If you have sustained injury at work then you may be able to make a claim for compensation. Perhaps you sustained injury due to faulty equipment in the workplace as this is a fairly common scenario.
Following the enactment of the Use of Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992 your employer is under a duty to ensure that equipment, machinery and vehicles that you use at work are suitable for their intended use. There is also a duty to ensure safety and maintenance. Further, there is a duty to make sure that the equipment, machinery or vehicle, is only used by people (staff) who have received adequate training and instruction. The equipment, machinery or vehicle must also be accompanied by suitable safety measure. The safety measures could be protective devices, markings, warning signs etc.
Your employer should ensure that equipment, machinery and vehicles are regularly checked and maintained. If an employee notices a fault then they should notify a manager or supervisor as soon as possible. However the ultimate duty is on the employer and hence regular inspections and maintenance procedure should be carried out.
The type of work equipment that you use will depend on the nature of your work. Work equipment includes power tools, safety harnesses, scaffolding etc. The list is endless. Equipment used in an office environment could also cause accidents if found to be defective, this includes computers, printers, kitchen appliances etc.
An employer should carry out regular risk assessments and inspections. There is also a duty to train employees in the use of the equipment. Failure to train employees results in a greater chance of injury.
If you have been injured at work then you may be entitled to claim compensation. In most personal injury claims you have a period of 3 years (from the date of the accident) in which to issue court proceedings in your claim. Therefore it is always best to seek legal advice as soon as possible following an accident. We are a team of specialist injury lawyers dealing solely with personal injury claims. Do not hesitate to contact The Injury Lawyers today.
