In 2019/2020, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), reported that 693,000 people sustained an injury at work. The injuries associated with these incidents include fractures other than to the fingers, thumb or toes.
According to the Health and Safety Executive, 95% of major slips at work result in broken bones.
There are different types of fracture. The main categories are as follows:
- Complete – a broken bone, separating it in two
- Incomplete – the bone is not broken all the way through
- Compound – the bone breaks through the skin
- Simple – a broken bone but no open wound through the skin
How do fracture injuries occur?
Many accidents at work can lead to a fracture or a broken bone. Some of the more common causes are as follows:
- Accidents involving moving machinery
- Slips, trips and falls
- Falling from height
- Assault at work
Your employer may be liable in these circumstances for several reasons. These could include:
- Failure to provide manual handling training
- Failing to provide adequate personal protective equipment or PPE
- Failing to provide proper work equipment
- Failing to properly service and maintain equipment
Do you have a claim?
Your employer has a duty to ensure that you are working in a safe environment. It is the responsibility of your employer to assess all risks to their employees and, once identified, to do everything reasonable to reduce those risks. It is also a requirement for employers to have insurance to safeguard against potential claims.
If your employer fails to provide you with a safe working environment, and, as a result, you sustain an injury, it is worthwhile exploring whether your employer or their insurer is liable to compensate you for any losses from which you have suffered.
How much is my claim worth?
This will depend on the severity of the injury and its effect on your life, for example, if the fracture or broken bone prevents you from working. The most severe fractures could even result in amputation or paralysis.
In addition to the injury/injuries, other heads of claim may include treatment costs, rehabilitation (such as physiotherapy), loss of earnings, pension loss, home adaptations.
Making a claim
If you suffer an accident at work, then you should report it to your employer and have the incident noted in the accident book. You should make sure you have the contact details of anyone who witnessed the accident and you should take pictures of what caused your accident. It is always best to seek medical attention in the first instance following your accident.
Victims of personal injury have 3 years from the date of the accident to lodge a case at court. Should you wish to make a personal injury claim, we would recommend contacting a solicitor as soon as possible.
