Have you been injured in the workplace? If so, you will rightly be thinking about making a claim for compensation, but you may be worried about doing so, as you don’t want to upset your employer. This is an understandable predicament, but it’s something you shouldn’t worry about. To discover more, read on for some personal injury advice for workplace accidents in particular.
Your rights in the workplace
Firstly, it is imperative to stress that it is your employer’s right to ensure you are protected in the workplace. By law they are required to ensure that the working environment is a safe one. They must inform all employees about the potential hazards in the workplace. You must also be aware of what to do in an emergency and how to get first-aid treatment. You also have the right to an annual period of paid leave and you can have a twenty minutes rest break if you have worked in excess of six hours straight.
Accidents at work
Needless to say, there are some working environments that are a lot more dangerous than others, take construction sites as a prime example. Nevertheless, it does not matter what industry you work in; all employers have a duty to provide a healthy and safe working environment. There are many rules and regulations they need to follow by law. If they fail to do this, and you have been injured as a result, you are well within your rights to expect compensation and this is something your employer will recognize. They will have insurance in place to cover the costs as well.
There are many different types of accidents that can happen in the workplace. The following is a mere handful…
- Tripping or slipping at your place of work
- Injuries caused because of an unsafe system of work
- Injuries caused because of a lack of training
- Accidents that have happened due to unsafe or defective work equipment
- Injuries caused because of failure to provide personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Injuries sustained due to excessive manual handling
This merely scratches the surface of the different types of accidents that can occur in the workplace. If you have been injured, the first thing you need to do is inform your employer. This is imperative because all employers are required to have an accident book by law. Your employer will need to record the incident in this. Failure to do so could only result in problems for you later down the line.
The action to take
What should you do when such an accident arises? Firstly it is vital to make sure you see a doctor. You will not be able to make an accident claim if you have not been professionally diagnosed with your injuries. In addition to this, you need to report the incident to your safety representative or employer, as discussed above. After this, find a reputable accident claim solicitor who can handle your case for you in a professional manner.
To conclude, hopefully, you now have a better comprehension of your rights in the workplace.
