Office Accident Claims in Manchester

How we work

Graham Coffey & Co. Solicitors will work tirelessly to help you understand your office accident claim and keep you updated about the progress of your case at all times. We have particular expertise involving incidents where employees have:

• Slipped on spilled liquid or wet floors that have been cleaned
• Sustained a back injury due to inadequate lifting and carrying training
• Fallen down stairs
• Tripped over loose wires
• Sustained repetitive strain injury due to a poor workstation layout
• Suffered an electric shock due to loose connections or poorly installed equipment

No matter how your injury was sustained, we will do our utmost to ensure we secure the highest possible compensation sum for you following the incident. Any compensation secured will also help to cover lost earnings for time needed off work, costly medical bills and any other expenses incurred as a result of your injury.

Your employer’s responsibility

Employers have a legal duty to ensure that working environments are safe and free from hazards that could pose a potential risk to the health and wellbeing of employees. Regular risk assessments should be carried out to identify any areas where changes need to be made. Where hazards are detected, employers must take steps to reduce the likelihood that an office accident will take place.

Actions that should be taken to maintain high levels of workplace safety include:

• Delivering adequate staff training relating to health and safety
• Providing safe and undamaged equipment
• Storing wiring in a safe and secure manner
• Using safety signs where there are hazards
• Ensuring workstations are clean and tidy

In cases where employers have failed to fulfil their legal obligations and you have sustained an office injury as a result, you are entitled to claim compensation.

Why choose us?

The expert office accident solicitors at Graham Coffey & Co. will do our utmost to make the claims process as simple and stress-free as possible for you, ensuring you get to focus on your recovery.

We offer:

• No win, no fee legal representation
• Emergency treatment, where appropriate
• A private medical examination
• Private medical treatment, where appropriate
• Loss of earnings recovery

We will also ensure that you have the direct-dial number for the office accident specialist who is representing you. You will not have to arrange calls through a secretary or assistant. When your case handler is not available, you will be put through to another member of our team who will deal with your enquiry.

Our one-call promise

With just one phone call to Graham Coffey & Co. Solicitors, we will determine whether you have a viable case and will start working immediately to secure your compensation. Within 24 hours, we will arrange a free consultation with one of our injury specialists, and the initial documentation confirming your details will be sent to you for your agreement.

That same day, provided you have details of the person or party at fault, we will make contact with the defendant to start the claims process.

FAQs about office accident claims

What are the most common causes of office accidents?

Offices can be just as dangerous as other workplaces, particularly if employers have not taken their duty to protect employees seriously. Some of the most common causes include:

• Electricity - resulting in shock injuries and electrocution
• Poor maintenance - leading to slips, trips and falls
• Poor lighting
• Lifting heavy objects
• Unsuitable office equipment
• Poorly organised workstations
• Improper storage of materials - such as boxes being stored on top of each other

There are a number of accidents that may occur as a result. If you have been injured in an accident such as those listed below, you may be entitled to make an office accident claim.

• Slip, trip, and fall accidents: These are the most common types of workplace accidents. They are often caused by wet floors, poorly maintained carpets or flooring, or cluttered workspaces.
• Manual handling accidents: These involve lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling heavy objects and can result in musculoskeletal injuries.
• Falls from height: These can occur in many industries, such as construction, but also in any workplace where workers are required to work at height. If you ever use ladders while working in an office, you are at risk of this type of injury.
• Electrical accidents: Any mistakes or faults with electricity can result in serious injuries. Some of the biggest causes of injury include exposed or trailing wires, or electrical equipment that has not been tested and certified.
• Injuries due to faulty office equipment: There are various different ways that faulty or broken equipment can cause injuries, ranging from cuts and bruises to more serious effects.

Employers have a duty of care to minimise these risks, providing appropriate training, equipment, and safe working environments. When they fail in these responsibilities, and injuries occur, workers may be eligible to make a compensation claim.

What are the most common injuries that result in office accident claims?

In the UK, there are many types of injuries that can enable you to make an office accident claim. While the amount of compensation you will receive depends on the nature of your injury, your eligibility does not - even if you sustained only minor injuries, you may still be eligible to claim.

Some of the most common injuries that lead to an office accident claim in the UK are:

Musculoskeletal Disorders

These can include back injuries, neck injuries, and repetitive strain injuries. This type of injury can arise when workers are asked to perform tasks like heavy lifting, or to undertake repetitive activities without sufficient breaks. If your employer has failed to provide adequate training before asking you to carry out manual handling tasks, has not allowed you to take regular breaks from a repetitive activity, or has been negligent in their duty of care to you in another way, you may be able to make a personal injury claim.

Sprains, Fractures and Broken Bones

These are more common in some industries than others, but they may be a risk in any workplace, including an office. Slips, trips and falls are among the most common types of workplace accidents, and can cause injuries that range from minor bruises and sprains to much more serious conditions. This may be considered your employer's fault if they failed to warn you of a risk factor (such as a slippery floor or a spill), or to address an ongoing trip hazard like an uneven floor surface.

Work-Related Stress, Depression, or Anxiety

In recent years, there has been an increase in claims related to mental health issues caused by workplace conditions. If your employer's negligence caused your mental health to worsen or led you to develop depression, anxiety or a related condition, you may be eligible to claim compensation.

Electric Shocks and Burns

The severity of an electric shock can range from minor discomfort to serious harm, including burns, internal injuries, and in severe cases, can be fatal. If an office has a faulty electrical system, this may be the most direct result, but there are other ways in which workers can sustain injuries. For example, electrical systems that are not functioning properly can lead to electrical fires, which can cause burn injuries.

Crush Injuries

While these are usually confined to workplaces that use heavy machinery, office equipment that is stacked unsafely or stored incorrectly can fall on workers and cause them harm. Needless to say, an employer has a responsibility to make sure that there are effective storage procedures in place for any equipment that could be dangerous if stored improperly. They should also monitor regularly to be certain that these procedures are being followed.

Even minor cuts or bruises can entitle you to compensation if they were caused because an employer breached their duty of care to you, and failed to prevent or mitigate the risk of an accident. If you have experienced any of the circumstances listed above, contact our team today to learn how we can help you to claim office accident compensation.

How will I know if I am eligible to claim compensation?

Generally, you will be eligible to make an office injury claim if you were involved in an accident that was not your fault. It can be difficult to determine liability for an accident of this nature - for example, you may feel that you are responsible for the incident because you made a mistake. However, if your employer failed to provide training or to mitigate the risk of such mistakes, they may ultimately be liable for the incident.

It is important to remember that employers have certain duties, as detailed by the Health and Safety Executive, to mitigate risk and keep workers safe. These include general regulations that all employers must follow, and specific guidance that applies to particular industries or risk factors. Employers must:

• Conduct regular risk assessments
• Provide adequate training for activities where there is a risk of injury
• Provide any necessary personal protective equipment
• Implement policies to mitigate risks
• Monitor compliance with internal policies and ensure that procedures are followed correctly.

If an employer fails to meet the necessary health and safety requirements that apply in your workplace or industry, they may be found to be liable for your accident and owe you compensation for your injury.

The best way to learn whether you are entitled to make an office accident compensation claim is to speak to an expert personal injury solicitor. The team at Graham Coffey & Co. Solicitors can discuss your circumstances and, in just one phone call, advise you on whether you are eligible to claim and how much compensation you could expect to receive.

What evidence do I need to support a personal injury claim?

To make a successful office accident claim, you must build a strong case. This means you will need to gather evidence attesting to your injury, proving that it was due to an accident at work, and demonstrating that your employer's negligence was the cause of the accident. There are several types of evidence that can be vital in this effort.

For example, your medical records will provide crucial evidence of the impact of your accident and the effect your injury will have on your life, which also affects how much compensation you could be owed. If you are injured in an office accident, your first step should be to seek emergency medical attention. Even if you feel fine, it is often worthwhile to have a check-up with a doctor, who will be able to identify any underlying injuries that are not immediately apparent.

If you are able, collect evidence in the immediate aftermath of your accident. This includes taking photographs of the accident scene and any circumstances that might have caused it. You should also gather contact details of any eyewitnesses to the incident, as they can later provide testimony that will corroborate your version of events.

Make sure to report the accident to your line manager and have them record it in your office's accident book. This creates an official record of the event that can support your case. Finally, retain any evidence of expenses related to your injury - this might include costs for private medical care, transportation to and from medical or physiotherapy appointments, in-home care provided by professionals or even friends and family members, and other related outgoings. Office accident compensation is designed to prevent you from incurring financial losses related to your injury, and will include special damages to cover these costs if you provide the necessary evidence.

While it is useful to gather as much evidence as you can, you do not need to build a case yourself. Contact the office accident claims team at Graham Coffey & Co. Solicitors today to start your claim and, if you are eligible, one of our experienced personal injury solicitors will start to build your case straight away.

How much are office accident compensation claims worth?

There are several factors that affect how much compensation you could receive following an office accident. These include:

• The injuries you sustained
• The circumstances of the accident
• The financial losses you incurred due to the accident or your recovery
• The long-term effects of the injury on your life

Compensation for personal injury claims is broken down into two categories: general damages, and special damages. General damages are designed to compensate you for the pain and suffering the injury caused you, and any long-term impact it may have on your life - for example, if it affects your quality of life or the activities you can perform.

Special damages account for specific financial losses you experienced due to the accident. If you needed to take time off work to recover, and you lost earnings, special damages are designed to alleviate this. They may also account for any future lost earnings, if your injury leaves you unable to work.

How does the legal process work for an office accident claim?

The office accident claims process can be simple or complex, depending on the nature of your accident, the parties involved, and how they choose to respond to your claim. When you contact the team at Graham Coffey & Co. Solicitors, a member of our team will start working on your case straight away. They will compile all of the relevant evidence, calculate a fair compensation payment based on the nature and severity of your injuries, and submit this to the liable party.

In most office accident claims, the liable party will be your employer, or their insurance company. They can choose to accept the claim and pay the requested amount of compensation, or dispute the claim and take the case to court. Naturally, in the latter cases, the claim process can be extended significantly.

When you work with us, we will represent you in court and take whatever steps are necessary to secure the compensation you are owed. If you are facing financial difficulties and are concerned about how long the case will take, we may be able to secure interim payments that will help you to afford the things you need before the claim reaches its end.

How much does it cost to make an office accident claim?

At Graham Coffey & Co. Solicitors, our team works on a no win, no fee basis when making personal injury claims. This means that no matter how long the case takes or how complex things become, you will never owe us money unless you receive the compensation you are owed.

When you make a no win, no fee office accident claim, there is nothing to pay up front, and there is no financial risk to you as you will not owe us anything if you lose. You will only need to pay us if your claim is successful, and we take our fee as a percentage of your award. This percentage is agreed at the start of the process, before we take on your case, so there are no surprise fees at the conclusion of your claim.