Slip & Trip Injury Claims

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Slips and trips resulting in falls are the single most common cause of major injuries at work according to The Health and Safety Executive, and account for almost a third of all work injuries reported. Nor do they solely affect employees. Visitors, members of the public and contractors regularly sustain slipping and tripping accidents on company property. Nearly 50% of injuries to members of the public in workplaces are caused by slips and trips. The head of the HSE's Injuries Reduction Programme, Dr Elizabeth Gibby, has put the annual cost to British society of slip and trip accidents in the workplace at nearly £811 million pounds. In 2008/09 10,368 employees sustained major injuries as a result of a slip, trip or fall from the same level at work. This figure increased to 23,797 employees who required more than three days off work for similar injuries. There were also 40 fatalities in 2008/09 resulting from slips and trips. The depressing fact is that despite considerable declines in other types of work injuries, slip and trip injuries and fatalities have remained at more or less the same level since 2000/01.

Typical Causes Of Slip & Trip Injuries

Slipping and tripping accidents should be among the easiest to avoid, as the causes are well documented. They are most often caused by uneven or irregular floor surfaces, including slopes, steps and worn or torn carpeting. Wet and slippery floors and surfaces also regularly prove hazardous to employees, whether as a result of cleaning or climatic conditions. Obstacles of one form or another are often left in the path of employees, either by colleagues or cleaning staff. Trailing cords and electric cables are particularly dangerous in this context. Other working environment factors can be the sole or contributing cause of a slip or trip, such as poor lighting, visibility or any other type of inadequate workplace maintenance. No working environment can be totally safe from these dangers. Accidents often occur from fellow employees spilling drinks, food or other liquids and failing to clean them up.

Injuries Resulting From Slip & Trip Accidents

A slip or trip accident can happen anywhere, and cause injuries ranging from minor to severe or fatal. While a minor fall can result in nothing more major than a bruise or graze, more serious injuries can include sprains, strains, lacerations, fractures and concussion. Injuries are likely to be most severe when a worker falls onto another object with sharp or hard edges, such as a desk or a piece of machinery. In this scenario even a minor slip or trip can have potentially devastating consequences, including paralysis, brain injury and death. Limbs that are particularly at risk of damage from a fall are mostly in the upper body, including the head, neck, back, arms, wrists and hands. However a slip or trip can just as easily cause a broken leg or ankle in the victim. Equally if a worker trips on a staircase or otherwise falls some distance onto a hard surface, any injury is likely to be profound.

Employers Must Take Steps To Prevent Accidents At Work

Although an employer cannot be expected to spot every hazard or prevent every possible accident from occurring, they must take reasonable steps to manage hazards in the working environment. The minimum statutory requirements placed on employers are that workplace floors are suitable, in good condition and free from obstructions and substances which might cause an employee to trip or slip. Employers must carry out regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards, such as frayed carpets and eliminate risks such as leaks or potholes. Where necessary anti slip surfaces and handrails should be installed, and non-slip shoes provided. Adverse weather conditions should also be monitored and action taken to avert risks posed by cold, rain or ice. Your employers duties are set out under the following workplace regulations:

Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Slip & Trip Injury Claims And Compensation Awards

Damages for slip and trip injuries at work will evaluate the physical, emotional and financial impact on a worker's life, including their future prospects. Employers are required by law to have employer's liability insurance, and this will cover all the costs associated with a successful claim. Bartletts Solicitors are specialists in the field of slip & trip injury claims. We work on a no win no fee basis meaning if you win your case your employer's insurance company will pay all of your legal fees.

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