LEGAL
10 Minutes with Robert Millbourn, partner at Bower & Bailey Solicitors
Robert Millbourn is the head of Accident and Injury Compensation at Bower & Bailey’ s Swindon office. This year sees Bower & Bailey mark 45 years since its head office opened in Oxford and Robert celebrates 18 years working with the firm in Swindon.
Robert’ s reputation for being the local legal expert in accident and injury compensation stems from Bower and Bailey’ s presence in Regent Circus in Swindon and his varied expertise. He is widely known for his ability to handle both high value complex cases and less severe injuries, many of which are caused in the workplace and on the roads. Robert’ s knowledge and expertise ensure that he is very often recommended by previous clients.
What does your role involve? My clients come to me injured and often worried about how they are going to obtain the best medical help, pay their bills and get back to work. Added to this they will have no idea about making a claim for compensation, what it will cost or what money they are likely to receive in their hand. I guide my clients through the claims process to ensure that they receive the maximum compensation that they deserve. I don’ t act for clients that I cannot see in person, as I think it’ s important to be in front of someone speaking plainly about what has become a complex process, made more difficult by unqualified claims handlers and government overregulation.
What do you enjoy most about your role? Accidents and entitlement to compensation is not always straightforward. I enjoy the challenge of investigating a claim often reconstructing the circumstances of an accident to prove who was responsible. You can never underestimate how awkward insurance companies can be in trying to avoid legitimate claims. I strive to achieve the best possible outcomes for all of my clients and it’ s always a real pleasure when a case is concluded and the client has been awarded the compensation they deserve.
What is the most challenging part of your job? Inevitably dealing with fatal accident claims are always challenging. I am committed to providing legal expertise and supporting claimants through the claims process as compassionately as possible. I also can take over cases from other firms where clients become worried about why their claims are failing to progress. Problems are often caused when difficult cases are given to unqualified / unskilled support staff. If I take on a case it stays with me until it’ s concluded correctly.
What would your advice be to an individual who has been injured in an accident that wasn’ t their fault? I would always suggest seeking face to face advice from a qualified solicitor and most firms offer free initial consultations. Avoid relying on remote TV schemes and claims management companies where you will have no idea who is helping you. People often don’ t see themselves as entitled to make a claim.“ I was only the passenger / pedestrian / cyclist and don’ t have insurance.” Or“ my manager says I’ m not allowed to claim because the accident was my fault.” It no longer surprises me that my client’ s perception of who is entitled to what is out of step with reality. Again, a simple call or meeting will explain if you have a claim.
The legal landscape for personal injury claims is changing with particular difficulties for the victims of road traffic accidents. What are the planned changes in the law? New conservative government legislation planned for the end of 2018 will raise the small claims limit for Road Traffic cases to £ 5000 and put in place fixed tariffs for soft tissue injuries following Road Traffic Accidents. Both of these significant developments will deter the innocent victims of accidents from bringing claims. It will be a challenge to make economic sense of the new process making it even more important to go direct to an expert solicitor.
If you have any questions Robert Millbourn can be contacted via email: rmillbourn @ bowerandbailey. co. uk or by calling 01793 610466.
For more info: www. bowerandbailey. co. uk
@ bowerbailey
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Cambridge House, 4 College Court, Regent Circus, Swindon, Wiltshire SN1 1PJ
T: 01793 610466 F: 01793 511505 www. bowerandbailey. co. uk
Bower & Bailey _ TBE _ Swindon _ 59x210mm _ Ad _ v3. indd 1 06 / 11 / 2015 08:23
12 THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2018