Should I Claim Compensation for a Workplace Accident?
When you’ve had an accident at work, you might be tempted to try to make a claim. However, very few people who actually get hurt as part of their job actually go through with making a full claim. There are many different reasons for this. One reason is that people are concerned about “compensation culture”. Another reason may be that people feel loyalty towards their employer or they’re concerned that making a claim could result in their employer starting disciplinary proceedings against them. Nonetheless, making a claim for compensation after an accident in the workplace could be the best thing that you have ever done.
Why should I make a claim for compensation?
Getting injured in the workplace can hamper your ability to do your job properly. Even if your physical wounds heal quickly, you may be left with mental scarring after the incident that stops you from being able to work in the same way that you used to. Not being able to do your job properly can harm your future earning potential. You may also be forced to pay out of your own pocket for aids and adaptations to help you to maintain the same quality of life whilst you are still injured. For example, if you have broken your arm you may have to pay for taxis to drive you from A to B. It doesn’t matter whether you have suffered from a minor injury or a severe problem, you should be able to make a claim if you have suffered any disadvantage because of your workplace injury.
Getting injured in the workplace can hamper your ability to do your job properly. Even if your physical wounds heal quickly, you may be left with mental scarring after the incident that stops you from being able to work in the same way that you used to. Not being able to do your job properly can harm your future earning potential. You may also be forced to pay out of your own pocket for aids and adaptations to help you to maintain the same quality of life whilst you are still injured. For example, if you have broken your arm you may have to pay for taxis to drive you from A to B. It doesn’t matter whether you have suffered from a minor injury or a severe problem, you should be able to make a claim if you have suffered any disadvantage because of your workplace injury.
Could my employer discipline me for a claim?
If you have suffered an injury in the workplace, you are entitled to make a claim for compensation. Legislation in the United Kingdom means that you cannot be punished for making a claim after you are injured. A few people do report that they have received negative treatment from their employer after making a claim; however these employers are breaking the law. If you suspect that your employer is treating you unfairly after you have made a claim, you may have grounds to launch a workplace tribunal against them.
Is it possible to make more than one claim?
In general, you are will only be able to make one claim for a specific personal injury that you sustained in an accident in the workplace. However, this should not prevent you from making future claims if you are injured in any other accident. Making one claim does not take away your right claim for other things.
What will my colleagues think?
You do not have to tell your colleagues that you are making a claim if you do not want to. Data protection and employment legislation also mean that your claim should not be shared beyond the people in the company who absolutely need to know. If you are worried about what your colleagues might think about you making a claim, you do not have to share the information with them!
What should the claim cover?
A personal injury claim can cover a lot of different things. To work out the value of the claim,
a claim assessor will normally take into account that type and extent of the injuries that were incurred in the accident. They will also consider any suffering that you have experienced because of your injuries. In terms of your physical and mental injuries, the claims assessor will also consider whether you have shouldered any external medical costs or any costs associated with having to adapt your home or vehicle.
If you have been forced to take time off of work or if your earning potential has been reduced by the accident, then your claims advisor should take this into account. As well as earnings which you have already lost as a result of an accident in the workplace, your compensation amount may encompass a loss of future earnings.
Many websites have “compensation calculator” pages, or compensation amounts displayed on relevant pages that provide a general estimate. So if you were to search for example injury at work claim how much compensation you’ll see several results that allow you to calculate compensations amounts. Looking through various websites I have noticed the compensation amounts may vary slightly, but they should all be based on the Judicial College guidelines.
Who can support my claim?
If you are a member of a trade union, they may be able to point you towards a lawyer who specialises in accidents in the workplace. There are a number of firms across the United Kingdom which specialise in these types of claims.