An accident can lead both to bodily injury and deterioration of health, and to serious damage to property. A fall on an uncleared pavement, an accident in a shop or other premises, a flooded flat, a fire, a storm or damage connected with a company’s operations may – depending on the circumstances – give grounds for claiming compensation or damages for harm suffered.

Our firm helps injured persons in cases concerning compensation for accidents. We analyse the circumstances of the incident, identify who is liable for the damage and the scope of available claims. We represent clients in proceedings with the insurer, out of court and in court proceedings.

Compensation for accidents – what cases do we handle?

We handle, among others, cases concerning:

• falls in shops, premises, buildings and other facilities,
• slips and falls on pavements, stairs and walkways,
• accidents resulting from the poor condition or maintenance of a property,
• damage caused by flooding of a flat or house,
• damage caused by fire, storms, heavy rain and other weather events,
• failures of installations and equipment causing damage,
• damage connected with the operations of businesses and plants,
• damage to or destruction of a building, premises or other property,
• bodily injuries caused by other sudden events.

Not every accident automatically gives rise to a right to compensation. In each case it is necessary to establish who is liable for the incident and on what legal basis a claim can be pursued.

Depending on the circumstances, liability may lie with, among others, the person who caused the incident, the owner or manager of the property, a business or its insurer. In the case of damage caused by natural forces or other insured events, the injured party’s own insurance policy may also be the basis for payment.

How do you obtain compensation after an accident?

The first stage of pursuing compensation is to establish the cause of the incident, the extent of the damage and who is responsible for making it good.

We analyse the documentation gathered and identify possible claims. If the damage may be covered by insurance, we also check the scope of cover under the policy and the insurance terms.

We also help prepare and conduct proceedings concerning compensation from the insurer, including where the insurer refuses to pay or offers an amount that does not reflect the real consequences of the incident.

What can you claim after an accident?

The amount of compensation due depends on the type of incident and its consequences.

In the case of bodily injury or health disorder, it is possible in particular to claim reimbursement of:

• treatment and rehabilitation costs,
• the cost of medicines and medical supplies,
• the cost of care and assistance from third parties,
• travel costs related to treatment,
• the cost of rehabilitation equipment,
• lost income due to inability to work.

If the consequences of the accident are long-term, it may also be possible to claim an annuity for increased needs, loss of ability to work or reduced prospects for the future.

In addition to compensation, the injured person may – depending on the circumstances – also claim damages for pain, suffering, stress and other negative consequences of the accident.

In the event of the injured person’s death, certain claims may also be available to their closest family members.

Compensation for flooding, fire or other property damage

An accident does not have to involve bodily injury. Compensation may also concern damage to or destruction of property.

In cases involving flooding, fire, storms, installation failures or other sudden events, we establish the cause of the damage and who is responsible for making it good. We also analyse the possibility of claiming under the relevant insurance policy.

The claim may cover, among other things, the cost of repairing the damaged property, restoring it to its pre-incident condition or the value of the loss suffered.

How do you document the accident and the damage?

Proper documentation of the incident can be essential for successfully claiming compensation.

Depending on the type of case, useful items may include:

• photos and videos of the accident scene or the damage,
• details of witnesses,
• medical records,
• bills and invoices related to treatment or repairing the damage,
• documents on interventions by the police, fire brigade or other services,
• documentation of lost income,
• the insurance policy,
• correspondence with the insurer.

Every accident compensation case requires individual analysis. The scope of liability and the amount of possible benefits depend, among other things, on the causes of the incident, the type of damage, its consequences and the available insurance cover.

In the first stage, we analyse the circumstances of the accident and the documentation, point out possible grounds for liability and establish against whom claims can be brought.

We take steps to obtain the compensation and damages for harm sufferedthat are due and, if the case cannot be resolved out of court, we prepare it for court proceedings and represent the client in court.

Our aim is to pursue benefits that reflect the real consequences of the accident and the extent of the loss suffered by the injured party.