Had a workplace accident? Your guide to compensation

Every year people across the UK are injured at work from an accident that wasn’t their fault.

In 2021-2022, 132 people were injured at work in Carlisle alone. Over the last eight years, seven people lost their lives in accidents at work in Carlisle, and another five in Allerdale.

Getting injured at work can have a detrimental impact on your physical, mental and financial health.

If you’ve ever experienced a workplace accident, you know how much this can affect your life.

In the event that you have an accident at work, it’s important to understand the personal injury claims process so you can make a claim for compensation.

Butterworths Solicitors are a local law firm who want you to understand your rights if you’ve had a workplace accident.

Understanding the process and what to do if you’ve been in an accident is the first step; but first, let’s look at some of the most common workplace accidents.

Common workplace accidents

There are many different types of workplaces, some of which have a higher risk factor when it comes to accidents.

The industries that most commonly had high rates of accidents were: accommodation and food service, construction, transportation and storage, and wholesale and retail trade. But what kind of injuries were people sustaining?

The most common workplace accidents ranged in severity, but for non-fatal accidents the top five were:

Slips, trips and falls: 31%
Handling, lifting, or carrying: 17%
Struck by a moving object: 10%
Acts of violence: 9%
Falls from height: 8%

When it comes to fatal accidents, the most common were: falls from a height, being struck by a moving object, or being trapped by something collapsing.

This explains why places like construction sites have a higher risk of workplace accidents occurring.

The amount of compensation

The amount of compensation someone can claim is dependent on a few factors.

The compensation structure usually takes into consideration two things, general damages and special damages.

General damages are to cover things like pain and suffering, and special damages cover financial losses, such as income loss and medical expenses.

The amount of compensation someone receives varies depending on the severity of the injury and the impact it’s had on the person’s life.

For example, 50% of people who work in trades report losing income due to a work-related injury, with 35% of them saying they have to miss one to two weeks annually.

With the average day rate within this industry being £238, that could add up to a whopping loss of £2,380 annually.

If this time off work is due to someone else’s negligence, the injured party could be in the position to claim compensation.

When it comes to making a claim a lot of people are concerned about the cost involved.

However, in the majority of personal injury claims, Butterworths Solicitors conduct their work on a no win no fee basis. This means, if you don’t win your case, you don’t pay a penny.

What to do if you’ve had an accident at work

Having an accident at work can be extremely stressful, and knowing what to do next is easier said than done.

Making sure you follow the right steps and collect evidence can make all the difference. If you’re in an accident at work, make sure you do the following:

Report the incident – The first port of call is to report the incident to your employer.
Get medical attention – It’s important to get medical attention for your injury, not only to make sure you get any assistance you need, but also to gauge the severity of the injury, and get professional advice on whether you can return to work.
Gather any evidence – Getting as much evidence as possible will help your case. This includes taking pictures and getting details from anyone who was present when the accident took place.
Seek legal advice – Getting legal advice during this time not only allows a solicitor to guide you through the next stages, but also offers support when you need it the most.

Many people are worried that if they report an accident at work, they may lose their job.

However, legally you can’t be dismissed for an accident unless it is due to your own gross negligence. If you have been dismissed after an accident and you feel it was unfair or unlawful, it’s important to get legal advice.