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31st October 2006
UNISON member Neil Bartlett has secured nearly £2,000 in compensation following a road traffic accident. The Highways Maintenance Officer from Swansea secured the compensation with the support of Unison’s free legal assistance scheme with Frizzell and union lawyers Thompsons Solicitors.
The accident took place in Llansamlet, Swansea, in February 2006. As Mr Bartlett was driving alone along Samlet Road, a van driver in the outside lane pulled into Mr Bartlett’s lane and collided with his Volvo S40. The other driver had failed to check their mirror before their manoeuvre.
Neil Bartlett, aged 39, suffered whiplash to the neck and shoulder and was off work for 3 days following the accident. A successful claim was made against the other driver’s insurance.
Neil Bartlett explains: “Before the accident I was unaware that my union membership covered road traffic accidents as well as accidents at work. The specialist support provided by UNISON and their solicitors Thompsons was excellent. I doubt I would have had such good legal representation and secured so much compensation if I’d simply used the solicitors offered by my insurer.”
Paul O'Shea, regional secretary for UNISON Cymru, comments: “Neil Bartlett’s claim demonstrates the importance of union members using their union’s legal service for accidents outside the workplace. Motor insurance companies are increasingly referring claimants to their own panel solicitors, who may not provide the same independent and specialist legal advice as trade union solicitors.”
Justin Thomas from Thompsons Solicitors in Cardiff comments: “Whiplash is probably the most common type of injury sustained following a road traffic accident. In Mr Bartlett’s case, the medical evidence obtained led to a swift and satisfactory settlement with the insurers.”
If you or someone you know has suffered an injury as a result of a road traffic accident, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.
There are strict time limits in place to make any injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms.