Accidents at work account for a considerable number of the accidents dealt with by solicitors on a year to year basis and if you have had an accident at work, you may be wondering whether you can claim.
What is an accident at work?
If you are injured at your place of work that would be classed as an accident at work.If you are contracted off site, perhaps as a construction worker, you will still be classed as having had an accident at work but your right to claim could lie against your employer, the site contractors, other contractors or a combination. Your place of work can also include a car or van if driving is part of your job, so the vehicle needs to be safe for the road. Accidents in offices are also classed as accidents at work.
Your employer has a duty to protect your health and safety whilst you are at work. Various regulations cover how an employer should protect you, both by providing safe systems of work and equipment. The duty extends to ensuring that your co workers are competent and if you are injured because of the actions of one of your colleagues, your employer may have to take ultimate responsibility.
What are the common types of accidents at work?
Factories and construction sites account for a number of work related accidents, including those involving machinery and slippery floors. Moving machinery parts have to be guarded and the machinery regularly maintained. Factory floors have to be kept as clean as possible and free of obstructions. Appropriate safety clothing should be provided if the nature of the job demands it. Factory accidents can include collisions with fork lift or pallet trucks and falling machinery.
Construction sites are hazardous places to work. Working at height is an obvious one, but working around heavy dangerous machinery accounts for accidents as do tripping over obstacles left on site.
Whilst construction and factory accidents are very common, office accidents also account for many injuries at work. Workers have been injured tripping over cables, falling over files and boxes and have suffered back problems because of poorly designed workstations. Inappropriate lifting is another common cause.
What are employers’ responsibilities?
All working environments are subject to health and safety law and there are numerous regulations in place meant to safeguard your safety. Employers have responsibilities to ensure that the workplace is safe from obstructions and obvious tripping hazards, that staff is trained to lift if that is part of their job description and that they are trained to use machinery that is well maintained. Some responsibilities are very stringent and if the employer fails to comply then a claim will lie against them for compensation.
If you have been involved in an accident, you should ensure that it is put in the accident book and that you seek appropriate medical advice.
Accidentclaims.net retain a panel of expert solicitors who will take on your claim on a no win no fee basis if they consider that the claim has merit. Your employer should have insurance to cover him as this is a legal requirement.
If you have suffered an accident at work in the last three years then contact Accidentclaims.net for advice.