Thank you!

Thank you so much to the local businesses and individual people who donated prizes for our Garden Party raffle.  The value of the raffle prizes donated exceeded £1,000.00 and helped us to raise over that amount for The Alzheimer's Society.

Please show your support to these businesses, and if you pop in please say hello from us!

Cut & blow dry – donated by Mannie Di Gesaro Saks, Hertford

Two bottles of wine – donated by Bradshaw Johnson Accountants

Bottle of red wine – donated by Ask Italian Restaurant

Garden Party 2013

Article by Patricia Ling

Garden House Solicitors hold a Garden Party on the first Friday of July annually to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society.  This year the Garden Party was held on 5th July and was attended by about 100 people including the Town’s Mayor, Patricia Moore.

Myself and Patricia Moore

The Garden Party was a huge success and we are enormously grateful to Waitrose Hertford and its customers for sponsoring the event through its Community Matters Scheme.  Thank you to everyone who attended and the local people and businesses who donated raffle prizes, we are delighted to report that we raised the sum of £1,020 for the Alzheimer’s Society.  The Garden Party was a chance for local people and business to meet the Garden House team in a relaxed and informal environment.  Afternoon tea was served and we received compliments from everyone on the delicious food.  Sharon and Erica served Pimms and bubbly and everyone enjoyed relaxing in the sunshine having a drink and a chat. 

Personal injury trusts – what’s the story?

 

Article by
Chris Lucas

I have just settled a personal injury case for one of my clients who had an unfortunate accident whereby a barrel was thrown onto his leg causing a significant trauma injury with various other complications. The case settled for a five figure sum and was actually the highest award I have ever achieved for one of my own clients in my career as a trainee. Given the amount of compensation my client is due to receive, I have advised him to give careful consideration to setting up a personal injury trust.

What is a personal injury trust?

A personal injury trust is a legal arrangement whereby the compensation awarded from a personal injury claim is held and controlled by people chosen by the injured client, the ‘trustees’. The trustees’ responsibility is to look after the money and use it for the benefit of the injured client, the ‘beneficiary’.

Can’t I just pay my compensation into my bank account?

There are a number of reasons why we would advise any client receiving a large amount of compensation to set up a personal injury trust. The most common reason is that if you are in receipt of means tested benefits, the money you have will be taken into account. The threshold is that if you have over £6,000, your entitlement to benefits will be affected. In addition, if you currently receive or will need Community Care Support at some point in the future, having a large sum of money can lead to your support costs increasing significantly.

What if I just spend my compensation quickly?

Your entitlement to benefits could still be affected if you do not act in a way which is considered reasonable. Spending your compensation all at once on a shopping spree or using the money to pay off your mortgage are examples of where the Benefits Agency might conclude that you have attempted to defraud the system and you could be penalised as a result.

Injured Whilst Shopping



Article by
Dave Koon Koon



Great start to the week as I have just settled another claim.

My client was injured whilst shopping at a DIY store in Stevenage. She was looking at a product displayed at the end of an aisle and whilst observing the product she stepped onto a wooden plank that had fallen off the side of the display.

The wooden plank had exposed screws and my client did not see these as her attention was focused on the product being displayed. On stepping onto the wooden plank a screw punctured her foot causing her injury and she required medical attention as a result.

Liability was admitted as the Defendant clearly should have had a better system in place to identify that its display was broken and posed a hazard to shoppers.

From Little Acorns Big Trees Grow

Article by
Ruth Allen

Garden House was established in April 2006 and I am very proud to say I was there at the beginning together with 2 other members of staff.   I set up the accounts system using a tried and tested Legal Accounts Package which I had used before called Lawbyte.  I worked an evening a week as I had a full time job in Stevenage at that time. It was obvious then that the firm would grow but who could imagine how big it would grow to and how quickly?

Six and a half years later we now have 11 employees and we are still growing. I am now Practice Manager and Amanda Carron assists with the accounts and I work 3 days a week.  It is a superb firm to work for with a great atmosphere and a good mix of people. We are like one big happy family.

In 2006 we were an acorn and in 2012 we are a Big Tree but with plenty more growing to do.

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www.gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

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Tel: 01992 422 128

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Email: info@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk
The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.

Client Injured as a Result of a Head-On Collision

Article by
Dave Koon Koon

I have today settled a claim for personal injuries resulting from a head-on vehicular collision.

My client was the front seat passenger in a car being driven by the Defendant and was injured after the Defendant attempted to overtake a slow moving farm vehicle on a country road. The overtaking manoeuvre should not have been undertaken and the Defendant’s car was involved in a head-on collision with a vehicle coming from the opposite direction. 

My client suffered a whiplash type injury as well as a psychological injury and in settling this claim I included, and recovered, the full cost of my client’s recommended psychological treatment, in the sum of £1,500, which will be provided on a private basis.

Luckily my client’s injuries were not as severe as they possibly could have been and the claim was settled by negotiation, following the issue of Court proceedings, for approximately £6,000.

If you have been injured as a result of a road traffic accident contact me on 01992 422128 or at dave@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk for further advice and assistance.    

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www.gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

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Tel: 01992 422 128

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Email: info@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk
The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.

Employee Compensated for Injury from Cactus Sap

Article by
Dave Koon Koon

I have just settled a claim that was reported in the local press.

My client was injured after the sap from cacti he was pruning entered his eyes whilst at work.

At the time of the accident my client was employed as a landscaper by a well known multi national company and was sent to do a job without any warning as to the danger posed by the toxic sap produced by the cacti.

His employer breached several Health and Safety laws, which included not providing any personal protective equipment and in addition to the claim made for personal injury his employer was also prosecuted by the local Council and duly fined for those breaches.

As a result of coming into contact with the toxic sap my client suffered chemical burns to his face and arms and an eye injury.

After arranging for my client to be examined by an expert ophthalmologist it was discovered that in addition to the injury to my client’s eye he also suffered damage to his tear ducts and would require the permanent use of artificial tears to lubricate his eyes.

In settling the claim I included the cost of my client’s future requirement for artificial tears and the total claim was eventually settled for a five figure sum.    

If you have been involved in an accident at work contact me on 01992 422 128 or at dave@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk for further advice and assistance.     

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http://www.gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk/

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Tel: 01992 422 128

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Email: info@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk
The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.

Compensation for Criminal Assault

Article by
Dave Koon Koon

I have recently settled a claim which arose when my client suffered a broken jaw and a hand injury because an unprovoked attack during an amateur football game.

My client was the victim of an unprovoked attack by another player and following an attendance at his local A&E Department the seriousness of his injury was confirmed.

The matter was reported to the police and the attacker was arrested and charged with the assault.

My client was referred to me by a former client and after speaking to him I advised him that he could pursue a claim for personal injury through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

Following submission of the claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority the matter was investigated and my client’s claim for compensation was approved and he received a four figure sum in settlement.

The purpose of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority is to compensate victims of crime who have been injured in an act of violence in England, Scotland or Wales and there are various criteria that must be satisfied in order to successfully pursue a claim with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.    

If you have been injured as a result of an assault or other criminal activity contact me on 01992 422 128 or at dave@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk for further advice and assistance.     

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www.gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

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Tel: 01992 422 128

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Email: info@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk
The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.

Cycling Accident in Essex

Article by
Dave Koon Koon

I have now successfully settled another personal injury case involving a cyclist.

The claim for personal injury arose after my client was thrown from his bicycle after coming into contact with a defect in the road in Harlow, Essex.

As a result of the accident my client suffered damage to several teeth including the loss of a front tooth as well as suffering bruising and scarring to his arms and face.

Tripping Accident in Hertfordshire

Article by
Dave Koon Koon

Garden House Solicitors have recorded another successful case at Trial in relation to a tripping accident which occurred on premises owned and controlled by a Local Government Council in Hertfordshire.

The accident occurred in December 2007 and was as a result of insufficient lighting at the Council’s premises which caused the Claimant to fall into an open ditch.

The Claimant suffered back injuries as a result of his fall and instructed a firm of solicitors to pursue the matter on his behalf. The claim was denied and the Claimant advised that he had no hope of receiving compensation or recovering his financial losses for the medical treatment he paid for himself.