Office Accident Compensation Claims

Office Accident Compensation Claims

Employers of people who work in offices owe their employees a duty of care to provide them with a safe place of work and safe systems of working. Prudent employers will carry out risk assessments to make sure that their staff are not at risk from all kinds of potential hazards that may be present in the office environment.

It would be a mistake to think that because of the sedentary nature of many office jobs, most office employees are likely to be immune from getting injured at work. Sitting at desks for most of the day, working on PCs or laptops, can of itself pose potential health risks for employees.

Employees get injured in office-based accidents just as they do in other work environments. When they do, and the accident occurred due to the negligence or breach of duty of care of the employer or of other work colleagues, then they may decide to make an office accident compensation claim against their employer.

 

What are the most common types of office accident?

1) Slip, Trip and Fall Accidents

Trailing cables across walkways or gangways, tea and coffee or other liquid spills on hard flooring, boxes that have been left out on the office floor, loose carpet tiles, badly lit staircases – all of these examples and more, can cause unwary employees to slip, trip or fall causing injury to themselves.

2) Back injury at work

These can happen in several ways. If employees are asked to move heavy boxes without being provided with trolleys to help them, this can lead to a back injury being caused. Employees who trip or fall over items on the floor, often end up with back injuries.

3) Falling objects

Being hit by falling objects as a result of being asked to get heavy boxes of files, books etc, down from high shelves without being provided with the assistance of ladders or steps. Back injuries, whiplash or more serious head injuries can be caused by this type of office accident.

4) Electric Shocks

Offices are usually full of electrical equipment – PCs, printers, screens, shredders. Getting an electric shock from faulty wiring or bad insulation can and does happen.

5) Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)

RSI affects people who carry out physically repetitive tasks. In an office environment typing at a keyboard for long hours can cause this. Almost all cases of RSI are caused by overuse of the affected upper limbs. Badly adjusted work desks and chairs will increase the risk of RSI.

Similarly, the absence of wrist and other supports that should be made available to employees will increase the risk of getting RSI or will exacerbate an existing condition.

This is an area where risk assessments are particularly vital. By carrying out a risk assessment, potential problems can be identified and a solution found. If an employer doesn’t do this  and an employee gets RSI then the injured employee may have reasonable grounds for starting an accident at work claim against the employer.

What should I do if I am injured in an office accident?

1. As soon as you can after the accident happens, report the accident to your employer. This will usually be done by reporting the matter to your office manager or other member of staff designated for this purpose. Ensure that the accident is recorded in the accident book that your employer, by law, must keep.
2. If possible, take photographs of where the accident happened, and
3. Ensure that you get medical attention as soon as possible.

What should I do about making a claim?

Even if you are not sure whether you want to make or claim or even whether you have grounds for making a personal injury claim, call Mooneerams personal injury solicitors in Cardiff for initial free advice on 029 2048 3615.

Your call will be taken by an expert accident at work solicitor, who will go through the circumstances of the accident with you and who will be able to guide you as to the next steps to be taken.

If we think you have reasonable prospects of making a successful office accident claim, then we will be able to go through the process of finding out whether your claim can be taken using a No Win, No Fee arrangement.

The solicitor will not put any pressure on you to make a claim. You may decide to instruct Mooneerams straight away. You may want to take your time and think about it. You may even decide not to make a claim. That is absolutely your decision.

The solicitors at Mooneerams have helped thousands of clients who have been injured in accidents at work. They have recovered millions of pounds in compensation for clients who have suffered injury in workplace accidents.

Unsure what to do next?

Call Mooneerams on 029 2048 3615, or leave your contact details on the blue contact form. A solicitor will return your call promptly or at a time to suit you.

You have three years from the date of your accident to start your claim otherwise in most circumstances, you will be too late to bring a claim.

Mooneerams only represent the victims of accidents that were not their fault. We do not act for insurance companies in defending claims.