In 2007/2008, 229 people were killed and approximately 336,000 people were injured in accidents occurring to them whilst they were at work. This is despite the fact that your employer is obliged as a result of extensive Statutory Regulations to maintain health and safety standards with a view to trying to reduce, and as much as possible eliminate, the risk of work placed accidents. So far example, employers must:

• Carry out Risk and Health and Safety assessments of working conditions and equipment
• Avoid the need for Manual Handling wherever possible
• Provide their employees with safe and efficient tools including personal protective equipment
• Provide regular and proper training for employees.
• Take all reasonable steps to avoid their employees being exposed noxious toxic harmful or poisonous substances

Nevertheless if you are injured at work as a result of the failure of either your employer or work colleague (for whose actions your employer is generally liable), to comply with these obligations then you are entitled to pursue a compensation claim and this may well apply even if you are self employed.

We can recover for you:

• Compensation for your injuries.
• Past and future loss of earnings.
• Aids and appliances.
• Travel expenses and medical costs.

The length of your claim will be determined mainly by two factors. Firstly, how promptly the defendant admits liability and secondly the severity of your injuries. The general rule is that the more serious the injury the longer the claim takes to settle because it is not until your medical expert can give a final forecast as to when you will make a full recovery (or what your continuing disability will be in the event of you not being able to recover fully) that we can finally evaluate accurately what your claim is worth. This does not mean however, that you have to wait until the end of your claim for all your compensation. Once the other party has admitted responsibility or the court has decided on this issue in your favour, we can obtain payments on account of the final award for you.