CLAIMING COMPENSATION FOR ACCIDENTS ABROAD
At George Ide we know that not all accidents happen at home.
Over the years our team has built up a wealth of experience in dealing with personal and catastrophic injury claims on behalf of UK nationals whose accidents occurred abroad, as well as for clients with a non-UK background who were injured in the UK.
We have particular expertise in assisting British and foreign nationals who have been injured in European Union countries – courts in the UK are able to deal with claims arising from accidents elsewhere in the EU providing the claimant is habitually resident within the UK.
Our courts can apply the laws of Germany or Poland, for example, to determine a foreign insurer’s liability to pay compensation in the UK – as was the case with a recent George Ide client who sustained a brain injury at a Belgian factory. We pursued this claim through the High Court in London where we were able to settle after negotiations with the factory’s Belgian and UK insurers.
WHY CHOOSE US FOR YOUR COMPENSATION CLAIM?
Our specialist personal injury lawyers take real pride in helping and supporting clients as individuals, providing a compassionate, effective and professional service – no matter where they call home, or in which language. We have access to efficient and accurate translation and interpretation services and can call on a full range of rehabilitation experts and treatment professionals who also have foreign language skills.
We can also act for claimants whose accident abroad was caused by the fault of a British employer, individual, organisation or business. Often under these circumstances a claim can be brought in the UK, under the jurisdiction of English law. British car or coach passengers injured seriously whilst travelling abroad may be entitled to make a claim in the UK – under English law – if the accident was caused by a British driver.
OUR EXPERIENCE SETS US APART
At George Ide we work closely with barristers who have particular expertise in foreign law and cross-border jurisdiction, and we have first-class access to lawyers throughout Europe and beyond, upon whom we can call for advice on various points of law, liability, and compensation.
Complex international legal claims can hold pitfalls and unpleasant surprises for the unwary so it is vital when considering this type of claim to consult a lawyer with sufficient specialist knowledge and experience. Our team can offer considered, careful and comprehensive advice to help you choose where best to take your claim to court – and we are on your side every step of the way, supporting your choices with our expertise.
For more information about compensation for accidents abroad or claiming in the UK as a non-British national, contact us today. You can reach us by clicking on the link, writing to us in confidence at info@georgeide.co.uk, by emailing our specialists directly, or by calling our Chichester offices on 01243 786668.
George Ide LLP. We're on your sideCONTACT OUR TEAM
For further information about any of our services or to book a no-obligation consultation, call us on 01243 786668 or email directly at info@georgeide.co.uk.
CLIENT TESIMONIALS
Following a traumatic motorcycle accident, I found myself in unfamiliar territory and in the need of a personal injury lawyer. From my first phone call to George Ides, I was in no doubt that they would be best team to handle my case, guiding me not only through the legal but also the rehabilitation process, I was always in good hands. Paul is a consummate professional, incredibly thoughtful and compassionate, but at the same time ensuring that I had the best advice and in a timely manner, a heart felt thank you, Paul.
Kate Buttriss
Paul Fretwell
I don’t have enough words to describe how helpful, professional and supportive you have been, at a very stressful time for me. I feel really lucky to have had you as my solicitor. Your service was superb; it just could not have been better.
VG
Paul Fretwell
Paul Fretwell has been our solicitor now for 8.5 years and has been dealing with the case for AB (our son) who sustained a head injury in 2012 due to a car accident.
Over the years we have come to rely on Paul’s expert opinion and knowledge of brain injuries to help us understand A’s behaviours and needs.
Paul has been a massive support to us and our whole family since A sustained life changing injuries, as you can imagine, it has been an uphill battle for us and we had no idea or understanding of the challenges to come or how to even start to put in place all the support A needed and still needs today.
A now has his Support Worker, D that Paul put in place, which to be honest, has been a godsend to the family and A. A has a great relationship with D, and we will be eternally grateful. D helps A with day to day challenges that most people take for granted and A now feels D is a friend as well as his mentor and “life coach”. A also has an OT that visits his home to check he is doing ok and guide him in day to day tasks etc.
Paul has always been a phone call away at any time, he is very patient and understanding, his friendly approach to the whole family means we feel we can be very open and frank with him. Although all the legal “jargon” is very hard for us to understand, Paul is and has always been massive support, he explains in detail every word and meaning and why certain steps need to be taken to help A’s case.
We will always be eternally grateful to Paul and George Ide Solicitors.
Paul Fretwell
“In an age of ever larger firms of solicitors, George Ide LLP stands out as a beacon of truly personal service against the backdrop of warm and welcoming staff. Not only does Paul Fretwell possess real expertise in high value personal injury claims, he brings charm and real commitment to everything he does. No Claimant could be other than impressed by his willingness to go that extra yard in their cause. The legal industry would be a better place if there were more like both the firm and Paul Fretwell.”
Will Waldron QC
Paul Fretwell
Thank you for looking after me and my case. Not just a solicitor, you were a supporter and friend from the off. I felt that you ‘got’ me and understood where I was coming from. The very unexpected payout takes a lot of worries away, thank you.
SB
Paul Fretwell
I just wanted to say a massive thank you for guiding and supporting my friends through to this conclusion over the last 3 years. The early days were incredibly tough for them as you know and your calm reassuring presence has been one of the main reasons they were able to cope, especially back then. You’ll have learnt that R is a very tough and determined character, but I know they’d have struggled without your help.
Living abroad and unable to help them as much as I would have liked, it’s been so reassuring to continually hear how confident they’ve been in your ability to resolve this for them, right from the word go. I know I was very happy in my own mind that they’d got the right person on their side, after I spoke to you on the phone.
So, thank you again for all the time and effort you’ve put into getting them this result… for always being available to speak to them, even when you were supposed to be on holiday, for steering them through the hardest times and the quagmire of the courts. You’ve made such a difference for them and seeing R getting on with life with such a positive attitude that I’m not sure I would have been able to replicate, had it happened to me; is extremely satisfying as well as inspirational.
Rich J
Paul Fretwell
I have worked with Paul for several years now on various challenging cases. Paul has a very honest and open approach with the people he represents, his communication skills and ability to share complex information at a level of understanding for his clients is second to none. Paul has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by somebody who has acquired a brain injury and it is this understanding that ensures clients anxiety levels and concerns are kept at the lowest level possible at all times. Paul is realistic with his expectations and has had a high level of success with regard to achieving the right level of settlement to ensure his clients get the support they need for the rest of their lives.
Karl Thompson. Managing Director, Thompson Holistic Care Services (THCS)
Paul Fretwell
I would like to say a huge thank you to Paul (with the fantastic assistance of Karen and Lizzy especially) for the support and kindness throughout my claim as well as the superb outcome that he obtained for me.
I am in no doubt that I would never have achieved the result without the dedication, experience and can do attitude of Paul and the team. Their caring attitude, sensitivity and professionalism shined throughout the entire process. Despite the other side initially denying liability, Paul fought tirelessly on my behalf, to ensure they provided what they should do, thus allowing me to get back to as near a normal life as quickly and safely as possible. Right from the first point of contact (and I first met Paul from my hospital bed), the service was outstanding and second to none, the communication was excellent, and I was never in doubt as to what was happening, and why. I truly believe my subsequent recovery is down to the fact that I was guided so well by Paul and his team, and him obtaining the opinions of the experts he did.
The support was amazing, as was the end result, which has ensured I am able to continue to press on with my every day life without worry of what lies ahead, despite the disability I now have. I really cannot recommend Paul and is team enough, I would suggest to anyone that is in need of a personal injury solicitor to give Paul a call, it really would make all the difference.
Rusty Brown.
Paul Fretwell
I suffered a complex ankle injury in a road traffic accident in 2015, Paul Fretwell and the team at George Ide stepped in to manage my claim and helped me through a very challenging period in my life. The team’s experience with this type of injury, their considered approach and meticulous attention to detail enabled them to flag up any potential issues early on, and ensured there were no surprises along the way. Paul was able to see beyond the conventional claim headings, and took the time to understand the full impact of the injury, on my life and hobbies, and was keen to ensure they were all suitably reflected within the claim. Three years on, we went into a Joint Settlement Meeting with a robust and well prepared case, allowing us to secure a claim that significantly exceeded our expectations. I would not have a moment’s hesitation in recommending him to anyone in a similar situation.
RS
Paul Fretwell
We are so grateful for all your hard work, and the passion with which you fought for him…it has given him a sense of self-worth that someone in your professional position can see what kind of man he is and what he should be awarded. Thank you so much, you have restored our faith in humanity, and we would have no reservations about recommending you to anyone in the future!
Paul Fretwell
Jasmine has told me that she has now settled and that she can move on with her life.
I would just like to write a brief note of genuine heartfelt thanks from all of us involved. Your company was recommended by a good family friend who works in the BH1 postcode area, at a time when most of us were either in shock or at a loss about how to proceed.
From our very first communication, and the day of your visit to Jasmine’s Mum’s house, you have been thoroughly professional whilst being incredibly caring. You personally, no doubt with the assistance of your team, have allowed Jasmine the opportunity to recover at her own speed, with the assistance of the full spectrum of the medical world, to a point where I honestly believe that she is in a better state mentally and confidence-wise than she was even before the accident.
I would have no hesitation in recommending your Company to anyone unfortunate enough to find themselves in a similar situation.
It is common for people who are expert in their field to state that “I was only doing my job” – well, in this case, I am very glad that it was you who handled Jasmine’s case.
With many Kind Regards
John & Paula Gerken
Paul Fretwell
I contacted George Ide LLP by recommendation when my husband was involved in a severe accident as a pedestrian almost 4 years ago. In the very early days Paul Fretwell visited us at home and was an immense support through what turned out to be a very difficult case. Paul immediately knew my husband’s injuries were life-changing and throughout he dealt with it in the most holistic way possible, including instructing the best counsel and experts, to ensure the most positive outcome for us.
Paul takes a practical and pragmatic, but supportive approach. For the duration of our claim he was unfailingly responsive, always communicating legal detail clearly and concisely, which was important given my husband’s cognitive restrictions and fatigue issues. We would absolutely recommend Paul and George Ide LLP to anyone dealing with the legal aftermath of a severe accident.
Martin & Lynne Gowers
Paul Fretwell
Contact Our Friendly Legal Experts Today
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