

Beside the obvious consequence of pain and restricted mobility, a hip injury can cause far long-term problems indirectly. For example, nerve damage or poor blood circulation in the hip can lead to paralysis or even the need for amputation of the legs. It can also lead to loss or impairment of function in adjacent organs, such as infertility or bladder and bowel problems.
Many personal injury solicitors will not charge for advice given during the first meeting. Only once they have decided whether you may have a case will they consider proceeding, when they will charge for further advice. You will then have to agree how your solicitor’s fees are to be paid in the event that you win, lose, or drop the case.
While you will already have a close relationship with the solicitor who handles your affairs, such as writing a will, arranging property transfers and so on, you should always go to a solicitor who specialises in giving advice on personal injury claims.
The effects of an injury can be wide ranging and more than your legal rights are involved in determining your eligibility for, and amount of, compensation. For this reason, a solicitor requires a combination of legal and medical expertise, and most personal injury solicitors will have built up a list of useful contacts and barristers’ chambers to call on when specialist advice is required.
In the first instance, check that your solicitor’s firm includes lawyers who are accredited members of the two principle legal bodies in this field; the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIC) and the Law Society’s personal injury panel. You should also ask if they have solicitors who belong to associations for the specific injury your claim is about – for example the Spinal Injuries Association or the Headway Panel.
You should also ask your solicitor about their record in personal injury claims. Can they give you any case histories of advice given for successful claims similar to yours?