Sorry to hear about your wife's injury, and I hope the matter is resolved successfully. In my experience I would avoid the 'no win, no fee' companies as they hook you into an insurance policy contract once you have 'won' your case. You can get perfectly good legal advice from union representatives, the Citizens' Advice Bureau or many solicitors who offer free consultation or 'pro bono' work.
However, I would like to play Devil's Advocate for a moment:
Creakin said:
Greenie.....the accident was caused by (in my view anyway) bad maintenance
Unless you are a structural engineer, your opinion counts for very little as far as the court is concerned.
Creakin said:
mrs creakin walked through a door, down a step and unfortunately just by the step the concrete had broken away and left a hole (damage had been there ages - but not repaired) where my wifes foot went, twisted ankle fell chest first on floor. cracked a rib, badly bruised her nose (blood everywhere), forehead and eyes.
If you (or Mrs. Creakin for that matter) had noticed the damaged step before and failed to report it to the appropriate department (building manager, for example) then this could negate the claim, under her obligations as an employee in accordance with the H&S Act.
Creakin said:
Strange thing is within 1 hour of the accident the hole was repaired/filled with tarmac. the management obviously concerned?
Well of course the hole was repaired; they were obliged to do so as they didn't want anyone else to become injured so soon after the original accident.
Please keep us updated on your legal process.