Advertorial: How to make a claim for an accident at work

Suffering an accident that was caused by somebody else's negligence can be an extremely distressing experience. Unfortunately, many such accidents result in personal injury to the victim, which can cause a number of complications that extend beyond physical suffering.

In the interests of justice and in order to improve the health and safety of others, it is crucial that victims of accidents causing personal injury seek professional legal advice without delay.
 
Take the case of Stephen Rizzotti, aged 42 years, who in one particularly frightening workplace accident sustained a broken back, pelvis and legs when a 500kg waste container fell on top of him - from a height of 30ft. Understandably, the Health and Safety Executive was keen to come down heavily on Shell UK Oil Products and Dalprop, who were subsequently fined £116,666 (with costs of £16,204) and £83,333 (with costs of £11,115) respectively. Hertel UK, who installed the scaffolding and platforms in the workplace, were fined £83,333 and ordered to pay costs of £16,204.

Considering that Rizzotti is now confined to a wheelchair for the remainder of his life, it is expected that he will receive a large compensation payout resulting from the negligence of those upon whom his safety depended.

No Win No Fee is a specialist in accident claims that deals with various types of personal injury claims, including accidents in the workplace and whiplash injuries sustained in car accidents.

In fact, No Win No Fee will handle just about any claim that is caused by the negligence of another person. In this context, a person may refer to a human being, company, local authority or any other type of organisation.

Where a company or public body is concerned, the benefits of claiming compensation for personal injury are twofold: firstly, personal justice in the form of damages may be awarded; and secondly, the organisation involved is prompted to review its own practices, which should serve to improve public health and safety generally.

Sustaining a personal injury after an accident caused by someone else's negligence will often have serious emotional and psychological repercussions. Cases involving accidents in the workplace, for instance, can limit a victim's capacity to continue in their chosen occupation, either in the short or long term.

We recommend when a person has suffered an injury at work they follow our guide on making an accident at work claim:
 
1) Who is at Fault?
If you find yourself victim of an accident at work and want to make a compensation claim you must first prove that your employer is at fault. Damaged equipment, dangerous or untidy conditions, failure to supply adequate safety wear and lack of heavy-lifting training are all classed as negligence. You will need to have recorded the incident in the company accident book and any claim must be made within three years of the date of the accident.

2) Representation
In many cases, a complex relationship will exist between employer and employee, so dealing with the effects of an accident at work can disrupt the balance between a healthy career and the pursuit of justice. For this reason, the process can be made easier and less stressful for the victim with the use of legal representation. Specialist personal injury companies will be able to assess your situation and advise on your eligibility to claim before passing your case over to a relevant solicitor. If you belong to a trade union, you may be able to use their legal services.   

3) Preparation
The more information you can provide to your solicitor, the quicker your claim will be resolved. Keep detailed notes of the date, time and conditions at the time of the incident and take photographs if necessary. Write down exactly what happened as soon as possible after the event including as much information as possible. Take the names and contact numbers of any witnesses and seek medical attention, keeping and making copies of any doctors' notes or paperwork.

4) Keep it amicable
Workplace compensation claims are often more difficult than other types of claims as the incident has the potential to disrupt your career and damage your relationship with your employer. Ensure that your solicitor keeps your company informed at all times and endeavour to keep the process as simple as possible for all concerned. Remember, the aim of legal damages is to put you in the position you would be in had the accident not happened - it is not about getting hold of some 'free' money.

5) Patience
Although many claims are resolved in a matter of weeks, some can go on for up to three years, especially if disputed by the employer. This can be disheartening and leave the victim wanting to give up on their pursuit of justice. Nevertheless, workplace accidents are subject to the law and under the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act employers cannot escape their obligations to provide a safe and clean working environment, so have patience - if your claim is legitimate, satisfactory compensation will be awarded.  
 
Some other points to consider
Certain injuries such as whiplash can also take time to display symptoms. It is essential that professional medical opinion is sought soon after an accident occurs because the law imposes time limits (usually three years from the accident or knowledge of the injury) on when personal injury claims can be brought.

If you have suffered an injury as a result of somebody else's negligence, No Win No Fee is on hand to provide you with prompt access to specialist personal injury solicitors who will fight for maximum compensation on your behalf. Our fast and simple enquiry process is also entirely free to use, whilst we usually operate under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), which means that our clients retain 100 per cent of any compensation awarded. Importantly, you do not need to pay us a fee in the event of losing a case (liability for the opposing party's costs is usually covered under so-called 'After Event' insurance).
 
Contact us today
In order to initiate a personal injury claim with us, simply fill out our enquiry form and one of our claims specialists will call you back promptly to discuss details. Alternatively, call us directly for immediate attention.

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