Workplace accidents can still occur regardless of whatever precautions your workplace may have in place, and these can also occur due to different situations and circumstances. Injuries resulting from workplace accidents can vary in their degree of severity, from a minor cut or laceration to amputation, broken bones, and even a fatality. If you have become involved in a workplace accident and have suffered an injury as a result, you may be wondering if you are eligible for a workplace accident claim. The following is your all-important guide on how to know if you can make a claim for a workplace accident.
The basic information you should know
In the United Kingdom, business owners and employers have a legal responsibility to ensure their staff and visitors’ safety and welfare in their premises, and under the law, all businesses are required to have insurance, aptly referred to as Employers Liability Insurance. The business must also follow various regulations on health and safety to ensure that they follow the guidelines. If you believe that your business employer did not meet their obligations and responsibilities, and this negligence has resulted in your injury, then you can claim workplace compensation. Upon the success of your claim, your compensation will come from your employer’s liability insurance.
In some instances, even if you were a contributor to your workplace accident, you may still claim compensation if your employer has been proven to be the prime instigator of your workplace injury.
Typical claims for workplace accidents
There are some typical claims for workplace accidents, such as slips, trips, or falls, dangerous procedures or practices in your workplace. Other causes include poorly-maintained or defective equipment, dangerous equipment or machinery, toxic substances or a harmful environment in the workplace, falling objects, the negligence of colleagues or co-workers, the workplace’s non-adherence to regulations on health and safety, and work assaults. Accidents might also be caused by improper or insufficient training, operating a crane or forklift incorrectly, faulty practices for manual handling or lifting due to lack of training, and injuries which occur over time, such as vibration white finger or hand-arm vibration syndrome.
The compensation you can claim for a workplace accident
The compensation you can claim for your workplace accident will depend on various factors, including the severity of your injury, whether you need time to heal and recover and for how long, and if there is anyone else who is affected by your injury, whether it’s a family member, a partner, and so on.
One of the best things you can do to determine how much compensation you can claim for your workplace accident is to consult a solicitor, such as the expert accident at work claim Gloucestershire solicitors from Shires Law. With a solicitor, you can get an assessment of your claim based on your injury, and the good news is, most of these solicitors will work on the basis of No Win, No Fee.
What else you should know
There is a time limit when it comes to filing your workplace accident claim; in the UK, it falls within three years. In other words, if you have not filed your claim within three years of your workplace injury, the case may be classified as time-barred, which means that you cannot be entitled to compensation. The deadline starts from when the accident happened or from the date when you realised that the injury you have is related to your workplace.