If you’ve been injured by trailing lead hazards in the workplace, you might be wondering if you can make a compensation claim. Wires, leads, and cables are commonplace in the modern working environment, but when they aren’t handled correctly, they can become a health and safety hazard.
In this guide, we’ll discuss when you could be eligible to make an accident at work claim. We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions, like what is a trailing lead hazard, and how much compensation you could get for a successful claim.
Following this, we’ll discuss the benefits of working with a No Win No Fee solicitor on your case. It’s not mandatory to claim with the help of a legal professional, but we always recommend it. To find out how Legal Expert could help you maximise your compensation payout, keep reading or get in touch by:
- Calling us on 0800 073 8804
- Using the live chat feature
- Contacting us online
Browse Our Guide
- Can You Claim If Injured By Trailing Lead Hazards?
- What Is The Time Limit In An Accident At Work Claim?
- What Is A Trailing Lead Hazard Claim?
- How To Claim If Injured By Trailing Lead Hazards
- How Much Compensation From Slip and Fall Claims?
- Claim For Injuries Caused By Trailing Lead Hazards On A No Win No Fee Basis
- Read More About Accident At Work Claims
Can I Claim If Injured By Trailing Lead Hazards?
A trailing lead hazard occurs when cables or wires are left unmarked in walkways, creating a tripping risk. However, spotting a trailing lead or wire alone isn’t enough to make a personal injury claim; you need to be able to prove that negligence occurred.
In personal injury law, negligence happens when:
- Your employer owes you a duty of care
- They breach this duty
- You are injured as a result
Employers owe their employees a duty of care when they’re carrying out their work duties. This means they have a legal responsibility to keep you safe, as per the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA).
Part of this responsibility includes keeping walkways clear of obstructions like trailing lead hazards and cables. If your employer leaves a wire trailing over the floor, and you trip over this and suffer a broken leg, then you may be able to make a claim.
How Often Do Trip And Falls Happen At Work?
According to statistics published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Great Britain’s independent health and safety watchdog, trips and falls makeup 31% of all reported non-fatal injuries. This makes them the most common injury of their kind.
However, this is not always an accurate picture of what happens in the workplace. This is because the HSE takes their statistics from reports made under RIDDOR, or the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. Only the most serious injuries are reported under this legislation, so the actual number may be higher.
Keep reading to find out how a trailing lead could cause an injury, or get in touch with us for more information on claims for trip accidents.
What Is The Time Limit In An Accident At Work Claim?
When making a claim after trailing lead hazards have resulted in an injury, you need to ensure that the claim is made within the relevant limitation period. In the vast majority of cases, this will be 3 years from the accident date as set out in the Limitation Act 1980. However, it is important to note that certain exceptions to this can apply.
These are:
- Children: Persons under 18 cannot claim for themselves and therefore, the limitation period is counted from their 18th birthday. This gives them until they reach 21 to begin a claim.
- Those without sufficient mental capacity: Persons who lack the capacity to make a claim, whether due to their injuries or from a prior condition, will have the time limit frozen altogether. In cases where capacity is recovered, the time limit can be counted from the date of recovery.
In order to get the claims process underway sooner, a parent or guardian, or another suitable adult such as a solicitor, may be appointed as a litigation friend. A litigation friend has the authority to make decisions about the case, and will attend court in lieu of the injured person if there is a hearing.
To find out more about the time limits, whether any exceptions are relevant to your circumstances, or for a free assessment of your eligibility to claim compensation after trailing leads caused you injury, get in touch today via the details given below.
What Is A Trailing Lead Hazard Claim?
So, how could trailing lead hazards become personal injury claims? Some examples could include:
- A cable drum extension lead is left completely unwound and trailing through a walkway in an office, but there is no marking or rubber protector strip in place to cover it. An employee trips over this wire, and dislocates their shoulder when they fall.
- The lead of a vacuum cleaner is left trailing over the top of a staircase while a cleaner hoovers the hallway. There are no warning signs, and a worker trips over this cord and falls down the stairs, suffering a head injury.
- A desk fan is balanced on top of a filing cabinet and powered using an extension lead plug, with the wire stretched out over a walkway. The employer of the workplace failed to undertake a risk assessment before putting it up and did not identify the potential hazards or potential risks. Because of this, an employee walks into the cord, causing the fan to fall on them and break their nose.
As you can see, you need to suffer an injury in order to form the basis of a valid workplace accident claim. Contact our team today for more information.
How To Claim If Injured By Trailing Lead Hazards
There are many steps involved in claiming injuries caused by tripping hazards, but one of the most important is collecting evidence. The right kinds of evidence should be able to illustrate:
- Who is responsible for your injuries
- How severe your injuries are
- What caused them
- If you suffered any financial losses
For example, the kinds of evidence that you could collect by yourself include:
- Photographs of your injuries or the accident site, like a wall socket or equipment cable
- Medical records, x-rays, and scans
- The contact details of witnesses
- CCTV footage of the accident
- Accident book logs
One of the many benefits that come with claiming with the help of a solicitor is that they can help you collect this evidence. Contact us today to find out how one of our expert trailing leads hazard solicitors could help you.
How Much Compensation From Slip and Fall Claims?
Personal injury compensation is usually split into two heads. The first head of compensation is called general damages, and this covers the pain and suffering you go through because of your injuries.
Under this heading, you can also get compensation for loss of amenity. This means loss of enjoyment. For example, if you broke your leg when you tripped and fell, this may mean you can’t enjoy sports or dance classes.
Below, you can find a table with some guideline compensation figures. These amounts have been lifted from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This document is often used by professionals to help them value this head of accident at work compensation.
Please be aware that the first entry is not taken from the JCG, and that these numbers are not guaranteed.
| Injury | Compensation Bracket |
|---|---|
| Multiple Severe Injuries + Special Damages | Up to £500,000+ |
| Moderately Severe Brain Damage (b) | £267,340 to £344,150 |
| Moderate Brain Damage (c) (i) | £183,190 to £267,340 |
| Moderate Neck Injuries (b) (i) | £30,500 to £46,970 |
| Severe Back Injuries (a) (i) | £111,150 to £196,450 |
| Moderate Back Injuries (b) (i) | £33,880 to £47,320 |
| Severe Injuries To The Hips And Pelvis (a) (i) | £95,680 to £159,770 |
| Less Serious Leg Injuries (c) | £21,920 to £33,880 |
| Serious Shoulder Injuries (b) | £15,580 to £23,430 |
| Fractured Forearm (d) | £8,060 to £23,430 |
Can You Claim For Loss of Earnings As Part Of A Personal Injury Compensation Claim?
Yes, you can claim for loss of earnings and more under the second heading, known as special damages. Many people are unable to work after suffering an injury, and this time away can cause significant financial strain.
Under special damages you can claim back past, present, and future lost earnings, as well as the cost of:
- Childcare
- Travel
- Help with housekeeping
- Mobility aids
- Home adjustments
- Physiotherapy
- Prescriptions
However, you need to provide proof of your losses in order to claim them back. In light of this, we recommend keeping any relevant bills, receipts, or bank statements.
If you’d like to learn more about compensation payouts for injuries caused by a trailing leads hazard, get in touch with our helpful team today.
Claim For Injuries Caused By Trailing Lead Hazards On A No Win No Fee Basis
We understand that the accident at work claims process can be stressful, and you might not know where to start. Our team of legal professionals are specialists in accident at work law, and are here to help.
When you make a claim with a Legal Expert solicitor, they can help you:
- Collect evidence and support your accident at work claim
- Explain each step of the claims process and translate legal jargon
- Prepare your claim for court, if this is neccesary
- Communicate with the defendant, judge, and court
- Negotiate the settlement that you deserve
Our No Win No Fee solicitors work under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This is a type of contract that allows you to access all of the benefits listed above, without having to:
- Pay an upfront fee for their work
- Pay for their continued services
- Pay for their work at all if the claim fails
If you make a successful claim, then your No Win No Fee solicitor will take a small percentage of your trailing leads hazard compensation as their success fee.
Contact Us
Our friendly team are here to help. We hope that our guide has answered all of your questions, but if there’s more you’d like to know, contact us today. A member of our team can offer you a free consultation, and if your case is valid, may connect you with one of our specialist accident at work solicitors.
Get started today by:
- Calling us on 0800 073 8804
- Using the live chat feature
- Contacting us online
Read More About Accident At Work Claims
For more helpful accident at work guides:
- Learn how to make a complaint to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an accident at work
- Read our guide to find out if you could make a claim for a serious injury in the workplace
- Our article offers more information on claiming for a lifting injury at work
Or, if you’d like more resources:
- Get general health and safety guidance from the HSE
- Learn about Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
- Find out when to call 999 from the NHS
Thank you for reading our guide on trailing lead hazards.
