What should I do if I have an accident at work?

If you are injured at work, you should always:

• Report - report your accident to your supervisor/manager
• Accident Book - you should make sure the Accident Book is completed to ensure that your accident is recorded correctly and will avoid your Employer denying knowledge of any accident.
• Have witnesses - it is recommended that if anyone witnessed your accident you obtain their details in case they require to give a statement about the circumstances of your accident.
• Photographs -  you are able to take a photograph of the cause of your accident this can be helpful

If any changes are implemented in your place of work following your accident, which would have prevented the accident, you should keep a note of these. For example machinery being fixed, or correct tools being provided.

Following your accident, if you think it may be your employer's fault Harper Macleod can give you legal advice. If we feel as your solicitor you have a claim then we will take on your claim and intimate it on your Employer. We will also explain the full process to you.

What types of accidents at work can I claim against my employer?

Some common examples of when your Employer could be at fault include:

• Was the machinery in a sufficient working order?
• Were you supplied with the correct tools to carry out the task?
• Did your injury occur due to you not having received training for the task you were involved in?
• Did you require specific clothing for the task? If so, were you provided with them? Some examples of clothing required include goggles, gloves, boots, and ear protectors.
• Did you trip due to the state of the flooring on a walkway?
• Were you provided with equipment when working at height?
• Was a risk assessment carried out for the task you were involved in?
• Did your task require more than one person? If so, were you provided help from a fellow employee?
• Did your employer keep manual handling to a minimum?

How do you claim for an Injury or Accident at Work?

To get an indication of the strength of your claim you should get in touch with us as soon as possible. Many types of claims are time-barred under Scots law so the sooner you start the process the better. 

Our specialist accident at work claims solicitors will intimate the details of your claim as quickly as possible after the accident has happened. The details of the accident and injury will be sent to the party who is at fault and/or their insurance company.

Some insurers will often to try to settle your injury claim directly with you and this can mean that you can receive less compensation than you should. If we represent you we will advise you appropriately should this happen.

We will ingather details of your losses, any documents that we need to prove your case and will contact witnesses as soon as possible.

How long after an accident at work can you make a claim?

The time limit for settling a case is usually three years after the accident. However, in terms of the compulsory Scottish pre-action protocol, your claim should be intimated as soon as possible.

No Win No Fee - How to fund your accident at work claim?

For clients who do not have the benefit of Legal Expense Insurance (“LEI”), we deal with claims on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning you pay nothing if your case is unsuccessful. Even if you have LEI there is no requirement for you to accept the solicitors chosen by your insurers. You have the right to “freedom of choice”  if you feel they do not have the expertise for your claim or even the right location.

Our experience has led to:

• Helping thousands of people like you fight for justice
• No Win No Fee claims 
• Helping with Rehabilitation with specialist contacts
• Securing over £20m for our clients in the last 18 months
• 9 out of 10 customers would use us again and recommend us to friends & family based on client feedback

What can be included in your accident at work claim?

We can claim compensation for any injury you suffer including, fractures, scarring, tinnitus and psychological trauma. You may also be able to claim for general out of pocket expenses, loss of earnings, care and assistance required and various other expenses.

When can you make a compensation claim?

• If the accident was in the last three years
• If someone else was at fault
• If you have suffered injury and/or been off work as a result of the accident
• If you are out of pocket for miscellaneous expenses 

We are Injury Claim Specialists you can trust

We are accredited by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and the Law Society of Scotland's Personal Injury Accreditation Scheme. We are also members of the Motor Accident Solicitors Society and our experience has led to:

• Helping thousands of people like you fight for justice
• Helping with Rehabilitation with specialist contacts
• Securing over £20m for our clients in the last 18 months
• 9 out of 10 of our injury claims customers would use us again and recommend us to friends & family based on client feedback

We fight for justice to maximise your compensation - call for free or enquire online 

Our Injury Claims team in Scotland provide a free initial consultation and you can contact us by filling out the claims form below with details of your accident/injury or:

• Call us for free on 0800 904 7777
• Email us [email protected]
• Request a call back from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 7 pm - Saturdays also available

Can my employment be terminated due to my claim?

A common question is whether you can be made redundant due to your claim. Your claim for injury cannot be used as the reason for your redundancy.

If you are of the opinion that you have been made redundant due to your claim we can put you in touch with someone from our employment team to give you advice.

To find out more and to discuss your circumstances call us free on 0800 904 7777 to discuss your claim or fill out the form below and someone will be in contact with you soon.