Accidents at Work FAQs

It is very difficult to say without arranging for you to be seen by a medical expert. It may be that you have to be seen by a number of different experts before the evidence is complete. You will be entitled to claim for pain, suffering and loss of amenity. Lawyers refer to this head of claim as General Damages. You will also be able to recover compensation for losses incurred from the date of the accident until the claim is settled. This could include loss of earnings, travelling expenses, care provided by family members. A separate head of claim is future losses. This could include loss of earnings if you are unable to work or your ability to earn money is reduced or on-going care provided by family members.

Should you be dismissed as a result of claiming against your employer, following an injury at work, then your dismissal is likely to be automatically unfair. Similarly should be you be dismissed due to your employer’s breach of health and safety legislation, causing an accident and injury, then again your dismissal is likely to be automatically unfair.

It is unlikely. Should your injuries be so significant that you can’t return to work then understandably your employer will need to find a replacement. Similarly, should your injuries likely keep you off work for a number of months/years, then, subject to your contract, your employer may seek to terminate your employment. However, any such termination must be in accordance with your contract, be well considered and carried out whilst maintaining sufficient communication with you.

NΟ. You can choose any solicitor you wish. Just because you are a member of a union does not mean that you have to use their recommended solicitor.

YES. As part of your claim, whether you are an employee or self employed, your can recover the earnings you lose due to time off work caused by the injuries your sustained in the accident. Such lost earnings will be based on your average net earnings, worked out from your wage slips, accounts or tax returns.

As soon as you are fit enough and have recovered for your injuries you should return to work. The court will look favourably on an injured person who returns to work as soon as they are able, however, you should not return prematurely as this could delay your recovery from the injuries you sustained. Should there be any doubt then you should seek medical advice.

Generally it is always sensible to maintain good communication with your employer concerning your injuries and time off work; equally, a good and caring employer will wish to keep in contact with you during your absence and will wish you a quick recovery in the hope that you can return to work as soon as is possible. Accordingly, attendance at welfare meetings or visits from your employer are not uncommon. However, such meetings should not be used to discuss your case and claim and should be limited to your recovery or for accident investigation purposes, so as to assist your employer in preventing a reoccurrence.

Unless there is an express term within your contract you are not obliged to disclose your medical records or submit for a medical examination as arranged by your employer.

If you are self-employed but you are working at someone’s premises then you have exactly the same right to make a claim as an employee.

You will only know for certain if your employer is legally responsible by speaking to a solicitor or legal professional. Your employer is likely to be responsible if they have been negligent and/or breached their duty of care to you.

Your employer is obliged to give you sick pay in accordance with your normal sick pay package which should be set out in your contract of employment.

You’ll get pay according to your company’s sick pay package, which should be found in your contract of employment.

Your pension is unaffected by your compensation.

No, this is illegal.

You can still make a claim if you have an accident abroad if your employer is proven to have neglected their duty of care.

Yes. An employer should keep an accident log book and this should be filled out if an accident occurs. If there isn’t a record of the accident in the book you can still make a claim.

Contributory negligence is the carelessness that may have contributed to injury or suffering. It is used to determine liability.

Your benefits may be affected by compensation. It could be the case that a certain portion of the compensation you have claimed has to be paid to the state to make up for the benefits they have been paying you. To find out more visit gov.uk.

In rare instances if the defendant denies liability or an agreement can’t be reached as to the value of your claim, you might have to go to court, but normally personal injury claims can be settled without this step.

Yes – however you are employed your employer still has a duty of care towards you especially when they control the environment you work in.

If you or your unborn child are put at risk because of your accident then this will be factored in to calculating your “heads of loss.”