Injuries to the spinal cord are more common in the workplace than you may think, and they often happen because workers are not given the right safety training on manual handling or the right safety equipment.
If you have experienced a spinal cord injury and believe it could have been due to employer negligence or avoided with the right training and equipment, you may be able to bring a spinal cord injury at work claim, depending on whether your case meets the criteria.
What happens next…what you should do if you suffer a spinal cord injury at work
If someone is injured at work, they should be taken straight to the hospital. Any medical advice from a solicitor is usually discussed with family members or loved ones and it is important that this is done as soon as possible. It may be difficult to gather evidence from the workplace, but any evidence such as medical notes and proof of injury will help your case.
- Proof that the incident occurred through fault and negligence of your employer and no fault of your own – including if the incident is caused by a work colleague because an employer could still be deemed liable for the injuries sustained
- Witness statements – including their contact details
- Medical reports – including as much detail as possible
- Photos of where the accident at work happened – including CCTV footage, if available
- Photos of any visible injuries
After a spinal cord injury, there is a high chance that you will need to take time off work to recover and adjust. Not only will a spinal injury be extremely painful and exhausting, but the loss of income will also add to the stress. This is something you could seek compensation for, as well as the suffering endured.
How you can start a spinal cord injury claim against your employer
To start your spinal cord injury claim against your employer, the first thing you should do is get in touch with specialist lawyers to support you with your case. A solicitor who specialises in personal injury claims has expertise in handling employer negligence claims – meaning that your case would be well looked after and well-advised.
After you have supplied the lawyers with all the evidence required, and once they have had the time to review where you stand in your case, you will likely be offered representation for your claim on a No Win No Fee basis. This takes some of the financial stress away as you will not have to pay for your legal advice or representation if you do not win your case.
What you can claim for
When claiming for a spinal cord injury that happened at work, there are several things that can be included in your compensation, including:
- Costs of rehabilitation and ongoing therapies or treatments
- Costs of any adaptions made to your home after the event of a spinal injury
- Care funds as a result of needing full-time home help or care home support
- Costs of equipment needed to support the injury
- Costs of lost earnings
Personal injury claims are calculated in three parts. General damages account for the suffering you have experienced as a result of your injury in the workplace. Special damages are based on the money you have lost as a result of your spinal injury, and future losses take into account all your extra losses in the future as a result of the spinal cord injury.
You have every right to seek compensation from your employer after such a serious accident happens, and they must have liability insurance in place for such situations. Your specific rights as a worker dealing with spinal cord injury include the right to seek compensation for the injuries you sustained from your employer, and the right to not have to worry about losing your job if you file a personal injury claim against the company.
The responsibilities of your employer
If proven that they have not followed the proper safety rules and regulations at the time of the incident, your employer could be held liable and would have to pay you a level of compensation to suit the injuries you sustained as a result of their negligence.
An employer’s duty towards you staying safe in the workplace will include:
- Adequate and regular training to perform the jobs you are tasked with and, if necessary, supply of personal protective equipment and health and safety equipment
- Ensuring that all equipment and machinery are maintained to their highest standard
- Ensuring that all workplace hazards are identified and noted – putting reasonable measures in place to prevent accidents
- Providing clear knowledge on all work practices
If an employer begins to treat you unfairly when you make them aware of your claim, you could be entitled to file other claims against them because they would have broken the law by acting in this manner.
You cannot be fired for seeking compensation for a workplace injury. Should this threat arise, your employer would be breaking the law – you have the right to seek compensation for any injuries sustained at work.
Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe working environment for employees. When they fail to do so, employees’ lives are at a huge risk. Spinal cord injuries can cause serious physical, mental and financial struggles for both the person who sustains the injury and their loved ones.
How Aspire Law can help
If you have recently sustained a spinal cord injury, it is something that will affect you and your family for the rest of your lives. If your injury was caused by an accident at work that was not your fault, Aspire Law can help you receive the compensation you are entitled to.
We know that money will not turn the clock back in time, but with our help, you can secure a financial settlement with a spinal cord injury compensation claim – helping you and your family maintain a level of independence and enjoy a good standard of living.
Get in touch with us today to discuss your potential claim and how we can support you.
