Industrial sites and factories are inherently dangerous workplaces. Even so, workers should expect to head to work and perform their duties safely without worrying about the risk of injury from, for example a moving vehicle, falling debris, faulty machinery or a lack of training or protective gear.
If you or a family member have been injured at work, contact our specialist employers’ liability team to discuss your personal injury compensation claim.
Businesses are under strict duties to carry out regular risk assessments and implement safeguards to cut the risks to worker safety. If they fail to do so, it invariably amounts to negligence and creates an environment where there is a heightened risk of serious accident.
Health and safety breaches
Despite today’s strict laws, safety failures in the workplace still happen and can result in injuries which can prove catastrophic. In serious cases, health and safety breaches constitute a criminal offence for which the business, and potentially its directors, face prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
This is particularly important for many victims of workplace injuries given that a criminal conviction will be used in evidence to support their compensation claim against the employer.
Recently, for example, a recycling company in Lancashire was fined £24,000 (plus almost £5,000 in costs) after a worker aged 19 suffered near-fatal injuries after a telehandler, which was missing side mirrors, reversed into him. The company pleaded guilty to several health and safety breaches.
Employer’s liability
All employers must comply with their general duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and industry-specific regulations. To recover the compensation you or your loved one deserves, we will need to prove on balance that the employer was negligent and that the injuries were the direct result.
We will ask you for details about how the accident happened and who witnessed what happened. We’ll also ask you for any photographs of the accident site, CCTV, witness contact details and the employer’s accident log book entry.
Please don’t worry, if you do not have these details as we’ll seek to obtain these from your employer. We will also contact the HSE to find out if they were notified of what happened.
Be assured that we will walk you carefully through the compensation process, helping you and your family navigate what could be a difficult period ahead.
How we can help
In the event you or a family member has suffered a workplace accident, please contact us whereupon we will provide you with expert advice in relation to your claim under a no win no fee.
Please contact David Lydon at david.lydon@mfgsolicitors.com, or on 0121 236 7388.