Office Accident Claims

If you have suffered an injury in an office accident within the last three years, you might be entitled to compensation. Office accident claims include damages for pain, suffering and all the financial losses and expenses related to the injury.

Office injuries are unfortunately common and can result from various hazards in the workplace, such as slips, trips and falls, strains and sprains from poor posture or repetitive actions, as well as injuries caused by inadequate workstation setups or faulty equipment. Other risks in the office can include exposure to harmful substances, such as chemicals or dust, and stress-related illnesses resulting from an excessive workload or harassment.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an office due to someone else’s fault, you might be able to start an office accident claim. If you can claim, the personal injury solicitors we work with will be happy to offer you a no win no fee* service, so there will be no financial risk to you if the case is lost.

To find out if you are eligible to make a claim, call 0800 470 0474 or enter your details into our online claim form to receive a call back.

Your employer has a duty of care to protect office workers

Employers have a duty of care to ensure that their employees are not at risk of injury through dangerous or unhealthy working environments. By law, they must take reasonable steps to ensure that their work setting conforms to health and safety requirements. In the UK, the primary legislations that place a duty of care on employers include:

• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
• The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992

As part of this duty of care, an employer must:

• Carry out a risk assessment to identify potential hazards like uneven flooring, inadequate lighting or electrical hazards in the workplace;
• Eliminate or minimise any risks identified, such as installing cable tidies to remove the risk of trips and falls, for example;
• Provide safety equipment where necessary, which may include items such as gloves, hard hats or eye protection;
• Train staff on safe working practices;
• Keep good housekeeping and a clean working environment;
• Ensure that the office environment is designed to minimise the risk of accidents, which may include making sure that walkways are clear, lighting is adequate, and equipment is properly maintained;
• Have robust health and safety policies in place that cover all aspects of office safety, including emergency procedures, accident reporting, and first aid;
• Regularly monitor and review their health and safety policies and procedures to ensure they remain effective and up to date with any changes in the workplace.

To be successful in an office accident claim, your solicitor must prove that your employer was at fault for the accident that caused your injury or injuries. Your solicitor will be able to assess this liability by discussing your accident with you during a free telephone consultation.

Am I eligible to make an office accident claim?

To be eligible to make an office injury claim, it will need to be established that your employer has been negligent by failing to take reasonable steps to keep the premises safe and protect people from injury. Employer negligence is almost always established in cases where they have breached a specific health and safety rule. Claims for compensation following an office accident are made against the employer or their insurance company, even if the accident was the fault of a co-worker.

As with other personal injury claims, you will likely be eligible to claim compensation if:

• You have suffered an injury while working in an office environment
• Your accident happened within the last three years
• Your accident was due to the fault of your employer

The injury solicitors we work in partnership with are highly experienced in processing cases for office accident claims and have the necessary expertise to offer advice about the processes involved and the likely outcome of your claim. During your free initial consultation, a legal adviser will assess the details and cause of your accident at work and offer expert knowledge and advice to guide you on the likely compensation sum you could be entitled to.

If you believe you have been the victim of negligence, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible by calling free on 0800 470 0474. If your case has merit, you will be able to claim using a no win no fee service, which means there are no upfront costs to pay, and you will not lose a single penny if your case is unsuccessful.

What will I need in order to make a successful office accident claim?

To make a successful claim, your solicitor must prove who was responsible for your office accident and the severity of the injury suffered as a result. Once the liability of an accident has been established, the solicitor will work closely with you to gather evidence and documentation to strengthen your claim. Some of the most valuable pieces of evidence include the following:

• Accident reports or copies of entries made into the office’s accident book. This will help establish the date, time and location of your accident;
• Photographs of the scene in which the accident took place. Ideally, photographs will highlight the cause of the accident or demonstrate where safety measures have not been observed;
• Photos of any visible injuries and of damaged personal items;
• Medical reports that include copies of any diagnosis and treatment plans;
• Copies of prescriptions and receipts for any other treatment costs and related expenses;
• A medical report from an independent physician stating any long-term or permanent consequences of your injuries and how they may affect your life. Your solicitor will be able to arrange a free visit on your behalf;
• Witness contact details and statements if available;
• CCTV footage, if there are security cameras in your office;
• Your notes about how you suffered an accident in the office and how it has affected your work and personal life;
• Receipts and other documents related to all the financial losses and expenses incurred due to the office accident.

Once the solicitor has gathered all the necessary evidence to support your office accident compensation claim, they will work with you to build your case to achieve the maximum compensation award possible.

Common types of office accidents

Office accidents and injuries are incredibly common and form the basis of many enquiries made to us in the pursuit of compensation following an injury. Several potential hazards in an office environment can lead to an accident if health and safety issues are not adequately addressed. Some of the most common causes for office accident claims that are presented to us include:

• Poor desk layouts leading to repetitive strain injuries and posture problems
• Slips on wet floors and spillages
• Electric shocks from faulty machines or improper installation of electrical equipment
• Trips on loose wires, cables and other obstructions
• Poor ergonomics within the workplace, such as poorly positioned chairs, inadequate levels of computer monitors
• Manual handling injuries caused by lifting heavy boxes
• Falls from faulty or damaged office chairs
• Accidents resulting from poor health and safety training
• Dangerous office equipment such as shredders or staplers causing finger injuries
• Objects falling from a height due to damaged racking or overloaded shelves
• Lift accidents and entrapment caused by poor maintenance
• Workplace violence from co-workers, clients or visitors
• Workplace stress leading to physical and mental health problems

This list is not exhaustive, and many other accidents could give rise to an office injury claim. As long as you can show how your accident occurred and that it was due to another party’s negligence, you are entitled to compensation for your pain, suffering and financial losses.

What are the most common injuries caused by an accident in an office?

An accident in an office can lead to a wide range of injuries, from minor to life-changing. Some of the most common injuries leading to an office accident claim include the following:

Cuts and bruises

Cuts and bruises are common injuries that can occur in office accidents. They can be due to various hazards such as sharp objects, slips, and falls. For example, you may accidentally cut yourself with a faulty paper cutter or trip on a loose carpet tile, resulting in bruises or lacerations. Employers need to identify and address these hazards to prevent such injuries from occurring in the workplace.

Eye strain

Eye strain is a common issue in an office environment and can lead to an accident claim if not addressed appropriately. Prolonged use of computer screens and other digital devices can cause eye strain, which may result in symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision, and dry eyes. To prevent this, it is essential to take regular breaks, adjust the brightness and contrast of the screen, and position it to reduce glare.

Back injuries 

There can be many causes of back injuries in the office, including poor posture, poor office ergonomics, lifting heavy objects and repetitive movements. If you have suffered a back injury due to an office accident, you might be entitled to make a compensation claim against your employer.

Leg injuries

Leg injuries can be due to a slip or trip at work or being struck by a falling object. Some common leg injuries include sprains, strains, fractures, and dislocations. These can be severe and require an extended recovery period, which can lead to time off work and loss of income. Sometimes, a leg injury may result in permanent disability or require corrective surgery.

Repetitive strain injuries

Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) in the office can occur when an individual performs repetitive actions, such as typing on a keyboard, using a mouse, or sitting in the same position for long periods. Common RSIs in the office include carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, and tendonitis. Symptoms can include pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the affected area.

Sprains and strains 

Sprains and strains are usually due to overuse but can also result from a single traumatic event like a fall or slip. They can affect various body parts, including the back, neck, shoulders, wrists, and ankles. If the injury is due to the employer’s negligence or failure to provide a safe working environment, they might be liable in an office injury claim.

Fractures

Fractures can also occur in office accidents, usually as a result of slips and trips or from falling objects. Examples of fractures that can happen in an office setting include:

• Broken bones in the hands or wrists from trying to catch a fall or from an object falling onto the hands;
• Fractured ankles or legs from slips, trips, and falls on wet or uneven surfaces or from falling down stairs;
• Fractured ribs from falling onto a hard surface or being struck by a heavy object;
• Fractured collarbones from falling or being struck by an object;
• Spinal fractures from falling from a height or a severe slip, trip, or fall.

Burns

Burns can occur in an office accident, usually from electrical equipment, hot liquids, or chemicals. They can range from minor to severe, resulting in permanent scarring, reduced mobility and disfigurement. If you suffer a burn injury at work due to your employer’s negligence, you might be able to make an office accident claim for compensation.

How much compensation can I claim for an office accident?

Although it is a common question for many people considering making a personal injury claim, it is actually quite tricky to answer. That is because how much compensation your office accident may entitle you to claim will be based on various considerations specific to your case.

To help give you an idea, personal injury compensation is divided into two areas. These are known as general damages and special damages:

General damages aim to compensate you for the actual injury or illness you have suffered. Here your solicitor will use medical evidence to determine the type of injury or injuries you have suffered, the severity of these injuries and the impact they have had on your life.

The Judicial College Guidelines are used to calculate general damages, with most injury types being broken down into mild, moderate or severe. For each category, there is a recommended minimum and maximum compensation amount. Our compensation calculator can give you an approximate amount for the type of injury you have suffered.

Special damages are based on the impact the accident has had on your finances. The aim is to put you back in the financial position you would have been in had the accident not happened. Special damages can take into account the following:

• Loss of earnings, including future loss of earnings
• Medical expenses, such as prescription costs
• The cost of rehabilitation treatment, such as physiotherapy
• Transport costs, such as taxi rides to hospital appointments
• Care costs if you need care assistance due to your injuries
• Home adaptations, such as having to adapt your home for wheelchair access

Your solicitor will thoroughly analyse your financial losses to ensure you are not left out of pocket due to your employer’s negligence.

Is there a time limit on claiming for an office accident?

Office accidents, like most other work accident claims, must be initiated within three years of the date of the accident. An exception to this rule, known as the date of knowledge, may apply to some office-based claims. For example, if you have sustained a repetitive strain injury, this usually arises over a long period of repetitive work, such as typing, and there is no specific accident date. So, in these cases, the three-year time limit begins on the date you are diagnosed with the work-related injury.

The claim limitation date is also different from three years from the date of an accident if:

• The injured person is under 18, in which case the three-year countdown only begins once they become a legal adult;
• The claimant lacks the mental capacity to conduct legal proceedings, in which case the time limit is suspended, and a litigation friend can pursue compensation on their behalf at any time;
• If you suffered an accident while working abroad, the time limit can vary from country to country and may be shorter than three years;

It is always wise to commence your office injury claim at the earliest opportunity. This will help to ensure that access to documents and supporting evidence is more easily accessible and the memory of the accident for yourself and any witnesses remains fresh and accurate.

Can my employer dismiss me if I make a compensation claim?

You are legally entitled to claim compensation if you have been injured in an office accident that was not your fault. Your employer would be breaking the law if they pressured you not to take legal action or if they made your working relationship difficult following a claim.

It is also unlawful for an employer to terminate an employment contract or discriminate against an employee based on them having made an office accident claim. If your employer did dismiss you, you would be protected under employment laws and will likely have a successful case against your employer for unfair dismissal.

By law, all employers must carry Employer’s Liability Insurance. This type of insurance pays compensation to employees who are injured in the workplace. If you make an office accident claim, your employer’s insurer will pay your compensation, so they will not be left out of pocket. This is a further reason to seek damages for your office accident without worrying about how it may affect your employer or your work relationship.

Can I claim on a no win no fee basis?

Yes, if you are entitled to compensation for your office injury, your solicitor will work on a no win no fee basis. That means that you will not have to pay anything to start your claim, and you will not pay a penny if your case is unsuccessful. Your solicitor will only receive a fee if they are able to win your case. This success fee is agreed upon upfront during your initial consultation and cannot exceed 25% of your damages.

The conditional fee agreement between claimants and solicitors ensures that anyone can get legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. Hiring a no win no fee solicitor to pursue compensation for an office accident offers many benefits, including:

• They have extensive expertise and experience handling office accident claims;
• They will review your case thoroughly with you and will assess your chances of success;
• They will help you gather all the necessary evidence to prove who was at fault for your office injuries and how these have affected your life;
• Your solicitor will handle all communication with your employer, so you will not have to deal with them directly;
• They will arrange a free independent medical review with a specialist to assess the full extent of your injuries;
• You can have peace of mind knowing you will not incur any financial losses if your case fails;
• Your solicitor will know exactly how much your office accident claim is worth and will negotiate to achieve the highest compensation on your behalf.

The no win no fee service also protects you from incurring any out-of-pocket expenses related to the claims process. This is due to the After the Event (ATE) insurance policy that your solicitor will help you secure, which covers costs like:

• The defendant’s solicitor fees
• Court and counsel fees
• Police and medical reports
• The cost of expert witnesses
• Paralegal and other staff time

To sum up, if you have a valid claim, you can pursue compensation on a no win no fee basis. It is the preferred way of funding a personal injury claim, as it involves no upfront fees or financial risks for the claimant.

How do I find out if I have a valid personal injury claim?

To see if you have a valid claim against your employer, call 0800 470 0474 today to arrange a free case assessment. A friendly legal adviser will listen to you and ask you a few questions about the circumstances of your office accident and the injuries you have sustained. Based on this information, they will discuss your options and let you know if you are eligible to proceed with a compensation claim.

If you have a valid office accident claim, an experienced injury lawyer will offer to work for you on a no win no fee basis. This means there are no upfront costs to get started, and you will only pay a fee if the case is successful. If your case is lost, you will not pay a penny.

To find out more, call 0800 470 0474 or enter your details into the form below to receive a call back.