
A Guide To Accidents At Work
April 2, 2021It is generally accepted that working is good for your overall health. Statistics indicate that workplaces are getting cleaner, with fewer work-related accidents. Accidents often happen, and they often result in serious injury.
Types of accidents
The types of incidents that occur differ depending on the industry. Trips, slides, and falls were the most common cause of workplace injuries in 2016, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), closely followed by “lifting and handling” events. Certain work positions are known to be more dangerous than others, with “agriculture, forestry, and fishing” workers being among the most dangerous.
Duties of employers
Your employer is responsible for protecting you at work and informing you about Health and Safety problems that concern you. They must also report those incidents and injuries to HSE, record the accident in the accident book, pay you sick pay, and provide you with time off if necessary.
Reporting the accident
Your employer is required by law to report serious occupational injuries, illnesses, and hazardous events to the HSE. They are specifically required to report:
- The end of life
- Serious accidents
- Illness
- Workplace accidents that are dangerous (such as the collapse of scaffolding or employees overcome by gas)
- Any other accident that allows an employee to miss 10 days or more of work.
Recording the accident
Correctly recording the facts of your accident will give you the best chance of a successful work accident claim. If you are hurt at work, you must notify your employer right away. Both employees are required to maintain an accident book because it offers a useful, contemporaneous record of what occurred in your accident, which would be very useful evidence of any potential compensation claim.
Sick pay
In most cases, if you need time off from work due to an injury, you will only be entitled to statutory sick pay. However, your employer may have a plan in place to compensate you for time lost due to an accident.
What to Do If You Have a Workplace Injury
- Make a note of any accidents in the accident book.
- Check with your boss to see if the accident has been reported to the HSE.
- Examine your contract for clarification on sick or injury pay.
Making an injury claim
If you have been hurt at work and assume your employer is to blame, you will be entitled to file a claim for compensation. Any lawsuit must be filed within three years of the date of the accident, and you will almost always need legal counsel. If you are a member of a labour union, you will be entitled to use their legal services; otherwise, you can meet with a personal injury lawyer.
In addition to your personal injury lawsuit, you will be entitled to obtain compensation for damages such as travel costs, missed income, prescription charges, medical appointments, and general out-of-pocket expenses.
Potential issues with your claim
Time limit
You have three years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This three-year period begins on the day of your accident or the day you learned your condition was related to the accident, as stated, for example, in your medical review. In the event of a fatal accident, the three-year time period starts on the day of the person’s death.
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