fall at work claims solicitors

What is a fall at work claim?

A fall at work claim refers to a circumstance where a person seeks compensation due to negligence by their employer leading to an injury in the workplace as a result of slipping, tripping or falling over. These incidents are among the most frequent accidents occurring in workplaces. The claim usually focuses on proving that the employer failed on their duty of care to maintain a safe working environment. Compensation can be sought if the employer was at fault and this can often be claimed on a no win, no fee basis. The amount awarded as compensation typically depends on factors such as the severity of the injury, any loss of earnings and the impact on the individual’s life.

Can I claim compensation for a fall from a height at work?

Yes, you are eligible to claim compensation for a fall from a height at work, as long as it wasn’t your fault. Employers carry a responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure the safety of their employees in the workplace. This includes conducting regular risk assessments, minimising potential hazards, and providing necessary safety measures like railings for those working at heights. If your employer has not adhered to these requirements and you have fallen as a result, you should be able to make a claim. It is important to remember that you don’t need to be a full-time employee to be eligible for a claim, as even accidents caused by another employee or a contractor could make your employer liable.

What are my legal rights if I’ve been injured at work?

If you’ve been injured at work due to slipping, tripping or falling, you are entitled to certain legal rights. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers have a duty of care to ensure the safety of the workplace. If your employer is found to be at fault for your accident, you may be eligible to claim compensation.

Your claim can be made on a no win, no fee basis, and generally, you have a three year window from the date of the accident to file a claim. The compensation you may receive depends on factors such as the severity of your injury, loss of earnings, and the impact the accident has had on your life.

Besides full-time employees, part-time employees, contractors and even individuals on zero-hour contracts can make a claim if they’ve been injured at work. The law states that employers are responsible for carrying out regular risk assessments, minimising potential hazards, and ensuring all equipment and machinery are safe to use. If your accident was caused by another employee or a contractor, your employer may still be held liable.

Furthermore, employers who have employees working at heights are required to adhere to the Working at Heights Regulations 2005. This includes providing appropriate training and ensuring the maintenance of safety equipment such as ladders and scaffolding.

For an accident at work claim to be successful, you need to prove that your employer failed to meet the standards set by the Health and Safety at Work Act, and this negligence caused your injury. Your compensation claim could be significantly higher for serious injuries, such as a spinal injury.

Can I claim for injuries caused by tripping over at work?

Yes, you can file a claim for injuries sustained due to tripping over in the workplace. If the accident was not your fault, you may be eligible for compensation. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, it is the responsibility of your employer to implement regular risk assessments and minimise potential hazards to ensure your safety at work. This includes providing necessary safety measures like railings for those working at heights. Even if you’re not a full-time employee, you can still make a claim. Your employer could also be held accountable if your accident was caused by another employee or a contractor. The amount of compensation you could receive depends on the severity of your injury, any loss of earnings, and the impact on your life.

Can I claim compensation for a slip on a wet floor at work?

Yes, you can claim compensation for a slip on a wet floor at work. If you have slipped, tripped or fallen and it was due to your employer’s negligence, you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 mandates that your employer has a duty of care to keep you safe in the workplace. This involves conducting regular risk assessments and minimising potential hazards. If it can be proven that your employer did not uphold the requirements of this Act, such as not providing a wet floor sign, then you could make a claim. It’s essential to note that you don’t need to be a full-time employee to make a claim. Your employer might also be held accountable if your accident was caused by another employee or a contractor.

Your total compensation will depend on the severity of your injury, any loss of earnings, and the overall impact it’s had on your life. While there’s no specific amount for any one injury, the compensation amounts are guided by the Judicial Board Guidelines, which provide an estimate based on which part of the body is injured, and how severely.

As per the standard procedure, you generally have three years from the date of the incident to make a claim. However, it is recommended to get in touch with the concerned department as soon as you are able to do so. The evidence such as witness statements are generally more forthcoming the sooner you approach them.

How is compensation for a fall, slip or trip at work calculated?

The compensation for a fall, slip, or trip at work is calculated based on a variety of factors unique to the individual’s circumstances. This includes the extent of the physical and psychological damage, loss of earnings due to time off work, any expenses incurred for treatments such as travel to medical appointments or physiotherapy, changes to the person’s lifestyle such as inability to participate in hobbies, adjustments required in their home, or if they need to change jobs or leave work entirely.

Furthermore, the seriousness of the injury, loss of earnings, and the overall impact on a person’s life also play a significant role in determining the amount of compensation. The Judicial Board Guidelines provide an indication of compensation amounts based on the body part that’s injured and the severity of the injury. Early compensation payments or interim payments may also be included, which are a part of the final compensation amount and serve to support the individual while they wait for the final settlement.

How do slips and falls in the workplace commonly occur?

Slips, trips and falls are some of the most prevalent accidents in the workplace. These accidents commonly happen due to employer negligence, such as failing to carry out regular risk assessments or not properly managing potential hazards. For instance, employers are required to maintain a tidy and clean work environment, free from obstructions and wet floors which could cause slips.

They also need to provide appropriate training, especially for those working at height, and use hazard warning signs for slip risks. Regular inspection and maintenance of equipment is also crucial to prevent falls. Furthermore, employers should ensure that workers are equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment, such as anti-slip footwear, and take measures like installing handrails, anti-slip flooring, and guardrails where needed.

Employers are also accountable if accidents are caused by other employees or contractors. If these standards are not met and a worker suffers an injury, they could be entitled to claim compensation.

What does a slip and fall at work compensation cover?

A slip, trip, or fall at work compensation claim covers situations where an individual seeks financial recompense for injuries sustained in the workplace due to employer negligence. Such incidents are some of the most common accidents at work. If you’ve slipped, tripped or fallen at work and it wasn’t your fault, you may be eligible to claim compensation.

The compensation you may receive is dependent on the severity of the injury, any loss of earnings, and the overall impact on your life. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 stipulates that it is your employer’s responsibility to keep you safe in the workplace, including carrying out regular risk assessments and minimising potential hazards.

If you can prove that your employer did not adhere to the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act – for example, they failed to provide a wet floor sign – then you could make a claim. You don’t need to be a full-time employee to make a claim. Your employer could also be liable if your accident was caused by another employee or a contractor.

The total compensation will depend on the seriousness of your injury, any loss of earnings, and the general impact it’s had on your life. For instance, shoulder injuries can range from £6,000 to £38,000, arm and wrist injuries can range from £2,000 to £100,000, and head injuries can range from £5,000 to £300,000.

Am I eligible to make a fall at work compensation claim?

Yes, you are eligible to make a compensation claim if you have slipped, tripped or fallen at work and it was not your fault. This applies even if you are not a full-time employee. Your employer is responsible for your safety at work under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and is required to minimise potential hazards and carry out regular risk assessments. If your employer has not met these requirements, for instance, failing to provide a wet floor sign, you could make a claim. Even if your accident was caused by another employee or a contractor, your employer might still be liable. The claim should generally be made within three years from the date of the accident.

What types of negligence can validate a slip at work claim?

There are multiple forms of negligence that can substantiate a slip at work claim. If an employer has neglected their responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, such as failing to conduct regular risk evaluations or minimise potential hazards, a claim can be validated. This could include neglecting to provide safety alerts for wet floors or not installing safety measures like railings for those working at heights. A claim can also be made if an accident was caused by another employee or contractor. This falls under the employer’s duty to ensure the safety of the workplace environment.

Beyond these basic duties, employers working at heights must adhere to the Working at Heights Regulations 2005. This includes responsibilities like ensuring employees are correctly trained for working at height, maintaining safety equipment, and securing tools, equipment, and scaffolding. If an employer fails to meet these regulations and an accident occurs, a claim could be made.

Furthermore, if an accident occurs due to defective machinery or faulty equipment, a claim can also be brought forward. The law mandates that any items above arm’s height should be maintained, repaired, or removed if they are unsafe to use. If the employer does not adhere to these standards and an injury occurs, a claim is possible.