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Accident at Work - Advice Column

Hattons Solicitors give expert personal injury accident advice on issues such as an accident in the work place

Everyone has the right to be kept safe at work, be that through safety procedures or proper training. Unfortunately accidents happen when employers let things slip.

An injury at work can be devastating leading to loss of earnings, permanent health problems and tragically even resulting in employees losing their lives. This is why it is so important for employees to make a claim when they are injured at work, as not only does it help them get the compensation they deserve but it also pushes employers to raise their safety standards, so that more people are not injured in future.

Hattons have put together four of the most frequently asked questions they get when a person is injured at work.

Question 1: Will my employer sack me for making a claim?

Answer: It is against the law to sack an employee because they have made a work accident compensation claim. Also, all employers must, by law, be insured against compensation claims, so the compensation should be recovered from the insurance company.

Question 2: What if my accident was caused by another employee?

Answer: If another employee causes your accident at work, then your employer would still be liable to pay you damages for your personal injuries. The main exception is where your injury results from violent horseplay or an assault by another employee.

Question 3: What if my employers have gone bust?

Answer: As long as your employer was insured at the time of your accident - his insurance policy will still cover the compensation even if he is bankrupt or no longer in business.

Question 4: What steps should I take following my accident at work?

Answer: Although not always possible, especially if the injuries are serious and require immediate attention, the first step should be to report the incident, and make sure that it's logged in the accident book.

If a personal injury claim is made later on, then it will help later if a record was made at the time, stating the reasons for the accident. Getting details from witnesses is also important to prove your claim.

If you require emergency attention then it is advisable to mention to the medical attendants that it was an accident at work, so that they can record it in their notes.

Click here to visit our accident in the workplace section

Call Our Personal Injury Accidents Team

The main thing to do is don't worry! Simply call Hattons Solicitors for initial confidential legal advice on your next steps. Call Hattons free on 0800 298 9690 or fill in the Claim Enquiry Form to the right of this screen.

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