House Fire Survivor Underlines Importance of Smoke Detectors

All residential properties must be fitted with a smoke detector, personal injury solicitors Bolton have warned, echoing the comments of an unidentified man who escaped from his burning house after being alerted by a smoke alarm.

The 20-year-old leapt from his loft bedroom, jumping three floors to safety, after the blaze broke out on November 14^th just before 1pm.

He was sleeping in the Bolton Road property in Swinton when the alarm woke him up. He revealed that he went downstairs to find his dad, but was unable to do so, so went back to his loft room and closed the door.

He then jumped on to the kitchen roof and attempted to break the window of the back bedroom, where he thought his father was. He was unable to do so, but when he reached the front of his house he saw his dad had successfully escaped.

Watch Manager Mark Coffey - a fire officer - happened to be passing by the house when it was on fire. He saw the father reentering the smoke-filled house to look for his son, and took him out of the house.

While both occupants survived this fire with no significant injuries, personal injury solicitors Preston know the consequences could have easily been far worse.

The fire service used a fan and hose reels to clear the smoke and extinguish the fire. The emergency services, which came from Agecroft and Salford, had to use breathing apparatus.

Free flu jabs on offer in Lancashire

Lancashire County Council is offering members of the public free flu jabs, and personal injury solicitors Preston would encourage people to take advantage of them.

People who are deemed to be 'at risk' may also be able to receive the inoculation at their chemist. At risk groups include people with certain medical conditions, older people, very young children and pregnant women. This year marks the first time that children aged two and three will be eligible for free flu vaccinations.

In north and central Lancashire in 2012, over 75% of people aged over 65 were vaccinated against the flu, and the county council wants to keep this figure high this year. The county council's head of health protection Debbie Wright said that the local authority is also concerned about the low number of vaccinated people of all at-risk groups throughout east Lancashire, with the number of vaccinated people in east Lancashire lower than the UK's average.

Furthermore, there are concerns about the relatively low number of pregnant women receiving the jab.

No win no fee solicitors Preston advise people who were already inoculated last year that they will still need to have the jab this year, as the old vaccination will not protect them against the new flu strains that have emerged this year.

Nasal spray vaccinations are also available this year, and children aged two or three can receive these for free from GP practices. This range of new treatment options means it is now easier than ever for people to vaccinate themselves against the flu.

While most people will be able to cope with the flu without any serious medical problems, vulnerable groups can experience severe complications, which can be fatal. Personal injury solicitors Preston recommend that anyone who works with these vulnerable groups should visit their local GP to enquire about the flu 

vaccination. If they begin to feel like they are coming down with the flu or any other transmissible illness, it is strongly advisable that they do not go to work, as this could cause the disease to spread with potentially devastating consequences.

Fire service teaches Horwich mothers first aid

The fire service has taught new mothers skills in basic first aid - something personal injury solicitors Preston note could one day save a child's life.

In Horwich Resource Centre on December 5th, Blue Watch firefighters provided a Headstart course to the facility's Mums 4 Mums and Tots Group. During the two-hour course, members of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service successfully trained 16 mothers and fathers in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and in life support.

Firefighters also answered any questions parents had about first aid treatment, care and paediatrics, and provided general advice that no win no fee solicitors Preston believe could support them in ensuring the health and safety of their children.

Participants also received a certificate which recognised the fact that they have developed new skills that could one day see them saving a life.

Drivers 'must watch speed' in storms

Personal injury solicitors Lytham St Annes are warning people to watch their speed when driving in the coming stormy weather.

It is best to delay a journey or make alternative plans during severely adverse weather, but people who have to drive should drive at a slower speed than they normally would. Doing so will allow them to respond to any distractions that arise, such as debris that is blown into the road, and will help them control their vehicle should it get caught in any strong winds.

Cyclists in particular could find they are blown off course in strong wind, no win no fee solicitors Lytham St Annes add.

People should also pack an emergency kit in their car during severe weather. This should contain high-vis clothing, which is warm and waterproof, a medical kit, and a fully-charged mobile phone.

Drivers should also plan their journey in advance and listen to the weather reports. The high winds could see roads and bridges temporarily clothes.

The shoreline could be particularly dangerous, personal injury solicitors Lytham St Annes note, and the Fylde coast could be one of the most dangerous in the UK during the coming storm.

Eliminate drink-driving by 'None for the Road'

The drink and drug driving campaign for Manchester this year is 'None for the Road', and personal injury solicitors Manchester ask people to heed its message.

Stockport Road Safety Unit, Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and Salford Council Road Safety Team are collaborating for the campaign. There will be events at MediaCity, including a driving and motor vehicle accident car crash simulator.

Alcohol was a factor in 336 road accidents in Greater Manchester over 2012. A total of 265 of people suffered minor personal injuries in these collisions, but 66 caused serious injuries and five people lost their lives.

Although it is permissible for people to drive after consuming a small amount of alcohol, the message of the campaign is that the only safe amount for drivers to drink is absolutely nothing.

But no win no fee solicitors Manchester are reminding people that the dangers of drink driving do not simply relate to the risks of road traffic accidents - offenders could find their license revoked or could even go to jail if they are found to be driving over the limit. Last year, GMP's festive operation to test motorists for drug and alcohol intoxication saw 11,230 drivers breathalysed, with 464 of these either refusing to take the test or testing positive.

Be flood-safe in Lytham St Annes, personal injury solicitors say

With gale-force winds hitting the UK and with many areas likely to see localised flooding in the next few days, especially coastal areas, personal injury solicitors Lytham St Annes advise people to take precautions to reduce the likelihood of injuries or property damage.

Clearwater Solicitors, a team of no win no fee solicitors Lytham St Annes, provide the following advice to homeowners and businesses in flood-prone areas:

-          Move electrical items and valuable items out of harm's way. This might be in a friend's house, in a storage unit, or simply upstairs.

-          Buy sandbags. Sandbags and floor boards can be used to block doorways and keep flood water out of your property.

-          Check that water can escape through outside drains. Unblock any blocked drains and clear guttering of any debris.

-          If your business is prone to flooding, consider flooding in risk assessments and take steps to minimise the potential damage floodwater and slippery flooring could cause to your employees and other people who may be affected by your business.

Greater Manchester Sees Four Electrical Fires in 24 Hours

Personal injury solicitors Manchester are urging people to check their electrical appliances, as Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service revealed it went to four different electrical fires on November 14^th.

One of the fires occurred in Little Hulton at 11.44pm. This fire destroyed a bedroom and caused significant damage to the rest of the property, and is believed to have originated in a radio.

Another fire occurred at 7pm and saw a 64-year-old female and 66-year-old man escorted from their Withington flat. The fire had already been extinguished when the emergency services arrived, but both victims required hospital treatment and oxygen. This fire was thought to have been caused by an electrical surge.

Earlier in the day, a man had to leap three floors to escape a fire in a house in Swindon, with this blaze also caused by electrical problems.

At 10.53pm, the fire service dealt with a fire in Stockport that was believed to have been caused by a malfunctioning electrical blanket. A 15-year-old girl suffered smoke inhalation and required hospital treatment, while three other people were given oxygen at the scene.

Bury seasonal flu vaccination underway

With the seasonal flu vaccination campaign underway, personal injury solicitors Bury are reminding people who are eligible to receive the inoculation that they should do so as soon as possible.

People who may be eligible for free flu vaccines include people over the age of 65, pregnant women, and people with long-term health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and asthma. Carers and residents of nursing and residential homes are also able to receive the vaccination.

Most people who come down with the flu will not face any serious health problems, but will need to take some time off work and will feel particularly unwell for around a week. Certain demographics can develop complications from the flu, such as chest infections, and these can progress into serious, potentially life-threatening conditions. No win no fee solicitors Bury are asking all these people to ensure they receive the inoculation before it is too late, even if they feel like their health and fitness is at a good level and that they can handle the flu.

Local GPs across Bury are keen to encourage all applicable patients to receive the flu vaccine before this season's flu strains become widespread. The inoculation is not only potentially a life-saver, but is free and very safe.

Schools across the borough are also offering pupils aged between four and 11 years old a nasal flu vaccination, which can be administered within schools. So far, 9,000 children in Bury have received this vaccination. Not only willthis prevent children from developing the flu, but it will also reduce the disease's transmission, as school children are some of the biggest spreaders of the influenza virus.

Bury is one of just six areas nationwide that is offering schoolchildren the nasal flu vaccination. Personal injury solicitors Bury are pleased that the town has this distinction, and hope the scheme is successfully replicated across the UK next year.

Don't go to GPs unless you need to, Blackburn residents warned

With residents across East Lancashire, Darwen and Blackburn encouraged to take care for their families and themselves over the winter, personal injury solicitors Blackburn are asking the public to stock up on painkillers or cold and flu relief to prevent GPs surgeries and hospitals from becoming clogged up.

People in vulnerable groups, such as very young children, older people, people with certain health problems, and carers, may be able to receive an inoculation against the flu from their GP or from a pharmacy.

Every year, around 57 million visits to the GP involve just minor health problems. These take up around one hour of the average GP's time every working day and cost the NHS around £2 billion. In many cases, these visits could have been prevented had otherwise healthy people allowed flus or colds to wait for the condition to run its course or had bought over-the-counter remedies at the pharmacy.

In Darwen and Blackburn alone, around £600,000 is spent every year on prescribing medicines for minor illnesses. No win no fee solicitors Blackburn advise GPs to take care when dismissing someone's health problems as just minor illnesses if they are convinced it is something more serious, but would ask people to only visit the doctor if they think they have a long-lasting or dangerous illness that they require specialist treatment for.

Burnley Beautified By Love Where You Live Campaign

The Love Where You Live campaign has been given the thumbs up by personal injury solicitors Burnley.

Radio station 2BR and Burnley Council collaborated to ask residents of the borough to nominate locations that needed cleaning, such as those that attract littering and fly-tipping. Clearwater Solicitors, a no win no fee solicitors Burnley practice, point out that not only is this initiative beautifying the area and making the town more pleasant to live in and walk through, but it is also improving public safety and reducing the local authority's liability in personal injury claims.

So far, the ten most frequently nominated sites have been visited and cleaned up, with Stanley Street and Gannow Top roundabout receiving special attention, including help from Veolia Environmental Services. Not only did they pick up litter, but they also cut back any overgrown vegetation, creating safe areas for the local community to enjoy.

The Love Where You Live scheme was launched by Keep Britain Tidy and involves initiatives across the UK. It aims to encourage members of the public to make the place they live the kind of place they would like it to be, making communities safer, cleaner and more pleasant to live in. Poor maintenance of public land and poor standards of cleanliness or litter prevention are common factors in slip and trip payment in advance claims or other personal injury claims seen by personal injury solicitors Burnley, making the campaign a positive force for public safety.

Motorcyclist Dies In Bury Road Traffic Accident

Following the tragic death of Gary Bell, personal injury solicitors Bury would like to remind drivers and motorcyclists to look out for each other.

Motorcyclist Mr Bell, 23, was in a road traffic accident on Friday November 1^st at around 10:30, and he died of his injuries the next day in Salford Royal Hospital.

It is believed that he was riding his white Yamaha motorbike on Bond Street when the accident happened. He overtook a vehicle and collided with a Toyota at the Bond Street / Walsh Lane junction, sustaining serious chest and head injuries. Police are appealing for information.

No win no fee solicitors Bury know that the risk of motorcyclist accidents will increase over winter, and would like to provide the following advice.

Motorcyclists:

-          Wear bright clothing

-          Ride defensively

-          Maximise visibility

-          Wear protective equipment, including the right helmet

-          Stay observant and alert

-          Glance over your shoulder before performing any manoeuvres

-          Ensure you can slow down or stop if you have to

Drivers:

-          Look out for bikes

-          Take time to check for motorcyclists at junctions or when merging

-          Don't drive too close to motorcyclists

-          Keep aware of motorcyclists when turning into new roads

-          Remember motorcyclists can pass on either side

-          Park in a safe and considerate fashion and check for motorcyclists when opening your doors

No win no fee solicitors Blackburn warn against drinking Zam Zam water

Personal injury solicitors Blackburn would urge members of the public to avoid drinking Zam Zam water.

Zam Zam water should come from Saudi Arabia, where it is sourced from the Well of Zam Zam in Mecca. Muslims consider Zam Zam water sacred, believing that the water is miraculously sourced by God, and that the well has never gone dry despite producing millions of gallons of water every year.

However, it is illegal to export Zam Zam water from Saudi Arabia for sale, so any such water available in the UK could come from anywhere. Tests have shown that this water may contain dangerously high levels of nitrates or arsenic, which could lead to serious illness or death, and personal injury solicitors Blackburn, would strongly advise people to avoid drinking it.

Chief Trading Standards Officer for Lancashire County Council Paul Noone recently revealed that a large consignment of this water has been imported into Lancashire, with the local authority working with any businesses involved in this consignment to ensure the water is not sold for human consumption.

Clearwater Solicitors, a team of no win no fee solicitors Blackburn; warn that drinking Zam Zam water could lead to a range of serious diseases, including cancer. While the risks posed by drinking a small amount of this water are very low, they become exponentially greater when more water is consumed. There are no safe levels of arsenic in drinking water, but recent tests on Zam Zam water have shown the levels of arsenic within this water could be three times the amount legally permissible.

Quietway routes 'should improve cyclist safety in London'

Personal injury solicitors London have welcomed moves to make the borough of Haringey safer for cyclists.

A network of 'Quietway' routes will be developed for cyclists in the region. These will use direct, quiet back streets to provide high-quality, guided travel around Haringey, connecting central London and other major centres together.

While these routes are still currently in development, with more details set to be announced in the immediate future, no win no fee solicitors London practice Clearwater Solicitors are pleased with the news that bike riding in Haringey will soon be considerably safer.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson aims for cycling to represent a 5% modal share of London's traffic by 2026, with trends indicating that this is target is set to be outstripped. In 2001, just 77,300 people in London reported that they commuted by cycling, but in 2011, this figure had more than doubled to reach 154,900.

So far in 2013, eight people have lost their lives in cycling accidents in the capital, while personal injury solicitors London have seen countless minor and serious injuries sustained by cyclist in the city this year. 

HGVs, coaches and buses pose a particular risk to cyclists and are seen in around one-fifth of all cyclist fatalities and one-quarter of all serious cycling accidents in London. Other common factors in London cycling accident claims include cyclists going out into the roads or cutting across traffic, showing how important separate cyclist lanes are to improving the safety of cyclists.

Personal Safety Advice with No Win No Fee Solicitors Bolton

Personal injury solicitors Bolton would like to remind members of the public of the things they can do to ensure their personal safety when out and about.

While the average person has a relatively low risk of being involved in a violent crime or a road accident, the extent of some of the injuries seen by no win no fee solicitors Bolton can be very severe, with some people even losing their lives in these preventable or malicious incidents.

Therefore, Clearwater Solicitors would advise you to keep the following in mind:

Planning

-          Think about where you're going and how the safest way to get there is.

-          Consider factors such as the popularity of the route you will take, the levels of pedestrian and vehicle traffic and road lighting.

-          Avoid particularly dangerous areas, such as subways, isolated locations and alleyways.

-          Bring a personal safety alarm with you wherever you go, so you can startle attackers and avert criminality.

Walking

-          Walk facing oncoming traffic to increase visibility. This helps you avoid making road traffic accident claims with personal injury solicitors Bolton and minimises the chance of criminals pulling up behind you to assault or victimise you.

Doncaster Man Receives Six-Figure Compensation Settlement After Industrial Saw Accident

No win no fee solicitors Bolton see some horrendous injuries that leave people with lasting health and mobility problems, and it is only right that the victims receive compensation if they are not to blame for the injuries. From medical negligence claims to workplace accident claims, personal injury solicitors Bolton deal with them all, helping blameless victims recover the money they need to get their lives back on track.

The Star recently reported that Lenny Andruchiw, a 63-year-old man from Dunscroft, received a six-figure compensation payout after severing his fingers while working for Dixon Timber Products.

Mr Andruchiw severed four fingers and the thumb from his left hand while using an industrial saw at his Balby-based workplace, and while his employers did not admit liability for the injuries, he achieved a healthy out-of-court settlement. Surgeons managed to reattach his little finger but could not save his other digits.

People who have been injured in an accident they were not to blame for have the best possible chance of succeeding in their compensation claim and receiving a settlement that suits them if they speak with no win no fee solicitors Bolton for advice and assistance.

No win no fee solicitors Rochdale and brain injury claims

Head injuries can be some of the most serious cases personal injury solicitors Rochdale deal with, but some of the most sizable too. Very severe brain injuries can warrant personal injury claims of as much as £350,000 or higher, with claimants generally receiving more than £200,000.

However, as no win no fee solicitors Rochdale will surely tell them, the value of the claim will reflect the value of their damages and associated costs - the cost of living with a brain injury can be very expensive, and the aim of compensation is to bring the claimant back to the quality of life they would have previously achieved had the injury not occurred. This can be impossible for many people who have sustained serious head injuries, and the high compensation values reflect this fact.

Fatal brain injuries are very common, with personal injury solicitors Rochdale regularly seeing people who have lost a loved one due to this injury. Every year, one person in every 100,000 will die of a brain injury, while those who survive faced significantly higher death rates than the general population for as long as 13 years after the initial trauma. Overall, 40% of people with brain injuries will die within 13 years of the injury, compared with just 19% of people who will die within any given 13 years.

Good Reasons to Use Personal Injury Solicitors Blackburn

Claiming compensation with no win no fee solicitors Blackburn is a good idea for many reasons. When people suffer a personal injury in an accident that wasn't their fault, their health can be altered dramatically. These negative health effects can also have huge implications for the person's finances, and claiming compensation can be the best way people can recover from these loses.

So why should you use personal injury solicitors Blackburn?

-          Have experts fighting on your behalf

Claiming compensation can be a difficult and challenging process, but letting someone who knows personal injury law inside and out on their side can be people's best shot of succeeding in their compensation claim and recovering all the money they deserve.

No win no fee solicitors Blackburn know what they're doing, and claimants are far more likely to reach a satisfactory outcome to their compensation claim when they're using specialists. Claiming compensation can be a difficult and stressful experience, but solicitors can make the process a lot simpler.

When the Glare of the Sun Leads To Road Traffic Accident Claims

A range of different factors lead to road traffic accident claims in the autumn, with no win no fee solicitors citing rainfall, leaves on the road and darker nights as some of these. However, the dangers posed by the sun are also significant, with Department for Transport (DfT) statistics finding that one in 33 of all reported motor vehicle accidents were caused by this risk in 2012.

This meant that over the year, a total of 2,905 road traffic accident claims were caused by glare from the sun. Of these, 423 were deemed to be serious, while 36 were fatal. In all, 52 of these accidents were on motorways, while 428 were on B roads and 1,203 were on A-roads. The remaining 1,222 were on other minor roads.

The risk of road traffic accident claims caused by glare from the sun depends on geographical factors. The DfT's statistics found that while in the UK, an average of 3% of all motor vehicle accidents are caused by glare from the sunlight, this proportion is just 1% in London but rises to 4% in the North East.

As a result, the AA has warned drivers that until the clocks go back on October 27th, they should be aware that the sunset may dazzle them on their commute home from work. This warning is echoed by personal injury solicitors, who note there are a lot of ways drivers can avoid being dazzled by the sunlight while behind the wheel.

The Importance of Personal Injury Solicitors Bury When Making Cerebral Palsy Claims

Some of the most sizable claims seen by no win no fee solicitors Bury are those relating to birth injuries, such as cerebral palsy and other forms of brain damage. This is because the financial implications of such injuries can be very substantial - sufferers can require lifelong medical care and expensive specialist equipment, and the overall cost of this can reach the millions of pounds.

This was seen in the case of Emily Dye, a ten-year-old girl from Easton in Norwich, who suffered oxygen deprivation at birth which caused her to develop brain damage and severe cerebral palsy. As a result of this negligence, Mr Justice Stuart-Smith, a judge for the High Court, was told that Emily will require lifelong care and treatment.

He approved a compensation claim that will see Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust pay out £1.96 million as an initial lump sum, followed by yearly payments up to a total of £4.5 million.

Personal injury solicitors Bury know that such compensation payments can make a significant victim to a person's quality of life, allowing them to receive the care that they need for as long as they need it for.

Asbestos Still Affecting British Workers Today

Although asbestos has not been a commonly-used building material for many years, personal injury solicitors Bury still see people with asbestos-related health conditions. Exposure to asbestos fibres can cause a wide range of ailments, from pleural plaques to lung cancer and mesothelioma, and companies can often be responsible for these illnesses after failing to protect their staff from asbestos.

The main reason why no win no fee solicitors Bury still deal with asbestos compensation claims is because the conditions asbestos exposure cause can take a very long time to develop. In some cases, people have developed mesothelioma as long as 70 years after the date they were exposed to asbestos, although in the majority of cases people develop the condition after two to four decades.

But it is not just workers who were exposed to asbestos who can claim compensation with personal injury solicitors Bury. Many people who worked around asbestos fibers inadvertently took these fibers home with them, and tragically, this led to their wives, husbands, children, housemates and anyone else in the household to become exposed to the hazardous substance, in some cases causing asbestos-related diseases to develop.

There are even people who have been exposed to asbestos solely because they lived near to a factory or manufacturing plant that used asbestos. While the material is incredibly dangerous, it initially became popular as a result of its fire-resistant properties, which saw it being used in a huge number of industries. Anyone involved in the development and maintenance of buildings, such as electricians or carpenters, could potentially be exposed to the substance, but it was also used in car manufacturing and maintenance, in laboratories, and in engines and other machinery that posed a potential fire risk.

No win no fee solicitors Bury can help people recover tens of thousands of pounds from a former negligent employer, and can even help people cash advance claim compensation when the negligent party is unknowable and cannot be traced. People should not simply accept that they became ill due to workplace asbestos exposure - instead, they should consider claiming compensation before their illnesses worsen.