Accidents At Work and COVID-19

The Workplace Environment

The workplace should be a safe environment for all employees. However, very often accidents and injuries at work occur due to falls, slips, incorrect manual handling and improper work equipment or tools. For example, a worker in a factory may suffer strain injuries, dermatitis, or back pain due to poor working practices. Employers have a duty to provide proper training, protective equipment and a safe place to work and all employees are entitled to work in a safe place.

In light of the current pandemic due to Coronavirus (Covid-19) employers will have a legal duty to carry out a risk assessment to identify risks to the health and safety of workers. Employers will have to consider things such as providing proper PPE, health and safety of employees working from home, identifying employees who are vulnerable, social distancing and hygiene assessments and management of transmission risk. Our Personal Injury Solicitors Portadown can assess your accident at work claim. If you believe you have been infected with Covid-19 Coronavirus at work, contact us to discuss your case.

Depending upon the environment in which you work, there are a number of guidelines which must be followed by employers. If you believe that your employer has failed to take the necessary steps to protect your health at work, you should contact Gus Campbell Solicitors Portadown for further advice. Our employers liability solicitors are experienced in dealing with accident at work claims and will be able to give you advice about making a claim for an injury or illness at work.

Accident At Your Workplace

If you have been involved in an accident at your workplace which was caused due to defective or faulty work equipment such as tools, ladders, safety equipment etc you should be aware that your employer has a strict duty to protect you and to ensure that equipment used by you is in good working order, regularly inspected and maintained and used properly in accordance with training. Work equipment has a very wide definition and can include an office chair or any office equipment supplied by your employer. If you have suffered an injury as a result of faulty equipment or a defective item supplied by your employer, you are entitled to make a claim for personal injury and other associated losses or out of pocket expenses.

You should contact a specialist employers liability solicitor who deals with accidents at work. Gus Campbell Solicitors have dealt with many accident at work claims over many years in business and our solicitors are experienced, knowledgeable and approachable. Gus Campbell Solicitors advise clients throughout Portadown, Craigavon, Co Armagh and Northern Ireland and will help you to make a claim for an accident and ensure that you get the right advice and maximum compensation.

Your employer must have appropriate liability insurance in place and it will be the insurance company, not your employer, who will pay for the cost of your case. You do not have to be a member of a Trade Union to make a claim for an accident. If you fear that your employer will try to make life difficult for you should you make a claim for compensation, there are employment laws which are there to protect your rights. Gus Campbell Solicitors Co Armagh have experienced employment law solicitors who can provide legal advice about your employment rights.

Accidents at work can happen as a result of a one-off incident or also due to exposure to unsafe materials or poor work practices over a period of time. For example, incorrect lifting contrary to manual handling guidelines, use of vibrating tools or power equipment over a period of time; or exposure to chemical or other irritants which could cause skin problems, asthma or lung problems. You may have been the victim of bullying in the workplace which your employer failed to address, or other harassment which has caused you stress or anxiety.

You Could Be Entitled To Compensation

Whatever the cause of your accident at work or injury at work, if you think you might be entitled to compensation, contact our experienced personal injury solicitors at Gus Campbell for clear advice and a no obligation, free first consultation. Due to the current Coronavirus pandemic we can offer telephone consultations or use other technology eg Skype or Zoom to facilitate you safely.

If you are worried about the legal costs to you for a work accident or injury, we can arrange legal expenses insurance to cover your costs. Or you may be entitled to legal aid. If you have a successful claim for an accident at work, the insurance company will have to agree to pay your legal costs and you will keep all of your compensation settlement. Gus Campbell solicitors are based in Portadown but assist clients throughout the Co Armagh area and the whole of Northern Ireland and are happy to talk through your options. Please do not hesitate to contact our personal injury department by phone or e-mail bernie@guscampbell.co.uk