You may be eligible to claim compensation if you were injured on damaged stairs at work. This informative guide explains when you could be eligible to claim after a workplace injury sustained in this manner. As well this, we will look at what evidence is needed to claim against an employer who was negligent.
To get started on an accident at work claim, why not take advantage of the free assessment of eligibility we offer? Our advisors can explain the claims process and how a personal injury solicitor could help calculate potential compensation for you. They could also give you an idea of how much compensation your claim could be worth.
In addition to this, they could connect you with a No Win No Fee solicitor to work with you. Getting started is easy:
- Call us on the number above
- Contact us online
- Use the live chat feature below to speak with an advisor right away
Injured By Damaged Stairs At Work – How To Claim
When Are You Eligible To Claim Due To Being Injured By Damaged Stairs At Work?
You need to show that the following apply in order to make a successful claim after an accident in work. Together, they form the definition of negligence:
- Firstly, you were owed a duty of care by your employer at the time and place of the injury
- This duty of care was breached through the action or inaction of your employer
- As a consequence, you experienced an injury.
This duty of care is set out in the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HASAWA). It states that employers must take all reasonable and practicable steps to prevent harm to employees. For example, employers might be expected to do the following:
- Perform regular slips and trips risk assessments
- Maintain good housekeeping
- Provide personal protectiove equipment (PPE) as required
- Ensure that employees receive the training they need to carry out their role safely
If you were injured in the course of your job because of faulty stair treads, bannisters or structural support, please speak to our team for free guidance on your legal options. They could advise you on whether you could claim after an accident caused by damaged stairs.
What Evidence Could Help You Claim For An Injury Caused By Damaged Stairs At Work?
Evidence can help to strengthen your claim. There are numerous forms of evidence you could provide in support of your claim. This could include:
- Any CCTV footage of the accident (if available)
- A diary that details treatments and key events
- Copies of supporting medical evidence
- The contact details of any witnesses
- A report of the incident in the accident book
You may wish to access professional legal help with gathering evidence. If so, please get in touch for a free evaluation.
Is There A Time Limit To Make An Accident At Work Claim?
Under the terms of the Limitation Act 1980, there is normally a three-year time limit to start a personal injury claim. This timeframe begins from the date of the injury itself. There are exceptions to this time limit:
- Those who are under 18 will have the 3 year time limit suspended until they come of age, at which point they will have until they turn 21 to make their own claim.
- Those who lack the mental capacity to claim will have an indefinite suspension apply to the time limit of their case. In the event that they regained capacity, the time limit would begin.
A litigation friend could claim on behalf of someone who isn’t able to pursue their own claim. Speak with an advisor today for guidance on the role of a litigation friend.
How Could You Be Injured By Damaged Stairs At Work Due To Negligence?
Below are some examples of how you could sustain an injury as a result of damaged stairs in work:
- The flooring surface of the stairs is worn and unsuitable. As a result, you trip and fall down and injure your knee.
- The glass bannister of the stair shatters as you walk down it. As a result, you sustain cuts and lacerations on your legs and need medical attention in order for all the glass to be removed as a result of the cutting injury. This leaves you with scarring.
- The lightbulb illuminating a stairwell no longer works. This was not replaced despite your employer knowing about it. As a result, you trip on a step while going up and break your nose.
If you’d like guidance on the validity of your claim, speak with a member of our team today. They may be able to confirm whether you have a valid case, and if you do, they could connect you with a legal representative from our panel.
Compensation For Falling Down Stairs – What Could You Receive?
Two potential heads of claim can apply when calculating compensation for injury on damaged stairs.
General damages account for the pain and suffering that your injuries have caused you. Legal professionals use a publication called the Judicial College Guidelines to help them value this head of claim. We’ve included a table with examples below:
Compensation Table
| Area of Injury | Severity Level and Award Bracket | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Leg | (b) Severe Leg Injuries -Most Serious Short Of Amputation (i) - £96,250 to £135,920 | Injuries considered almost as serious as amputation, for example degloving or injuries requiring a bone graft procedure |
| Leg | (b) Severe Leg Injuries (i) - Serious (iii) - £39,200 to £54,830 | Comminuted and compound fractures that result in a prolonged treatment, scarring and virtual certainty of arthritis. |
| Knee | (a) Severe (i) - £69,730 to £96,210 | Serious disruption of the joint with ligament damage and considerable pain and loss of function. |
| Knee | (b) Moderate (i) - £14,840 to £26,190 | Dislocations and torn ligaments which causes wasting, instability and weakness as well as injuries that accelerate any pre-existing conditions |
| Ankle | (b) Severe - £31,310 to £50,060 | Injuries that require surgical pins and plates leaving a significant residual disability |
| Foot | (c) Very Severe - £83,960 to £109,650 | Permanent and severe disabilities that might include the need for full or partial surgical amputation of the heel or forefoot, leading to grossly restricted movement. |
| Wrist | (a) Wrist Injuries - £47,620 to £59,860 | Cases of a total loss of function in the wrist, even after surgery. |
| Shoulder | (c) Moderate - £7,890 to £12,770 | Frozen shoulder issues causing limited movement and discomfort. Persisting symptoms for approximately two years. |
| Back | (b) Moderate (i) - £27,760 to £38,780 | Compression or crush fractures to the lumbar vertebrae causing a substantial risk of osteoarthritis as well as constant pain and discomfort. |
| Pelvis | (b) Moderate (i) - £26,590 to £39,170 | A significant injury but no major risk of permanent disability. |
Whilst these award brackets are never intended to be compensation guarantees, they do provide a guideline. You can speak with our team directly for guidance on how much your claim could be worth.
Claiming Special Damages In Slip, Trip And Fall Claims
In addition to general damages accounting for physical and psychological injury, you might also be able to receive special damages. This head of claim compensates for the financial impact that the injury has had on you.
For example, it could include:
- Travel costs to and from medical appointments
- The cost of care
- Lost earnings if your injuries mean you can’t work
- The cost of medical equipment or adaptations you need to cope with your injuries (for example, widening of doorframes to allow for the use of a wheelchair)
Speak with a member of our team today for guidance on the costs and losses that could be included in your claim.
Make An Accident At Work Claim Using Our Panel Of No Win No Fee Solicitors
If you’re considering making a workplace personal injury claim after being harmed on damaged stairs, you might want to consider working with a professional. You can speak with a member of our team today for an assessment of your case.
If your case is strong, we can direct you to a member of our panel of solicitors. They could take up your claim under a type of No Win No Fee contract called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). With this in place, it means that no upfront or ongoing payment for solicitors’ services is needed.
In addition to this, a claim with a successful outcome generally only requires a small and legally restricted amount to be deducted from the compensation. A claim that does not have a positive outcome typically results in the solicitors asking for no fee at all for their services.
If you are interested in learning more, contact our expert team of advisors today to see if you can start your claim by:
- Calling the number at the top of the page
- Using the live chat feature
- Completing our form to contact us online
Learn More About Claiming For Slip Trip And Fall Injuries At Work
You can read the guides below for more information on work injury claims:
- Read about the average compensation for a fall at work
- Can you be compensated for tripping over cables at work?
- What to do if you can’t work due to an injury caused by your employer
Furthermore, we’ve included the following external resources that you might find useful.
- Recent slip, trip and fall statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- As well as the role of the HSE
- Lastly, Government guidance on health and safety at work
Speak to our advisors today to discuss claiming for an accident at work caused by damaged stairs.
