Accident at Work Claims in the UK

If you have been involved in an accident at work in the past three years then you may be entitled to claim compensation.

Your employer is under an obligation to ensure that you work in a safe, clean environment and they have to abide by various regulations regarding your safety and wellbeing.

These regulations make sure that your working area is safe, you are given the right equipment for the job and that your colleagues don't do anything that may endanger you – your employer is equally liable for injuries you may sustain as a result of a colleagues negligent actions. This is known as ‘vicarious liability' and means you don't have to bring a claim against your colleague but against your employer direct.

The accident may have been caused by or due to:

•     Defective or broken equipment/tools/materials - this can be anything from a broken machine to a collapsing chair
•     Excessive or repetitive lifting; it does not need to be a heavy object
•     Excessive or repetitive actions causing a sprain, tear or ache
•     Unsafe system of work causing an injury unsafe working environment such as a slippy floor or falling boxes The negligent actions of an employee.

If you have suffered injury as a result of an accident at work then you may be entitled to compensation for:

•     Your injuries
•     Your lost income, both past and future
•     Damage to your property, clothing etc.
•     Other losses you may suffer as a result of the accident such as treatment cost, prescription charges etc.

What to do if you have an accident at work.

If you do have an accident make sure that it is entered into the accident book as soon as possible and get the details of any witnesses and ask them to give you a statement straight away, it does not have to be a precise legal document just make sure that they set how the accident happened, where they were when the accident happened (a small sketch plan may be of help) and get them to sign and date it.

If your accident was as a result of a faulty piece of equipment ask that it be put in a sealed bag, if possible, that you can sign to make sure that it is not ‘repaired' before it can be fully examined.

Get in touch with a solicitor straight away; the longer you wait before starting your claim the harder it will be to trace witnesses, examine equipment etc.

Don't worry about bringing a claim against your employers; they have insurance for such events and you shouldn't be sacked for bringing a claim for a breach of health and safety, if you are you can look to bring a claim through the employment tribunal for unfair dismissal.