Workplace Injuries & Your Employer's Insurance Obligations
Written by Marie Oxland | Personal Injury team |16 August 2023
Every year, countless accidents happen in the workplace which easily could have been avoided.
Last month, the Health and Safety Executive issued the latest figures* relating to the number of fatalities in the workplace during 2022/2023.
In 2022/23, 135 people were killed in workplace accidents, the majority of which occurred within the construction industry.
The most common causes for fatal injuries were recorded as falls from height, being struck by a moving object and being struck by a moving vehicle.
Whilst the UK is one of the safest places to work, and the number of fatalities is lower than years gone by, accidents continue to happen ranging from those which are less serious to life-changing injuries.
The statistics are alarming.
0.6 million workers sustained a non-fatal injury in 2021/2022
36.8 million working days were lost due to work related ill health and non-fatal workplace injuries in 2021/2022
477,000 workers suffered from work related musculoskeletal disorders (new or longstanding) in 2021/2022
139,000 workers suffered from a new case of work-related musculoskeletal disorder in 2021/2022 and 7.3 million working days were lost as a result
42% suffered from problems with their back, 37% suffered problems with their upper limbs or neck and 21% suffered from problems with their lower limbs
All employers in the UK are responsible for the health and safety of their workers. It is also a legal requirement to hold Employers Liability Insurance. The insurance policy must provide cover of at least £5 million and come from an authorised insurer. The insurance will help to pay compensation to a worker who is injured or becomes ill because of the work that they do. Employers can be fined £2500 for every day they are not properly insured.
The extent of injuries at work vary from soft tissue injuries, broken bones to much more serious injuries which could result in you having to give up work altogether.
If you have suffered an accident at work due to someone else’s fault, you can contact our Personal Injury Team for a free, no obligation chat to discuss whether you have a claim on a no win no fee basis. You can call us on 01752 827085 or email us at enquiries@nash.co.uk.
*Statistical information provided by HSE
