Accident At Work Solicitors — Scotland

Accidents at Work

Accidents at work claims

Every employee has a right to safe working conditions. This means a safe work environment, correct and adequate training, and proper supervision from a health and safety executive.

When employers neglect these basic conditions, it could cause several accidents at work.

Workplace accidents can have devastating effects, from significant disability to brain injury.

Causes & Types of Work Accidents

Leading causes of accidents at work

There are various causes for an accident at work. Here are some of the most common examples our solicitors have encountered:

• Dangerous working environments and practices: Poorly maintained sites, unsafe work methods, or ignored safety rules put employees at constant risk.
• Lack of sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE): Failure to provide safety helmets, gloves, footwear or respiratory masks often leads to avoidable injuries.
• Inadequate risk assessments or training: Without proper preparation, employees may be exposed to hazards they are unaware of and unable to handle.
• Unsafe manual handling procedures: Lifting heavy items without the right technique or equipment frequently results in back and limb injuries.
• Spillages or trip hazards: Slippery floors, loose cables or cluttered walkways can cause slips, trips and falls.
• Poorly enforced safety procedures: When policies exist on paper but aren’t applied in practice, workers remain exposed to preventable risks.
• Dangerous or faulty equipment: Defective or poorly serviced equipment can cause crush injuries, burns or amputations.
• Manufacturing or design faults: In some cases, liability lies with the manufacturer if defective equipment causes harm.

Different types of workplace accidents

There are numerous types of work accidents, resulting in moderate to serious injuries. We’ve listed the most common types of workplace injuries, some of which you may not be aware that you can make a compensation claim for.

• Crush injuries: Often caused by faulty machinery or heavy equipment accidents
• Leg and knee injuries: Common in construction, warehousing or jobs with heavy lifting
• Brain or head injuries: Resulting from falls, falling objects, or defective safety equipment.
• Arm, wrist and hand injuries: Including fractures, lacerations and repetitive strain injuries.
• Shoulder injuries: From lifting, carrying or repetitive overhead tasks
• Broken and fractured bones: Caused by slips, trips, falls or machinery accidents
• Industrial diseases: Such as cancer, asbestos-related illnesses, chemical poisoning and more.
• Repetitive strain injuries: From repetitive tasks like typing, assembly line work, or manual labour.
• Burns: From exposure to chemicals, hot equipment, or fire hazards.
• Muscle damage and soft tissue injuries: From overexertion or unsafe manual handling.
• Loss of sight or hearing: Caused by inadequate protection from noise, debris or chemicals.

Making a Claim

How do I make an accident at work injury claim?

It can be challenging to know where to start with claiming compensation for work accidents. If there is proof of negligence or signs of faulty work equipment, workplace injury lawyers will assist you in claiming against your employer to help protect your financial future.

Here’s how to process works:

1. Free initial consultations: Contact us by phone, online or in person. We’ll listen to your story, assess the circumstances, and give you clear advice on whether you have a valid claim.
2. Gathering evidence: Our team collects medical reports, witness statements and any supporting evidence. We may also consult independent medical experts to assess the full impact of your injury.
3. Building your case: We calculate the compensation you’re entitled to, considering the pain and suffering, lost earnings, rehabilitation costs and long-term care needs.
4. Negotiation with insurers: Most claims are settled through negotiation. We deal directly with the at-fault party and their insurers to secure the best possible outcome. If a settlement cannot be reached, we’re prepared to take your case to court.
5. Settlement and support: Once your claim is resolved, we ensure you receive your compensation quickly. Where possible, we’ll also arrange interim payments to cover urgent medical or financial needs during the process.

How Much Compensation?

How much compensation can I claim for an accident at work?

The compensation amount will depend on the nature of the accident, the severity of your injuries and the medical evidence provided.

For example, the compensation award for hand fractures would be much lower than it would be for a serious brain injury.

In most instances, you may claim compensation for a variety of things, including:

• Medical expenses: Covers private rehabilitation, hospital treatment and ongoing therapy.
• Loss of earnings: Recovery of past earnings and compensation for reduced future earning capacity.
• Home and lifestyle adaptations: Including ramps, stairlifts or accessible vehicles if required.
• Pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life: Reflecting the physical and emotional toll of your accident.
• Fatal accident claims: If a loved one has died in a workplace accident, family members can claim.
• Specialist care and support: Funding for carers or long-term assistance.

Why Watermans?

Why should I choose Watermans to pursue my work accident claim?

At Watermans, we make legal services a breeze, so people can move forward in life.

Our expert team is committed to making the claim process as straightforward as possible. We take the hassle from you and fight each case to secure the maximum level of compensation.

Dedicated personal injury solicitors in Scotland

We provide access to a range of additional services, such as physiotherapy and psychological treatment, to ensure you recover from your injury.

Alongside work accidents, our expertise in personal injury covers a wide range of areas, including:

• Public liability claims: Injuries in public areas caused by the property owner’s negligence.
• Road traffic accident claims: Collisions due to someone else’s negligence.
• Fatal and serious injury claims: Serious or life-threatening injury caused by someone else.
• Historical abuse cases: Includes elder and institutional abuse cases, leading to claims being made as a result of succumbing to injuries.

We represent thousands of personal injury cases throughout Scotland each year, securing millions of pounds in compensation for our clients. Our personal injury lawyers work on a no-win, no-fee basis, so there’s no financial risk if your claim is unsuccessful.