Common Accidents in the Office Workplace

Slips, Trips and Falls

A very common accident which can happen anywhere is a slip, trip and fall accident. Generally, they’re the result of files or boxes being placed in areas where they obstruct walking paths. Tripping accidents can commonly also occur when a carpet has not been laid correctly.

Falls from improvised ladders are another common cause of injuries. People sometimes use chairs (on wheels), boxes, and tables when a regular ladder or step stool isn’t available, and fractured ankles or other similar injuries can occur as a result.

Slips can commonly occur on wet surfaces that have not been cleaned and dried properly or when warning signs are not placed near the area to indicate that it is wet.

Repetitive Strain Injuries

Repetitive Strain Injuries (sometimes also called upper-limb related disorders) are those which cause pain in the wrists, arms, neck and back for office workers who are required to carry out repetitive typing or manual tasks. To combat these sorts of disorders, employers should mandate regular breaks to reduce the likelihood of strain occurring.

Electrical Accidents

Electrical accidents can happen in kitchens used by office workers. For example, you may be electrocuted from a faulty toaster that has not been PAT tested. Alternatively, exposed cables could also pose an electrocution risk as well as forming a tripping hazard in the office.

Lifting Accidents

Lifting can cause back problems if not done correctly. For instance, you could pick up a heavy box of stationery and pull a muscle in your back. Therefore, it is important that adequate training is given to employees about manual handling to ensure that everyone uses the correct techniques. Tools to help with manual handling should also be provided so that no one has to pick up anything that is too heavy for them.

Employer Responsibility

Your employer has a responsibility to ensure the health and safety of all their employees. There are various workplace regulations that apply to all workplaces, and in addition the Health and Safety Executive has set down guidelines that employers should follow in order to ensure the safety of their employees.  If these are not followed, they may be deemed negligent in respect of any injuries that are suffered in the office.

If you have been unable to work or carry on doing your previous job due to your injuries, then you could be entitled to make a claim. Time limits generally apply to personal injury claims so it is advisable to speak to a personal injury solicitor who can assess your case as soon as possible. For personal injury cases, the time limit is generally three-years, beginning from the date that your accident occurred.

Steps to Take

After suffering an accident in the office, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. You may think that your injuries are minor, but you may be suffering from less obvious injuries or conditions like a concussion. Also, you may have internal injuries which require treatment.

You should also seek to document the incident as much as possible. By seeking medical treatment, you are ensuring your health and safety, but this also helps to create a record of the incident. Even if you don’t end up filing a claim for compensation, you are required to document the work accident for your employer’s records. This documentation serves as a reminder for your employer and co-workers to resolve any unattended or unresolved hazards.

Both employees and employers are responsible for keeping your workplace safe for employees, contractors and customers. Therefore, if you are unsure about something you should ask for training in order to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you.

Amount of Compensation

All personal injury cases are unique and so the amount of compensation that is awarded in each case is also unique. Compensation is understood by looking at two specific factors: general damages and special damages.

GENERAL DAMAGES

The pain and suffering that your injuries have caused are main factors that are used to determine how much general damage compensation you are owed. This will usually be determined by undergoing a medical examination, from which a report is created that highlights the length of time the injuries will take to heal as well as their severity. Our compensation calculator will give you an indication of how much general damage compensation you might be entitled to based upon your injuries.

SPECIAL DAMAGES

In addition to receiving compensation for your injuries, you may be able to reclaim any financial losses that you might have suffered as a result of your injuries. Compensation for financial losses is known as special damages compensation. This can include losses such as loss of earnings due to not being able to return to work, the cost of treatment as well as travel to treatment. It is important that you keep any receipts or evidence of additional losses in order for these to be reclaimed.

With the exception of children, there is a three-year time limit on making a personal injury claim. This time limit begins from the date that the accident initially occurred. Therefore, you should contact a personal injury solicitor as soon as possible to assess your case.

Making Personal Injury Claims

You may be entitled to compensation for a range of compensation claims under accident claims. Our experts will help assess your potential claim going forwards and provide you with proficient advice. Contact First Personal Injury to discuss your potential compensation claim today by ringing 0333 358 2345 or by filling out the online claims form.