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Claiming for an accident at work
08 Jan 2021
If you’ve had an accident at work, you may be curious as to whether you can make a compensation claim. This article should help to clear up whether you can make a claim after an accident at work. If you are in any doubt about whether you can claim, don’t hesitate to get in touch and we will happily discuss your case with you.
It is crucial to remember that if the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, such as an employer or a colleague, then you may be entitled to receive compensation. So long as the accident was caused by another person’s negligence, you are likely to be able to make a compensation claim. Understanding who is at fault for an accident is the most important aspect in determining whether you can make an accident at work claim or not.
Employer Responsibility
Your employer has an obligation to protect your health and safety at work. Therefore, if your employer has failed to fulfil this obligation in any way and this negligence has resulted in you becoming injured, then it is very likely that you would be able to claim compensation in response. For example:
- Your employer should provide personal protective equipment where necessary – such as hardhats if you work on a construction site
- You should be given proper training to safely complete your job role
- You should not be forced to complete tasks that you cannot do/handle – such as lifting objects that you cannot cary safely
All employees should have the training that is needed for them to safely carry out their job role safely, whether that is knowledge about how to safely complete manual handling tasks or how to operate machinery.
Health and Safety Regulations
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has specific regulations for every industry and type of hazard that could be encountered in the workplace. For example:
- There are regulations which outline how to work with hazardous chemicals
- There regulations for working on a construction site
- There are regulations which outline how to use ladders
- There are regulations which outline how to drive a forklift truck
- There are regulations which discuss cleaning floors
In some circumstances, you may still be able to make a compensation claim even if you are somewhat to blame for your accident. As long as there is enough evidence to highlight that your employer, or another employee, is partly to blame for the accident happening, you may be able to claim compensation in response.
The most important part in ensuring that a claim is successful is the ability to attribute blame for the incident to the other party. Therefore, as long as there is enough evidence to highlight that the accident was not your fault, you have a valid claim and should not fear making a personal injury claim case if you wish.
Making Personal Injury Claims
If you have been injured in a workplace accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. First Personal Injury solicitors are available to assist you and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.
First Personal Injury work with both families and individuals across England and Wales, leading them on their legal journey and helping them claim compensation after an accident or injury. Contact our specialist team to begin the claims process, either by phone on 0800 808 9740 or through our online form.