Work Accident Claims

While you are at work, your employer is under a duty to make sure that you are kept safe.

This means that you must be properly trained to do your job and about safety issues and that there must be procedures in place to protect you.

If you are injured at work as a result of your Employer failing to keep you safe, then you may be able to make a claim for compensation.

In 2010/2011 over 200,000 workplace injuries were reported to the HSE .

Work Accident Claims and these injuries occurred for lots of different reasons. Some of these are listed here. But if you are concerned about any injury you have received while you are working then please contact us and we will advise you further.

Slips / trips

Most injuries at work are caused due to a slip, trip or fall. Hazards which can cause this type of accident can be:

• Uneven flooring
• Torn carpets
• Spillages or leaks which haven’t been cleaned up
• Obstacles or obstructions on designated paths or routes

If you have been hurt as a result of a slip or trip at work – you may be able to make a claim for compensation against your employer.

Workplace equipment

By Law, your employer is required to provide you with safe equipment and machinery to do your job. The equipment must be maintained properly and you must be trained to use it. If you have been injured and you think that the machinery or equipment you were using was faulty or not correct for the job then you may have a claim for compensation.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Personal protective equipment is anything which is used to protect you from other risks – for example;

• safety footwear
• goggles
• ear defenders
• high visibility clothing

Your employers are obliged to provide you with this type of equipment where it is needed.

If you have been hurt as a result of an accident where you think the PPE you were provided with was not sufficient or in poor repair then you may have a claim against your employer

Manual handling

Manual handling is:

• Lifting
• lowering
• carrying
• pushing
• or pulling loads or objects

If you do this in the wrong way or many times, it is possible to hurt your back or suffer other musculoskeletal disorders. If manual handling forms a part of your job – anything from stacking shelves to pushing heavy loads and you have not been trained how to do this correctly and you are then hurt. You may be able to make a claim against your employer.

Working Environment

• Poor housekeeping can lead to dirty and untidy workplaces. This can cause hazards such as spillages which can be slipped on, obstructions to safe areas and dangerous objects being left lying around. Your employer should have systems in place to ensure housekeeping is kept up to date.
• Poor lighting can make it difficult to see hazards and dangerous areas or objects.
•  Poor temperature control can make it difficult to perform your job properly and lead to injuries while lifting things or trying to carry out a task. Failure to deal with icy or windy outdoor conditions can also lead to injuries.
• A noisy environment can make it difficult to hear what is going on around you so that you are unaware of any safety issues or instructions being given. Ultimately, over a period of time it can also damage your hearing.

If you think any of these factors may have contributed towards an injury you received at work then you may have a claim against your employer.

Vehicles and Transport

Wherever there are vehicles and pedestrians in the same working area there is the potential for accidents. Your employer should make sure that there are proper systems in place to keep people safe from vehicles.

Falls from height

Any work which is done at height is potentially very dangerous. You should be provided with the correct working methods, training and equipment to allow you to do this safely. If you have had a fall or other height related accident and been injured as a result – you may be able to make a claim against your employer.

Negligent Co-workers

An Employer has a responsibility to ensure that each and every person is fit for the job they have been employed to do.
If the actions (or lack of action) of another employee cause you to be injured then it is possible that you may be able to make a claim against your employer.

You could also be injured as a result of accidents at work which involve:

• Electricity
• Chemicals and Harmful substances
• Fire

We are happy to answer your questions about Work Accident Claims and any other personal injury queries, so please call us on 0800 145 64 66 or email us at info@dowsolicitors.co.uk and we will aim to reply to you within one hour.