In this guide, we’ll explore what causes accidents at work and when you could be entitled to claim compensation.
You can only make an accident at work claim if you can prove that your injury was caused by your employer’s negligence. We’ll explore this further in this guide, as well as how a personal injury lawyer could help you with this.
Finally, we’ll look at the compensation you may be entitled to, providing that you make a successful workplace injury claim.
If you have any questions about the personal injury claims process or want to begin your personal injury claim, then you can speak to our advisors by using the contact information below:
- Call us by using the number on the banner above
- Fill out the contact us section of our website
- Use the live chat feature
What causes accidents at work?
What Causes Accidents At Work?
A variety of circumstances can cause accidents at work. However, in order for you to claim, it’s essential that it was caused by negligence. Negligence is where you’re owed a duty of care, this is breached, and you’re injured as a direct result of this breach.
This duty of care that employers have towards those who they employ is illustrated in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. It details that they need to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of their employees.
For example, your employer should provide you with the training and protective equipment that you need to safely carry out your role. They should also maintain good housekeeping and ensure that equipment and machinery is in good working order.
If you’d like to make a claim, chat with one of our advisors by using the contact information above. They can tell you if your case is valid and give some insight into what causes accidents at work.
When Are You Eligible To Claim For An Accident At The Workplace?
Below are some examples of how an accident at work could occur as a result of negligence.
- You could be involved in a slip, trip or fall because your employer did not mark a wet floor with the correct signage
- Your employer fails to train you on how to use a piece of machinery in a factory. This means you operate it incorrectly and sustain an arm injury as a result.
- You are not given the helmet that you need to work on a construction site on which there is scaffolding. Because of this, an object falls from a height and causes a head injury.
Speak with our team for free legal advice about claiming.
Evidence That Could Help You Make An Accident At Work Claim
This section clarifies the types of evidence that could help when making an accident at work claim.
Firstly it’s important to get the required medical attention that you need. This is to determine the exact nature of your injury and provide you with any treatment or medication that you need. As well as this, you could ask for copies of any medical reports produced. This could help to demonstrate the way that you’ve been affected by the injuries you sustained.
Below are some different types of evidence that may be helpful when making an accident at work claim:
- CCTV footage of the accident
- Photographs of your injury and the accident site
- Contact details of potential witnesses who will be able to provide statements
- A copy of the accident book. Reporting an injury at work is important. Some injuries and incidents need to be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
You would only be able to claim successfully if you have sufficient evidence to prove that your accident and injuries were caused by employer negligence. A solicitor from our panel to help you collect any necessary evidence if you choose to work with one.
What Compensation Could You Recieve From A Work Injury Claim?
General damages is one of the heads of claim that can make up accident at work compensation. It compensates for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity that injuries cause. These figures are taken from the Judicial College Guidelines, which lawyers use to help them value claims.
Compensation Brackets
| Injury | Severity | Compensation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brain Damage | Moderate (ii) | £90,720 to £150,110 | Moderate to modest impact on intellect. Some risk of epilepsy. |
| Hand Injuries | Serious | £29,000 to £61,910 | Reduction of hand capacity to about half. |
| Loss of Sight | Total, in one eye | £49,270 to £54,830 | The award accounts for the risk of sympathetic opthalmia. |
| Shoulder | Severe | £19,200 to £48,030 | Associated with neck injuries and brachial plexus damage. |
| Knee Injuries | Moderate (i) | £14,840 to £26,190 | Dislocation, tear to cartilage. |
| Arm Injuires | Simple | £6,610 to £19,200 | Simple forearm fractures. |
| Neck Injury | Moderate (iii) | £7,890 to £13,740 | Acceleration or exacerbation of an existing condition over less than 5 years. |
| Pelvis and Hip Injuries | Lesser (i) | £3,950 to £12,590 | No disability despite initial injury being significant. |
| Finger Injuries | Amputation | £8,640 to £12,240 | Loss of little finger. |
| Wrist Injuries | Uncomplicated | In the region of £7,430 | Colles' fracture. |
Special damages are another head of claim that could make up your overall compensation amount. These aim to reimburse you for any financial losses you have experienced due to your injury. Some examples of the payments that could be included in special damages are:
- Loss of earnings if you can’t work because of your injury
- Cost of care
- The cost of adjustments to your home
- Medicine you’ve paid for
You’ll have to provide evidence to receive special damages; this can come from invoices, receipts, or bank statements.
Call our team today to find out what causes of accidents at work could form the basis of a valid claim.
Use Our Panel Of Accident At Work Solicitors On A No Win No Fee Basis
A No Win No Fee lawyer could work with you on your claim. They could offer you a Conditional Fee Agreement which is a kind of No Win No Fee agreement.
Under this kind of agreement, you generally:
- Won’t pay your lawyer upfront or as the claim moves forward
- Don’t owe your lawyer any money if your claim isn’t a success
If you are awarded compensation, a legally-capped percentage of your settlement will be deducted from your compensation award. This is called a “success fee”.
You can contact us for free to get a consultation in regard to your personal injury claim if you have questions about what causes accidents at work. Providing you have a valid claim, you could be passed on to one of the experienced solicitors from our panel.
Learn More About How To Claim For An Accident At Work
We hope that this guide about what causes accidents at work has helped. You can follow the below links to more guides we’ve produced:
Additionally, you can follow these guides for external links:
Writer Louis Peach
Publisher Fern Summers
