Sustaining an injury can have a devastating impact on all areas of your life. Depending on the severity, you may not be able to return to work or live life in the way you normally would.
If your injury was caused by negligence in the workplace then you may be entitled to some recompense. Navigating the legal system and processes can feel incredibly daunting if you are doing it alone. Here is a guide to help you navigate the system.
Understanding personal injury in the UK
The term ‘personal injury’ is quite a broad term and covers a range of different injuries. Physical injuries are the most common thing that people claim for, but you can also claim for psychological suffering as well.
In UK law you have three years from the injury to pursue a claim. This is to prevent cases from becoming too complex and hard to pass judgment on. There are exceptions to this rule, such as if a child is involved.
For a claim to be successful you will need to prove negligence on the part of someone else. In the workplace, this would be the company or one of its employees. You may also claim for road accidents, accidents at school or even in a public place.
Steps to take following an injury
It can be hard to know what to do immediately following an accident in the workplace. Seeking medical attention should be your priority. Even if your injury is less severe or there are no visible symptoms you should still seek medical advice.
Documenting your injuries is important too. Medical professionals may do this for you when you seek care, but if not you should take photos yourself. You should also be able to get your medical records as proof as well.
Make sure your workplace is aware of your injury. If it was a smaller incident such as a box falling on you or tripping over a wire, it is possible that your workplace may not be aware. By logging it with them, you are creating a paper trail that will be useful if you do start a compensation claim.
Selecting the right legal representation
As the UK legal system can be complex and challenging, seeking legal representation is a good way to get some help.
You will want to find a legal firm that has a lot of experience in personal injury claims. Initially, they will be able to assess your case and see whether it is worth making a claim or not. Although you may end up disappointed, this is a good way to prevent you from wasting your time. Often these cases are taken on a no-win, no-fee basis so you won’t end up out of pocket if you are not successful. This takes the risk out of making a claim
