What To Do After An Injury At Work

With such a wide variety of workplaces in which employees spend the majority of their waking lives, it’s little wonder that occasionally hazard perception measures aren’t enough to prevent an injury. If you find yourself one of the unlucky people to suffer an injury at your place of work, no matter how severe, there are four steps that you should follow to ensure you’re being treated respectfully by your employer, and that you achieve any compensation that you’re due. The below guide applies to anyone who’s suffered any kind of injury in the workplace.

Assess the Damage

Injuries vary from person to person and from relatively straightforward injuries to those that have a significant effect on your life and your ability to work. The first thing you should do after suffering a workplace injury is to visit your doctor. Ask them to assess the severity of your injury, and to write a short report based on their findings. Those injuries that have caused you pain or trauma, even if you’re able to continue working, are nonetheless befitting of compensation. More severe injuries that prevent you from working need also to be signed off by a doctor.

Talk to Your Employer

Your employer is no doubt aware of the injury you sustained in the workplace. You should make them aware of your injury as soon as it takes place, and ensure that you have witnesses to the event so that you can prove that the injury was sustained while you were working. Discuss paid leave with your employer in the case that you need time off – and if you don’t, it’s still best that they know you’re pursuing a work accident claim in the UK.

Make a Note of Costs

Injuries are costly – that’s precisely why they’re life events that are due compensation if encountered at work. You may have to pay hospital or doctor’s bills, transport costs, and other expenses that are attributable to the injury you’ve sustained. Keep a note of these costs and proof of their existence where possible so that when you come to make your claim, you’re fully compensated for all the additional costs that the injury at work has created.

Talk to the Experts

Now it’s time to look into the compensation that you are due. Your injury, the trauma endured, and the effect it has on your lifestyle, and of course the doctor’s fees, will all be taken into account before you’re presented with a quote. You’ll be able to ask for a quote on your compensation figure and the likelihood that you’ll be granted this compensation, from our experienced experts.

From there, you leave the compensation in their hands: they’ll work on your case, build an argument, and will approach your employer with a request for compensation that they may either refute or accept. In this way, there’s no stress on you throughout the procedure, and you’ll be granted your compensation as soon as the process of your injury at work claim is concluded.

Injuries at work can be costly and damaging to one’s lifestyle; that’s why you should claim compensation through the four steps outlined above.

What is a No-Win-No-Fee Compensation Claim?

There are a variety of reasons why you would want to seek out a compensation claim, many of which will be because of an injury at work. Perhaps you were injured at work because your employer failed to fix a fault that was reported to him. Perhaps you slipped and fell outside a store because they had failed to salt it. If so, you need to make a personal injury accident claim.

Some injuries are catastrophic. A medical negligence injury could leave you with a lifelong disability. It could even have put your life at risk. A drunk driver could cripple you or even kill you.

There are so many cases where someone else’s negligence could result in life-changing consequences for you. It is not right that you suffer through this time alone. Instead, you deserve compensation to cover the rehabilitation costs, the cost of aids, the cost of therapy, the coverage of income loss, and of course compensation for your pain and suffering.

What does No-Win-No-Fee Mean?

When looking for a compensation expert you might have come across the term “no-win-no-fee”, but what does this mean exactly?

No Win No Fee typically means exactly what you think it does. You take your case to the lawyer, and if they agree you have a reasonable chance of winning they will take your case. As the case’s goal is to seek out financial compensation they will not take money directly from you. Instead, they will take it out of your compensation earnings. If they lose the case, then you pay nothing.

What Types of Compensation Offer No-Win-No-Fee?

There are plenty of types of compensation no win no fee from workplace negligence to medical negligence. You simply need to find an agency that specialises in your type of case that offers no win no fee.

What Are the Benefits of No-Win-No-Fee?

The most obvious benefit of a no win no fee solicitors for medical negligence is that they do not take money directly from your account. Instead, they take their fee from the compensation you are given once they win. Unlike fixed fee or hourly lawyers, you don’t have to pay upfront. For those who have limited funds, this can be the best way to take your case to court or to settle it professionally. It is almost impossible to represent yourself successfully without a background in law.

If you have an NHS compensation claim, but don’t have the funds to hire a lawyer out of pocket, then a no win no fee lawyer is the best solution for you.

What are the Cons of a No-Win-No-Fee?

As most won’t have the pocket money to handle paying a lawyer upfront, there is often no downside to a no-win-no-fee lawyer, as the only other option you have is to drop the case. If you do have the money, however, fixed fee lawyers can help you keep the full amount of your compensation claim.

How to Find a Good No-Win-No-Fee Lawyer

To find great solicitors, you will need first to vet the lawyers themselves. You want to give your case a great shot at winning, and so you will need to find a firm that specialises in your type of negligence case; for instance, do you need to make a whiplash injury claim? We at The Compensation Experts hire specialists that cover all types of negligence cases and have a 97% customer satisfaction rate.

Five Uncommon Accidents at Work

We are all familiar when it comes to common accidents, from an injury at work to needing to make a whiplash injury claim. Perhaps you tripped and fell at work, strained your muscles from repeated actions, were hit when trying to reach a file box too high up. Crashes, cuts, toxic fumes, sound-related injuries, clumsiness, and even fights are common.

What about the uncommon accidents? Though rare, they can be devastating in their consequences. Knowing first-aid, how to respond, and more importantly, your rights afterwards can help you recover from these extreme incidents faster, so that you can successfully move on with your life.

Uncommon Accidents at Work

The top uncommon accidents at work include:

Fire-Related Accidents

Fires are still relatively rare, though certainly not unheard of. From smoke inhalation to burns, a fire that breaks out in your workplace can pose serious dangers to your health and even your life. Then there are the psychological damages that can occur from being trapped, facing the very real reality of either choking to death on the smoke, or dying from being burned alive. If this happens to you, seeking out compensation is critical. Most fires are not flukes and instead caused by a fault.

Dangerous Chemical Absorption

When the chemicals or products you use, as per your employers’ instructions, cause serious disease, illness, or disability, they are at fault. They are especially at fault if they did so with the knowledge of the dangers their product possessed.

Building Collapse

Another employer fault that is, thankfully, rare in the UK is a building collapse. This occurs when the building is not kept up to code or worse, unlawful and unsafe extensions are added. A building collapse can result in immediate tragedy, and even if you manage to make it out of the building unscathed, can cause severe psychological trauma.

Animal Attack

Almost 75 farmers have died in the last few years not from dealing with a dangerous animal but instead dealing with a cow. We tend to forget docile creatures are inherently dangerous due to their size and strength. That is why, though animal attacks are uncommon at work, they do still happen, and sometimes even result in death.

Robbery

Robberies are incredibly uncommon but do still happen. The worst part is that those who are conducting the robbery are very unlikely to be calm and organised. One wrong move or a loud noise could set off their nerves and you could be harmed in the proceeding. It is your employer’s responsibility to provide you with a safe working environment, which is why you will see banks, post offices, and similar institutions have glass guarding their employees against the customers.

What to Do if You Have Been Injured at Work

If you have been injured at work, you will want to:

  1. Learn your Rights
  2. Contact a Lawyer
  3. Build a Case
  4. Get the Compensation You Deserve

If you have been injured at work, then contact us today to see if you have a case. From making claims at work to personal injury claims, there is a solicitor for you. If you do, we will work for you until you have the compensation you need to move on from your injury and recover successfully.

Understanding Animal Attacks Compensation Claims

Animal attacks can occur anywhere, at any time. From dogs to even animals as docile looking as cows. These attacks can result in terrible physical injuries, psychological damage, and even death. Claiming compensation after such an attack is a smart move, as it will allow you the financial buffer necessary to pay for private rehabilitation and therapy. It will also be able to cover any income loss and be able to cover the cost of any aids you will need in the future.

You should never feel bad about claiming compensation, especially for a personal injury accident claim. You were the victim, but with animals, you need to ensure that there is a basis of negligence.

The Difference Between a Wild Animal Attack and a Domesticated Animal Attack

There are two main kinds of animal attacks you can suffer from. If you are in the wild, you might be attacked by an animal if you intrude on its territory or get in-between it and its offspring. In cities and human-owned and managed wildlife safaris, it is up to the owners to provide a safe environment for their guests.

Wild Animal Attack

You won’t be able to make a compensation claim if you are in, say, a national park and are attacked by an animal. The area is not supervised, and you accept the risks of using the area when you enter. They are wildlife reserves in most cases, with some of Britain’s national parks even categorised as a UN nature reserve. Instead, the animal in question might be put down.

Domesticated Animal Attack

Domesticated animals like household pets, livestock, and safari animals or zoo animals can all be put under one category. Namely, there are humans who own them and who have a legal responsibility to ensure these animals do not hurt other people. Zoos must keep their animals in specially created pens that protect their guests; safaris must also take measures to protect their guests, and so on. In this case, even if you were in Africa in a wild safari, if you were injured in an animal attack, the negligence could be placed on your tour guide or the tour company you were with.

When Can You Make a Compensation Claim?

You can make a compensation claim within three years of the attack. In some cases, this might be extended to three years after you were made aware of the issue, but extensions are rare for animal attacks.

It is important to note that in some cases you do not even have to prove that the owner or manager of the animal was negligent. Dangerous species that are not domesticated in the UK are under the Animal Act 1971, meaning their inherently dangerous nature makes the owner responsible for all injuries regardless.

What Steps Should You Take if You Have Been the Victim of an Animal Attack?

If you have been the victim of an animal attack, then you will need to make a police statement. This, along with medical records and witness testimonies, will help you build a solid case against the owner. It is important to note that, though you can sue owners, that you might not always get compensation, as most people are not insured in this way. You will get the most compensation from organisations or businesses.

To help solidify your case and get the compensation you deserve for your injury at work claim, then you will want to hire a lawyer experienced in these sorts of cases.

What To Do After Suffering From A Head Injury

Suffering a head injury is a traumatic experience that can take time and patience to recover from, and how long it takes will depend on the severity of the injury. Aside from the physical aspects of a head injury, you are also likely to have to contend with emotional difficulties too. A head injury that causes damage to the brain may also mean that you find day to day life different than before, and you may have problems with cognitive functioning. Suffering a head injury is a difficult thing to go through, but there are some things you can do to help you get your life back on track.

First Responses

There are many different types of head injury, from cuts and lacerations, bruising, to severe injuries like skull and brain damage. Any injury to the head must be treated seriously, and be thoroughly checked. Sometimes you may be able to do this yourself, or you might need the help of a medical professional.

When you first suffer a head injury, there are some steps to follow to check that you are ok. If you are injured and remain conscious, you need to stop what you are doing and rest. Aside from pain, if you have symptoms such as dizziness, changes in vision, ringing in the ears or abnormal breathing, you may have a concussion and need emergency treatment. If you can, call an ambulance or ask someone to call for you.

Minor head injuries can be treated at home with rest and pain relievers, as well as applying ice to reduce any swelling and inflammation. However, you need to monitor your symptoms closely. Sometimes, symptoms of a head injury might not show for a few hours, or even a day or so later, so seek emergency advice if you are vomit, find yourself irritable, or have a headache that won’t subside after taking paracetamol.

Recovery

Rest is crucial when recovering from a head injury and most minor head injuries should get better within a week or two. However, it may be a long process if your injury is more serious. An injury to the brain can cause physical and mental impairment that may require a variety of different treatments, from speech therapy to physiotherapy.

Having access to the best treatments might help increase your rate of recovery, yet can be a drain on your financial situation. If this is the case, you could consider searching for injury lawyers for you, to see if you are eligible for a no win no fee claim. A good solicitor will be able to advise you on the best course of action should you wish to pursue an injuries claim.

Any head injury is a cause for concern, and one that causes a concussion needs prompt medical attention. Don’t put off seeing a doctor even if your symptoms are mild. Full recovery from a head injury can take time, so be patient and don’t overexert yourself even though you feel fine. Get support from your family and friends, and ask for help if you need it.

Knowing Your Rights In A Car Accident

So many of us take the ability to hop into our car and travel wherever we like as a given. That is until we lose that very freedom to do so. In short, knowing your rights in a car accident is important.

Effectively, it can be an extremely traumatic occurrence, especially if it wasn’t your fault. As a result of the collision, you may have suffered serious injury and damage to the vehicle. If so, it’s essential that you understand and protect your rights in a car accident. Particularly if the accident comes down to someone else’s carelessness.

The first step to getting a resolution to your case is:

  • knowing what these rights are, and;
  • the next steps that you’ll need to take.

Here are your rights in a car accident

To call 999

Whether or not you’re at fault, you have every right to call emergency services and receive necessary treatment. Even if the other party:

  • pleads with you not to phone for emergency help, or;
  • is keen to resolve the case between you both.

Regardless, it’s still essential that you call the police or emergency services, as you may suffer from internal injuries. A police report is also an important form of evidence in dealing with insurance and making a claim. Therefore, don’t let the other party talk you out of it: think about the best interests of the other party.

To receive compensation

If you were injured in the accident or your vehicle was damaged, you have the right to make a claim against the person or group of people responsible for the incident. Always be sure to take as many photographs as you can. Namely, pictures of the damage to both vehicles, as well as external injuries you may suffer from. If you think you’re suffering from a severe injury, it’s wise to make a medical injury claim. Also be sure to capture photos of road conditions, streets signs or anything other potential collision factors.

To talk to witnesses

If you notice that there are any witnesses around, you need them on the record. Take note of their name and contact details, as it’s information you may need these for insurance or compensation purposes. You should always encourage any witnesses to recall their point of view of what they saw to the police. In turn, their testimony is a vital aspect in the police report and result in you getting what you deserve.

To remain silent

After the accident has occurred, you have the right to remain silent. You don’t have to contact the other party, their insurance company or solicitors. If the other party continuously and needlessly harasses you over the case, you need to alert the police.

Not to apologise

Although you’re in shock after the accident, try to maintain calm. Above all, continually apologising to the other party is a No-No. Such a simple phrase can determine whether or not you will end up taking full responsibility for the accident. Therefore, even if you believe you’re in the wrong, wait until the release of the details before you settle on taking the blame.

Suffering an Arm Injury: Can I Make A Claim?

If you have recently suffered an arm injury, one of the first things that may have come into your mind after seeking medical advice is whether or not you are able to make a claim for compensation, primarily if the injury was the fault of someone else.

From a legal point of view, an arm injury can be present anywhere in the arm itself; from the upper arm to the forearm, wrist or elbow. If this is the case, you may be able to claim back thousands of pounds in compensation. In the most severe cases, the impact of the injury may prevent you from carrying out everyday activities, both in your personal or working life, which may stop you from earning an income. For those it affects in this way, it will increase your chances of claiming back any money that has been lost.

In order to claim for an injury, you need to prove that the accident was caused as a result of negligence from another person or organisation, which put your safety at risk. If on the other hand, the injury was caused yourself and there is no-one else to blame, then it’s usually impossible to claim any compensation.

If a third party, such as a workplace is to blame and you are now suffering from any of the following injuries, there is a high chance you can make a claim by getting in touch with a professional solicitor who could look into your case on your behalf. The most common injuries for claims include:

  • Burns
  • Muscle tears
  • Tendonitis or sprains
  • Broken bones
  • The loss of limbs

Time limits

Be aware that there is typically a time limit for negligence claims to be made, which includes any court proceedings that need to be issued. However, if you sought medical advice and received your diagnosis of any of the injuries mentioned above quickly, it would be wise to make that claim as soon as the accident occurs to stand you in a better position.

Making the claim

As part of your compensation claim, you will need to have some form of supporting evidence to prove you were at no fault and was a result of the third party’s negligence. It will help avoid any long-term complications which may arise, such as if the third party denies responsibility. Getting hold of your medical records will act as hard evidence, as the notes were written by a medical professional who witnessed the extent of the injury as soon as the incident occurred. You should also try and get hold of any CCTV footage, contact details of witnesses, photographs of the scene and the injury, with immediate effect. The more evidence you can gather on your accident, the stronger your injuries claim will be when put to solicitors. You could also put together a timeline of events within a folder, so those in charge of your case are more aware of what happened and can provide you with an accurate figure on how much compensation you could receive.