Accidents at work

If you, or someone you know, has sustained injuries whilst at work, the dedicated Hugh James employer liability solicitors will quickly be able to assess whether there is a valid claim for compensation.

During your free, no obligation consultation our specialist solicitors will discuss whether you or a family member suffered injury as a result of employer liability. If employer liability is established, we will discuss the various options with you, including the no win, no fee element of your personal injury claim. You will be provided with a step-by-step breakdown of how we will proceed with your accident at work compensation claim without obligation to proceed.

In the vast majority of cases, our employer liability and accident claims are funded on a no win, no fee basis, which are known as Conditional Fee Agreements (CFAs).

This means that if your case is unsuccessful you will not have to pay anything. We will only take on your case if, after assessing your claim, we decide that there is a reasonable chance of success. Our initial consultation is free, so you won’t pay a penny if we don’t accept your case.

If you have been injured in an accident at work which was not your fault, you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries. Your chances of a successful claim will be based on if you are able to prove that your injuries were caused as a direct result of the negligent acts or omissions of your employer who owed you a duty or care.

If you have been injured at work and then exercise your right to bring a claim for compensation against your employer, you should then not be adversely treated by your employer.  The reality is that although you may be bringing a claim against your employer in name, your claim will actually be handled by your employer’s insurers or solicitors.  

Only a small percentage of personal injury claims will actually proceed to trial though we do prepare every case in depth to make sure we are ready should it go to court.

The personal injury procedural system is geared towards encouraging parties to be open with each other so that any claims for compensation can be settled without the need for going to court, which can save both time and cost.

A lot of people are naturally nervous and uncomfortable about going to court.  We understand this and will advise you every step of the way, should your case reach a trial.

Yes. Claims are often brought on behalf of someone who has passed away, usually by their widow/widower or partner, or other executor named in the deceased’s will.

There are strict time limits in personal injury claims.  The usual rule is that a potential claimant has three years from the date of an accident within which to bring a claim for compensation.

The court does have the discretion to override the three year period, but it is not regularly exercised.

The three year time limit is slightly different in cases in involving repetitive injuries and diseases.

There are two further points to note in respect of the limitation for bringing a personal injury claim and these relate to bringing a claim on behalf of a deceased person and bringing a claim on behalf of a minor (someone under 18).

In the case of fatal accidents, the three year period will start to run from the date of death or when the death is linked to a particular incident or accident.

In the case of minors, their three year limitation period will not start to run until their eighteenth birthday – therefore, their three year limitation period would not expire until their twenty-first birthday.

Although there is a three year period within which to bring court proceedings, it is important that you seek legal advice as soon as possible should you believe you might have a claim.

Yes, you will almost certainly have to undergo at least one medical examination as part of your personal injury claim.

Yes.  If the relevant employer’s liability insurer who was on cover at the time the accident occurred can be located, a claim can still be brought.  If the proposed defendant company is no longer trading and has been dissolved/removed from the Register of Companies, it is possible to have the company restored to the register in order to bring the claim.