Accidents at Work – Everything You Need To Know
If you have been injured in an accident at work, you’re not alone – on average, 41,000 employees suffer non-fatal injuries at work every year in Scotland. It can take a toll on your health and prevent you from working until you recover from your injuries. That means you will be losing out on wages, and you might be spending money you didn’t expect to on hospital visits and rehabilitation costs. If the accident wasn’t your fault, you are entitled to make a claim against the negligent party. Don’t worry – it’s understandable to have lots of questions about accident at work personal injury claims. Our experienced team has put together the answers to your most frequently asked questions, so that you can start to get your life back on track.
Can I be sacked for making a claim?
If you have been injured in an accident at work and want to claim compensation for your pain and suffering, you will probably be worried about losing your job. This is a concern that most people in your situation will have, and thankfully – you don’t have to worry. Legally you can’t be sacked for making a workplace accident claim. Your employers have a duty of care towards their staff, and if they are negligent and you are suffering as a result, you are within your rights to seek legal advice.
As part of their duty of care, employers have a legal responsibility to
- Provide a safe working environment for you as an employee
- Provide you with adequate training for the job that you are employed to do
- Provide you with suitable equipment to protect you from harm in the workplace, like safety goggles, hard hats and gloves
If your employers are irresponsible in the provision of the above, and you are injured as a result, you have a right to claim for compensation. Accidents at work don’t necessarily result in immediate injury, either – you may find yourself suffering from a work-related illness or industrial disease that has developed over a longer period of time. If your workspace wasn’t safe, or you were exposed to hazardous chemicals because your employer didn’t provide you with the correct protective clothing, you may find yourself suffering further down the line.
My boss is a friend – will they lose money if I make a claim?
If you have a good relationship with your employer, you might be worried that they will lose out on a significant amount of money if you make a claim against them. However, this shouldn’t be an issue. Legally, your employer should have Employers’ Liability Insurance. This policy will cover the legal and compensation costs from employee claims. So no, you won’t have to worry about your boss being out of pocket because you are claiming compensation.
What can I claim for?
It’s worth knowing exactly what you can claim for after your workplace accident. You only get one chance to sort the financial side of a compensation claim, so make sure you don’t miss anything out. Every accident is different, and what you can claim for is all dependent on the circumstances of your unique situation.
Pain and Suffering
It’s possible to seek financial compensation for the pain you have experienced from being involved in the accident. The amount you could receive all depends on the type of injury and how long your recovery has been.
Loss of Earnings
If you find yourself missing out on work because of your accident, you can claim for loss of wages for the time that you have been away.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Out-of-pocket expenses are those costs that you incur as a result of your accident that you wouldn’t have had to pay otherwise. These expenses can include things like travel expenses to and from the hospital for appointments and reimbursement for hospital parking.
Medical or Rehabilitation Costs
Depending on the type of injury you have suffered, you might find yourself out of pocket because of medical costs, physiotherapy or counselling for mental suffering. These are costs that you wouldn’t have had to pay for if you weren’t involved in an accident, and you can be reimbursed as part of your compensation claim.
How much does it cost to claim?
If you find yourself losing out on wages because of your accident, it’s only natural to think about the cost of making a claim against your employer. Thankfully, you don’t have to worry – at Watermans, we work on a no win no fee basis. That means that you won’t be facing a financial risk by making a claim. So, if we don’t succeed in winning your case, you don’t have to pay anything. We won’t charge you any solicitors fees upfront, either – you will only have to pay once your case is finalised.
Will I need to go to court?
Most personal injury cases don’t make it as far as court. It all depends on the complexities of the case, but don’t worry. If your case does require you to go to court, our team is there to guide you every step of the way.
How do I claim?
To get started with your workplace accident claim, get in touch with our team today. We are committed to providing straightforward legal advice, so that you know where you stand at every step of the process. We take the hassle out of the legal stuff, so that you can concentrate on your recovery. To speak to one of our experienced personal injury solicitors, call us on 0131 555 7055, or contact us using the form below.