By Cat Way. Last updated 7th March 2024. Welcome to our guide on how accident at work solicitors could help you claim after suffering through no fault of your own.
Whether you’ve tripped over loose wiring at work and fallen, or been injured using machinery that have not received training on, or that has not been maintained properly, if you have suffered injuries because of someone else’s negligibility, then it may be prudent for you to look for an accident at work solicitor, who will be able to help you begin a claim for compensation.
Select a Section
- What Is a Work Accident Solicitor?
- I Did Not Receive Manual Handling Training At Work, Can I Claim Compensation?
- Reporting An Accident At Work
- How Long Do You Have To Claim For An Accident At Work?
- How Much Compensation Could I Receive For An Accident At Work?
- No Win No Fee Accident At Work Solicitors
- Helpful Links
What Is A Work Accident Solicitor?
A work accident solicitor is a legally trained person who has experience in pursuing work accident compensation claims. It takes years of training to become a solicitor. Those looking to pursue a career as a solicitor must train for 3 years or more if they have graduated with a law degree, and over 4 years if they have graduated without a law degree. Those who have not graduated from university will be expected to train for at least 6 years. Once this training has been completed, a trained solicitor will be expected to apply to be listed on the SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) register.
Once qualified, many solicitors choose to specialise in certain areas of the law. Personal injury law is complex and presents the opportunity for a worthwhile career for those seeking to do something good for others. As experience in this area of the law is gained after each case, the most experienced accident at work personal injury solicitors have a wide knowledge base to work from on a variety of different types of case.
Work accidents come within the spectrum of personal injury law, but have their own intricacies within them. Employer’s liability, health and safety law and personal injury combined can form part of a claim made against an employer and these claims can be complex. Therefore, choosing experienced work accident solicitors gives you the best chance of a positive outcome to your compensation claim.
I Did Not Receive Manual Handling Training At Work, Can I Claim Compensation?
Manual handling, by definition, is the activity of holding, lowering, lifting, moving, carrying, pulling or pushing an object. If you have not been correctly trained in manual handling at work, you should not be performing this type of activity. In fact, the law requires all employers expected to carry out these tasks to complete manual lifting and handling training.
If you have been injured as a result of not receiving manual handling training, it is possible for you to submit a claim for compensation. Even if you have received training, there are regulations in place to ensure than as much as possible is done to prevent manual handling accidents. For example, carrying items should not been done over long distances, you should not be required to put in strenuous effort, and you should not be required to move unstable, difficult to hold or unpredictable loads. Wherever possible, proper equipment should be provided in order for you to carry out manual handling tasks safely. If your employer has not followed these regulations, then you may have a claim.
In order for you to determine whether or not your employer is at fault for any manual handling accident, why not call our team. Our experienced staff are adept at finding out all the relevant facts in order to advise you on the best course of action for your specific circumstances.
Reporting An Accident At Work
If you have experienced an accident at work, it is important to ensure that is reported correctly. Your employer must, by government regulations, provide workers with the training, equipment and personnel to ensure that if they are injured or fall ill at work, they receive immediate attention. The vast majority of businesses have at least one member of staff trained in first aid who should help you if, as a result of an accident at work, are in need of medical attention. This first aider is also responsible for writing in your workplace’s accident book, with details of your injuries as well as a description of the events as they unfolded. Legally, your employer must report any absence of work over 10 days as a result of a workplace accident or a work-related illness to the HSE.
How Long Do You Have To Claim For An Accident At Work?
Usually, there is a limit of 3 years from the date of an accident to submit a compensation claim after a workplace accident in the UK. However, if you discover the injury was caused by your accident after this time, there may still be the possibility of taking action.
Either way, it is important to act quickly if you feel you may have a claim. Whilst we will never push you into taking action against your employer, we would not like for your claim not to be heard because it was not acted upon within the relevant time limit.
How Much Compensation Could I Receive For An Accident At Work?
Accident at work compensation can be split into two heads: general damages and special damages. General damages are awarded to all successful claimants and provide compensation for your injuries, both physical and mental, and the way they affect your life going forwards.
Often, when accident at work solicitors and other legal professionals value this head of claim, they’ll refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). The JCG offers guideline compensation brackets for injuries of different severities. You can find some examples of the amounts listed in the 16th edition of the JCG in the table below.
Injury Type | Compensation Bracket | Notes |
---|---|---|
Moderately Severe Brain Damage (b) | £219,070 to £282,010 | A very substantial dependence on others due to severe disablement. |
Less Severe Brain Damage (d) | £15,320 to £43,060 | A good recovery occurs, and the claimant is able to go back to a normal working and social life. |
Chest Injuries (c) | £31,310 to £54,830 | Some damage to the chest and lungs. |
Moderate Neck Injuries (b) | £24,990 to £38,490 | Fractures and dislocations that cause immediate symptoms and may require spinal fusion. |
Moderate Knee Injuries (b) (i) | £14,840 to £26,190 | Dislocation, torn meniscus, wasting, and weakness are all considered in this bracket. |
Hernia (a) | £14,900 to £24,170 | Even after repair there is continuing pain and physical activity is limited. |
Fracture of Index Finger | £9,110 to £12,240 | Grip remains impaired despite the fracture mending quickly. |
Moderate Shoulder Injuries (c) | £7,890 to £12,770 | Limited movement caused by frozen shoulder, with symptoms lasting around two years. |
Minor Back Injuries (c) (i) | £7,890 to £12,510 | Without surgery, a full recovery will take place within two to five years. |
Fracture of Clavicle (e) | £5,150 to £12,240 | Consideration given to the severity of the fracture and ongoing symptoms. |
The second head of claim, special damages, covers the financial losses you have suffered due to your injury. Under this heading, you could potentially claim back expenses such as lost earnings, essential travel expenses, and the cost of prescriptions.
In order to claim under this heading, you have to be able to provide proof of your losses, for example, with bank statements and invoices. A workplace injury solicitor could help you gather evidence to support a claim for special damages. To learn more, contact our team.
No Win No Fee Accident At Work Solicitors
You may have seen the words No Win No Fee injury at work claim solicitors, but not fully understood what this means. When it comes to making a compensation claim for injuries sustained during an accident at work, we do not believe that you should be hindered by your financial situation. We believe it is the right of anyone who has been injured in an accident that is not your fault seek compensation, and that your bank balance should not put your claim on hold.
This is why we work on a No Win No Fee basis. One of our professionals will assess your case at your no obligation consultation, and see if we believe it to be one that has a good chance of a successful outcome. Once this has been determined, we will either explain why we believe your case would not result in compensation being awarded or explain our No Win No Fee agreement. This, in basic terms, means you will not be required to fund your legal fees out of your own pocket should your case not be successful. Whilst some solicitors charge by the hour whether your claim is successful or not, you will not be left out of pocket should your claim be unsuccessful if you use our No Win No Fee service.
To find out more about our No Win No Fee accident at work lawyers and the process, simply call us and we will be happy to clear up any query you might have.
Contact Our Team
If you would like to know anything more at all about the claims process, or about how it works when you make a claim against your employer, simply call us on 0800 073 8804.
Our advisors will always take the time to answer any questions you might have, and we are happy to provide free, no-obligation advice to people who have suffered injuries as a result of an accident that was not their fault. No matter how big or small the question, we will strive to provide the answer, and if you feel ready to make a claim, we will be ready, willing and able to take your case from assessment to compensation, allowing you to receive the compensation award you deserve.
Helpful Links
Government website on benefits compensation injuries at work
This is Government guide for businesses, to let them know how to handle compensation payments to employees when it comes to tax and national insurance.
LegalExpert.co.uk on accident at work compensation claim amounts
This link takes you to our guide for compensation amounts for accident at work claims. You may find this of interest if you are looking at making a claim.
LegalExpert.co.uk on slip trip or fall claims at work
With slips, trips and falls being some of the most common workplace injuries, we have put together a guide on claiming compensation for this type of accident.
Other Helpful Compensation Guides
- Read our guide to find out whether or not Agency Workers Can Claim For Accident At Work and learn more about the accident at work claims process.
- Are you wondering if Suing Your Employer Will Create Problems? Our guide offers more information and guidance.
- Find out if you can Claim For An Accident In An Office and learn more about compensation claims with our helpful guide.
- How Much Compensation Can I Claim For A Warehouse Injury?
- How Long After An Injury at Work Can I Claim Compensation?
- How Much Accident At Work Compensation Can I Claim?
- Claiming When An Employee Did Not Report An Injury
- Temporary Worker Rights After An Accident At Work
- Can I Claim Compensation If I Am A Agency Worker?
- Sick Pay After An Accident At Work Explained
- Can I Be Sacked For Claiming Against My Employer?
- Can I Claim For Being Dismissed After An Accident At Work?
- Steps To Take When Injured At Work
- Can I Claim For An Accident At Work Injury When At Fault?
- Accident At Work Claim Time Limits Explained
Thanks for reading our guide on how accident at work solicitors could help you claim after suffering through no fault of your own.