How You Can Properly Claim for a Workplace Accident: Your Essential Guide
- Written by News Co
We all want to be as safe as we possibly can when we go to work, and this is why it's a necessity for our employers to make sure that our workplaces are safe and secure. But sometimes, workplace accidents are unavoidable, no matter how many precautions we take, and when we are injured in the workplace and believe that we deserve just compensation, what is our best option? What can you expect when you make a claim for a workplace accident? Here's how you can properly claim compensation for an accident in your workplace: your essential guide.
Are you eligible?
The first question you should consider when thinking about a workplace accident claim is whether or not you are eligible. There are various factors which can affect your eligibility when it comes to a claim for compensation, and one of these is whether or not your employer fulfilled their obligations to provide you with a safe and secure workplace. Business owners and employers in the UK are actually required under the law to take care of the safety and welfare of staff and whoever visits their premises and businesses need to have insurance as well. Employers Liability Insurance is a requirement that all businesses must comply with, and in addition, they need to follow regulations in regards to Health & Safety. If you feel that your employer’s actions – or lack thereof – resulted in your accident and injury, then you may be fully eligible for a claim.
Examples of common causes of injuries in the workplace
One common accident which can occur in the workplace is a slip or fall, particularly falls from a height or a slip or trip due to wet flooring or objects cluttering walkways and pathways. You can also become injured due to dangerous procedures or practices at work, and injuries are caused by the use of dangerous equipment or machinery as well. Exposure to toxic or harmful substances or a noxious workplace environment can also cause injury, as does falling objects, the negligence of other workers, and faulty handling or lifting practices because of improper training. If your workplace doesn’t follow regulations when it comes to Health & Safety, this can result in an accident, too.
Your compensation: what to expect
The amount of compensation for accidents in the workplace can vary due to a number of factors. One factor would be how serious your injury is, and another factor would be how much time you need to recover. Your compensation can also depend on who else is affected by your injury, like family members (particularly if you are the breadwinner).
You should be able to get a better idea of how much you can claim by speaking with a personal injury solicitor, especially one who is adept at how personal injury cases work and who has experience with accident at work claims. The accident at work claim Gloucester solicitors from Shires Law, for example, have years of experience with these kinds of claims, and they can give you advice on what you can do to have a successful claim.
Remember, though, that you have a limit of three years for filing your claim, so make sure you initiate your claim proceedings before this limit, or you may be time-barred.