The most recent statistics from the Health and Safety Executive found that last 1.2 million people suffered from a work-related illness. 27.3 billion working days were lost due to workplace illnesses and injuries.
The workers who are most at risk of illness or injury are those who work in industries such oil and gas, shipbuilding and construction due to the dangerous nature of the work.
Although office work may seem very safe in comparison to heavy industry, officer workers can develop a painful condition such as tennis elbow and repetitive strain injury through the repetitive nature of their jobs.
Who Can Make a Claim?
Quite simply, if you have been injured in an accident in the past three years and the accident was not your fault, you can make a claim. You need to be able to prove that another person’s negligence caused your injuries.
Employers are expected to provide their employees with a safe working environment. They must provide their workers with all of the equipment they need to carry out their role safely. Employers should fully train their staff to use this equipment, and the equipment must be in good working order.
Evidence to Support Your Claim
The success of a work place injury claim will often hinge on the strength of the evidence that is presented as part of the claim so you should take all possible steps to gather as much evidence as you can.
For example, if you were injured as a result of faulty equipment, such as step ladders, you should take a photograph of the equipment showing that it was dangerous to use.
Medical evidence is critical as it allows both parties to the claim to understand the severity, pain and long-term effects of the injury you received. For this reason, you should attend any medical appointments your employer asks you to. You should give a full and detailed explanation of your injuries to the medical professionals. This information can then be added to your medical record.
Eye witnesses are also very important. You should collect the full contact details of anyone who witnessed you being injured.
About Author:
Molly McGrady is a legal writer based in Scotland writing about topics such as what important points to consider when making a claim for an accident at work.