Q;    In April I tripped over a tree root on the river bank and hurt my ankle and knee, both swelled badly. I could only get a telephone appointment with my GP who referred me for a physio appointment which came several weeks later via another telephone appointment. She gave me exercises to do but the pain increased, four weeks later the swelling remained. I called the surgery again but was told I would have to wait for an out-of-hours appointment elsewhere. This doctor immediately sent me to hospital for a scan which showed my ankle had actually broken and was now set in the wrong position. I may never walk properly again. Can I hold the GP responsible and claim compensation? Or the physio? Or the environment agency, who are responsible for maintaining the river bank?

Q:    When the coronavirus pandemic hit us, along with other work colleagues I was furloughed. As my disabled son is in residential care and I was told I would not be able to visit him because of lockdown, I decided to have him home and care for him myself. Now my boss wants me to return to work in the office, despite two male colleagues being allowed to return and work from home. I would prefer to work from home as it will take time to get my son back into residential care and even when that happens, I may still not be allowed to visit him. If male colleagues can work from home doing the same job as me, surely this is discrimination?

Q:    I am really struggling to make ends meet as my furlough pay during the COVID crisis is nowhere near my usual salary. I tried to talk to my ex about paying less maintenance for the kids until the situation eases but she refused to discuss it. What would happen if I just paid less into her bank account?

Q:    My husband and I have been locked down together at home since the coronavirus pandemic began. During this time undeniable cracks have surfaced in our twelve-year marriage. We both have high-flying jobs that often result in us being apart for weeks on end, which is probably why the cracks have taken so long to appear. I think we are probably heading for divorce. I think my husband thinks so too, and I have a suspicion that with this in mind he is deliberately ‘syphoning off’ some of his assets in readiness to reduce his liabilities in a divorce settlement. Is there anything I can do to prevent this?

Q:    I have just inherited from my uncle’s estate. I drafted my own Will some time ago and recall being advised that my estate could potentially exceed inheritance tax thresholds. I would therefore like to pass on my inheritance to my children instead. What is the best way for me to do this?

Q: I took on new tenants in a house I own on 1st February this year. They have a 12 month Assured Shorthold Tenancy which ends 31st January 2021 and then rolls into a periodic tenancy. I have looked at the new Electrical Safety Regulations and am confused about when I need to get an electrical check done. Also, the regulations seem to apply on different dates for ‘contractual periodic tenancies’ to ‘statutory periodic tenancies’, and I am not sure which type my tenants have. Please can you clarify this?

Q:    My father is in hospital and unable to communicate after a stroke. Previously in good health, he never felt the need to set up a power of attorney. Now I need to deal with his affairs and make decisions on his behalf, particularly as there is COVID in the hospital where he is. I know I need to make an application to be his attorney, but I’m not confident about how to do it and, due to the situation, I cannot afford to waste time getting it wrong. Please can you advise?

Q:    My son’s father-in-law died of coronavirus and ever since my son has wanted me to put something in writing about how I would want things to happen if I became unexpectedly ill and lost mental capacity. I have identified various options but am more concerned about the health aspect than what happens about money. Can you explain the difference between a Living Will and a Lasting Power of Attorney?

Q:    I returned to work in June after being on furlough. Several days after that I developed a temperature and dry cough. I went into self-isolation and tested positive for Covid-19. I had a short spell in hospital but I am now much better. I am convinced that I contracted the virus at work. No safety systems were in place and the office layout meant staff could not adhere to social distancing. My concerned friend at work asked HR if she could see the coronavirus risk assessment and was advised it has not yet been finalised. Could I make a claim against my employer?

Q:    I was furloughed in March. I am due to return to work after August bank holiday. The boss made us take our annual leave during the furlough period so he had all hands on deck when he re-opened. But I had to travel to Spain in July because my father, who lives there alone, had a heart attack. He is now recovering well and I plan to return home next week, but of course I can’t go back to work for 2 weeks because of COVID-19 quarantine. I asked the boss if I could carry my annual leave over as I hadn’t requested to take it during furlough, it was forced on me. He refused, saying he won’t pay me until I do go back. Can he do that?