Workplace accidents can change your life in a second – not only through the physical trauma you suffer and potential for life-long disability, but also in respect of your future working relationship with an employer who is responsible for your workplace accident due to his negligence or lack of care.
Employers have an obligation under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act to provide employees with a safe environment in which to work. Where he fails to implement health and safety regulations, and you suffer an injury in workplace accidents, you are entitled to claim for workplace accidents compensation.
Your workplace accidents compensation claim may not even be based on your employer´s failure to provide a physically safe working environment. If workplace accidents occur due to a lack of training, supervision or the actions of another employee, your employer is still legally liable for your injuries and is still the person who would be sued in a claim for workplace accidents compensation.
Claiming for Workplace Accidents Compensation
Before claiming workplace accidents compensation, it is essential that you seek urgent medical attention. Even minor injuries sustained in workplace accidents can lead to permanent health issues, and you should visit the accident and emergency department of your local hospital or family GP as soon as possible after sustaining any injury.
You should also ensure that a report of your workplace accident is recorded in your employer´s “Accident Report Book”. A copy of this, your medical notes and any witness statements should be included with your application for workplace accidents compensation when it is submitted to the Injuries Board Ireland.
Your workplace accidents compensation claim should also include details of any special damages you wish to claim for. Special damages can include expenses you have incurred due to injuries sustained in your workplace accident or a loss of earnings if you have been unable to work since the incident. The list of special expenses you may be entitled to claim can be quite extensive, and it is always in your best interests to claim compensation for workplace accidents with the assistance of an experienced personal injury claims solicitor.
Workplace Accidents and Solicitors
Using the services of an experienced personal injury claims solicitor when making a workplace accidents compensation claim will not only ensure that you receive the maximum possible award of workplace accidents compensation, but will also eliminate the potential for an awkward workplace confrontation when you return to work after recovering from your injuries.
Furthermore, should your employer deny his liability for your claim for workplace accidents compensation, or state that you contributed to the accident by your own lack of care, the Injuries Board Ireland will decline to assess your application for workplace accidents compensation. The Board will issue you with an authority to pursue your workplace accidents claim through the courts – something you will need legal representation for and it is always better if your solicitor is involved from the very beginning.
A solicitor will also be a useful ally to have should your employer´s insurance company contact you with an offer of early settlement for your workplace accidents claim. Their offers, although possibly welcome at a time when you may be concerned about your financial security, are usually inappropriate for the physical trauma you have suffered. A solicitor will have up to date information on how much compensation you should receive for a workplace accidents compensation claim.
Workplace Accidents Summary
Everybody´s personal circumstances are unique, and for settlements of workplace accidents claims to be governed by a book (as used by the Injuries Board Ireland) is an unsafe way to gauge what constitutes fair and adequate compensation. Without taking advice from an experienced personal injury claims solicitor, you could be undercompensated for your workplace accidents claim, and consequently suffer financial hardship due to the negligence of an employer.
Therefore, it is in your best interests to call our free workplace accidents claim advice service, and discuss your case with an experienced personal injury claims solicitor. Our solicitor will be able to provide you with helpful and accurate advice about your entitlement to claim workplace accidents compensation and assess whether you have a workplace accidents compensation claim that is worth your while to pursue.
All calls to our free workplace accidents claim advice service are completely confidential. So this represents the best way to make an enquiry without creating issues at work and, once you have spoken with us, you are under no obligation to proceed with a workplace accidents compensation claim.