| To pursue an accident compensation claim | | | | Where a worker’s job will bring them into |
| following an accident at work you must prove | | | | contact with dangerous substances, their |
| that your injuries were caused by the negligence | | | | employer should investigate whether it is possible |
| of another party. This will usually be your | | | | to replace the substances with something less |
| employer, but might include workers from other | | | | harmful. If this cannot be done and contact with |
| companies. Employers have a duty to ensure | | | | the substances is unavoidable, the employer |
| the safety of all the people on their premises, | | | | should provide protective clothing and equipment, |
| whether they employ them or not, and if they fail | | | | to minimise the risks. |
| to do so then personal injury compensation could | | | | Most people are aware of the risks associated |
| be awarded for successful accident claims. | | | | with exposure to asbestos, which is made up of |
| Work accident claims are often made for injuries | | | | millions of fibres, substantial quantities having been |
| suffered because the work equipment provided | | | | inhaled into the lungs. Asbestos related diseases |
| by an employer was faulty, poorly maintained, | | | | can take up to 40 years to develop and there |
| defective or even dangerous. | | | | are various different diseases that may result, |
| Other accident at work claims can also arise due | | | | including asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung |
| to slipping incidents caused by spillages, slippery | | | | cancer. The main symptoms of these diseases |
| surfaces or wearing footwear that is unsuitable | | | | include shortness of breath, chest pain, |
| for the job, and also due to tripping over items | | | | unexplained coughing and a feeling of tightness |
| lying on the floor that cause a hazard. The | | | | across the chest. As soon as any symptoms |
| workplace can be a dangerous place and a large | | | | develop it is advisable to seek immediate medical |
| number of these accident compensation claims | | | | advice, but unfortunately at present there is no |
| result from issues involving the state of the floor. | | | | cure. |
| Another major cause of accident at work claims | | | | There are many other work related illnesses and |
| is falling, when for example serious injuries are | | | | diseases which can lead to accident claims. One of |
| suffered as a consequence of falling from heights, | | | | these is asthma, which can be caused by |
| or down uncovered holes, or when hit by falling | | | | exposure to various types of dust, gasses and |
| objects. | | | | chemicals. It is also common for bakery workers |
| The lack of adequate protective equipment, such | | | | to develop this condition following the inhalation of |
| as safety footwear, gloves, hard hats, face | | | | flour. The condition may develop weeks or |
| masks and safety goggles can also result in | | | | months after the initial exposure, and causes |
| injuries that lead to successful accident claims. | | | | breathing difficulties as a result of the narrowing |
| But what about harm suffered when there has | | | | of airways. Sufferers may need to take |
| been no actual accident? It is not unusual for | | | | medication for the rest of their lives, but the |
| workers to develop an illness or disease after | | | | condition is not usually fatal. |
| coming into contact with harmful substances | | | | Whatever the basis of the accident compensation |
| during their employment. If this arises, the | | | | claim, it is always easy to proceed with an |
| employer who negligently exposed the worker to | | | | accident at work claim by taking advice from |
| such substances may have to pay injury | | | | experienced accident claims solicitors, who can |
| compensation in a similar way to a successful | | | | usually offer a free, no win no fee service. |
| work accident claim. | | | | |