By Nick Elkins 

I recently concluded a claim where I acted on behalf of a client who was involved in a very nasty motorcycle accident and sustained serious injuries leaving him confined to a wheelchair.

As a result of his injuries he was unable to do things for himself that most of us take for granted.

He needed help getting dressed, bathing and with general day-to-day activities. Initially his wife provided the care, but after a while (and to enable her to have some respite) much of the care was provided by Social Services.

However, the care provided by Social Services did not meet all of my client’s needs and we found he had to fit in around Social Services rather than them fitting in around him. He ended up having to pay for private care for himself.

When it came to settling the compensation claim my client was concerned that the compensation he was awarded might not be enough to pay for the ongoing private care he would need for the rest of his life.With the investment market as it is at the moment, rising and falling, he was concerned that the compensation he received would fast dwindle away.   

I therefore advised my client about periodical payments. Something that had not long been introduced and had been implemented to meet the very needs of such a client as mine. 

I advised my client how periodical payments worked, which put his mind at ease about how he would pay for ongoing care. Eventually we settled his claim for a lump sum by way of compensation plus annual index linked periodical payments for life.    

Periodical payments can be paid monthly, quarterly or half yearly. My client chose to have them paid quarterly.

He now has the piece of mind that he has sufficient funds to at least pay for his care needs for the rest of his life.

If  you are unlucky enough to be involved in a serious accident which leaves you unable to work and in need of  care then periodical payments are one means of settling a claim that you should ask your Personal Injury Solicitor about.

Pinto Potts team of specialist Personal Injury Solicitors are ready to help if you are injured through no fault of your own. Please get in touch if you would like free legal advice and details about how we can help make a claim for compensation following an accident.