Workplace accidents can leave employees with devastating injuries and lost income. Many accident victims of workplace accidents do not know of their legal right to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. This article will hopefully assist if you or a loved one has suffered harm in a workplace accident.
Contacting an experienced personal injury solicitor should be a priority. An initial consultation is free of charge.
Below we examine some of the most common causes of workplace accidents and emphasise why accident victims should explore their options with a view to making a claim.
Type of Workplace Accidents
Slips, Trips and Falls
Slip and fall accidents consistently rank among the top causes of workplace accidents and injuries. Hazards must be appropriately addressed by an employer through good housekeeping, safety protocols and both proactive and reactive steps in relation to spillages.
This type of accident can be caused by uneven flooring, obstructed walkways, spilled liquid, poor lighting, and other hazards can cause employees to slip and suffer injuries such as sprains, fractures and other injuries.
For example, an employee trips due to a sudden difference in surface level. If this difference in surface level wasn’t properly highlighted, then the employer could be liable.
Accidents Caused by Other Employees
If any workplace accident is caused by the error of another employee, this does not necessarily mean the employer is not to blame. Failures in training or adherence to safety protocols may lead to the employer being liable for the negligent employees’ actions (or inactions).
Machinery
Operation of defective, unguarded, or improperly maintained machinery can easily cause serious crush injuries, traumatic amputations, or even death. Employers are responsible for ensuring equipment is safe, and that safety features are functioning correctly.
For example, an employee isolates a machine to access the machine in accordance with his/her training. The machine begins to operate unexpectedly causing the employee injuries. It is later discovered that the “isolation” function was not working properly and this had been reported, but not repaired.
The employer will be liable for not only ensuring the isolation function was working properly, but for also failing to implement a proper system of preventive or reactive maintenance.
Forklift Trucks and Other Vehicles
Forklift and other powered trucks can be dangerous in the workplace, and account for almost a quarter of all workplace accidents. Forklift trucks should only be operated by those who hold the appropriate licence, and other powered industrial trucks should only be operated by employees who have received adequate training and be deemed competent in their use.
As with all workplace vehicles, employers have a responsibility to provide a safe route for pedestrian traffic (and vehicles) to ensure both pedestrians and vehicles can move around the workplace safely.
Ideally, there should be separate vehicle and pedestrian routes but where this is not possible, there should be segregation by signage and priority given to pedestrians – the onus is on the vehicle operator to ensure the pedestrian knows the vehicle is approaching.
Chemical Exposure
Exposure to toxic chemicals at work through spills, equipment leaks, or unsafe handling practices is another regrettable source of acute and chronic illnesses/injury among employees.
For example, a factory worker may develop asthma after inhaling solvent vapours due to poor ventilation, or chemical burns through coming into contact with a substance due to a failure to be provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
If proper protective equipment, training, hazard communications or safety measures were not provided, employees have valid grounds for claiming compensation for pain and suffering, along with lost income and medical costs.
Falls From Height
Falls from height are a very common cause of workplace accidents and by their very nature, can cause devasting spinal or head or limb injuries. Most falls from height are caused by a failure to provide or implement a fall arrest system such as a harness or guardrails.
Falls from heights often lead to prolonged hospitalisation and rehabilitation. Victims should pursue claims if equipment and training were not adequate.
What Happens If I Have An Accident At Work?
Firstly, you must ensure you report your accident to your line manager/supervisor. They should complete an accident report, which should feature your version of events and you should be asked to check and sign any report that is completed.
Your employer will usually investigate your accident – this will help your employer identify the cause of your accident and if any further safety measures need to be implemented to prevent the accident happening in the future.
Many victims of workplace accidents believe they do not have the right to claim if the employer’s accident investigation blames the injured employee for the accident – this isn’t always the case. Many employers fail to identify the proper root cause of accidents. For example, an employee will be criticised for failing to follow the correct procedure, but the investigator fails to realise the employee did not receive training in the procedure so was unaware of it.
Many victims of accidents at work find themselves being reprimanded or disciplined in relation to the accident, but this does not mean they are precluded from bringing a claim. Ultimately, an employer cannot delegate their statutory obligations and, even if there is fault on the part of the injured employee, this does not mean that there is no fault on the part of the employer.
It is therefore always worth discussing your workplace accident with a solicitor who can advise you on the merits of your individual claim. Get in touch to find out more.
Read more: How to Claim Compensation For A Personal Injury in the UK and We're Relieving Reluctance About Seeking Workplace Accident Compensation Claims
