How to Claim Injury Compensation for Workplace Accidents
Accidents in the workplace are still a relatively common occurrence despite improvements amongst employers in adhering to the Irish and European Health & Safety regulations.
To enquire about injury compensation for accidents in the workplace, contact Margaret O’Flaherty, publisher of Lawyer.ie & Principal of Tyrrell Solicitors.
To arrange a consultation by phone or in person, contact her using the enquiry form or call (01)6671476.
Employers have a statutory duty to ensure that all employees receive adequate training to undertake the role they have been employed to do, this is governed by the Safety, Health and Work Act 2005
Although commonly associated with construction industry injuries, accidents can occur at all types of workplaces and may include slips, trips and falls caused through negligence on behalf of the employer.
There are many cases whereby workers or staff have not received adequate training for their jobs or get injured as a result of being required to do a task with which they are unaccustomed e.g. lifting or moving boxes, furniture or computer equipment in an office setting.
Many cases concern people injured due to incorrect equipment or protective clothing being supplied to the person.
If your employer is found negligent or liable for your injury ou may be entitled to compensation. Personal Injury awards can range from large amounts for catastrophic injuries to more modest amounts for more minor ones such as recoverable back injury or simple bone fractures.
What to do if you suffer injury due to an accident at work
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SEEK MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
It stands to reason that the most important thing is your physical well-being and this takes immediate priority over any considerations for financial compensation down the line. That said, by immediately getting medical attention from your GP or hospital Accident & Emergency, it may provide evidentiary material which will help prove the legitimacy of your injury claim subsequently.
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REPORT THE INCIDENT
If your accident is very serious or you have been significantly traumatised, it may not always be possible to follow procedures but it is recommended that you inform your manager or supervisor of the nature of incident as soon as possible. Ideally, you should also insist on receiving (at minimum) a written acknowledgement of your accident report.
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SEEK LEGAL ADVICE
Before doing anything about your claim (or discussing it with anyone), you should talk to a reputable Law Society registered personal injury solicitor who can advise you on your next steps. A specialist lawyer will be able to determine if your employer is likely to be found liable and may be able to estimate the amount of compensation you are likely to receive. Most personal injury matters are assessed free of charge to determine if you have a claim.
Tyrrell Solicitors have particular expertise in taking on injury claims cases against employers. We provide an understanding approach and a listening ear to our clients while also employing a robust strategy to ensuring that if your case is disputed that you get fair compensation.
Some people may be concerned that if they take a claim against their employer that it might result in dismissal, bullying or curtailment of promotional prospects. It should be noted that even in contentious cases, it is mainly a contest between the claims lawyer and employer’s insurance company, and it is not taken as a ‘personal’ matter by the employer. There are also strict labour laws which protect you from any unfair workplace sanctions as a result of your claim.