Supporting Older People and Carers

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1 Supporting Older People and Carers INJURY & NEGLIGENCE SPECIALISTS

2 Injury & Negligence Throughout the court case they were professional and made me feel at ease. I would certainly recommend my solicitors to anybody. Quote about Pannone part of Slater & Gordon, from Margaret Ross, Tyldesley

3 WELCOME TO PANNONE PART OF SLATER & GORDON When choosing a law firm, what do you look for? Quality service? Great reputation? Specialist solicitors at the top of their profession? Or simply friendly and approachable people? We offer all of these things. We focus on providing the highest standard of service with a personal touch that makes the difference. Our clients describe us as honest, professional and committed and in the words of the Legal 500 independent legal guide, we are excellent in every way, and never falter in support and availability. Our lawyers are easy to talk to and will keep you fully updated with no legal jargon. Whether you are entitled to legal aid, no win, no fee or legal expenses insurance, we ll find a way to fund your case and fight for you. This booklet explains how we can assist our older clients and those who care for them, and covers concerns about care, planning for the future, help for carers, injury & negligence and illness & disease. For more information, or to set up a free consultation, please contact us on Freephone Richard Scorer National Manager of Serious Injury 03

4 Injury & Negligence WHO WE ARE You or those you care for will face many specific legal issues as you grow older, reach retirement age and beyond. As a large and well respected firm with a diversity of skills, legal knowledge and experience we are here to help. We are easy to talk to, are approachable and have the expertise to provide you with practical solutions to any of the legal problems you, or those you care for, face, however large or small. I am so grateful for the kind, compassionate and efficient way in which they dealt with Geoff s claim Quote about Pannone part of Slater & Gordon, from Mrs C, Derbyshire

5 OUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE This guide highlights various areas in which we may be able to help you. CONCERNS ABOUT CARE Getting the care, support and healthcare you need, continuing healthcare disputes, dealing with care and care charges, access to treatment. PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE Wills & trusts, advance decisions (living wills), lasting powers of attorney, dealing with family difficulties. HELP FOR CARERS Dealing with the Court of Protection, mental capacity issues and best interests, carers rights. INJURY & NEGLIGENCE Medical negligence, personal and serious injury, medical law, elderly abuse. ILLNESS & DISEASE Asbestos related illnesses, carbon monoxide poisoning, hearing loss & tinnitus. 05

6 Injury & Negligence HOW WE WORK We understand that older people and their carers can face particular difficulties when seeking to manage their future or when seeking care, support and public services. Our aim is to help you, or those you care for or are concerned about, without fuss or fanfare and in a calm, practical and professional way which ensures you feel comfortable and confident in our ability to help you. We will let you know from the beginning how we can help, how long we think it will take to resolve matters and how much our advice will cost or how it can be funded. If it is difficult for you to meet us at our offices we will gladly discuss matters with you over the phone, by , with your advocate, your carer or someone helping you or by seeing you in your home or in a setting in which you feel comfortable. We offer a free initial consultation to assess the issues or problems you have and offer you swift, sensible and practical advice from the very moment we first speak to you.

7 I was totally satisfied with my solicitors service, it was First Class. Quote about Pannone part of Slater & Gordon, from Norman Fletcher, Merseyside 07

8 Injury & Negligence Richard Copson Principal Lawyer, Disability Rights CONCERNS ABOUT CARE Getting the care, support and healthcare you need Older people with disabilities or health problems, or those who care for them, are often faced with significant changes in their circumstances and care needs. We understand the difficulties you face and can make sure you get the care and support you need to live as independent a life as possible. Continuing healthcare disputes If you have a dispute with the NHS about continuing healthcare, we can tackle their failure to assess you properly, see that they review past decisions and ensure free NHS care is available to you when you need it. Dealing with care and care charges Older people, and those who care for them, are often given little choice when it comes to residential care and funding options. However, you do have choices and we can ensure they are recognised and that you are provided with a care package that meets all your needs. We can help you challenge financial assessments and access full, and often free, care. Access to treatment Getting the treatment and healthcare you need is often key to independence and is particularly important as you get older. We have the experience to challenge decisions refusing treatment or care on the basis of public law or human rights and if necessary, by way of legal proceedings.

9 Lucy Nicol Principal Lawyer, Court of Protection PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE Wills & trusts Provide peace of mind for your loved ones by making a Will. The right Will can also save your family perhaps thousands of pounds of care home fees, and can also ensure that vulnerable family members don t lose their entitlement to claim means tested benefits. Advance decisions (living wills) If you have clear views about whether or not you are prepared to accept serious medical intervention then it is important that these are documented properly to make sure that they are legally binding. Making an Advance Decision makes sure your wishes are respected at the most sensitive time. Lasting powers of attorney Save heartache and expense by making sure that the people you trust are able to manage your finances or make important health and welfare decisions if you are unable to in the future. Dealing with family difficulties As you get older family issues may arise, whether as a result of the personal and financial implications of a new relationship or relationship breakdown, or ensuring greater contact with your children or grandchildren. We have both experience and expertise when dealing with family law and can help you with any issues arising from family difficulties. 09

10 Injury & Negligence Gillian Hitchen Principal Lawyer, Court of Protection HELP FOR CARERS Dealing with the Court of Protection If your loved one has lost mental capacity to make decisions for themselves and you need to make financial or health and welfare decisions on their behalf, Court of Protection proceedings may be needed. We can help you deal with this with minimum fuss, and give you the benefit of our extensive experience in straightforward, no nonsense style. Mental capacity issues and best interests You, or someone you care for, may have difficulty making decisions or lack the mental capacity to make decisions. We will represent you, or someone you care for, in any disputes, discussions, negotiations or court proceedings relating to mental capacity, best interests and deprivation of liberty. We have the experience and expertise to ensure your wishes are respected and that any care, support or welfare needs are met and any decisions are made in your best interests. Carers rights Unpaid carers, often family members, are the backbone of the social and healthcare system and without them this system would collapse. We can ensure that you are recognised as the carer and are not overlooked during the care assessment and planning process, as it is the carer s input which provides the clearest picture of the needs of those they care for.

11 They were professional at all times but still had so much kindness and compassion for my mother-in-law during her sad loss. Quote about Pannone part of Slater & Gordon, from Mrs T, Bolton 11

12 Injury & Negligence Gill Edwards Principal Lawyer, Clinical Negligence INJURY & NEGLIGENCE Personal & serious injury If you or a family member are affected by a disability because of an accident we can help you discover if you are entitled to compensation. We think about your immediate needs and will provide advice on what you can do in the meantime to help you cope. Medical negligence If you are concerned that there might have been inappropriate medical treatment leading to a disability, we can help you to obtain answers, make sure lessons have been learned and advise if you can obtain compensation. Medical law Our work covers a wide range of issues including, disagreements about what treatment is in a child s best interests, withdrawal of life support and funding of specific medical treatments or drugs. Elderly abuse For people who have suffered abuse, we understand how discussing these personal, emotional and often quite distressing issues with a solicitor can be difficult at first. However, we have also seen how liberating it can be when justice is achieved. If you or someone you care for has been the subject of abuse in a nursing or care home, our specialist team of solicitors can offer advice on making a claim.

13 Patrick Walsh Principal Lawyer, Industrial Disease ILLNESS & DISEASE Asbestos related illnesses It is often later in life when those who have been exposed to asbestos develop asbestos related illnesses such as mesothelioma, asbestosis or lung cancer. Being specialist solicitors in this area, we can relieve you of the burden of dealing with the legal issues at such a difficult time. Carbon monoxide poisoning Hundreds of people every year are poisoned by Carbon Monoxide due to faulty appliances such as boilers, gas ovens, gas fires, etc. Our specialist solicitors are able to advise whether or not your Carbon Monoxide Poisoning has arisen due to the negligence of somebody else, and whether or not you have a claim. Hearing loss & tinnitus Many people suffering with hearing loss or tinnitus put it down to getting older. However, if you worked in a noisy environment from as far back as the 1960s, this could have contributed to your problems. Our specialist team will test your hearing to determine whether or not noise has contributed to your problems and whether or not you have a claim. 13

14 Injury Injury&&Negligence Negligence My solicitor was professional and reassuring. I found it was more like speaking to a friend. Quote about Pannone part of Slater & Gordon, from Albert Isherwood, Manchester

15 CONTACT US Highest quality advice (ranked in top tier by leading independent legal guides Chambers and Legal 500) Free no obligation consultation Experienced specialist solicitors and principal lawyers who are Leaders in their field We have a range of funding options including legal aid, fixed fees, pro bono and in some cases No Win No Fee. National UK coverage and home visits Offices in Manchester and London For more information, or to discuss your claim, please contact Richard Copson Freephone richard.copson@pannone.co.uk Pannone part of Slater & Gordon have offices nationwide. To find your local office visit For further information, please go to:

16 For more information, or to discuss your claim, please contact us on Freephone or Slater & Gordon (UK) LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.