Compensation for a fall off the back of a lorry

In this case our client was injured whilst at work when he fell from the back of a lorry. He was delivering pallets of bricks to a customer at a construction yard when he slipped on the icy surface of the truck and sustained a fractured rib, as well as cuts and bruises to his chest, hips, and leg.

Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations

At all relevant times the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (Work Equipment Regulations) and the Work at Height Regulations 2005 applied to our clients attendance at the customer during the course of his employment.

In this case his employers (the defendant), breached Regulation 4 of the Work Equipment Regulations as the equipment provided was not fit for purpose, no safety post or rail had been fitted to the truck, neither were there straps to reduce the risk of a fall, all of which amounted to a failure to maintain a safe system of work.

“Employers have a duty of care to all staff whether they work in manual handling, or shops and factories and their legal obligation is to make the workplace safe and secure,” said Personal Injury Solicitor, Mike Talbot. “It may be necessary to show they have been negligent; in other cases the employer can be strictly liable in law for an injury.”

“Accidents at work are commonplace, but when they are serious the employees can seek compensation and claims are often handled by their employer’s insurance company via Employers Liability Insurance,” Mike Talbot added.

Settlement for injury at work

In this case the Personal Injury lawyers at Pearson Solicitors were able to secure a £8,500 settlement for our client which compensated him for his pain and suffering, as well as helping support him during physiotherapy and any extra care he needed after the incident.

How to claim for an accident at work

If you’ve suffered an injury at work, you’re not alone.  We act for a wide variety of clients who are injured during the course of their work.  Here’s what you can do before instructing a solicitor:

• Report the incident to line managers
• Register it in the workplace accident book
• Get photographs of the scene at the time, including any defective equipment which may have caused your workplace injury
• Take photographs of your injuries and keep any medical information
• Get eye witness details
• Keep receipts for any injury-related expenses (including travel).

The advice from personal injury solicitors specialising in workplace accidents is to gather as much information as possible about the accident as it all helps to build a case.

How can we help?

At Pearson Solicitors we offer a No Win No Fee on personal injury claims and an initial appointment to discuss your accident claim. For legal advice regarding an accident at work contact our personal injury lawyers on 0161 785 3500 or email enquiries@pearsonlegal.co.uk

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Please note that the information and opinions contained in this article are not intended to be comprehensive, nor to provide legal advice. No responsibility for its accuracy or correctness is assumed by Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers Ltd or any of its members or employees. Professional legal advice should be obtained before taking, or refraining from taking, any action as a result of this article.

This blog was posted some time ago and its contents may now be out of date. For the latest legal position relating to these issues, get in touch with the author - or make an enquiry now.