Accidents at work claims
Legal advice and assistance in obtaining compensation for accidents or injuries at work on a no win no fee basis.
Every day people are involved in accidents at work which can happen anywhere. Accidents at work are not only the result of immediate and obvious dangers like trip hazards or falls. They can also result from inadequate training, a lack of the recommended safety equipment required for the job or there may have been faulty or dangerous machinery involved. It is also quite common for people to develop an illness or disease after coming into contact with toxic materials in their workplace. If your employer doesn't provide training or protective gear and you develop an illness or disease, as a result of exposure to harmful substances, you may be able to make an injury compensation claim.
Accidents can happen in any work environment
The more common accidents at work like trips, falls or getting trapped in machinery can result in fractured or broken bones or even the loss of a limb. Soft tissue damage, repetitive strain injury, loss of sight or hearing are prevalent in both office and industrial situations; while injuries like burns, respiratory problems and asbestos related disease are certainly more common in manufacturing or industrial environments. However, you don't have to work in a high risk environment like a building site to suffer a serious and often life-changing injury. Over the years, we have obtained millions of pounds in compensation for workers covering a wide range of situations, including:
Making an accident at work claim
Only you can decide whether or not to make a claim. We can give you information to help you make that decision, but it is worth remembering that even if your accident or injury was due to a fellow worker or someone from another company while at your place of work, your employer may still be responsible and it's your employer's insurers who will settle your claim. If you are off work as a result of your injury, you will also be able to claim compensation for loss of income.
Should I claim against my employer?
Many people are reluctant to bring a workplace accident claim against their employer, which is understandable. You don't want to be seen to be causing trouble or rocking the boat, especially in the current economic climate. Suffering an accident or injury at work can have a devastating impact on you, your family and your finances for the rest of your life. Your employer has a duty in law to protect you in the workplace and keep you informed about health and safety matters. All employers should have insurance to cover accidents in the workplace. Your employer is obliged to provide a work environment that is safe to work in and reduce the risk of accidents happening. Most good employers live up to those legal obligations, however, those who do not fulfil their responsibilities are not only breaking the law, they are also putting your life (and the lives of your co-workers and members of the public) at risk.
What are my employer's responsibilities in the workplace?
You can never completely exclude the possibility of a genuine accident, but your employer does have a responsibility to take measures that will minimise the likelihood of those accidents happening at work. The workplace isn't just an office or a factory but can also extend to the vehicle you are operating to perform your job, so those measures can be fairly wide ranging. Your employer is legally obliged to comply with health and safety laws and regulations, provide vehicles that are roadworthy and are regularly maintained or serviced, provide appropriate safety equipment and health and safety training, implement standard operating procedures and conduct regular risk assessments. So, if you have suffered an injury which could have otherwise been prevented by your employer, you have every right to make a claim for compensation.
When should I make a claim?
If you are claiming for an injury, then you need to make a claim within three years of the date of the accident. If you are claiming because of a disease or medical condition contracted at work, you need to make the claim within three years of the date you knew or were made aware of the fact that the disease or medical condition was caused by your work.
Other considerations
If you are successful in winning compensation you may also need to plan for what could be the rest of your life without work or the ability to work and may need to adapt your home as a result of the injury sustained. If you receive state pensions or benefits, you may need to ring fence the compensation monies by setting up a personal injury trust otherwise those benefits could be reduced or stopped. Accidents and injuries are also a timely reminder of just how fragile our life and good health can be. That's why it's important to consider making a will. 60% of people in the UK do not have a will, so your estate, your income and your compensation monies could end up going to the Crown instead of your loved ones and family as per your wishes.
Why use Access Legal from Shoosmiths?
We have successfully represented thousands of workers who have suffered injuries as a result of accidents at work with a team of highly professional lawyers and experts who specialise in accidents at work and occupational disease claims. We aim to provide an individually tailored, sympathetic and supportive service to meet your specific needs, taking the time to understand your situation and clearly explain everything you need to know.
What next?
We provide free initial advice and will pursue claims on a no win no fee basis. Contact us online or call for a free, no obligation consultation on 03700 868 686. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm, Saturday 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm.
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Let our experts advise you on the next steps involved in making a claim after suffering an accident at work
