Workplace Injury Guide

If you've had an accident and suffered injury in the workplace, you most certainly wouldn't be alone in your suffering. According to figures from the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the organisation charged by the Government to help protect the safety and well being of British workers, in 2008 2.1 million people were suffering from an illness they believed was caused or made worse by their current or past work. Throughout the year, a total of 34 million days were lost overall (an average of 1.4 days per worker), with 28 million due to work related ill health and 6 million due to workplace injury.

If you have had the misfortune of being involved in an accident at work, suffer the consequences of that injury and don't feel that you were at fault you may be in the position to make a personal injury claim and apply for compensation. Examples of workplace injuries might include anything from injuries caused by falls and slips, being hit by objects, damaged backs from lifting, repetitive stress injuries and so on. It's not just injuries that you are able to claim against, illness or disease and even death caused by the negligence of your employer are also eligible for legal action.

Every year employers' insurance companies pay out a massive £10 billion pounds in compensation. Who makes sure that your interests are properly represented and that you get the compensation you are entitled to? How do you go about making a claim in the event that you suffer injury or illness in your workplace through no fault of your own?

The very first thing that you must do is to ensure that proper procedure has been followed and that there is proper documentation; a 'paper trail', relating to your case. This could prove crucial when it comes to providing an exact picture of the circumstances that led to your injury, how it happened and what happened subsequently.

Make sure that the incident is accurately and clearly recorded in the accident book. Try to identify witnesses to the incident and gather as much information about the incident as possible, for example:

Why was the floor was slippery? Was machinery subsequently repaired? What was the weight of the object you were lifting? Was equipment unsafe? Was the location unsafe? Was there a lack of supervision and training? Though you may feel embarrassed or foolish, don't admit liability for anything. Blame can be apportioned later when all the facts are fully known.

With all the relevant information to hand you are in a position to turn to a legal professional, an injury claims specialist who can assess your case. Remember you may be in great pain and losing substantial amounts of pay through absolutely no fault of your own. Your work accident solicitor will help you claim against your employer's insurers and make sure you get paid what you are entitled for your injuries and loss of earnings.

Remember: collect as much evidence as possible; it could make all the difference. Also, don't leave things too long. Start your claim as quickly as possible as there is normally a maximum three year time limit for starting a court action.