As with any personal injury claim, the stresses that can come with the aftermath of an accident at work can be highly overwhelming. In addition to the issues brought by your injuries, including potential financial struggles, many people will be concerned about how their employer will handle the situation.
In our latest article, the Langley Wellington personal injury team has answered some frequently asked questions about what you should do if you have an accident at work.
Can I claim compensation for a workplace accident?
Making a personal injury claim for an accident at work is possible, even if your employer was only partly to blame.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, your employer has a duty of care to keep all employees safe. If your employer has failed to protect you as an employee, you have a right to seek compensation.
Furthermore, your employer should not discriminate against you for making such a claim. Employers will not directly be affected by any financial compensation that you claim and subsequently receive as a result of having workplace insurance, which should cover them for any accident that occurs at the workplace.
Can I be fired if I have an accident at work?
As mentioned above, your employer cannot discriminate against you or dismiss you as a result of your accident at work if you were not at fault. If you have been dismissed as a result of an accident at work that was not your fault, you may be able to take (further) legal action against your employer for unfair dismissal.
However, if you have an accident at work that was your fault, it is possible for your employer to dismiss you on the grounds of negligence.
If you are uncertain about who is to blame for your accident at work or know you are partly to blame but want clarity on your rights, please speak to an experienced personal injury solicitor.
What should I do if I have an accident at work?
In the case that you have sustained an injury as a result of your accident at work, you should always seek the appropriate medical advice.
Reporting your accident at work to your employer promptly is essential. With this, they should immediately commence with official reporting procedures. This typically includes logging the event in an accident register.
Furthermore, taking photographic/videographic evidence of the accident is advisable. Although it may not be your immediate priority, having evidence of any unsafe conditions that contributed to the accident can be highly valuable when making a compensation claim. It would help if you also photographed your injuries where visible.
Accident at Work Solicitor
If you are seeking to claim compensation, speaking to a specialist injury at work lawyer is vital. To speak to Langley Wellington’s experienced personal injury solicitor about your accident at work today, please call 01452 521 286 (Gloucester) or 01242 269 998 (Cheltenham) or email lawyers@langleywellington.co.uk. Alternatively, feel free to fill in this contact form.
This blog post is not intended to be taken as advice or acted upon. If you are seeking legal advice, please get in touch with our team of solicitors.