If you would like to claim for an accident at work, our expert personal injury solicitors are ideally placed to help. With decades of experience in work accident claims and a superb track record of securing millions of pounds in compensation for our clients, we will provide the advice and support you need to secure the compensation you deserve.
To speak to our accident at work experts please call us free of charge on 0800 988 3674 or Make A Free Online Enquiry.
How Do You Claim For An Accident At Work?
Making a claim for an accident at work requires a thorough understanding of the applicable law and claims process. Our specialist personal injury solicitors will guide you through the process, ensuring you understand the purpose of each stage.
As a very general overview, your accident at work claim will likely progress along the following lines. Some of these steps may happen in a different order or concurrently, depending on the facts of your case.
• You Instruct Solicitors To Make Your Claim For Accident At Work
Our personal injury solicitors offer a free, no-obligation initial discussion during which we will advise you on the merits of your position. If you have a strong case and wish to pursue it, we will likely act on a no-win, no-fee basis.
• We Collate Evidence
Once you have asked us to represent you in your claim for an accident at work, we will begin gathering evidence in support of your case. That evidence might include items such as your medical records, witness accounts, and photographs. We may also arrange for you to see a medical professional to assess the severity of your injuries and rehabilitation needs.
• We Send A Letter Of Notification To Your Employer Or Their Insurer
This initial letter simply notifies your employer that you intend to make a claim for an accident at work.
• We Send A Letter Of Claim To Your Employer Or Their Insurer
In all claims for accidents at work, the person bringing the claim (known as the claimant) must send a detailed letter of claim to their employer (known as the defendant). The information that must be included in this letter includes details of your accident, an outline of your injuries, and your financial losses to date.
• Your Employer Prepares And Sends Their Response
Your employer must reply to our letter of claim within 21 days, following which they have three months within which to investigate the matter. At the end of that period, your employer must inform us whether they accept responsibility for your accident. If they do, the case will focus on how much compensation you are entitled to.
• The Parties Exchange Documentation
To encourage an early settlement of claims for accidents at work, each party must provide the other with any documentation relevant to the matter, whether or not it helps their case. The parties can then review the other’s documentation and assess the strength of their position.
• We Obtain Expert Medical Evidence
Medical evidence often plays a pivotal role in personal injury cases. We will arrange for you to see a medical expert who will assess your injuries and prepare a report explaining how they affect you and your likely prognosis.
• The Parties Enter Settlement Negotiations
Settlement negotiations can take place at any stage during the claims process. However, unless your claim for an accident at work is particularly straightforward, it is usually sensible to wait until we have received the expert medical evidence and can be sure of the extent of your injuries. That way, you do not risk settling your claim for less than it is worth.
If your claim cannot be resolved through negotiations between us and the solicitors acting for your employer or their insurer, we will consider whether a form of alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation, might assist in reaching a settlement. The courts expect the parties involved in claims for accidents at work to explore alternative dispute resolution before proceeding to litigation. If a party refuses to do so, and the court believes their refusal to have been unreasonable, the Judge might penalise them in costs.
Many claims for accidents at work are settled through alternative dispute resolution before a claim is issued. Of those that are not, most are settled before trial.
• We Issue A Claim
If your claim has not been settled by alternative dispute resolution, we may advise that you commence court proceedings. As we have explained above, very few claims for accidents at work reach trial. Even if we issue a claim, chances are that it will be settled before trial.
Is There A Deadline To Make A Claim For Accident At Work?
Yes, as with all personal injury claims, your claim for an accident at work must be made within three years of the incident. If you do not become aware that your accident caused you harm until later, the time limit may start running from your date of knowledge.
If you miss the deadline, you cannot make a claim. Accordingly, it is essential to take legal advice as soon as possible if you suspect you may have cause to make a claim for an accident at work.
To speak to our accident at work experts please call us free of charge on 0800 988 3674 or Make A Free Online Enquiry.
