This guide will explore the warehouse accident claims process, including when you might be eligible to seek compensation.
You might have sustained a slip, trip or fall on a wet floor and consequently sustained a back injury. Furthermore, you could have suffered a wrist injury after tripping over a cable. If you are awarded compensation for your injuries, the ways in which they have impacted your life will be considered. We will explore this further throughout our guide.
Additionally, we will explore the duty of care your employer owes and how they could breach this duty causing an accident to occur.
You may also have questions such as:
- How long after an accident at work can you claim?
- What to do after a workplace accident?
- How much compensation for a workplace injury could I receive?
We have aimed to answer these questions throughout our guide so please continue reading for more information. Alternatively, you can speak to one of our advisors. They are available to offer free legal advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can get in touch by:
- Calling the number at the top of the page
- Using our live chat feature in the bottom right corner
- Filling out our contact form with your query
Warehouse accident claims guide
A Guide On Warehouse Accident Claims
An injury at work is any injury or illness that has been suffered or made worse whilst at work or whilst performing work-related duties.
In a warehouse, there are a number of ways in which you could sustain an injury, with the severity of potential injuries varying. Depending on how serious it is and the impact on your quality of life, the incident can have a major impact on your physical and mental well-being.
However, in order to make a warehouse accident claim, you must be able to prove negligence occurred. This involves your employer breaching the duty of care they owed you, causing you to sustain harm. The harm you sustain can either be physical or psychological.
Different factors could affect the compensation for a workplace accident claim you may receive for your injuries which will be explored in more depth later in this guide.
If you have any questions about whether you’re eligible to seek compensation, get in touch using the number above.
What Does Duty of Care Mean?
An employer owes their employees a duty of care to ensure they have done everything reasonably possible to either minimise the risk of any known hazards causing harm or remove them completely. This includes the facilities, equipment and work environment.
This duty of care is outlined by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The responsibilities an employer has under HASAWA may vary depending on the specific industry they work in. However, generally, they are required to:
- Carry out regular risk assessments
- Address any hazards found when carrying out risk assessments
- Provide adequate training to employees
- Provide necessary personal protective equipment (PPE)
If they breach their duty of care and you suffer an injury whilst working in a warehouse, you could be eligible to make a personal injury claim. To find out about the warehouse accident claims process, get in touch on the number above.
What Are The Most Common Injuries In The Workplace?
According to statistics collated by the Health and Safety Executive there were:
- 8,713 non-fatal injuries sustained in the manufacturing industry
- 3,464 non-fatal injuries sustained in the construction industry
- 7,127 non-fatal injuries sustained in the transportation and storage industry
These were reported by employers under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013.
Top Tips On The Warehouse Accident Claims Process
If you are making an accident at work claim, it is important to gather as much evidence as possible to support it. Despite this being essential, you should always seek medical care first. Not only will this ensure you receive the medical attention you need, but it will also provide medical records that can be used as evidence.
Additionally, you could:
- Make note of witness contact details
- Request CCTV footage of the scene or the accident taking place
- Take pictures of the scene of the accident as well as any injuries suffered
- Fill out the accident at work book
Lastly, you should seek legal advice. Using an accident at work solicitor can be beneficial when looking to sue your employer for negligence. If you would like to find out more about legal representation, do not hesitate to get in touch.
An advisor can also provide further guidance on the warehouse accident claims process and what you should do if you had an accident at work.
What Is The Accident At Work Claim Time Limit?
Typically you have 3 years to start an accident at work claim. This can be either from the date of the accident or from when you connected your injuries to negligence. This is outlined by the Limitation Act 1980.
Although there are some exceptions to this limitation. For example, the time limit may be suspended if the injured person is under the age of 18 or if they lack the mental capacity to start their own claim.
To find out more about the workplace injury claim time limit, get in touch with a member of our team.
Potential Compensation Payouts For Work Injury Claims
The settlement awarded for successful warehouse accident claims could be made up of two heads of claim. The first head of claim you could receive is called general damages which compensate you for any physical or mental pain and suffering endured due to the injury you sustained.
We have compiled a table using figures from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) which comprises compensation brackets for different injuries based on previously settled court cases. The JCG is a document that legal professionals can use to help them when valuing general damages.
However, these amounts should only be used as guidance because each injury at work claim is unique. Therefore, the settlement you receive could be different.
| Body Part | Severity | Compensation Bracket | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head | (c) Moderate (ii) | £90,720 to £150,110 | Moderate to modest intellectual deficit with the capacity to work being significantly lowered as well as a risk of epilepsy. |
| Back | (a) Severe (ii) | £74,160 to £88,430 | Damage to the nerve roots alongside several other problems such as loss of sensation, impaired mobility and an impact on bladder and bowel function. |
| Back | (b) Moderate (ii) | £12,510 to £27,760 | Back injuries that occur frequently such as soft tissue injuries or disturbance of the ligaments. |
| Neck | (a) Severe (iii) | £45,470 to £55,990 | Injuries such as fractures, dislocations, severe damage to soft tissue or ruptured tendons. |
| Neck | (b) Moderate (iii) | £7,890 to £13,740 | This bracket includes an injury that has worsened a pre-existing issue over a shorter period of time. |
| Leg | (b) Severe (iii) | £39,200 to £54,830 | Serious injuries such as severe compound or comminuted fractures or joint and ligament damage. |
| Leg | (c) Less serious (ii) | £9,110 to £14,080 | A femur fracture with no articular surface damage. |
| Arm | (b) Injuries causing a permanent and substantial disability | £39,170 to £59,860 | Severe fractures to one or both forearms where either a cosmetic or functional disability is suffered. |
| Knee | (b) Moderate (i) | £14,840 to £26,190 | Injuries including dislocations or torn cartilages which lead to symptoms such as weakness and wasting. |
| Shoulder | (c) Moderate | £7,890 to £12,770 | A case of frozen shoulder which limits movement and causes discomfort for a couple of years. |
What Else Could I Receive For A Successful Warehouse Accident Claim?
Additionally, special damages may also be included in your workplace injury claim. This head of claim compensates you for any financial losses sustained due to your injury.
For instance, if you tripped and fell on trailing leads and suffer a back injury that leads to permanent issues with mobility, you might have to pay out for home adaptations. This expense could be covered by special damages.
Other costs that may be covered include:
- Care costs
- Medical expenses
- Loss of pay
It’s important that you provide evidence to support these losses, such as receipts or payslips.
To find out more about the injury at work claim compensation you could be owed, get in touch with a member of our team. Alternatively, they can guide you through the warehouse accident claims process.
Can I Hire A No Win No Fee Solicitor To Represent My Workplace Injury Claim?
You could choose to hire a No Win No Fee solicitor to represent you. Under the No Win No No Fee umbrella is an arrangement known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
A CFA means that you don’t pay for your solicitor’s services if your accident at work claim is unsuccessful. If your case is won, you will have to pay a legally capped success fee. This will be taken from your compensation.
The accident at work solicitors from our panel could represent your claim on this basis. To find out more, use the contact details below.
Contact Us Today For A Free Consultation
For more information on the warehouse accident claims process, please get in touch with our team of advisors. They can provide further guidance and answer any questions you have about your potential claim. To get in touch:
- Call the phone number at the top of this page
- Connect via the live chat feature in the bottom right corner of this page
- Fill out our contact form with your query
Learn More About Warehouse Accident Claims
Here we have provided you with some additional reading related to work injury claims:
- Statutory Sick Pay – GOV
- Steps Needed To Manage Risk – HSE
- Urgent And Emergency Care Services – NHS
Thank you for reading our guide on warehouse accident claims. If you have any other questions, please get in touch on the number above.
