The types of claims your law firm may encounter

Law firms often deal with a huge variety of cases – from medical negligence to family law. Your firm needs to be prepared for the different types of claims that may come through the door. You may need to guide a client through their first experience with the legal system and help them avoid any common mistakes. You may need to handle a sensitive medical negligence case with a client who has been deeply affected by substandard healthcare. It is your job to navigate these cases with sensitivity and respect.

Let’s take a closer look at the different types of claims you may deal with at a law firm.

Personal injury claims

Your client may file a personal injury claim if they have been injured in an accident that wasn’t their fault. Personal injury claims should have your full attention dedicated to them. Your client has been through a potentially traumatic experience, and they may be experiencing some distress.

You need to decipher whether they have a strong case and how much money they should ask for. There is no fixed sum with personal injury claims – every case is different.

Medical negligence claims

Medical negligence is when a healthcare professional provides substandard care to a patient, inflicting injury or worsening an existing condition. The NHS Resolution found a whopping 15674 cases against the NHS settled in 2020/21. Over half of these cases ended with damages awarded to the claimant. In some cases, medical negligence is an accident or mistake. In others, healthcare professionals purposely provide the wrong care or fail to act at all. Help your client file a GP negligence claim so they can start to recover from the event.

Insurance

Your client may file an insurance claim if they have been involved in an accident and did not receive the expected compensation. The incident has left your client with huge medical bills, an unsafe home and little life insurance to fall back on. You can advise them on their case and establish whether a case needs to be made.

Defamation

Defamation is when someone makes a false statement that damages a person or business’ reputation. An incorrect statement can cause personal, professional and financial issues. Celebrities are constantly filing defamation cases. You can help them file a claim to clear their name and restore their reputation.

You will file numerous different claims throughout your legal career. Familiarise yourself with the different types and the common mistakes made for each.