In the winter, personal injury claims increase drastically, with road traffic accidents, for example, increasing by 20%. Any solicitor will tell you that injury claims in winter skyrocket, and it’s no surprise.
Depending on the circumstances of your injury, you could be entitled to make a claim. Below, we outline some of the most common winter injuries, how you can minimise your own risk of injury, and how the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is implementing protection plans.
The Most Common Winter Injuries
Road Traffic Accidents
Perhaps the most common type of cold weather injury is those related to road traffic accidents. Due to the dangerous road conditions and limited visibility caused by darkness, fog, and/or snow, it’s crucial to be even more cautious behind the wheel than you usually would.
During the winter, it’s more important than ever to ensure all your lights are working correctly, as poor visibility is one of the main causes of road traffic accidents in these months. Not only are your lights critical for your ability to see your surroundings, but they also play a big part in other drivers’ ability to see you.
Make sure your car is functioning as it should be during winter, and carry a de-icing kit to easily get your vehicle ready to safely drive whenever you need to.
Work Injuries Caused by Weather
Usually in the form of slips and falls, cold weather is the cause of many workplace injuries in the winter. Power technicians, breakdown mechanics, construction workers and many other employees whose work predominantly takes place outdoors have a raised risk of such accidents.
There are, however, also very mundane injuries that could affect almost anyone at work. These could be:
- Falls from slippery scaffolding
- Slipping on icy floors in the car park
- Slipping on wet floors inside where ice or snow has been walked into the building
It’s important for employers to be extra wary of these possibilities in the winter to ensure safe conditions for all their employees.
Flying Debris
Flying debris is more common in winter due to the higher winds. Flying debris could be anything from uprooted fences and road signs to much smaller, but equally dangerous debris that could get in your eyes. Personal injury is very much a possibility from such debris, but as is the possibility of property damage.
During winter, you might want to make an extra effort to secure any outdoor items to the ground to stop it flying away. Although it often won’t be possible to make a claim against an act of God like this, it may still be possible if you can prove the debris you were hit with was not securely fastened during extreme weather.
Cold Weather Injury Prevention
By properly preparing, you can avoid most types of injury caused by cold weather. For example:
- Always wrap up warm when outside to avoid catching a cold, especially if you work outside
- Take extra caution when driving, regularly de-ice your car, and check your headlights
- On private property, spread salt over the roads to minimise the likelihood of slips and falls
- For those who work predominantly outdoors, it’s important to regularly take breaks to avoid fatigue
It’s also important to stay hydrated during the winter – just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you need water any less than in the summer. In fact, layering up can lead to fluid loss, so do ensure you stay topped up on water.
HSE Plans for Winter 2022/23
In October 2022, the HSE outlined its plans for the winter to support the healthcare service during this time of increased cold weather injury. The main actions implemented are as follows:
- Additional healthcare capacity in community services, including extended opening hours in many local injury units
- Improving patient flow and pathways of care to reduce the number of hospital admissions
- Continued roll out of Covid-19 and Flu vaccines, as well as a Pandemic Preparedness Plan being ready to implement if needed in the case of a seasonal rise in Covid-19
Know Your Rights This Winter with Howells
For more information on how to file a claim relating to a slip or fall this winter, have a look at our sister blog post, ‘Snow, Slips & Trips: Handling an Accident this Winter’. Alternatively, get in touch with our expert personal injury solicitors for specific advice tailored to your circumstance.
