Work Accident Claims

It is estimated that over one million people each year suffer an injury in the workplace, the vast majority of which are avoidable.

Every employer in the UK has a responsibility to protects its employees and ensure they are kept up to date on the issues that may affect them. If your employer has failed in either of these fundamental duties and you have suffered an injury as a result, then you could be entitled to compensation.

I've just suffered an injury at work, what should I do first?

Report it immediately. It is essential that any accident suffered at work is logged and that your superiors are notified immediately. Your employer must also report any serious work-related accidents to the Incident Contact Centre of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). These include:

• Broken bones
• Poisoning
• Disease
• Death
• Any other injury that stops you working for more than three days

What are my employer's responsibilities when it comes to safety at work?

Your employer is responsible for the well-being of all members of staff. They are required by law to carry out a risk assessment and to perform any amendments deemed necessary in order to ensure the health and safety of its employees and any visitors. If you think your employer has failed to meet this requirement, and you have suffered an injury as a direct result, then you might have grounds for a compensation claim.

Your employer is also required by law to be covered for any claim, and must display the certificate in a visible place within the work area.

I've suffered an injury at work and think I'm eligible to make a claim, what now?

An accident at work is defined as "an external, sudden, unexpected and unintended event during the execution of work which causes damage to the health of or loss of the life of the employee".

If you have been injured at work and think you have a claim, you must ensure that:

• you claim within a maximum of three years
• you speak to a specialist personal injury lawyer - it is a complex area of law and it is essential you have all the information before proceeding

Other things to do if you have an accident in the workplace

These include:

• Make sure you have logged your accident your company's accident book
• Double-check your contract for the company's policy on accident pay
• Ensure that the problem that you perceived to have caused your accident is fixed. Remember, the purpose of an accident claim is to ensure that nobody else suffers in the future in the same way, not just as an easy way to make money!

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