Accident at Work Claims
If you’ve been injured at work, you may be able to claim compensation. Your employer or your fellow employees may have been negligent, which could mean that you could claim against their employers’ liability insurance.
Contact us and we’ll discuss your specific circumstances with you to see whether or not you have a valid claim. Understandably, many of the people we speak to are nervous about pursuing a claim against their employer. You may feel that it could put your livelihood at risk. However, if you have been injured you have every right to take steps to make good any financial losses or injury you have suffered.
Our specialist team provides expert legal advice in different languages to clients who have been involved in workplace accidents. They operate on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning that you won’t pay any fees unless your case is successful.
Can my employer punish me in any way for making a compensation claim?
This is a big worry for many people injured in an accident at work. Thankfully, the law gives you a lot of protection. Under your employment contract, your employer has no legal right to discriminate against you on the basis that you have taken legal action against them.
If they did try to dismiss you, discipline you or make any unreasonable changes to your working conditions after the accident (such as reducing your hours, demoting you or reducing your salary), they could be putting themselves at risk of a claim for unfair dismissal or constructive dismissal.
Your employers should not be left out of pocket by your compensation claim. Employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement for the vast majority of businesses. This cover would provide the funds for any compensation awarded against you, so your claim wouldn’t put the finances of your employer at any immediate risk.
How can accidents at work arise?
Workplace accidents come in many different forms. If you work in an office-based role, your risk of injury at work might be minimal. If however you work with machinery, chemicals or work at height, the risk of injury is significantly higher.
Your employer has a duty of care to take reasonable steps to protect you against the risk of an injury. These steps can include implementing and maintaining safe working practices, providing protective equipment and clothing, or even providing suitable training.
The adequacy of any procedures implemented should also be reviewed regularly by your employer. Any failure on their part to provide a safe working environment could mean that they have acted negligently.
What type of injuries can I claim for as a result of a workplace ccident?
Many types of injury are suffered in the workplace and the risk of each will vary, based on the requirements of your job. These can include:
- Falls from height
- Burns and scalds
- Cuts and scars
- Back injuries
- Head injuries
- Slips and trips
This list is not exhaustive, so if you’ve suffered a different type of injury at work, you should still consider taking legal advice if you feel that your employer or colleagues were in any way responsible for your injuries.
How much compensation might I receive?
The amount of compensation you receive for your injuries very much depends on your specific circumstances. That’s why we recommend that you get in touch with us promptly so that we can discuss the details of your accident with you.
You may be able to claim for the following if they are a direct result of your injuries:
- Compensation for distress and upheaval
- Loss of earnings and financial losses incurred
- Medical costs, prescription fees, care and rehabilitation costs
- Damage to your property
- Travel expenses incurred as a result of your injuries
Do I have a valid claim for compensation?
If you can answer yes to all three of the following questions, we recommend that you contact us to discuss your circumstances further:
- Was the incident within the last three years?
- Was someone else to blame for the incident?
- Were you injured as a result of the incident?
Answering ‘yes’ to all three doesn’t mean that a successful claim is certain. However, these questions are key to the claims process. Answering yes to all three does indicate that you have a greater chance of being entitled to claims. Getting prompt, specialist legal advice could be beneficial.
Because of the three-year time limit, it’s important that you contact us promptly so that we can start the process for you.
How do I begin a compensation claim for a workplace accident?
Call us on 0208 1111 911 or contact us through the website and we’ll discuss your circumstances with you. The first call usually takes about 15 minutes and in that time we can usually determine whether or not it’s realistic to pursue a claim for compensation.
