HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ACT 1974

Most personal injury claims settle out of court, whether through negotiation or mediation. The length of time required to settle a case will depend upon the length of time needed to fully assess the extent of the injuries and the defendant’s willingness to make a reasonable settlement offer. If a claim is made under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 or any of the other protective legislation and the insurers refuse to settle then proceeding are filed in a court of law for the issues to be considered by a judge.

Here are some of the regulations that are relied upon in making a UK work accident claim:

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992

These regulations address issues such as the maintenance of the workplace, ventilation, lighting, the condition of floors and traffic routes. Floors and traffic routes must not be slippery, contain holes, or be of an uneven surface so as to expose a person to risk of injury. Floors must be free of obstruction and items that are likely to cause someone to slip, trip or fall over.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992

Every employer must assess the risks to the health and safety of employees to which they are exposed whilst at work.

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992

Back injuries often occur at work because of unsafe lifting of heavy objects. Wherever reasonably practicable, your employer must avoid the need for employees to undertake any manual handling operations at work which involve a risk of their being injured. Where it is not reasonably practicable to avoid the need for manual handling, then a risk assessment must be carried out of all manual handling operations.

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

This is the basic legislation which requires that it shall be the duty of every employer to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

Accidents at work often occur when using work equipment and machinery. These regulations specify that work equipment must be suitable, maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair. Employees should be trained in how to safely use work equipment so as to minimise risk of injury.

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992

Personal protective equipment should be provided to employees who may be at risk of injury at work. Such personal protective equipment that is provided must be suitable and properly maintained.

There are many other statutes and regulations both from the UK parliament and from the European Union that are industry specific which place particular safety requirements on that section of industry. If your health has suffered due to management's failure to abide by legal safety measures we can assist you to make a claim for compensation.

Here are 3 good reasons to choose our lawyers:

1. Our lawyers will provide you with legal advice on your rights and entitlements to compensation with no further obligation.
2. Our solicitors are specialist accredited expert members of the Law Society personal injury panel with extensive experience in negotiating, settling and litigating accident compensation claims.
3. If you decide to instruct any of our specialists to obtain compensation for you, they will act on a “no win no fee” basis. Compensation is paid in full and win or lose there is no charge.¹