UK Work Injury Compensation
If you have sustained an injury at work, you may be wondering how to make a work injury compensation claim. If your injuries are the direct result of your work, you are very likely to qualify for work injury compensation, not only for the issues relating to your health, but also for any loss of earnings and potentially quite a few other qualifying expenses.
In the UK what should I do to claim my Work Injury Compensation?
The first thing you should do after you have sustained a work injury in the UK is to seek immediate medical attention. Your health always comes first and the hospital or emergency centre you attend will also make a record of your injuries, which is important when you decide to make a claim for work injury compensation. Thereafter, you should also visit your doctor to monitor your recovery process.
After tending to your immediate health needs, be sure to report the accident in your employer’s ‘accident report book’ as soon as possible. It should be easily available if you work for a mid-sized or large company and is a necessary step not only for reporting your work injury, but it will also help backup your work injury compensation claim.
I am considering making a compensation claim for a work injury in the UK. Do You Have any advice?
The first matter to consider before making a claim for work injury in the UK is to establish whether an injury has, in fact, been sustained. ‘Almost’ incidents do not count, even if a serious accident could have happened as a result of negligence on the part of your employer. If you have been injured at work, we suggest that you speak to a qualified solicitor about your particular situation. When you call the number on this page, you will be speaking to one of our expert solicitors who can make an initial assessment of your case – with no obligation from you to proceed with a claim if you do not want to.
If you think your employer is at fault for your injury, even if indirectly, you may want to consider making a claim for work injury compensation. Claims should be made within three years from the date in which the accident took place. It is strongly advisable that you have a lawyer represent you.
I am worried about making a work injury compensation claim. Should I be?
Many people hesitate in filing a work injury claim, as they believe that doing so is an act of punishment against their employer, with whom they would like to maintain a relationship.
But while work injury compensation can be a sensitive issue for most people, you should rest easily knowing that your employer is insured against potential liabilities – so claiming for a work injury that resulted from your employer’s lack of care is the reasonable thing to do. After all, it’s your health we’re talking about here, and the toll that a work injury can take on your quality of life is considerable. Therefore, it is only fair that you should seek the compensation that making a claim can provide. Receiving work injury compensation can substantially alleviate the financial burden of loss of earnings, and the costs of medical and/or psychological treatment you are undergoing.
Is it my responsibility to report work-related accidents? Or is it my employer’s?
Your employer has the obligation to report serious accidents and incidents. The law states that all serious work related accidents, alarming incidents, and diseases should be reported to the Incident Contact Centre of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
As for you, you will want to make sure to report your accident in the accident report book as early as possible. In fact, all injuries, regardless of severity, should be in recorded in it. Employers in the UK with more than 9 employees must have an accident book readily available for their employees.
This form of record keeping is also a helpful way to keep track of your injury in case you want to make a claim, or must take time off work. The accident report book also gives your employer the means to track accidents with the view of fine-tuning internal safety rules and preventing future accidents.
What are the rules around sick pay for taking time off work?
Generally, you would have access to statutory sick pay or an employer´s sick pay scheme when you are ill and need time to recuperate. When you have had an accident, though, the situation changes, requiring longer periods of rest, assistance with any costs of therapy, as well as any loss of wages during that time. While your employer may have a compensation scheme for injuries, you may still incur a lot more debt than expected, which can be a burden and give just cause for making a work injury claim in the UK.
Many different people are offering me advice. Who should I listen to?
It’s typical to be inundated with advice and suggestions – much of it contradictory – at this time, as many people are trying to help you in whichever way possible. But while people’s intention to assist you during this difficult time may be well meaning, much of the actual advice may not apply to your situation. For this you will need the assistance of a professional solicitor who is familiar with many types of UK work injury compensation, and can guide you along the process of proceeding with a claim. As it has been said, the best advice is an accurate and impartial one.
To clarify your questions about work injury claims in the UK, and direct you to the course of action that directly applies to your individual circumstances, we have set up a free advice service. If you believe that your work injury is the result of negligence on the part of your employer, you may find it very helpful to call our number. Your call will be answered by an experienced solicitor, who will speak to you confidentially, and without placing any obligation on you to make a claim. Our aim is to assist you in taking control of your circumstances; to do so, we point you to ways of seeking a fair settlement for your work injury in the UK, so you can focus on getting well.
