Maing a Work Accident Claim

It is the duty of every employer to provide you with a risk-free and safe work environment. You must be provided with safe tools to carry out your work effectively and safely. Your fellow colleagues must be competent and you must be provided with the right type of training suitable for the job you are required to perform. In addition, you must be provided with appropriate safety gear or personal protective equipment to prevent risks of injuries. If your employer fails in his duty or if there is a breach of Health and Safety at Work Act, then your employer will be held responsible for your injuries. In such cases, a compensation claim can be made against the employer.

But, you must keep in mind that having an accident or sustaining injuries at work does not necessarily mean that you can sue your employer. As with other types of injury claims, it is essential that there is blame. For a work accident claim to be successful, the one to be blamed has to be your employer. For example, if you sustained hand injuries in a machinery accident and if the accident occurred because the machinery lacked safety devices or guard, then the blame for your injury can be placed on your employer.

Even if the accident was caused due to the negligence of a co-worker, you may still be able to make a work injury claim. This is due to the fact that your employer is responsible for the actions of his employees.

There are many different types of workplace accidents and injuries for which a compensation claim can be made. Given below are some of the main types of work related accidents.

- Construction site accidents which can include falls from heights, being hit by falling objects, accidents caused by work vehicles such as forklift trucks, slips and trips and defective machinery accidents.

- Factory accidents including slips and trips and accidents caused by defective machinery.

- Warehouse accidents including being hit by falling objects, slips and trips, defective equipment and machinery accidents.

- Office accidents including injuries caused by faulty appliances and equipment, slips and trips over computer cables, injuries caused by sharp objects or sharp edges of furniture and injuries caused by manual handling tasks.