspects of all our lives. This is a time of great uncertainty for us all but we are trying to help you understand what this may mean for your ongoing personal injury claim.

Most importantly, following government advice, we are working from home but rest assured we are still able to take your calls and answer any questions you may have. We want to make sure you are kept in the loop and know exactly what is happening with your claim.

Equally importantly, the courts are still running. Whilst traditional trials and other hearings are not taking place as normal (i.e. face to face hearings in a court room), the courts are still working as efficiently as possible to ensure all cases can still be heard. Over the past week or so, hearings have been taking place by telephone, skype or other video systems. This, in turn, means that all cases still need to proceed as normal and be ready for a hearing to take place. There is a lot that goes on in the background to ensure cases are ready for court and we are all trying to ensure this is all done as quickly as possible but some stumbling blocks will arise.

One problem which has arisen from the outbreak is that medico legal reports are no longer taking place in the routine manner. As advised by the government, experts can no longer examine Claimant’s at face to face appointments. Governing bodies of medico legal doctors are now allowing appointments to take place over the phone, Facetime, Skype or other similar services. It is essential that appointments can, and do, take place during this time of uncertainty to enable cases to proceed. Without medical reports it would be impossible to serve court proceedings, value cases and settle a claim.

Another problem arising from the outbreak is that meetings, inspections and conferences are unable to take place as planned. Site inspections will have to be put on hold and any conferences will have to take place via video link. Whilst we all agree this is not ideal, solicitors and barristers up and down the country are used to using video conferencing and so this should not cause too many concerns. Coronavirus will not beat personal injury!

If you have any queries or wish to discuss a possible new claim please feel free to call us Monday to Friday between 8.45am and 5.15pm on 0845 658 6115.