Workers Compensation

If you are injured while at work, you might be able to claim worker’s compensation. This applies whether the accident occurs at your regular place of work or at another location as part of your responsibility as an employee.

The claim is not only for the injury itself but for lost income, medical expenses and other related costs as well.

Cases for Claiming Worker’s Compensation:

> Slips or Trips

A non-hazardous working environment is an employer’s responsibility for his or her workers. Should you suffer an injury by slipping on floors where substances or chemicals were spilled, falling from unsafe ladders or stairs, or tripping over obstructions in doorways and halls, you may be able to claim compensation for the incident.

> Back Injuries

If lifting heavy objects is part of your job, you should be trained properly on how to lift safely. Should you injure your back at work as a result of improper training then you may be able to make a claim for compensation. Back injuries may leave you unfit to work for a long duration, and are commonplace, thus employers have a responsibility to take measures to prevent these through adequate training of their workers that do heavy-lifting as part of their job.

> Severe Injury

If you incur a severe injury such as severed limbs or broken bones as a result of defective or dangerous machinery or equipment, then you may be able to claim compensation from your employer.

> Disease or Other Serious Injury

A disease or condition caused by exposure to excessive noise, toxic chemicals or fumes may take months or even years to appear after you have worked for an employer. Should this be due to a lack of proper safety clothing and/or equipment then you may be able to claim for compensation. Additionally, in some cases regarding accidents that occur outside the usual workplace, you may still be able to make a claim for compensation. This is because accidents can happen anywhere and under many different types of conditions.

Unemployment

Should you be terminated from work and you feel that the grounds for your dismissal were unfair; you may be able to claim for compensation.

If the dismissal took place within a defined probationary period, or if you were under contract and part of the agreement was not to claim for unfair termination, then unemployment compensation cannot apply to your case.

In any case, it would be advisable to contact your solicitor or consult the Citizen’s Advice Bureau as to what kind of legal action you may be able to take against your former employer.