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How long should a claim take?

4 replies

Pocketfullofdogbiscuits · 23/05/2018 12:18

Any advice greatly appreciated.
Three and a half years ago a relative of mine was injured in an accident (100% not their fault). Subsequently they required multiple hospital and GP visits, their health is still not as it was prior to the accident but they have now recovered as much as they will ever do.
A few months after the accident they decided to claim against the other party and consulted one of the large national companies.
Initially there were lengthy phone calls, letters, etc etc but after a while these ground to a halt.

Last week I contacted the company on behalf of my relative to see what the status of the claim was. The person dealing with it is not familiar with the claim at all having taken over from the previous person who is no longer employed there. When I looked at the paperwork it appears that, from the start of the claim three years ago, this is actually the fifth person 'dealing' with it, the previous four have all left the company.

Relative is quite upset because she said they ignore all her letters and she's no further on than she was at the start. Each person has promised her they're looking into her claim but the latest one admitted the last person left six months ago and they are not caught up with the case load they inherited.

I'm just after general advice really, if it was a local office I'd be going in to talk to them face to face but feel that over the phone I'm just getting fobbed off.

OP posts:
WhollyFather · 23/05/2018 12:35

The situation is complicated because the Limitation Act 1980 only allows three years from the date of the accident to issue proceedings in personal injury cases.

Have proceedings been issued? Your relative may be better advised to consult a reputable firm of local solicitors and ask them if they would take the case over, or possibly take action against the 'large national company' for negligence if the issue of proceedings is now time barred.

NB: IANAL.

Allthebestnamesareused · 23/05/2018 18:24

What they said ^^

Pocketfullofdogbiscuits · 24/05/2018 15:08

Thank you. It appears that the insurance company concerned offered an amount back in September 2015 but my relative was advised not to settle for it and she's barely heard anything since.
Lesson learned, don't bother with the large companies who promise the Earth and deliver nothing, go local. I actually feel sorry for the staff at this place, goodness knows what pressure they're under.

OP posts:
StopPOP · 25/05/2018 12:58

I would definitely contact a specialist "non high street/large chain" of solicitors as soon as possible. We were also with a "popular tv advertising" solicitors who were completely useless. Little or no contact. We contacted a specialist solicitor and they were straight on the case. It's still ongoing and they're amazing. Kept up to date, professional and totally on the ball. Good luck

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