Health and safety laws are there for a reason

Having an accident at work can be very traumatic, especially if the accident wasn’t your fault. Your employer is responsible for all aspects of health and safety within the work environment. If health and safety rules and regulations are not in place and they haven’t been explained to employees, you may have a case for claiming compensation for your accident.

Getting compensation for your accident in the workplace from your employer may seem like a very daunting task. You don’t want to make things awkward for yourself at work or for your fellow employees; however, your employer is legally obliged to act responsibly when it comes to the health and safety of their employers.

By hiring a solicitor they will be able to advise and guide you through the process of claiming compensation. This should make the whole process a lot less stressful for you and give you time to concentrate on getting yourself fit and well again. Your solicitor will deal with your employer and the case on your behalf. They will ensure that you get the compensation you are entitled to for the injuries that you sustained as a result of your employer’s negligence.

Health and safety in the workplace

Every employer is legally required to look after their employees whilst at work when it comes to health and safety. Health and safety regulations play an enormous role within the workplace and should be followed to the best of each employee’s ability.

However, on occasions, employers fail to implement health and safety regulations correctly, if at all. In such instances, the chance of an accident occurring in the workplace increases significantly.

If you have had an accident at work because your employer has failed to follow health and safety rules and regulations, then you may be entitled to compensation. Whether you have had a trip, slip or fall in the workplace, if health and safety hasn’t been followed then your employer will be liable.

Hiring yourself the services of a solicitor who has experience in dealing with such cases can help you to get the compensation that you are entitled to. Your compensation will cover any medical expenses, loss of earnings and even the impact that the accident might have had on your life. Each case is considered on an individual basis, so compensation may vary from case to case. Your solicitor will be able to advise you regarding whether or not you have a good case against your employer for your accident.

East Anglia businesses get sound advise on personal injury claims and safety from the HSE

Many companies in the East Anglia region have been advised to take corrective and pro-active measures in order to prevent young employees from encountering personal injury at work.

The employers are supposed to be giving their young employees adequate levels of training in the workplace and enough supervision to prevent accidents. The directive has been initiated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This is a body responsible for the encouragement, regulation and enforcement of workplace health, safety and welfare.

However, a Watton based company was fined this week for an amount that exceeded £25,000. This was as a result of an incident involving a teenage boy who suffered an electric shock in Thetford. The company paid a fine that involved the fine amount plus costs. The employee had to have his little toe and a part of his large toe amputated on account of coming in contact with an overhead wire. He now has permanent scars on his legs.

The HSE is prompt at pointing out that in such cases it is essential to ensure that young vulnerable employees in the workplace get proper safety training. An HSE inspector said that it is imperative to supervise such employees safety at all times.

Accidents in the workplace

Is your employer geared up to deal with accidents in the workplace?

We all know that accidents can happen - even when the most stringent Heath & Safety laws are followed and dedicated planning to avoid accidents or injuries at work has been undertaken. Therefore, with this in mind it is fair to ask the following question; Is your employer prepared and organised to deal with accidents and injuries in the workplace?

Being prepared

Apart from ensuring that staff are properly trained, properly qualified and that the workplace is as safe as it is possible to make it, employers have various obligations regarding accidents in the workplace. If the worst happens and a worker is injured, then the employer must ensure that the following things are available to staff.

1, A first Aid Kit - Does your employer provide first aid equipment?
2, A designated 'first aider' - Do you know who is trained in your workplace?
3, An accident book - Does your employer provide an accident book where you could record the details of your accident in your words?
4, Training - Does your employer train you in how to deal with the aftermath of an accident?
5, Telephone - Do you have access to a telephone should you need to call the emergency services?

Ensure your safety and that of your colleagues

If you feel that your employer and your place of work places you at a heightened risk of injury, then you are obliged to bring this to your employers attention. You don't have the power or authority to MAKE them do anything about the Health & Safety management at your workplace, but you do have the ability to remind those responsible for it should there be shortcomings. It could be that something that presents a clear danger to workers has not been noticed. If you report it, it may be repaired. If you don't, it may hurt someone. If your employer fails to act on your warnings, you could also go to your local Health & Safety executive office and ask for them to inspect your workplace.
Nearly all employers take the safety of their staff and customers extremely seriously and don't place staff at undue risk of injury. However, there are some firms out there who don't take their legal obligations anything like as seriously as they should. If you work for an employer like that, try doing something about it.

Avoiding Accidents at work

Direct 2 Solicitors hope that we can help people avoid the terrible situation where they are unable to earn an income due to an accident at work. However, if the worst does happen, we are here to help and have an expertise in dealing with accidents in the workplace and assisting clients who have been injured at work.

Making your claim

To make your claim, come to us. Direct 2 Solicitors are approved for Regulated Claims Management Services by the Ministry of Justice (Authorisation CRM 3364), check the regulators web site www.claimsregulation.gov.uk and are also members of the Claims Standards Council. We offer genuine peace of mind, honesty and a friendly caring service.

If you are in need of a reliable and approved Claims Management Company to manage your accident compensation claim, look no further. Email us at webenquiries@direct2solicitorsltd.co.uk, call us on 0800 9177456, or get us to call you, using the big blue "Call me back" box at the top right of this page.

Genuine claim or pulling a fast one?

Bizarre Claims

I read with interest today an article regarding a former employee of Tesco who is taking them to court and suing them for discrimination after he was forced by Managers to work with alcohol during his work at their distribution centre in Staffordshire. The claimant is basing his lawsuit on the fact that his religious beliefs (He is a Muslim) were highly at conflict with him handling alcohol so he could not do this work. He states that he asked to move to different work, but this was refused. However, Tesco have stated that at some point ALL of their distribution staff come in to contact with alcohol and need to move it around.
To me, this sounds a rather far fetched claim. Surely when he took the job, he knew that Tesco sold alcohol?! In our view, the claim will fail, but that remains to be seen!

Employee Rights

Employees do have rights and can object to certain work on various grounds. However, there is a responsibility on employees to mention when being interviewed if there is anything in the workplace that they feel their beliefs or health issues will prevent them from working on.

Employers Responsibilities

Employers are responsible for ensuring that employees are not placed at risk, not exposed to danger and not exposed to harassment, bullying or victimisation.

Making your claim

To make your claim, come to us. Direct 2 Solicitors are approved for Regulated Claims Management Services by the Ministry of Justice (Authorisation CRM 3364), check the regulators web site www.claimsregulation.gov.uk and are also members of the Claims Standards Council. We offer genuine peace of mind, honesty and a friendly caring service.

If you are in need of a reliable and approved Claims Management Company to manage your accident compensation claim, look no further. Email us at webenquiries@direct2solicitorsltd.co.uk, call us on 0800 9177456, or get us to call you, using the big blue "Call me back" box at the top right of this page.

Tragic Accident leads to death of child

More Personal Injury No Win No Fee Claims in the news

Three companies in Dorset are to face legal action over the death of a child according to today's news. In a very tragic incident, the 9 year old was crushed to death by an electric gate at his grandparents home in April 2006. Poole Borough Council are prosecuting 3 firms as a result of this incident. Two firms are to face legal action under the Health and Safety at Work act and the third under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) regulations. The cases are due to be heard before Wimborne Magistrates Court later this year. An inquest recorded a verdict of accidental death.

This is a very sad story indeed and our hearts go out to the family of the dead child. It highlights that vendors of tools, equipment and products need to take great care to ensure the safety of UK Citizens. The family will likely claim compensation, but no settlement will be sufficient to cover the terrible loss of their child.

Who you gonna call?

Direct 2 Solicitors are approved for Regulated Claims Management Services by the Ministry of Justice (Authorisation CRM 3364), check the regulators web site www.claimsregulation.gov.uk and are also members of the Claims Standards Council. We offer genuine peace of mind, honesty and a friendly caring service.

If you are in need of a reliable and approved Claims Management Company to manage your accident compensation claim, look no further. Email us at webenquiries@direct2solicitorsltd.co.uk, call us on 0800 9177456, or get us to call you, using the big blue "Call me back" box at the top right of this page.