UK INDUSTRIAL INJURY CLAIM ADVICE

Did you know that your employer is required by law to :-

• provide you with a safe work environment
• ensure that the equipment that you use is safe and well-maintained
• ensure that the premises upon which you work does not expose you to any form of danger or risk of injury
• ensure that you and your colleagues are supervised, competent, well-trained and safety conscious

This means that if your employer fails to look after your interests at work and you are subsequently injured, they will have to pay you compensation. Even if you are partly to blame for the accident you can still apply for an industrial accident claim settlement. For example, if you are undertaking a work task incorrectly that exposes you to risk of injury and your employer knows that this is so, but does nothing about it or has failed to give you adequate training or instruction, then they would still be liable to pay you compensation.

If you suffer from loss of earnings because your doctor says you cannot carry out your usual duties or if you are hospitalised for treatment of your injuries, then you will be entitled to compensation for loss of income. If you do not recover completely from your injuries, and you are permanently disabled and unable to return to work, then you will be entitled to compensation for loss of future earnings.

Compensation for an industrial injury will cover any medical costs necessary for your recovery or relief and will also cover the cost of the services of a physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath or any other similar medical treatment.

It is difficult to say how long it will take before your opponent makes a reasonable offer to settle your industrial accident claim. Some insurers make early offers, especially where liability is not in doubt and the amount of compensation sought is not especially large. Many insurers however, wait until legal proceedings have been commenced or a hearing date has been allocated. Being faced with the possibility of a trial and the substantial legal costs that may be involved for your opponent, they will often make a reasonable offer close to the hearing date.

Straightforward personal injury cases may take up to a year to resolve. More complex cases may take several years. Where a case has gone to trial, you must also factor in the time taken for a judge to deliver their written judgment. In complicated cases, this may take several months.

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