Accidents
Accidents at Work
If you suffer an injury at work, that is not your fault, you may be able to claim damages.
As with vehicles, employers are required to have compulsory insurance to cover claims made by employees and other visitors to the employers’ premises.
Common accidents at work include:
- slip and trips on dangerous or slippery surfaces, dangerous stairs or debris.
- injuries following lifting or manual handling.
- injuries involving dangerous or defective plant or machinery.
- injuries involving attacks by fellow employees, patients or customers.
- injuries on construction sites (see below).
- injuries caused by inadequate safety procedures or lack of safety clothing or apparatus.
- injuries caused by careless fellow workers.
- injuries caused by inadequate ventilation.
- injury caused by excessive noise.
- injuries caused by inadequate training/risk assessment.
- injuries caused by an unsafe system of work.
- injuries caused by forklift trucks.
- injuries caused by the use of ladders/scaffolding.
- injury caused by stress.
Employers are under duties to provide:
- safe plant, equipment and machinery.
- safe and properly trained co-workers.
- safe working environment.
- proper and thorough training for employees and carry out appropriate risk assessments both with regard to the risk of physical injury and ill health caused by stress.
- compliance with Health & Safety Legislation.
To be liable, the accident at work must have been through some fault of the employer or indeed another employee for whom the employer is responsible.
If you lose your job as a result of claiming compensation for a work related accident, or raising health and safety issues with your employer, you may also be able to claim via an Employment Tribunal. In these circumstances, please go to www.got-the-boot.com who can advise you of your employment rights.
Injuries on Construction Sites
Although there are many firms who have excellent working practices and a genuine commitment to ensure the safe environment and welfare of their employees, there are many smaller building firms and self-employed contractors who have less regard for the safety of themselves and those around them.
The main Regulations relating to construction sites are the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996, but a negligent contractor may also be liable under common law and/or the Occupiers Liability Acts of 1957/1984 if he has sufficient control over the premises or land, even though he may not be the actual owner.
If you have suffered an injury at work on a construction site, whether as a visitor, self-employed contractor or an employee, you may be able to claim.
