An accident at work claim will be the result of any injury that you have suffered while at your place of employment. This type of accident at work claim compensation is legally known as a personal injury claim. As an employee you can make a formal accident at work claim for compensation if you feel that your employer should be accountable
An accident at work can be caused by a single thing or happen as a result of a combination of a variety of factors.
Examples of Accidents at Work
- Unsafe work premises – wet floor, uneven surface, dirty surface, damaged steps, raised tiles
- Unsuitable work equipment – faulty machinery, broken machinery, inappropriate tools
- Lack of proper training – how to use machinery correctly, how to carry heavy objects safely
- Unsafe work environment – lack of clean air, proper lighting, adequate workspace
The General Rules about Making a Personal Injury Claim or Accident At Work Claim
If you have had an accident at work and you want to claim for compensation, you must put in your claim within three years of the accident occurring.
All work injuries should be recorded by the employer in the employer\’s accident book. It is possible that each department has its own book or you may find that the Human Resources department records all accidents and injuries. This provides a clear record if any worker needs to take time off or if you want to make an accident at work claim for compensation.
Always check your employment contract to see what type of compensation, sick pay or accident pay you are entitled to. If you feel that this is not adequate enough, then you may wish to take the matter further.
How to Proceed With a Personal Injury Claim or Accident At Work Claim
The first thing you should do is to try and come to some sort of agreement with your employer. If you feel that your accident at work claim is not being taken seriously enough, then you need to take the following action:
Get In Touch With Your Trade Union Rep
If you are a member of a trade union, get in touch with your local representative. They will be able to provide you with legal advice and services for accident at work claim issues.
Not a Union Member?
If you do not belong to a trade union, you need to get in touch with a personal injury lawyer. This is a specialist solicitor experienced in dealing with accident at work claims and other workplace related disputes. You can find a list of accident at work claim specialists by looking on the internet, by phoning the Citizens Advice Bureau or by contacting the Law Society, who can provide you will a list of accredited companies and specialist lawyers in your area.
Who Pays For An Accident At Work Claim Compensation?
The Employer\’s Liability Insurance is an insurance policy that every legitimate company must have in place whenever they employ staff. Once it has been determined that you have a valid accident at work claim, it is the insurance company that is responsible for paying out any type of compensation and not the company owner.
Can You Get The Sack For Making A Claim?
It is against the law for a company to sack an employee because they have made an accident at work claim for compensation. If this happens, the employee has the right to sue their employers for unfair dismissal. This would be the case whether your compensation claim is awarded or not.
As an employee, you are entitled to work in a place that is safe, however if you are unlucky enough to suffer an accident that wasn\’t your fault, then you have a legitimate reason to make an accident at work claim for compensation .
