Leading trade union UNISON has secured compensation for a member from Welling, Kent. The compensation was secured by UNISON’s free legal help scheme via personal injury specialistsThompsons Solicitors.

The road traffic accident took place in June 2006 on the road near the Elephant and Castle roundabout in Kent. Kenneth Beaumont was involved in a rear end shunt as he stopped his vehicle to let a bus out of a junction. The third party was driving a works van owned by Falco Construction Limited.

Whiplash Injury

Mr Beaumont, aged 64, was stationary with a passenger by his side, when the vehicle collided into the back of his car. He sustained a whiplash injury to the neck and shoulder following the accident. A successful claim was made against the other driver’s insurance.

Mr Beaumont explains: “Before the accident I was unaware that my union membership covered road traffic accidents as well as accidents at work. The specialist support provided by UNISON and their solicitors Thompsons was excellent. I doubt I would have had such good legal representation and secured so much compensation if I’d simply used the solicitors offered by my insurer.”

Mandy Luxton from Thompsons Solicitors explains: “Whiplash is a very common but serious injury. Kenneth’s claim demonstrates the importance of union members using their union’s legal service for non-work related accidents. Motor insurance companies are increasingly referring claimants to their own panel solicitors, who may not provide the same independent legal advice as a specialist provider.”