An
Accident at work typically involves slips, trips or falls. However, the nature of accidents in the workplace is shaped largely by the environment in which they occur. More specifically, hazards vary from one workplace to the next, so the probability of a particular type of accident occurring in one place will not necessarily be the same in another.
The construction industry, for instance, is far more likely to see personal injury claims relating to accidents involving falls from height or exposure to harmful substances than an office environment, which in turn may face greater risks associated with slips and trips.
Nevertheless, the statistics provide a useful view as to the types of accidents most commonly experienced in different working environments.
According to the Health and Safety Executive, more than 10,000 employees suffered a major injury as a result of a slip or trip at work in 2008/2009. During the same period, over 4,000 workers sustained serious injuries after experiencing a fall from height. In regard to these falls, over 2,100 of the incidents involved construction workers, this demonstrates just how dangerous the construction industry is whilst highlighting the increased hazards associated with working at height.
Although numerous personal injury claims are made by construction workers who have sustained relatively minor injuries at work, a proportion of accidents involve death or life-altering injuries. In fact, of the 2,100 or so falls sustained by construction workers in 2008/2009, 21 employees died and more than 1,200 suffered major injuries. Construction workers are also routinely exposed to potentially harmful substances, such as asbestos and silica dust, which can lead to potentially fatal illnesses over time.
In contrast, a typical office environment in the private sector sees most accidents involving slips or trips. Health and safety training in offices has improved enormously over recent years, but employers must do more to ensure that their staffs are not exposed to reasonably foreseeable risks. In the majority of cases, accidents in the office that give rise to personal injury claims are entirely avoidable: wet floors, damaged flooring and poorly positioned boxes should all be identified as unnecessary hazards.
Other workplace accidents, however, are less obvious. Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a common consequence of spending prolonged periods of time performing the same activity. RSI has become synonymous with the act of typing, which can cause various unpleasant health conditions over time including carpal tunnel syndrome. Computer monitors can also cause damage to eyesight, whilst sitting in a chair or at a desk that is not ergonomically designed may result in various injuries - especially those affecting the back or legs.
Work Accidents - Making a Case
Employers have a duty of care to ensure that risks to health and safety are identified and eliminated where reasonable to do so.
Successful personal injury claims relating to accidents in the workplace involve an element of negligence on the part of the employer or defendant (if someone else).
Claiming for compensation against an employer can be an awkward and troublesome affair, so it is essential that accident victims seek professional legal advice from
no win no fee solicitors, who will fight for the maximum compensation available in the most cost-effective way for the claimant.
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