What Is A Workplace Injury?

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A workplace injury can be defined as any kind of personal injury that is caused to a worker, agency worker or even visitor, at the workplace.

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What Are The Causes Of An Injury At Work?

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An injury can happen due to any of the following reasons:

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• Falling from stairs or ladders
• Slips or falls due to slippery surfaces
• Choking due to continuous inhalation of harmful chemicals in the workplace
• Failures in safety harnesses that are being used by workers
• Unintentional burns or electrocutions in the workplace

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This is a non exhaustive list and there are many other ways in which injuries can occur, however these are the most common workplace injuries. All the above accidents require immediate medical assistance, and the injured person should be taken to a nearby hospital as soon as possible, for medical attention.

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Types Of Workplace Accidents

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Crush Injuries

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A crush injury is caused when an object is dropped, has fallen or been thrown from height. These objects fall on the worker and cause damage to their head or body such as multiple fractures.

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Burns And Chemical Burns

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Burns are common in the workplace, especially among those who work with harmful chemicals. Burns are very painful and require immediate treatment to avoid further complications, such as infections.

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Electrocutions

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Electrocution is another type of personal injury that can occur in the workplace. This happens when workers come in contact with live wires and receive an electric shock. When electricity passes through the body, it causes damage to tissues and may even cause death.

Injuries Related To Machinery

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Injuries related to machinery can occur when workers are operating machinery or transporting heavy objects, on a truck or lorry. This happens when the vehicle moves in an unusual way or moves at a high speed, causing damage to workers.

Some of the most common accidents at work can lead to the following:

• Loss of consciousness
• Breathing problems
• Severe bleeding from the body
• Broken bones or fractures
• Minor Injuries such as cuts, bruises, scrapes and sprains
• Serious brain injury
• Head Injury
• Severe Injury
• Death, in some unfortunate cases

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What Is My Employer Responsible For?

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As per the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, every employer is required to keep his employees away from all kinds of hazards, by making sure they work "under normal and safe conditions".

A Health and safety executive or HSE inspector should visit the premises for inspection, to check both the workplace and employer, are following safety rules and guidelines. The employer is required to provide all necessary facilities and information needed by the inspector, to help keep their employees safe and avoid personal injury.

There are many other responsibilities that an employer has in order to ensure workplace safety including;

• Making sure that the correct safety equipment is provided for all workers (PPE)
• Educating all employees regarding dangers of working in hazardous conditions
• Displaying warning signs where there are chances of workplace accidents
• Complete daily, weekly and or monthly Risk Assessments
• Allow employees access to the company accident book
• Ensure the correct safety regulations are in place

Employers have a legal duty to take responsibility for their employees, by ensuring they work in safe environments and if an accident occurs, then the employer should report it immediately to HSE.

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Who Pays My Accident At Work Compensation?

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In the event that your employer fails to keep you safe in the workplace, you are entitled to start an accident at work compensation claim.

Your employer is legally required to hold Employer's Liability Insurance. This covers any employees who are injured in the course of their employment and helps your employer pay the claim to you, for your injuries.

However, if your employer does not have Employer's Liability Insurance, then it may be necessary to make a personal injury claim against another party, such as an engineer or designer, who was responsible for ensuring that the equipment was safe.

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How Much Compensation Am I Entitled To?

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Accident at work compensation is calculated based on factors such as the severity of your injuries, the time you are likely to be off work for, and any other financial losses you have suffered because of your accident at work.

Many people who suffer workplace accidents may not realise their rights or that they're entitled to compensation for workplace accidents. To ensure you receive maximum compensation, it's best to seek legal advice from a qualified solicitor with experience in this particular field.

At Nevis Beck, we offer a free initial consultation to discuss your workplace injury claim. We work on a no win no fee basis meaning the financial risk of pursuing a compensation settlement is dramatically reduced. This is because you only pay legal fees if compensation is awarded. If your case is unsuccessful, you don't pay anything.

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What Information Do You Need To Start A Successful Claim?

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In order to pursue a workplace accident claim, you will need to seek help and guidance from a personal injury solicitor.

They may ask for any evidence you have collected relating to your injury, such as medical reports, any pictures you have taken from the location of where the accident occurred eg; Office, Canteen or Warehouse etc.

You may be required to have a medical assessment. This will help identify if you require further treatment such as surgery or physiotherapy, and is also a hard piece of evidence that can be used in court proceedings.

To discuss claiming compensation for an accident at work, call Nevis Beck today or complete our online claims form, and one of our personal injury claim management team will get back in touch.