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Work Injury Solicitors: Making a Claim
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Work injury claims play a vital role in occupational health and safety, offering employees a means to seek compensation for injuries suffered on the job. Workplace accidents can happen in any industry and cover a broad spectrum of incidents, ranging from minor accidents to serious, life-changing injuries.
When a worker is injured at the workplace, the consequences can go beyond physical pain, potentially affecting their ability to earn a living and creating financial hardship. If you have been injured in an accident at work as the result of someone else’s negligence, contact us today. Beacon Law are a specialist work injury solicitors firm who can assist you in making a personal injury compensation claim if you have been injured at work.
Common causes of injuries at work
Workplace accidents can vary widely depending on the nature of the work and the industry. However, some types of accidents are more common across different workplaces, such as:
- Slips, Trips and Falls – These types of accidents either happen because the workplace has uneven floors, slippery surfaces or simply due to poor housekeeping. Slips, trips and falls are renowned for causing both minor and severe injuries, depending on what part of your body you land on and how hard your fall was.
- Repetitive activities – Jobs that involve repetitive motions or awkward postures can cause repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, or bursitis. This is common in assembly line work, data entry, and other tasks that require repetitive movements.
- Falls From heights – Falling from a height can lead to several types of severe injuries. Your employers must minimise risks when you are required to work at height. Common causes of accidents when working at height include defective ladders or poorly constructed scaffolding.
- Improper manual handling – If your job role involves picking up and carrying heavy objects, your employer must ensure that you are properly trained. Your employer should also provide proper lifting equipment if required. Lifting objects incorrectly, repetitively, or items that are too heavy may cause you to damage your back and shoulders.
- Electrical accidents – Workers can suffer electric shocks, burns, or electrocution when working with faulty wiring, exposed electrical parts, or improperly grounded equipment. This is particularly prevalent in the construction, maintenance, and electrical engineering industries.
- Chemical exposures – Exposure to hazardous chemicals or toxic substances can cause skin irritation, respiratory problems, chemical burns, or long-term health issues. This can occur in laboratories, manufacturing plants, and other workplaces where chemicals are used or produced.
- Fires and explosions – Workplace fires and explosions are extremely dangerous occurrences and can result from faulty equipment, improper storage of flammable materials, electrical faults, or human error. They pose a significant risk in industries such as manufacturing, mining, and construction.
Your employers’ responsibilities
The workplace should be a safe environment where employees feel safe. Your employer has a duty of care under the ‘Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974′. To prevent injury at work and ensure all employees are safe in the workplace.
Additionally, the Workplace (Health, Safety, and Welfare) Regulations (1992) and ‘The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 impose a duty on your employer to ensure that the work environment is always clean and maintained to a high safety standard. Employers should regularly carry out risk assessments and provide personal protective equipment (PPE) where necessary.
If an accident at work occurs, then your employer has a responsibility to report it to the Health and Safety Executive under The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) in some circumstances. Details of the Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations can be found at the link above.
If your employer has breached their duty of care, you could be entitled to make a claim against them.
What should I do if I have an accident at work?
If you have been involved in a workplace accident, the first step is to report it to your manager. It is equally important to ensure that the details are documented in the workplace’s accident book, which is a legal requirement. This record will serve as crucial evidence if you pursue a compensation claim for your injury.
Additionally, we advise gathering further evidence related to the accident. Be sure to contact any relevant insurance companies and notify them about the incident as well. This will help support your claim and ensure all necessary parties are informed.
You should seek medical attention as soon after the workplace accident as possible; recording details of your accident in official medical records will significantly strengthen your claim of compensation for an injury. At Beacon Law, we have a team of work injury solicitors who specialise in accident claims, so get in touch today to begin your claim for compensation.
It is recommended that you seek legal advice from a solicitor before agreeing to anything with your employer following the workplace accident.
What is the process of making an injury at work claim?
During your initial consultation, our specialist work injury solicitors will provide you with legal advice about workplace accident claims and will inform you about the relevant limitation rules.
Our personal injury solicitors will then ask you for details about your accident and the initial injuries that were suffered as a result. This will help our injury lawyers to assess the likelihood of your claim being successful.
In the early stages of your compensation claim, it is crucial to gather all relevant evidence to support your case. This can include CCTV footage of the incident, medical records, entries in accident logs, photographs of your injuries, and statements from witnesses.
Your work injury solicitor may also request that you undergo a formal medical examination to obtain detailed reports on the injuries you’ve sustained. These reports are essential for providing strong medical evidence regarding the severity and impact of your injuries. Even if you’ve received prior medical treatment, a more comprehensive medical evaluation may still be necessary to produce accurate and reliable reports for your claim.
If we think that your workplace accident claim would be likely to succeed, we will offer a no win, no fee basis; if your claim is unsuccessful, you will not be required to pay any legal fees.
What are the time limits for an injury at work claim?
Before starting your claim for an accident at work, it is important to note that there are strict time limits on personal injury claims. From the date of the accident that caused the injuries, the injured party will have 3 years to commence proceedings for claiming compensation.
It must be noted, however, that there are some exceptions to this rule:
For instance, if the claimant was under 18 at the time of the accident, they have until their 21st birthday to file a workplace compensation claim. Meanwhile, if the claimant is still under 18, a litigation friend, such as a parent, guardian, or close family member, can file the claim on their behalf.
Another exception to the three-year time limit applies when the claimant lacks the mental capacity to initiate their claim. In such cases, instead of being restricted to the usual three-year window, the claimant can file for compensation at any point once they regain the mental capacity to proceed.
How long does an injury at work claim take?
The time it takes to resolve your personal injury claim can vary depending on the severity of your injuries, the defendant’s responsiveness, and whether your employer accepts liability.
If your employer admits responsibility for your workplace injury and your injuries are minor, we aim to settle the claim within six to nine months. However, if your employer is uncooperative, your injuries are long-term or complex, or if gathering evidence proves challenging, the claims process may take longer.
Could I lose my job if I pursue a claim?
You should not be concerned about losing your job when you initiate your personal injury claim. If you have been injured at work, you have the legal right to pursue compensation for your injuries. If you believe your job is at risk or if you have lost your job due to filing a compensation claim, you may also have grounds for an unfair dismissal claim.
At Beacon Law, we endeavour to proceed with your personal injury claim in a constructive way with your employer, ensuring that there are no grounds available to the employer to dismiss you.
How much compensation will you receive?
The amount of compensation awarded aims to restore the claimant to the position they were in before the accident that caused their injuries. The amount will be determined by the pain and suffering experienced as well as the severity of the injuries.
General damages that could be awarded will also depend on the impact that the injuries have had on the claimant’s daily life, whether any long term care is needed, and whether any structural adaptations need to be made to the claimant’s home in order to assist their new way of living.
Additionally, special damages will be provided to address any financial losses the claimant has incurred due to the initial injury. This may include compensation for lost earnings from time away from work, potential future earnings loss if the claimant is unable to work, medical treatment costs, travel expenses, and any ongoing care that may be necessary.
We advise that you keep evidence of all financial losses suffered as a result of your injuries. This could include receipts and invoices from medical treatment and evidence of any loss of earnings. You will also be entitled to statutory sick pay, which this evidence will help to prove.
Why choose Beacon Law’s work injury solicitors?
If you have suffered an accident at work, a compensation claim may help you to get your life back on track. Beacon Law is a leading law firm of accident at work solicitors, offering expert legal advice and a range of personal injury claim services to our clients. We provide a high level of service to all our clients and work hard to ensure they receive the appropriate treatment and highest level of compensation for their injuries.
We provide all accident at work claims on a no win no fee basis. This means that we can help you get the compensation you deserve without you having to worry about the costs of making a claim.
If you require advice for an injury at work claim, please contact us on 0330 1332 857. Alternatively, please complete our online form, and one of our work injury solicitors will contact you to help you start your claim.
Beacon Law are a solicitors firm registered in England and Wales with our registered office based in Manchester. We are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
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