Work Accident Compensation Claims
Read our free work accident or injury claims guide to understand why accidents at work happen and what you can do to get justice.
Some workplaces are more dangerous than others, but any workplace is supposed to be a safe and secure environment for all employees and members of the public. Accidents or injuries can occur in anywhere, but your employer has a statutory duty of care for all staff. This means that they have a legal obligation to think about any risks that you mighty experience as a part of your job, make places to make an accident less likely and also offer protection to mitigate the effects of any injuries that cannot be avoided. If your employer has not done these things properly and you suffer an accident or injury as a result, you may be able make a work accident compensation claim.
If you have been injured in an accident at work, call us on 0121 565 4317 or claim online to arrange your free, no obligation consultation. Our expert team of personal injury solicitors will listen the details of your case, ensuring that we have a clear understanding of all of the facts, including the full extent of your injuries, how your accident happened and what steps should have been taken to avoid it and the ways in which it has impacted your life. We will then be able to give you an accurate and unbiased estimate of the likelihood of winning your case, and how much compensation you might be able to expect when we do.
Common Work Accidents Leading To Compensation Claims
Any accident that your employer could (or should) have foreseen but which they took insufficient steps to avoid or mitigate could lead to a compensation claim. Steps taken to avoid an accident or injury might include putting up guard rails to avoid you falling from a ledge or providing regular training for those whose job includes heavy lifting to ensure that you are performing this task with correct technique. Mitigating the effects of an accident means making the resulting injury less severe. Examples of this could include providing a hard hat to ensure that falling objects are likely to result in a small bruise rather than a serious head injury. It would also include making sure that there are enough first aid trained staff and that there are well stocked first aid kits that are inspected regularly.
1. Lifting Injuries
Back, shoulder and hip injuries are common if you are required to lift heavy objects without correct assistance or without sufficient training. For men, you should not be expected to lift anything above 25kg without assistance, while for women this is reduced to 16kg. These amounts are based on optimal lifting conditions, where the weight is held close to the body and is not lifted too high. If the circumstances make the lift more difficult, these maximums must be adjusted. For the most difficult lifts, these maximums may be reduced to 5kg for men and 3kg for women. In addition, repetitive lifts and twisting movements must be avoided or minimised. If you have suffered a lifting injury at work, you may be entitled to compensation.
2. Equipment
Injuries caused by faulty or inappropriate equipment. All equipment that you use at work must be properly maintained and you must have been trained in the safe use of it. If either of these things has not been done and there is an accident, you may be able to make a claim for compensation for your work injury. Examples of ways in which equipment may not have been properly maintained include a guard around a table saw may become loose and no longer provide sufficient protection for you. Alternatively, if you are using a piece of office equipment that has not been PAT tested and you suffer an electrocution injury, your employer would be considered negligent for not looking after and testing their equipment appropriately.
3. Chemicals and Substances
Contact with chemicals or other noxious substances. Whenever you are working with any kind of hazardous materials, whether chemical, biological or respiratory irritant, you should be provided with appropriate equipment and protection. This could include anything from steel toe capped boots when dealing with syringes full of chemicals to respirators and other appropriate PPE when dealing with asbestos or other high-risk materials. If you have come into contact with any substances that have caused you an injury, you may be entitled to compensation.
4. Hearing Difficulties
Many workplaces can be very noisy, but your employer must take steps to protect your hearing. A loss of hearing can lead to you becoming isolated, as conversations become more difficult to follow and travel may seem more difficult as you cannot hear approaching traffic. If you have suffered hearing loss or tinnitus that you believe may have been due to excessive noise in your workplace, call us on 0121 565 4317 or apply online to find out whether you may be able to make a work injury claim.
5. Vibration-Related Injuries
Not all work injuries are as the result of a single accident. Some injuries, such as vibration-related white finger, develop over time. In such cases, expert advice can be vital in demonstrating that your injury is a direct result of something in your workplace and not related to any other activity you may take part in. Our dedicated team are highly experienced in bringing a wide variety of work injury claims and we are best placed to get you the full amount of compensation you deserve.
6. Falls and Trips
Falls and trips can be either very minor, leading to a sprain or cut, or very serious, possibly involving a fall from height leading to spinal injuries, paralysis or even death. Although falls can happen anywhere, it is your employer’s responsibility to ensure that they minimise the risk to you and your colleagues. If sufficient measures have not been taken to avoid any falls or trips, your employer may be considered liable (responsible) and you may be entitled to compensation for your injury.
This list is not intended to be exhaustive. Any injury at work where your employer did not take sufficient steps to safeguard your health and safety could lead to a work accident compensation claim. If you are not sure whether your workplace accident or injury might be eligible, call us on 0121 565 4317 or claim online. Our team of expert personal injury solicitors will be able to answer all of your questions.
Can My Employer Fire Me For Making A Work Accident Compensation Claim?
It is illegal for an employer to fire any employee for making a claim for an accident at work. They are also not allowed to penalise you in any way for requesting compensation for your workplace accident or injury. The compensation you receive following your accident at work is designed to help you get back on track and, in so far as possible, undo any damage done to your life, your prospects and your finances. That cannot work if your employer is able to punish you for making a claim. In our experience, most employers treat an accident at work claim as a sign that they need to improve their safety procedures, which has the added benefit of keeping yourself and your colleagues safer in the long run.
How Much Compensation Can I Get For My Work Accident Claim?
Our personal injury solicitors are here to listen to the details of your case, making sure that we understand what happened to you, the full details of your personal injury as a result of your accident at work and the ways in which these injuries have impacted your life. This means that we are able to ensure that you get the full compensation that you are entitled to. Compensation payments for specific injuries are set by the Judicial College (a national governing body), but these payments often make up only a small part of the compensation you are awarded. Compensation is also awarded to cover any costs or expenses you may have incurred as a result of your work accident. These payments could be for loss of earnings if you are unable to work for a period of time following your work accident and injury, the cost of travel to and from work if you are able to return to work but not able to drive there yourself. They can also include much larger and more serious items, such as loss of future earning if you are unable to continue in your previous job or making modifications to your home such as putting in a stairlift or moving to a wheelchair accessible home if this becomes necessary. By working with our team, you know that you are getting the best compensation deal that you can, taking your unique circumstances into account.
How Do I Make A Work Accident Claim?
Making a compensation claim for personal injury following an accident or at work is less difficult that you might have imagined. The first thing to do is to call us on call us on 0121 565 4317 or claim online to arrange a free, no obligation consultation. During this short conversation, we will listen to your story, making sure that we understand what has happened to you, including the causes of your accident, the full extent to your injuries and the way in which these injuries have impacted your life. Once we have all of this information, we will be able to give you the best possible advice as to your chances of winning your case and the amount of compensation you can expect to receive.
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