workplace injury

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I had a bad electric shock at work but was not given the correct care by my employers. Can I take action regarding this? — by mariam — last modified 2008-07-16 20:57

I received a bad electric shock at work while carrying out plumbing duties in 2006. Despite informing my employer I was just encouraged to have a cup of tea and carry on with my normal duties which included driving. After feeing quite unwell all this time and experiencing a numbness in the left side of my face I decided to phone the NHS help line where I was instructed to attend hospital in the next ten minutes, that I should be escorted there and under no circumstances should I drive. In hospital I received treatment and an ECG. Although there were no long term effects can I take action on the basis I was not given the correct duty of care? After this incident two extra items of ppe were added to our ppe sheet as a direct result of my accident.

The fire exit door at work came off in my hand, I fell backwards and broke my arm. Can I ask my employer to pay me more than just SSP? — by mariam — last modified 2008-06-25 16:48

Whilst closing the fire exit door at work the handle came off in my hand and I fell backwards, breaking my arm. I was hospitalised overnight and operated on. I later had to have my arm pinned. I have been signed off work for 12 weeks and am currently receiving SSP. I'm not sure that I am wanting to make a claim against my employer as I am afraid of being victimised and having my contract terminated. I am more concerned about only receiving SSP and was wondering whether I would be within my rights to ask my employer if it was possible for him to pay me a bigger percentage of my normal weekly wage during my absence. I am not aware of an Accident or an Incident form being completed for this incident as I was taken straight to A&E and I certainly haven't signed anything.

One of my employees is unable to do his job due to a work related injury. I want to make him redundant but could I be sued? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-06-25 13:00

I run a small business with three employees. The business is not doing well so I will have to reduce my workload and make someone redundant. Unfortunately one of my employees injured himself at work and he is going to claim off my insurance. This employee still continues to come to work, although he is unable to do the job that he is he is contracted to do because of his injury, this inability is putting a tremendous strain on an already difficult situation, as the other workers are 'carrying' this individual. Consequently, this is the person I wish to make redundant. I need to know whether in these circumstance I could be sued for treating him unfairly. He is my longest serving team member and if he had not had this accident he would not have been selected for redundancy.

Am I able to claim for personal injury as a result of playing football? — by mariam — last modified 2008-06-20 15:10

Am I able to claim for personal injury as a result of playing football? I have fractured my knee, I may need an operation and will be out of work for a long time.

One of my employees has sustained an injury at work as the result of horseplay. Where do we stand on this issue? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-06-11 12:28

I am an employer. One of my employees has sustained an injury as a result of horseplay and he is now seeking compensation. I am not sure that we have failed in our duty of care. The persons involved are constantly larking around and this is obviously by product of their actions. Where do we stand on this issue?

I am a nurse and I was assaulted by a patient at work and badly injured. Can I claim for this? — by mariam — last modified 2008-05-23 11:47

I am a nurse working in mental health. I was assaulted at work by a patient for no apparent reason and I nearly lost my life. On that day we were short of staff. I am still off sick as I suffered physical and psychological trauma. I had a severe back injury and am still having physiotherapy. I am still getting flash backs of the incident and am taking antidepressants and having counselling. Can you kindly give me your opinion of the amount of compensation I can claim for this incident?

I have been off sick with a back injury but my employers want me to go in to discuss a possible return to work. What should I do? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-05-16 11:29

I have been off work sick for four months with a back injury. I am waiting to see a consultant but my doctor put on my sick note that he would support a return to work if hours/posture etc could be looked at. My company have now rung me and want me to go in and discuss this with them to see if we can work something out. The problem is that my back is most painful when sitting and as I work in an office most of my day involves sitting down. What should I do?

I suffered an allergic reaction after eating a meal which I had been told did not contain sesame. How much compensation should I expect? — by mariam — last modified 2008-05-14 10:33

I had an allergic reaction and had to spend the afternoon at the A&E and the next day at home. The person who was serving me assured me that there was no sesame in the meal I had chosen. Right after lunch, when the first symptoms developed I asked the manager who checked again and confirmed that the meal did actually contain sesame. I know I can ask for compensation, how much should I expect?

I slipped on some diesel and crashed into the back of another car but my insurer says as the accident was my fault I cannot claim for my whiplash injuries... — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2008-05-03 09:38

I crashed my car into a van that was stopping, after skidding on what looked like diesel on the road. I hit it from behind. After the accident I felt 'jittery' but carried onto work but the next day I started to feel stiff, and from then, I have been in quite a bit of pain. I went to see my GP who said I have severe whiplash that radiates down my left arm and maybe torn ligament damage/soft tissue damage in my trapeze! He has made an urgent referral for physio and put me on Tramadol and naproxen for the pain. However, my insurance has said that although I have legal expense insurance and am fully comprehensive on my motor insurance I cannot claim as it will be classed as my fault and I cannot claim against myself! Is this correct? I genuinely have hurt myself and feel quite let down by my insurers.

I cut my finger on a slitter at work, will I be able to claim for my injury? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-04-25 10:45

I cut my finger on a slitter at work. The slitter had no guard fitted and I was only given minimal training on it. I have only worked there for 3 months will I be able to claim for my injury?

I injured my back at work and now have to go on light duties but my boss is going to reduce my wages, can he do this? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-04-11 12:12

I injured my back at work. Before the injury I worked on a production line lifting 25Kg bags but because of my back injury I now have to go on light duties. This will consist of working on a similar production line in another building, but lifting lighter items. Whilst this is good of my boss he is also going to reduce my wages because of this. Does he have the right to do this?

Light fitting smashed into our table at a restaurant causing injury. The incident occurred just before we were due to go on our honeymoon: what would be a reasonable claim for compensation? — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2008-03-24 00:10

Whilst having a meal with friends in a well known restaurant chain a light fitting fell from ceiling and smashed at our table causing a nose bleed and a cut to the nose causing it to leave a scar to bridge of nose and bruising to face. This incident happened four days before our honeymoon and was left in pain and caused me to have time off work and having to take painkillers on long haul flight. The restaurant has handled this badly but have now offered us a weekend away to the sum of £350 "as they want to avoid us making a claim". What do you feel is a suitable offer of compensation as we have asked them to reconsider their original one as we were not happy with the first one.

My wife tripped down some badly lit stairs to a bar/nightclub in Paris breaking her arm as a result. There was no handrail: can she claim compensation in the UK or does she need a French lawyer? — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2008-03-17 20:23

Whilst on holiday in Paris, my wife tripped down some badly lit stairs in a bar/nightclub. The stairs had no handrail. My wife sustained a broken arm and required surgery. As a result of the broken arm she will not be able to work for several months and will suffer loss of earnings. What is the process for claiming injury compensation and loss of earnings? If such claim would be against the bar's Public Liability insurance would the claim be have to be made through a local firm of lawyers?

Security guard was injured breaking a leg in an attempt to stop shoplifter: who is responsible for compensating for the injury? — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2008-03-07 21:21

I have been working as security guard for a firm that sends us to large chains of shops (in my case Boots). I was injured whilst chasing a shoplifter. I have been given Statutory sick pay but am finding it difficult to cope. My employers have said that they are not liable if I make a personal injury claim because they were not negligent and they haven't breached any statutory duty. I was actually injured outside the branch of Boots that I was working in when the shoplifter smashed into me and knocked me over breaking my leg. Do I have any claim against my employers? That business of making sure premises are safe for employees cannot apply here because I don't work on premises owned by my employers. In this case I wasn't even in the premises I was working in. Can I claim against Boots? Can I claim for some kind of criminal compensation because of how I was injured? Are my employers supposed to have some sort of insurance to pay me compensation because of the job I do?

Injured at work by unsafe system of dealing with machinery which resulted in torn ligament: can I claim compensation for my injury? — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2008-03-03 00:44

I use a wave machine at work. It is a machine that goes up and down and enables you to take stock from top to bottom and vice versa. When I was getting the machine down I did not put it completely down but did not notice. When I was stepping down, my ankle twisted and I suffered a torn ligament.

Serious injury to pedestrian in road accident could lead to months off work and serious financial hardship: will compensation be available and what can be done to alleviate immediate money problems? — by conrad — last modified 2008-02-13 23:04

My partner was knocked over by a car whilst crossing a road. He was thrown in the air and bounced off the bonnet (not sure of the sequence). The driver stopped and got out, spoke to some of the crowd but did not speak to my partner. The police arrived - presumably they took details - followed by the ambulance which took him to the nearest large hospital. He was diagnosed with a fractured acetabulum (the socket bone of the hip joint - really serious) which would be looked at the following Monday when the pelvic specialist was due back. On the Friday of that week he had to undergo an op for a pin to be inserted in his (perfectly good undamaged) leg for traction. The following Wednesday major op (est time 8 hrs) to pin his bits of acetablum to a metal plate. He came home last Thursday - over three weeks in hospital. He's not allowed to put any weight on the affected side, so is on crutches. He won't be able to drive for about three months. His surgeon advised him it would be six to twelve months before he can work again in his normal job - he's a handyman. He also spends as much time as possible surfing or riding his motorbike, so quality of life will also be affected. The accident was covered twice in local paper as the council have not provided the promised crossing and many feel this was an accident waiting to happen. I hope you can help. His employer doesn't realise how long he'll be off work, but they only pay basic SSP anyway.

I lost control of van and hit pub wall and told the publican the next day, but the police said another person suffered from shoch and now they are charging me with failing to stop, leaving the scene and due care and attention... — by conrad — last modified 2008-02-13 22:06

I was involved in a road traffic accident whilst driving my van at night. I lost control and managed to hit the side of a public house. There wasn't too much damage caused to the wall but the van was a write-off. I approached the landlord of the public house the next day to apologise for panicking and making off from the scene. I offered to do what was necessary in order to redeem the situation and the landlord indicated that I could work off the damage. I was then approached by the police, later on in the day, in relation to the incident and admitted fully to them that I had been involved in the accident but denied that I had caused any personal injuries. The police suggested at the time that there was a man involved who was claiming that he had been injured but that the police were fairly confident that he had suffered from shock rather than any physical injury. I have been charged with failing to stop, leaving the scene and driving without due care and attention.

Minor bump in supermarket car park leads to due care, failure to stop and failure to report charges: what should he do next? — by conrad — last modified 2008-01-24 09:54

My Father who is 80 had a minor bump in Sainsburys car park whilst reversing out of a parking bay, the was no injury but minor damage to vehicles. The owner of the other vehicle was not in the car at the time. He was approached by a passer by who must have recorded his reg number. He says he waited for the owner of the other car to return, but fell asleep. When he woke the other car had gone. He did not report the incident. He has received a NIP for failing to stop, failure to report and driving without due care. Does he need help now or should he just fill in the NIP and see if they prosecute.

Interested in making a claim: can you advise whether I should use a claims manager which advertises on television or should I go to a local solicitor? — by conrad — last modified 2008-01-16 13:23

I am interested in making a claim for an injury which I received in a collision. I have reservations however and feel I need to be selective as to the vast array of companies offering such services and the fees/costs involved with each. I am a student and don't have the means to cover any hidden costs that may arise. I have been warned that these often make the claim not worthwhile pursuing. Similarly I lack the legal knowledge to decipher, if making a claim, which company would be the most suitable choice for me. Can you advise?

Lorry driver with back injury who refused to undertake manual delivery work faces disciplinary hearing... — by conrad — last modified 2008-01-25 09:41

I am a UK lorry driver and was on the sick for 3 months with a back injury which happened at work. I returned back to work early this year and went out with a multidrop. I left the yard at 05.30hrs & returning at 17.00hrs. When I returned to base I was told I was going to South Wales with 14 drops of which nearly all are handball in to shops. I refused to take the load the on health & safety grounds having just returned back to work and secondly that I don't like going to South Wales. I was suspended from work on 3 counts: (1)BREACH OF CONTRACT THAT ON 7TH JAN I REFUSED TO FULFIL THE TERMS OF MY EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT BY REFUSING TO DELIVER GOODS TO CUSTOMERS IN STH WALES, & WALKED OUT OF THE DEPOT WITHOUT AUTHORISATION; (2) FAILURE TO ADHERE TO A REASONABLE & LAWFUL INSTRUCTION IN RESPECT OF THE ABOVE; (3) ACTIONS THAT ARE LIABLE TO BRING THE ORGANISATION INTO DISREPUTE & POTENTIALLY DAMAGE CUSTOMER RELATIONS. I have been asked to attend a disciplinary hearing. What are my rights and can they do this to me?