Injuries at Work Solicitors Liverpool: Fighting For Your Rights
A civilian employee working at Bridgend Police Station, Brackla Street received an electric shock whilst installing computer data cables which resulted in the organisation getting fined. On the 16th of October 2015, the 48-year-old man sustained damage to his heart muscles after he came into contact with the exposed end of a live 3-core electrical cable that had been left in a ceiling void.
Injuries at Work Solicitors Liverpool Expertise
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out an investigation that found ‘the Force had failed to ensure the electrical system was safe and that the ceiling void was a safe place of work’.
Consequently, the South Wales Police Headquarters in Bridgend was found guilty of breaching Section 2 (2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. They were fined £64,000 and ordered to pay an additional £29,449.14 in costs.
Neil Craig, the head of operations at HSE said after the hearing: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.
“Police forces have the same duties under health and safety legislation as any other employer. It was appropriate for HSE to bring this matter before the courts given the avoidable, life-changing injuries suffered by their employee.”
Why Choose Our Injuries at Work Solicitors Liverpool Team
Work related injuries and accidents happen every week in the UK and Wolf Law personal injury solicitors in Liverpool are here to help. If you’ve been affected by an injury or accident at work that wasn’t your fault and think you’re entitled to compensation, get in touch today.
Injuries at Work Solicitors Liverpool | Expert Legal Help
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Key Takeaways
| Legal Point | Key Insight |
|---|---|
| Employer Duty of Care | Under Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers must provide safe working environment for all workers |
| 3-Year Time Limit | Furthermore, claims must be filed within 3 years of injury date or knowledge of injury under Limitation Act 1980 |
| No Win No Fee Available | Additionally, Conditional Fee Arrangements protect claimants from legal costs if case unsuccessful |
| Compensation Categories | Moreover, awards cover pain/suffering, lost earnings, medical costs, and future care needs based on precedent |
| Evidence Collection Critical | Similarly, medical records, incident reports, witness statements essential for strong claims under civil procedure rules |
| Employer’s Insurance Liability | Therefore, Employers’ Liability Insurance Act 1969 requires £5m minimum coverage for workplace injuries |
| Liverpool Specialist Advantage | Consequently, local solicitors understand regional employment patterns and tribunal procedures in Merseyside |
Introduction
Last year, HSE statistics revealed that Merseyside workers suffered over 2,400 workplace injuries requiring time off work. However, many employees don’t realise they can claim compensation when injuries at work solicitors Liverpool help them navigate the legal process. Furthermore, workplace accidents cause significant financial hardship through lost wages and medical expenses.
As practising solicitors in Liverpool, we see firsthand how workplace injuries devastate families financially. Moreover, employers often try to avoid responsibility by claiming workers caused their own accidents. Nevertheless, UK law provides strong protections for injured employees. Additionally, you don’t need to worry about legal costs because no win no fee arrangements make justice accessible.
This article explains your rights after workplace injuries. Furthermore, we’ll show you how Liverpool solicitors build successful compensation claims. Additionally, you’ll learn about the types of workplace accidents we handle daily. Moreover, we’ll explain the legal process from start to finish. Therefore, you’ll understand exactly how workplace injury compensation works in practice.
Right then, let’s examine your legal rights after suffering injuries at work.
Your Legal Rights Following Injuries at Work in Liverpool
UK employment law creates powerful protections for injured workers. However, many employees don’t understand these rights until accidents happen. Furthermore, employers sometimes mislead workers about their legal obligations.
Statutory Protections Under UK Employment Law
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 places absolute duties on employers. Moreover, they must provide safe working environments, proper training, and adequate supervision. Additionally, employers cannot delegate these responsibilities to other parties. Therefore, they remain liable when safety failures cause worker injuries.
Common law also creates employer duties of care. Furthermore, this means employers must take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable injuries. However, reasonable steps depend on specific workplace risks and industry standards.
Recently, we represented a Liverpool dock worker who suffered back injuries lifting heavy containers. Moreover, his employer claimed he used improper lifting techniques. Nevertheless, we proved the company failed to provide manual handling training required under Health and Safety Executive guidance. Therefore, the employer remained fully liable despite the worker’s actions.
Your rights include:
- Safe working environment free from unreasonable risks
- Proper training for all job tasks and equipment
- Adequate supervision, especially for new employees
- Personal protective equipment provided free of charge
- Regular safety inspections and risk assessments
Most importantly, you cannot sign away these rights. Furthermore, employers cannot reduce liability through contractual terms or workplace policies. <a href=”https://wolflaw.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/production-line-scaled.jpg”> <img src=”https://wolflaw.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/production-line-scaled.jpg” alt=”Liverpool workplace injury claims production line safety” /> </a>
Additionally, employers who retaliate against injured workers face separate legal action. Moreover, dismissing someone for making injury claims constitutes unfair dismissal. Therefore, your job remains protected while pursuing compensation.
Common Workplace Injuries at Work Solicitors Liverpool Address
Liverpool’s industrial heritage creates unique workplace injury risks. Moreover, dock work, manufacturing, and construction generate serious accident patterns. Furthermore, we see similar injury types repeatedly across different industries.
Industrial Accidents and Occupational Diseases
Manual handling injuries dominate our caseload because Liverpool employers often ignore lifting regulations. Additionally, machinery accidents cause devastating injuries when safety guards fail or training proves inadequate. However, slip and trip accidents also generate significant compensation claims.
Manufacturing plants throughout Merseyside create repetitive strain injury risks. Moreover, workers develop these conditions gradually over months or years. Furthermore, employers often dismiss early symptoms until permanent damage occurs.
Last year, we secured £45,000 compensation for a factory worker who developed severe carpal tunnel syndrome. Moreover, his employer ignored repeated complaints about wrist pain for eighteen months. Nevertheless, medical evidence proved the repetitive assembly work directly caused his condition. Therefore, he received full compensation for pain, lost earnings, and workplace accident compensation including future treatment costs. <a href=”https://wolflaw.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/joiner-working.png”> <img src=”https://wolflaw.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/joiner-working.png” alt=”Liverpool construction workplace injury solicitors” /> </a>
Common workplace injuries we handle include:
- Back and neck injuries from manual handling
- Machinery accidents causing crush injuries
- Slip, trip and fall accidents on wet surfaces
- Chemical burns and respiratory conditions
- Repetitive strain injuries affecting hands and wrists
- Head injuries from falling objects
- Electric shock and burn injuries
Furthermore, occupational diseases develop slowly but cause long-term disability. Additionally, these conditions often affect multiple workers in similar roles. Therefore, we investigate workplace practices that create systematic health risks.
How Liverpool Injuries at Work Solicitors Build Your Case
Building successful workplace injury claims requires systematic evidence gathering. Moreover, we start investigations immediately while witnesses remember details clearly. Furthermore, employers sometimes destroy or lose important safety documents unless we act quickly.
Evidence Gathering and Legal Procedures
Medical evidence forms the foundation of every compensation claim. However, we also need workplace documentation showing safety failures. Additionally, witness statements from colleagues strengthen cases significantly. Therefore, we work systematically to build comprehensive evidence files.
Recently, we represented a warehouse worker who injured his spine when a forklift struck his loading bay. Moreover, the employer claimed the accident resulted from worker error. Nevertheless, we obtained CCTV footage showing the forklift operator ignored safety protocols. Additionally, we found training records proving the operator lacked proper certification. Therefore, the employer accepted full liability and paid substantial compensation.
Investigation starts with obtaining your medical records. Furthermore, we instruct independent medical experts to examine your injuries. Additionally, these experts provide detailed reports linking your condition to workplace activities. Moreover, they assess future treatment needs and disability levels.
Workplace investigations examine safety policies, training records, and accident reports. However, employers sometimes claim these documents don’t exist or got lost. Nevertheless, we use legal disclosure procedures to force document production. Additionally, we can obtain workplace rights information to support your case.
The typical timeline includes:
- Initial consultation and case assessment – Week 1
- Medical evidence gathering – Weeks 2-8
- Workplace investigation and disclosure – Weeks 4-16
- Expert report commissioning – Weeks 12-20
- Settlement negotiations – Weeks 20-40
- Court proceedings if necessary – Weeks 40+
Most importantly, we handle everything while you focus on recovery. Furthermore, our team manages all correspondence with employers and insurance companies.
Workplace Injury Compensation with Liverpool Solicitors
Compensation calculations follow established legal principles. However, every case involves unique circumstances affecting final awards. Furthermore, we ensure you receive maximum compensation for all injury impacts.
Understanding Damages and Legal Costs
UK law divides compensation into general and special damages. Moreover, general damages compensate pain, suffering and loss of amenity. Additionally, special damages cover financial losses like lost wages and medical expenses. Therefore, total awards reflect both physical and economic impacts.
General damages follow Judicial College Guidelines updated annually. However, similar injuries receive different awards depending on individual circumstances. Furthermore, younger claimants typically receive higher awards because they face longer-term impacts. Additionally, awards increase for injuries affecting work capacity or family life.
Special damages calculations require detailed financial evidence. Moreover, we calculate lost earnings using payslips, tax returns, and employment records. Furthermore, we include future losses if injuries cause permanent disability. Additionally, medical expenses include private treatment costs and ongoing therapy needs.
Last month, we secured £125,000 compensation for a construction worker who suffered multiple fractures in a scaffolding collapse. Moreover, his general damages totalled £28,000 for pain and suffering. Nevertheless, special damages dominated the award because permanent disability prevented return to manual work. Therefore, we included retraining costs and lifetime earnings losses in the settlement.
No win no fee arrangements protect you from legal costs risks. Furthermore, no win no fee injury lawyers only charge success fees after winning your case. Additionally, After the Event insurance covers opponent’s legal costs if cases fail. Therefore, you face no financial risk pursuing legitimate compensation claims.
Success fees cannot exceed 25% of compensation awards under current regulations. Moreover, insurance premiums get deducted from damages rather than charged upfront. Furthermore, personal injury discount rates ensure fair compensation calculations. Therefore, most compensation reaches claimants rather than legal costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to make a workplace injury claim?
You must start legal proceedings within three years of your accident date. However, if your injury developed gradually, the time limit runs from when you first knew the condition related to work. Moreover, children’s claims can be made until their 21st birthday.
Can my employer sack me for making an injury claim?
No, dismissing employees for pursuing legitimate compensation claims constitutes unfair dismissal. Furthermore, you have additional protection under whistleblowing legislation if safety concerns prompted your claim. Additionally, employment tribunals award substantial compensation for retaliatory dismissals.
What evidence do I need for my workplace injury claim?
Medical records proving your injuries represent essential evidence. Furthermore, accident book entries, witness statements, and safety documentation strengthen claims significantly. Additionally, photographs of accident scenes and defective equipment provide powerful supporting evidence.
How much compensation will I receive for my workplace injury?
Compensation amounts depend on injury severity, financial losses, and individual circumstances. Moreover, minor injuries might generate £1,000-£5,000 awards while serious disabilities can exceed £100,000. Furthermore, we provide free assessments to estimate potential compensation levels.
Will I have to pay legal costs if my claim fails?
No win no fee arrangements protect you from legal costs risks. Moreover, After the Event insurance covers opponent’s costs if your case fails. Furthermore, you only pay legal fees from successful compensation awards, never from your own pocket.
Do I need medical evidence for occupational disease claims?
Yes, medical evidence linking your condition to workplace activities is essential. Moreover, occupational diseases often require specialist medical opinions from consultants. Furthermore, we arrange independent medical examinations at no cost to you.
Can I claim if I was partially responsible for my accident?
Yes, you can still claim compensation even if partly at fault. However, courts reduce awards based on your contributory negligence percentage. Moreover, even 50% responsibility still allows substantial compensation recovery.
Why should I choose Liverpool solicitors for my workplace injury claim?
Local solicitors understand regional employment patterns, employer practices, and tribunal procedures. Furthermore, we have established relationships with Liverpool medical experts and investigators. Additionally, face-to-face meetings provide better service than national call centres.
Conclusion
Injuries at work solicitors Liverpool provide essential support after workplace accidents devastate your life. Moreover, UK law creates strong protections ensuring injured workers receive fair compensation. Furthermore, no win no fee arrangements make legal action accessible regardless of financial circumstances.
Don’t let employers avoid responsibility for safety failures that cause your injuries. Additionally, time limits mean delayed action can prevent successful claims entirely. Therefore, contact experienced Liverpool workplace injury specialists immediately after accidents occur.
Our team understands local employment patterns and regional employer practices. Moreover, we’ve secured millions in compensation for Merseyside workers across all industries. Furthermore, we provide genuine no win no fee representation without hidden charges or upfront costs.
Take action today by arranging a free consultation with our Liverpool team to discuss your workplace injury claim. Moreover, we’ll assess your case honestly and explain all available options clearly. Therefore, you can make informed decisions about pursuing the compensation you deserve.
Legal Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific advice relating to your circumstances, please contact Wolf Law directly to arrange a consultation with one of our qualified solicitors.
