Lauren Hannath | Trainee

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) have reported that each year 2.7 million people seek medical attention at A&E as a result of accidents in the home. It is also estimated that every year in the UK more than 6,000 people die following accidents at home. With this in mind, the importance of landlords being held to account in fulfilling their obligations and ensuring their properties are safe and of a habitable standard is crucial.

Following the case of London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (in liquidation) v Haydn Sinfield [2018] EWHC 51 (QB), the High Court has recently provided the clearest guidance yet on fundamental dishonesty in dismissing a claim where a claimant wrongly claimed special damages in an otherwise honest claim.The case involved a volunteer who, whilst working at the 2012 London Olympics, suffered an injury to his left arm and subsequently brought a personal injury claim. However, he was later found to have exaggerated the costs of gardening assistance following the accident and his entire claim was dismissed.

A question I am often asked is why it is necessary for us to obtain your whole medical history to progress your claim. A request for your records is often necessary and whilst it may seem intrusive, it is often a vital part of the claim.If your personal injury claim is successful then the amount of compensation awarded will depend on the nature and seriousness of the injuries that you have sustained. You will be required to be examined by a medical expert who will then prepare a medical report which is based on that examination and any relevant medical history recorded in your medical records.