Seeking Compensation for Workplace Injuries
Accidents can happen anywhere, workplaces being potentially very dangerous places if health and safety rules are not followed.
No Win No Fee Claims Specialists
When you’re injured at work due to the negligence of your employer or a colleague, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. But as the process can be quite complex, your chances of success are likely to be much higher, and the monies you receive far greater, if you have the correct legal advice. This is where our team of personal injury solicitors come into action. They will work with you throughout your claim, offering advice and support as well as taking all the steps necessary to obtain the highest level of compensation, in the shortest possible time.
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What is classified as an accident at work?
Accidents can occur in any workplace, from construction sites to factories, warehouses, and even military environments. These accidents can result in a wide range of illnesses and injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to serious and life-altering conditions.
But for you to be able to make a claim, it is necessary to prove that the accident was due to someone else’s negligence, be they your employer or a colleague. So, the first thing to check is if there is the potential for a claim to be made and thus it’s crucial to understand your rights and options for seeking compensation.
This first stage is very important as accident-at-work claims provide the legal avenue that allows injured employees to recover damages for their injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and other related losses, all of which could add up to a substantial sum.
A bit of background on Accident at Work Claims
Employers have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of their employees. This duty of care includes providing a safe working environment, appropriate training, and necessary protective equipment. When employers fail to meet these obligations, they can be held liable for any injuries that occur as a result. The good news is that employers are legally required to have employers’ liability insurance to cover the cost of compensating employees for any workplace injuries, so if your employer looks like not having the resources to pay you it won’t matter, your claim being met by the insurance company.
- No win, no fee
- We handle various types of accident at work claims
Our Accident at Work Claims team
Types of Workplace Accidents
Workplace accidents can occur in just about any industry or market sector. Some common types of workplace accidents include those that happen on construction sites, incidents involving defective equipment, as well as in factory and warehouse environments. Every work place has the potential to be dangerous, which is why it is important that employers take all the required actions to improve the safety of their staff. Surprisingly it is in some cases even possible to claim for an accident that happens whilst in military service.
Construction Site Accidents
Whilst a lot of progress has been made to improve the safety of construction workers, accidents still happen all the time, mostly it seems because someone did not follow the safety rules that were created to keep everyone safe. The potential hazards, include falls from heights, electrocutions, manual handling lifting incidents, faulty machinery, and lack of training or enforcement of Health and Safety regulations. The cause of these injuries are many, using chemicals inappropriately or without the necessary protective equipment, falls from roofs due to the lack of fencing, crush injuries caused by fork lift trucks being used by untrained staff, and simply because the necessary safety training was not provided. Due to the very nature of Construction sites, there are a lot of people and companies involved, and it can be hard to identify just who is responsible for your injury. The key thing to remember though is that there is a responsible party, and we can help you identify them so that a claim can be made. Claims normally have to be made within 3 years, but there are exceptions.
Injuries Caused by Defective Equipment
The range of equipment used by employees at their workplace is vast. But they all require proper maintenance, regular inspections, some also needing safety guards. Staff often may also need special protective equipment and training. As expected, proper Health and Safety assessments are required in all instances, the lack of them being the cause of many accidents. The list of injuries caused include broken bones, the loss of a limb and sight loss. The important thing to note is that every employer has a duty of care to their staff, so if they provide the equipment you use, a claim can be made against their liability insurance. Due to the very nature of Construction sites, there are a lot of people and companies involved, and it can be hard to identify just who is responsible for your injury. The key thing to remember though is that there is a responsible party, and we can help you identify them so that a claim can be made. Claims normally have to be made within 3 years, but there are exceptions.
Factory and Warehouse Accidents
Whilst being a lot safer than they used to be, accidents unfortunately still happen in our Factories and Warehouses. These mostly down to the staff there not following the rules and regulations that were set up to ensure a safe working environment. The most common injuries suffered include those caused by slips and trips, falls, having to use dangerous machinery as well as the effects of excessive noise. In common with any workplace, the employer has to provide a safe workplace, and thus, if they fail to do their duty of care here and you are injured as a result, you can make a claim against their liability insurance.
Accidents on Military Service
The Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987 enables serving (or former) personnel to seek compensation if they have suffered an injury. The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) provides compensation for any illness, injury or even death from the 6th April 2005. However, these military claims are very complex and need an experienced solicitor to ensure success. The list of injuries is long, including loss of hearing due to extreme noise, brain injuries, those caused by cold or heat, spinal injuries, not to mention PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
Making an Accident at Work Claim
If you’ve been injured in an accident at work, there are important steps you should take to protect your rights and gather evidence for your claim. It’s crucial to report the incident to your employer as soon as possible and seek medical attention for your injuries. Documenting the details of the accident, obtaining witness statements, and taking photographs and if possible videos of the scene can strengthen your case.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) may also be involved in investigating the accident, especially if there are serious or systemic safety concerns. We will help you navigate any interactions with the HSE and ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process.
Medical evidence is essential in establishing the extent of your injuries and the impact they have on your life. Again, we will work with medical experts to assess your condition, review your medical records, and arrange for an examination by an independent medical expert as necessary.
Rehabilitation and Medical Care
Receiving appropriate medical treatment and rehabilitation is crucial for your recovery after any workplace injury. We can arrange access to the best quality treatment, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and even psychological support if needed. Such rehabilitation can help you regain function, manage pain, and improve your overall well-being.
In some unfortunate cases, workplace injuries result in long-term or permanent disabilities. This has to be taken into account when constructing your claim, so we will work with you to assess your future needs, such as modifications to your home or retraining for a different job.
Calculating Compensation for Workplace Injuries
The amount of compensation you may be entitled to will depend on various factors, including the severity of your injuries, the impact on your daily life, and any financial losses you’ve incurred. Recent accident at work claim settlements have ranged from tens of thousands to six-figure sums, depending on the specific circumstances of each case.
Compensation may cover medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other financial losses resulting from the accident.
Time Limits for Making a Claim
In most cases, there is a three-year time limit for starting an accident at work claim. This time limit begins from the date of the accident or from the date you became aware that your injury was caused by your work environment. However, there are exceptions to this standard time limit, such as where the person lacks mental capacity to make a claim themselves (e,g, in cases of traumatic brain injury). In such cases there is no time limit for their loved ones to pursue a claim on their behalf. Additionally, accidents that occur while working abroad may have shorter time limits for making a claim. If the injury was caused by a defective piece of equipment, the time limit may also differ.
To ensure that you don’t miss the opportunity to make a claim, it’s essential to contact a solicitor as soon as possible after the accident.
No Win No Fee Accident at Work Claims
Like many solicitors, we provide a No Win No Fee service. This means that you won’t have to pay any upfront costs or legal fees if your claim is unsuccessful. If your claim is successful, the majority of your legal fees will be paid by the opposing party, with the remaining amount deducted from your compensation award.
A No Win No Fee arrangement provides you with financial peace of mind while pursuing your claim. It allows you to seek the compensation you deserve without worrying about the costs of legal representation.
Why Use Ward & Rider?
Perhaps the most important factor is that we are a law firm and not an accident management company, which in turn means that our staff have more experience and legal knowledge. It also means that our primary focus is to get you the compensation you need and deserve.
Then there is the fact that we aren’t affiliated with an insurance company in any way, which means that we will do everything we can to get you the maximum compensation possible.
With us, one of our dedicated personal injury team will act as your direct point of contact, so you know exactly who you are dealing with. You will receive an unrivalled level of service as our personal injury experts are completely client-focused and quality-managed to the highest standard.
Accident at Work Claims Case Studies
After a rocky couple of years with the first solicitor, Jason took over my case. He was amazing! Professional, knowledgeable and reliable! Whenever I needed to speak to him I got a response. I cannot thank him enough.
Some Frequently Asked Questions about Accidents at Work Claims
This very much depends on your terms of employment. You may be entitled to statutory sick pay, but whatever happens, we will endeavour to recover any loss of earnings when building your accident at work claim.
If your employer can prove that the accident was entirely down to your actions, they can legally dismiss you on the grounds of negligence. However, if there is any doubt that you could be totally accountable you will probably be able to challenge any such decision. When the accident was caused by the action (or inaction) of your employer, they cannot legally dismiss you because of the accident. So, if you lose your job for this reason, you will probably be able to take legal action for unfair dismissal.
Unfortunately there are many hundreds of people who are affected by work-related illnesses, some even contracting diseases during employment. In some cases, the working environment can even aggravate a pre-existing condition, and as the law requires employers to provide the necessary protection and safe work processes for their staff, if the required steps are not taken, an employee may be entitled to work injury compensation.
Want to pursue a Accident at Work Claims claim?
Get in touch with Ward & Rider Solicitors today to speak to one of our expert solicitors, or to book a consultation.
