An Insight: Work Accident Claims

A big loss of earnings and medical care costs can be claimed through the standard policy of an Employers Liability Insurance. This fund is there to ensure that employers are covered in the event of any employee having an accident in and around at work. If unfortunately you have had an accident at work in the last three years that was not your fault you could be entitled to a claim for compensation. Read more to find out how to make your claim.

Since nearly half of accidents happen at work, it is now recognised that whether these are serious injuries or slight mishaps, each of these incidents has to be recorded officially. This can sometimes take the form of the workplaces accident book in the case of small accidents to informing the HSE incident centre should a serious injury, over three day injury or fatality occur.

These policies are ones that all employers have to have by law to protect their workers, just as each employer has to undertake an adequate risk assessment of their workplace before anybody can be employed to work there. The right personal injury solicitor will be able to win you compensation through this insurance policy if you can present a strong work claim.

By making sure that any occurrence is documented in the correct manner is the first step to ensuring any later accident at work claim you may wish to make against your employer. If you have recently unfortunately sustained a serious injury at work your employer should contact the HSE incident centre online to alert them of an accident for theirs and your own peace of mind in case of any future accident at work claim you may wish to bring to them.

Once the problem you have has been recorded officially, you should go about gathering medical evidence to demonstrate the seriousness of your injury/disease. Medical records can take the form of hospital visits, or visits to your GP, but if you feel the injury you have sustained is serious, for example in the event of a three or more day injury, it is most essential that you seek medical advice with regards to the long term effect your injury or disease may have. These important records are the foundation for any accident at work claim you make, as your solicitor will be able to understand how your condition has affected your life, e.g. loss of earnings.

Some employers and owners of premises really don't realise that they are legally obliged to document any serious work related accident, this applies even if the person involved in the accident are self employed and so on.

Though a lot of workers are reluctant to take employers to court for fear of repercussions, especially in the event of the employer having been negligent, it is very important to remember that your job is protected by law and that any threats toward its stability in the instance of a litigation case being brought is also a serious breach of responsibility, meaning the employer is liable under both criminal and civil law.

Every good employer has a duty of care toward its employees and this responsibility applies as much to psychological as well as physical injuries. If as an employee you have suffered any kind of abuse or bullying you are just as entitled to make a claim against your employer, as both instances are covered under employment law for your protection.