Accident at Work
If you have had an accident at work you will know that the consequences go far beyond the initial injury. Employees affected by a workplace accident often have to deal with the ongoing struggle associated with lost earnings and the strains of the rehabilitation process. Beyond this, workers affected by an injury are often required to cope with the inevitable emotional stress and the impact this has on their relationships with friends and family. When an accident at work has occurred that wasn’t your fault, it is your right to pursue a claim for the compensation you deserve.
In the majority of workplaces, employers strive to ensure that adequate equipment, training and safety procedures are in place to protect employees from the risks around them. However, some employers compromise the safety of workers through deliberate negligence or inadequate provision of safety measures. According to the Labour Force Survey, between 2009 and 2010 it was reported that there were over 233,000 accidents at work in the UK. Safety at work is your right and it is an employer’s duty to ensure that this is provided.
The risks to workers vary across all types of occupations. Whatever your area of work, poor health and safety practices can result in serious injuries to employees. The following work environments often include these risks:
- Office – slips and trips, repetitive strain injury, back injuries due to poor ergonomics.
- Construction – crush injuries, broken bones, hearing problems.
- Professional driving – various road traffic accident risks, which are increased if you have been provided with an unsafe vehicle.
- Factories – chemical burns, injuries caused by machinery.
Workplace Accident Compensation Claims
Many workers who have suffered an injury are concerned that making an accident at work claim against their current employers could have consequences regarding their employment. UK employment law is in place to help employees who have been victims of an accident that was not their fault, and grants them legal protection to pursue their rights to a personal injury claim. Companies are required by legislation to hold up to date public liability insurance to cover the potential cost of a claim for compensation in the event that a breach of health and safety occurs. It is important to remember that if you decide to make a claim, your employer’s costs should be met by this insurance and will not be paid out from the company’s own expenses. Many employers welcome occasional claims from their employees as it allows them to review and perfect their existing safety procedures to prevent further accidents.
If you decide to make a claim, your solicitor at Lawson Taylor will guide you through each stage of the process and can advise you on your rights and options in relation to your employer. Our personal injury solicitors are experienced in workplace accident compensation claims and will strive to ensure that you get the maximum amount for your claim. All of our accident at work claim cases are handled on a no win no fee basis and you will receive 100% of the compensation that you are awarded.