Working conditions and work place health & safety in general have improved significantly in recent years. However, one of the most frequent types of personal injury claims that still occur are accidents at work. If you believe your employer to be negligent and you have been injured at work, then you may be entitled to monetary compensation. If this is something you would like to pursue then you are advised to seek professional help in the form of an accident at work solicitor.
Choosing an Accident at work Solicitor:
Choosing a solicitor with experience in work place accident law is crucial and can be the difference between you winning and losing the case. Always therefore pick an established and respected accident at work solicitor or a firm of solicitors that are confident in wining your case.
Document the Accident:
If the accident occurred during working hours, you should record it in an accident book provided by your employer. In the unlikely event that your employer doesn’t have an accident book, it is in your best interest to briefly describe the accident and the details of the injury which you sustained. You may also wish to take a photograph which clearly shows the extent of your workplace injury and can be used to further substantiate your case.
No Win No Fee – Conditional and Contingency Fee Agreements:
Becoming more and more popular are the ‘no win no fee’ or a conditional and contingence fee agreement schemes. In short, once you have appointed an accident at work solicitor they will handle your case on the agreement that if you don’t win they will not get paid. You also need to bear in mind that if you do lose you will normally have to pay your employer’s solicitor fees. So you are best advised to take out adequate insurance just in case. Your accident at work solicitor will be able to advise you on this conditional fee agreement.
If on the other hand you win the case you will need to pay your solicitor their standard fees together with a success fee which is normally a percentage of the damages which have been recovered (this cannot be more than 100% of your solicitors basic fees). If you are interested in appointing a no win no fee accident at work solicitor it is crucial that you are fully aware of the agreement you are entering and that you understand the cost implications if you win or lose the case.
How Much Can I Claim?
Typically, the amount an injured person can receive in compensation is largely dependent on the severity of the workplace accident. Some serious injuries, like for example, brain damage, severed limbs or broken bones which inflict physical pain and ultimately cause the patient stress and suffering will receive the highest payouts.
However, it’s also worth mentioning that apart from the compensation for being injured at work, the claimant can also be compensated for their lifestyle choices. Take for example a 25 year old man who enjoys playing football. Due to his accident at work which resulted in a broken leg he can no longer play the sport which he enjoys for the rest of the season. Your accident at work solicitor, under the injured at work rights of ‘loss of amenity’ will also be able to claim for this too.