Over Fifty and Had an Accident at Work?

If you're over fifty and you've recently had an accident at work there are several people you should think about talking to in order to see if you are entitled to any compensation for your accident.

Accidents come in all shapes and sizes in the workplace, and unfortunately when making any individual case, regardless of your age, what you may or may not receive in the form of compensation is never a cut and dry issue. There are a vast number of points to be considered first – all of which can make your claim drag out for much longer than you would have originally considered it could. With that said, if you win your case the time spent on it will invariably be worth it, so if you believe your accident entitles you to financial aid, you should get in touch with a solicitor today to get the ball rolling.

When you get in touch with a solicitor they will ask you a number of questions about the event in question to try to find out who was to blame for the accident, and, if your employer, what your chances are of winning your case against them. The specifics that will need to be uncovered from these questions are:

If Your Employer is Negligible

This is the most critical part of your entire claim. If your employer admits they were liable from the very beginning then the whole process will be significantly easier for all involved, but if they don't, you're going to have to be able to prove employer negligence in order to have any chance of winning your case.

In the vast majority of cases, especially when it comes to employees over fifty, employers will admit negligence right away if they see this to be the case. Though they, of course, won't look forward to the prospect of handing out compensation, they will see that the fault is on their side and they'll have to work harder in the future to ensure it doesn't happen again.

Even if certain employers don't admit their negligence right away, often their legal team will put them straight on your behalf, pointing out the consequences of not giving into the claim quietly.

What the Extent of Your Injuries Are

It need to be remembered that your age should not be a factor in favour of your employee in this situation.

Simply put, they can't argue that because you're over fifty your injuries were greater than they would have been if you were in your twenties; as you have a legal right to work the position you were employed in, and they had legally hired you in that role (assuming that all to be the case).

When getting in touch with a solicitor for the first time they will send you to a medical expert both to get an accurate assessment of the injuries causes by your accident, as well as arrange for any treatment necessary if you're not currently receiving it. Once this is complete, your work accident solicitors will send these findings to your employer as evidence to your claim, asking them to respond in a certain time period. Once they have responded, either accepting or denying liability, you and your solicitor can move onto the third and final stage.

The Level of Compensation You Ask For

The level of compensation you ask for will depend entirely on whether or not your employer has accepted liability for your workplace claim or not. If they have, there's a good chance they have given you a compensation figure they will be willing to pay you for the matter to go no further. You can either accept or deny this figure. If they've yet to give you an offer you can make the first move, working with your lawyer to come up with a compensation amount that's fair based on your injuries.

Once a figure has been agreed upon, you will be able to use the compensation to help pay for any special hospital bills that have come up along the way, as well as to compensate yourself for the time you've had to spend off work.

In conclusion, if you're over fifty and you've recently had an accident at work there are several people you should think about talking to in order to see if you are entitled to any compensation for your accident.

About the Author:
Russell Worth Solicitors is one of UK's leading personal injury claim legal firm. Their work accident solicitors are members of the prestigious Law Societies Personal Injury Panel and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.

Safely Build Up Your Credit with These Five Easy Tips

If you have bad credit, or no credit at all, then you probably know that it can be difficult to make life-changing decisions like buying a house. Without the necessary credit to make a mortgage or loan possible, you will be bound to buying and investing in things that you can only pay for up front - which can be frustrating when you need a house or car. While you can take out a massive loan for no reason, or spend ridiculous amounts of money on a credit card, here are a few safer ways to build your credit over time. Just keep in mind that any credit score is about long-term reputation rather than short term spending. 

Use a Credit Card for Groceries

Did you know that you can use your credit card for your every day purchases to build credit? Try paying anything from your rent to your groceries on your card and then make payments to help build your credit. If you shop around and find a card that offers rewards like air miles, or that doesn't charge interest if you pay by a certain day of the month, then you aren't really costing yourself anything, and might even be racking up some free vacation time. The important thing in this case is to choose your credit card carefully because the wrong one will still charge you interest that you probably don't want to pay. 

Pay Your Bills on Time

No matter how many bills you have it is important to always pay them on time. In fact, this is probably the most important thing to consider when building your credit. Late payments go on your permanent credit history and they are a huge red flag to lenders. If you can't afford all of your payments every month then try getting a consolidation loan, looking for a room mate, or, doing whatever else you can to lower your monthly payments. Paying on time every month shows that you're responsible and you know how to handle debt, which makes you a better candidate for a loan or mortgage in the future. You also want to make sure that you don't have too many payments when you go to apply to a loan, as this will work against you. Instead, evaluate your payments, pay off the smaller bills first, and go into a new loan with as few previous payments as possible. 

Start a Regular Bank Account and Save

Starting a savings account won't do anything for your credit score, but dropping money into a standard bank account builds your credit score and your ability to get a loan. By saving a portion of your income every month, even if it's a very small part, you can show lenders that you have extra money, that you know how to handle your budget, and therefore improve your chances of being approved. While you won't earn interest on a regular bank account, you do improve your credit score, and that's what counts. After all, most savings accounts don't offer very good returns anyway. 

Co-Sign

Co-signing for a credit card, a loan, or just about anything else gives you a distinct advantage when it comes to taking out a loan. A co-signer allows you to take out a loan without relying solely on your own credit, meaning that you can take out a larger loan or qualify for a mortgage that you might not otherwise apply for. In most cases, your co-signer should be a direct family member and preferably with the same surname as you. Your parents, grandparents, or siblings are all great candidates to co-sign for you so long as they themselves do not have a bad credit score. Keep in mind that the person you co-sign with will have at least some access to your bank account or mortgage and that they are held responsible if you don't pay your bills. 

Take Out a Short Term Loan

Did you know that you could get a short-term loan to improve your credit? Taking out small loans and then paying them off quickly allows you to improve your credit score without taking a huge risk. For example, a payday loan is a great way to go because you can pay it off very easily within a few months. Most importantly, you don't necessarily have to have good credit, or any credit at all, to qualify for a payday loan, so you can use them to start improving a credit score in order to qualify for bigger loans.

A good credit score can help you out when you have to borrow money for something big, but getting a credit score means borrowing money, making payments, and keeping your debt level as low as possible. When you do take out a loan or borrow money, make sure it's something that you can pay off quickly so that you can improve your credit without racking up a long-term bill. There are plenty of ways to improve your credit, some of which are safer than others, but you should always research each option first to make sure that it will work for you.

The Australian Small Business Guide to the Festive Season

Poor trading conditions have seen an increase in the number of businesses collapsing, especially small businesses. Strained cash flow has meant that small businesses are feeling the pressure, but with the festive season up ahead, companies do have a chance to develop a competitive advantage if they plan efficiently. Evaluating your expenses, cutting back on running costs and choosing to rent office space for shorter spans of time can all make the difference to your bottom line. And, importantly, as we head closer to the end of the year, planning effectively for the festive season could see your business start the new year in a stronger position.

The Current Climate For The Local Small Business

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) has released figures showing that 81% of businesses that filed for insolvency in 2012/2013 had been small businesses with less than 20 employees. The construction industry fared the worst of all, accounting for 24% of the total number of insolvencies. It was followed by the retail sector, which contributed to 10% of collapsed business endeavours.

And, the experts say, when large companies go under, smaller companies are likely to follow in their footsteps. Because of the complex nature of business relationships, smaller companies that rely on the business of their larger counterparts will suffer a loss in revenue when that channel is closed. By way of example, the collapse in the construction industry has had a ripple effect and affected transport companies, excavation and building as well. And, as things become tougher, profit margins are also shrinking back.

The ASIC says that 42% of collapsed businesses cited poor strategic business management as the biggest reason for failure. 41% blamed high cash use or poor cash flow for their demise, while 32% said they were running at a loss. The tightening of regulations by the Australian Taxation Office has also been identified as one of the factors that has turned the pressure up on small businesses.

Using The Festive Season To Create Opportunities And Influence People

The festive season is the biggest spending period in the local consumer buying calendar. And this year the experts say that consumers are looking for great deals as well as exemplary customer service when they are doing their shopping. Businesses that want to turn things around should be planning their Christmas campaigns and getting ready to create more sales opportunities.

November: Getting Your Shop In Order

The next few weeks will be invaluable for businesses as we approach the Christmas season. Businesses are encouraged to maintain good communication channels with their clients in the lead up to December. A loyalty program is an effective way to create targeted campaigns that result in more sales. Early bird promotions and offers are also best suited a few months ahead of a big spending period, as they allow you to extend it. You can do this by promoting your offers on social media channels, app messages, text and email marketing to your client base. Do some work for your customers too- tell them what makes a special gift and let them know which of your items could sell out ahead of the festive season, as an incentive for them to get their shopping done earlier.

So, why is it important to get it all done now? Research shows that together November and December are responsible for between 20 and 40% of annual sales. By the end of November you can start introducing festive season graphic elements to your correspondence. For businesses offering customized gifts, an early start is important so you can have the goods ready on time. Also think about offering value-added services like gift wrapping, or free shipping, if you operate online, for people who order before November.

Putting The Finishes Touches On For December

December is equally important, as it is at this time that people have their extra cash in hand and are looking for wise ways to spend it. Gift vouchers are good to have, as they provide the universal solution for the person who has everything. As you get closer to December be more specific and provide more guidance on gift selection and product detail.

Sugar Under Fire for Unhealthy Youth in Australia

As various substances and habits have come under fire for being unhealthy, sugar has merged as one of the biggest culprits when it comes to poor health. And, new data released by an investment bank shows that concern over excessive sugar consumption is mounting. And, they say this could impact on adversely on food manufacturers. One of the biggest concerns about the sugar craze is that children are being negatively affected. Processed foods, junk foods and sweetened beverages are being advertised all over the place and the country’s kids are getting unhealthier. This, in turn, is putting extra pressure on the already over-exerted public health system. Now, taking control of our health and of the health of our loved ones is one way to reduce our dependence on the public health system. While we all need to run a health insurance comparison in order to find a policy that will help keep our families safe and healthy, the less we need to use it, the lower our premiums are. And, of course, prevention is always better than cure. The best way to keep our kids healthy is to teach them right from a young age.

If you thought you did not have a sweet tooth you might be surprised to know that the chocolate and confectionary industries are responsible for generating $6.2 billion in Australia every year. Soft drinks pull in $35 billion. But, of course, it does not stop at chocolates and fizzy cool drinks. It is everything processed, including packaged pastas and cereals and biscuits that contain excessive amounts of sugar.

Those lobbying against excessive sugar content say that food products need to be branded with loud, visible warnings, just like tobacco products if they are going to discourage people from consuming them. They also say that, in the not too distant future, manufacturers of high sugar foods could be sued by public health providers. We might not be there yet but we could get there if the past suits on tobacco and fast food industries are anything to go by.

Of course the research shows that high sugar consumption is associated with an increase in body weight. It is also more likely to settle in the abdominal area and around the liver when it comes from sugar and may contribute to diabetes. Disturbingly, the door for extra sugar was left open by manufacturers selling low fat and fat free products, in an effort to make them tastier. The experts say that, to date, nutritional guidelines have not taken sugar consumption into account but that it is critical in managing public health going forward.

The youth are among those who tend to be taken in by sweeten foods and beverages, but the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia is using community members as ambassadors as part of its social media marketing campaigns. The Council says that social media platforms have become incredibly valuable for reaching out to younger members of the community and to promote good health. The Council has employed ambassadors to promote the merits of physical exercise, healthy eating habits and to abstain from smoking.

The Council has also gone to considerable lengths to select credible ambassadors who can connect meaningfully with communities. As well as being respected in their communities, the ambassadors also have to be committed to the cause they are supporting. Furthermore, they also need to meet the gender, age and social background criteria to be successful in their roles.

Some of the campaigns being used to target the youth include sexual health programs and anti-maternal smoking programmes. The Council encourages the ambassadors to talk about their own experiences when educating others, as teenagers tend to rebel against being told what to do.

Going forward, the council says it would like to focus on immunisations and foetal alcohol spectrum disorder within the Aboriginal communities and promote health check ups for kids and teenagers. The Council says good health can only be achieved in the Aboriginal communities if the community members remain in control of their health and are fully engaged in policies and campaigns. The Council says it would still like to see more Aboriginals employed as trained health workers and engaging directly in community health programmes.

5 Reasons Why International Tax Planning is Crucial for Offshore Company Formation?

The ultimate goal of an international tax planning is naturally a significant reduction in tax liability. Legal elimination of your taxes may not be possible, and rightfully so, but you can certainly cut down the taxes to such an extent that you won’t feel you are paying any taxes. This is obviously your ultimate aim when you go for international company formation with registered office and to help you with this you need a competent law firm or an accounting company on your side. Let us take a look at 5 reasons why it is important for you to plan your international taxes when it comes to offshore company formation.

1. Offshore Banking Accounts: For registering and establishing an offshore firm, one of the important criterions is to have a company’s offshore bank account. Tax haven nations are loved by such firms as it easily allows them holding funds with guarantee that the owner’s profile won’t get divulged to the government or to the public through the strictest secrecy laws of the banks. If this is the most important aspect for the company owner, then it becomes important to consider all different countries that suit such requirements.

2. Capitalization Rules: One of the other advantages that company looks for in tax haven nations is their capitalization rules. These nations normally offer very thin capitalization. Due to this there is very restricted scope of debt finance. In one way, such rules of capitalization help international tax planning as they become more appealing to multinational firms that are largely dependent on the capital funds raised by their shareholders. This way they feel more protected against any type of possible debts.

3. Choosing the Right Tax Haven Nation: This is one of the most important considerations that you should make. Some of the most popular choices are Bahamas, Monaco, Malta, Isle of Man, Cyprus, Switzerland, Gibraltar and Andorra. All these nations offer various favorable conditions for the offshore formation of your company. That being said, it is important that all the advantages are carefully compared before choosing one of these nations. You should take a close look at the financial, telecommunication and banking industries in these nations before you make a move.

4. Preparing Income Tax Returns: Business people don’t want to worry about preparing for tax returns. International firms find it very cumbersome to prepare their tax reports, which is necessary to be filed to the government. If these reports are not submitted on time, the companies could run into a lot of trouble. This is why it is important to hire a reliable agent who can take care of such works with precision and more importantly without any delay.

5. Double Tax Treaties: These are very advantageous to companies as these treaties are entered into by the government with other nations and give the companies ore opportunities for saving on foreign taxes and trading expenses. This happens due to an international tax legislation that the two countries agree upon. The efficient cross border taxes help these firms save on personal income taxes, corporate income taxes etc.
You can visit the link to get more ideas regarding company formation with registered office here- http://www.simpleformations.com/company-service-prices.htm

Author Bio
Terry Novik is a tax planning professional with over 10 years of experience, who helps businesses, companies and individuals with their tax filing.

Why Go for an Online Car Insurance Cover?

Most insurance providers allow you choose car insurance online from the various quotes present. The online shopping gives consumers the freedom to choose and make a wise choice. You can get several quotes from different agencies and compare to arrive at a proper decision. Online quotes for car insurance are cheaper, and you also get more value for the policies.
 

Online Shopping Method

The conventional car insurance choice consists of approaching a broker or using a directory. With the advent of internet, the option of online search has opened up a new vista thus providing customers to have a wider and better range to choose from. Recently aggregated quotes offer a better avenue for those looking for a perfect deal.

Things You should Look for while Searching Online

When you use online method, you need to consider the following:

• The quotes can be procured faster if you use comparison websites than by manually searching for different policies and their advantages.
• Rating of the insurer is an important consideration that should not be overlooked. Make sure the insurer is properly licensed.
• Know the basics of getting car insurance before you ask for a quote. You can grasp the advantages and drawbacks better this way.

Opting for the Best Policy

There are basically three types of motor policies namely third party insurance, third party fire and theft, and the fully comprehensive insurance. Third party covers legal liability if you cause damage to property like gates, walls or vehicles while driving. The fire and theft type includes cover for damage caused by fire and theft in addition to the third party cover. The comprehensive policy offers cover for damage to your vehicle in case of an accident and also gives you cover in case you are driving someone else’s car. The fully comprehensive cover is a good choice as it has the best cover but can be expensive.

Information You Need to Furnish

You need to supply information covering the following details.

• Personal information related to gender, age, driving history, and credit status.
• Information related to vehicle like the age, model, make, safety features, mileage, and the present condition.
• If you have basic coverage for the vehicle, you need to supply relevant information and also specify if you want any additional coverage.

Precautions You should Follow in Online Shopping for Insurance

Some companies provide only an indicative quote rather than the entire policy to attract customers. Reading the complete quote with all the terms and conditions will prevent you from making the wrong choice. Comparing the additional features of your existing policy with the one you are going to buy is important. If you do not verify properly, you may end up with a reduced cover than what you earlier had. The final quote should include features like:

• Personal accident cover
• Coverage for audio equipment and personal belongings
• Breakdown recovery
• Optional excess
• Legal protection

While searching online, you need to know what to look for so that you can save time and find the right one easily. When you have decided on the policy and supplied the required information, you can get a better car insurance quote.

Author Box:
Tom Wood sheds light on many of the web resources that enlighten you about any kind of insurance or claim people avail in their lives. Of them, http://www.ppiclaimzmadesimple.co.uk is his favorite pick which covers everything if you are making a claim.