Dianne Willmore, who passed from mesothelioma in 2009, won a landmark £240,000 case, holding Knowsley Borough Council liable for her asbestos exposure during school. Her case prompted legal and financial ramifications for local authorities nationwide, leading to increased awareness and changes in asbestos-related negligence proceedings.
No Win No Fees Explained
Many personal injury solicitors operate on the basis of “No Win No Fee” – this is where the solicitor takes on a case, stating that if the case is unsuccessful, the client won’t have to pay any fees.
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What does “No Win No Fee” mean?
1. Financial protection for clients
Many personal injury solicitors operate based on “No Foal, No Fee” – this is where the solicitor takes on a case because if the case is unsuccessful, the client won’t have to pay any fees. This means that the usual costs associated with civil lawsuits, including professional legal services fees, will be absorbed by the solicitor firm where a case is unsuccessful. In cases where the claim is successful, these fees are usually partly or fully recoverable from the defendant(s) when settlement is agreed. The purpose of No Win No Fee is to offer a helping hand to clients who may not be financially able to bring forward a personal injury claim.
2. Removing financial barriers
This system allows more people to engage with the legal process by giving them the freedom to claim without facing the financial burden of paying a lump sum upfront.
3. Conditions and agreements
Most personal injury law firms in Ireland operate on this basis, but many will set out a list of conditions to the deal that will be explained to the client before the claim is pursued.
4. Liability for certain costs
The most common condition many firms operate with is that the client may still be liable to pay ‘outlays’. Outlays usually include certain costs associated with civil cases lawsuits – such as the cost of obtaining medical reports and records, stamp duty and the PIAB application fee – and can sometimes include covering the defendant(s)’ legal costs where they disprove the claim.
5. Informed decision-making
These conditions would be written down in a contract and explained to the client before pursuing the claim so they may decide whether to hire a solicitor that operates on a no win no fee basis.
Our team
Personal injury claims are commonplace in the Irish legal system. So, if you have been involved in an accident or suffered an injury at the hands of another person, it is essential to choose a solicitor you trust to represent you fairly in your claim. When choosing the right solicitor, it is recommended that you carry out your research to ensure you find the best fit for you – factors to keep in mind are
1. Is the firm ethical?
Have they fully explained the terms and conditions for taking a claim with them? Do they follow the Regulations and Standards the Law Society of Ireland set out?
2. Is the firm experienced?
Do they have positive outcomes from similar cases taken on? Are their solicitors experts in specific fields?
3. Do you feel welcome?
During your initial consultation, you feel you can trust the firm to take on your case and be sure to represent you fairly to the best of their ability. You should contact a trusted and experienced personal injury solicitor as soon as possible to keep your claim from being statute-barred. It is essential to choose practising solicitors who are members of the Law Society’s injury and clinical negligence accreditation schemes and those who abide by the Law Society of Ireland’s Regulations.
We at Coleman Legal LLP understand that pursuing these types of legal action can be distressing, and we deal with each case on a personal, one-to-one basis with expertise, compassion, and empathy. Our personal injury solicitors represent clients in various personal injury claims, including road traffic accidents, workplace injuries, serious injuries, medical negligence, and public liability claims. We have the knowledge and experience to handle these claims to ensure our clients receive fair compensation.
Coleman Legal LLP
Solicitors
84 Talbot Street, Dublin 1
D01 YX60
Contact Details
Free Phone: 1800-844-104
Fax: (01) 5312727
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.colemanlegalpartners.ie
Online Enquiry Form: Apply
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Clodagh Magennis
Head of Client Services
P: 1800-844-104
E: [email protected]
”At Coleman Legal, excellence in customer care is paramount. We aim to meet both prospective and existing client’s needs in a professional, engaging, and friendly manner with a clear objective to give quality legal advice and reach a positive outcome.”