If you are employed, it should be a given that you attend work and return home in the same condition as when you left.
However, accidents at work can and do happen when we least expect it. When workplace accidents are caused by employer negligence, it is essential to recognise the signs and take necessary action to hold them accountable for your injuries.
The idea of seeking compensation for a workplace injury caused by employer negligence can be overwhelming. But the process is often relatively simple when acting under the guidance of an instructed Personal Injury solicitor and can be broken down into the following steps.
1. Recognising Employer Negligence in the Workplace
It is an employer’s duty to ensure a safe working environment is provided to all employees. Employer negligence refers to their failure to do so. To prevent accidents at work, employers should conduct regular risk assessments and ensure any health and safety hazards are dealt with promptly.
2. Signs of Employer Negligence
If you have been injured at work, it can be difficult to make sense of who or what might be at fault for the accident that occurred. In many cases, the root cause of the incident is linked directly to employer negligence toward the health and safety standards of the workplace.
Lack of Training:
Training is crucial for any person within any role, whether it be in an office, a construction site or another working environment. Adequate training provides employees with the knowledge on how to keep themselves and their colleagues safe whilst on the job. Including guidance on how to properly operate tools and machinery and how to be vigilant in spotting potential hazards that could harm themselves or others.
Poorly Maintained Equipment:
Faulty tools, outdated equipment and malfunctioning machinery are commonly reported to have played a part in accidents at work. Machines should be serviced and maintained to a working standard at all times and defective tools must be replaced as soon as faults have been detected.
Ignored Hazards:
Any reports of hazardous conditions that go without notice or rectification, particularly over a prolonged period of time, demonstrates an employer’s blatant disregard for safety in the workplace.
Insufficient Safety Measures:
An employee may be exposed to unnecessary harm should they not be given adequate PPE (personal protective equipment) to undertake their work duties. For example, in warehouse and manufacturing settings, employees will likely require hard hats, safety goggles, high vis vests and steel cap boots.
3. Collating Evidence
Evidence is considered to be one of the most important factors when building a personal injury claim for employer negligence. In most cases, the evidence you present determines the outcome of your claim, so it is vital that enough is collected to support your case.
With regard to accidents at work, you should always notify your manager immediately after suffering an accident. Most companies will have an accident book or something of the like, where incidents are recorded.
Photos and videos of the accident site are a great means to highlight hazards that were overlooked and show how the event itself unfolded. If you are able to, either yourself or a witness should take footage of the accident site as soon as possible, to prevent any hazards being removed by those likely to be held liable for the accident.
Any witnesses to the accident should also provide statements in support of your claim, this evidence can be vital in a case where CCTV footage is not available. Although in some circumstances it may be difficult, try to take note of those who were present around the time of your accident in case you need to rely on them at a later date.
If you have been involved in an accident at work, it is crucial that you seek medical attention at the earliest convenience. Not only will you receive the care you need to recover, but your medical records will also corroborate your account of the accident. That being said, you must ensure you provide as much detail of the accident circumstances as possible, as contrasting versions of events between your claims and the supporting evidence can be detrimental to the outcome of your personal injury case.
4. Seeking Legal Representation
Navigating the legal process on your own can be challenging. When recovering from an accident at work, handling an injury claim can leave most people in a state of overwhelm. Stonehewer Moss’s team of personal injury solicitors are experts in their field, with experience in handling the most complicated injury claims of employer negligence, as well as countless other accident circumstances.
A personal injury solicitor will support you by guiding you through the legal process, ensuring you understand your rights, managing negotiations between insurance companies and arranging your recovery treatment.
Why Stonehewer Moss Solicitors?
Accidents at work can be traumatic to experience, but by recognising signs of employer negligence you can take action and make your personal injury claim. Employers must be held accountable in order to provide safe working environments for all employees and so those who become injured can be fairly compensated for their losses.
Stonehewer Moss Solicitors are a specialist team of personal injury lawyers, dedicated to supporting you through the legal process with honesty, empathy and professionalism. If you believe you have a workplace injury claim due to employer negligence and are in need of expert legal advice, do not hesitate to reach out to us for a free consultation. Together, we will strive for justice and fair compensation, helping you to focus on your recovery and getting your life back on track.
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