Your employer will be held responsible for an Accident at work, if ‘reasonably practicable’ measures were not taken to protect your health, safety and welfare.

Personal injury solicitors London

If you have suffered an injury and work and want to know more about the options open to you, please contact us at Ashmans Solicitors. We offer a free, no-obligation enquiry, during which we will explain whether you are entitled to work accident compensation. We have personal injury solicitors Huddersfield. Wherever you live, we can help.

Health and safety at work – what are your employer’s responsibilities?

In England and Wales, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 states that an employer must protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees, so far as is reasonably practicable. This is a very legalistic definition but essentially means that employers must take reasonable steps to safeguard their employees, while they carry out their work duties. This is known as a ‘duty of care’.

So, what might be considered reasonable? There is no set answer to this question and each work accident is assessed on a case by case basis. Indeed, the precautions needed on a construction site will be very different from those needed in an office. Ultimately, however, employers have a duty to minimise injury and illness in the workplace as best as possible. Employers can achieve this by providing:

  • A safe place of work
  • A safe system of work
  • Safe and competent co-workers
  • Safe equipment and machinery

What about my responsibilities as an employee?

Employees also have responsibilities while at work – both to themselves and to others. This means adhering to health and safety laws, and co-operating with your employer with regard to health and safety at work.

Who is responsible for my work accident?

But despite the responsibility employees have to themselves, the fact remains that employees are primarily liable for health and safety in the workplace. This means that if an accident at work occurs, the actions of your employer will be called into question. If it is found that your employer did not minimise the risks ‘so far as is reasonably practicable’, then your employer will be to blame for your damages.

What if my colleague caused the workplace accident?

This applies, even if your colleague directly caused your workplace accident. This is because your employer must provide safe and competent co-workers. If your colleague acts negligently, causing you to suffer an injury, your employer will be at fault for hiring that employer (or, for failing to properly train and supervise him).

Can I claim work accident compensation?

If your employer failed to adequately protect your health and safety at work, causing you to experience an injury or illness, you will have grounds for a claim. This gives you the opportunity to claim compensation for your pain, suffering and financial damages.

When might an employer be responsible for a work accident?

You might now be wondering whether your employer is responsible for your work accident and whether you have grounds to make a claim. The easiest way to find out is to contact our  injury solicitors for a free initial enquiry. We can talk to you about your accident, confirming whether or not your employer is at fault.

By way of example, your employer might be held accountable if you were injured due to:

  • Faulty machinery or equipment
  • A lack of personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • A slip, trip or fall
  • Unsafe systems while working at height
  • A lack of training
  • Violent behaviour in the workplace
  • An accident involving a vehicle

There are many more examples of workplace accidents. If you have been injured at work, we recommend that you speak to our solicitors. We can confirm who is to blame for your injuries and whether you can claim compensation. Of course there is a time limit for accident claims so speak you us as soon as possible.

Personal injury solicitors London

For a free initial enquiry, call us on 0333 009 6275. We are available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.