Our Most Visited Pages

Start your claim now

Arrange a call Call us
Trustpilot
01614138765

TELEPHONE UK Based Experts
Open 7 Days a Week 8.00am - 7.00pm

UK Based | Open 7 days a week 8:00am - 7:00pm

Author: Jonathon

There are many different industries where accidents at work can happen. In fact, accidents can happen in any workplace. However, there are some industries where accidents at work are more common. One of these industries is warehousing. Statistics show that warehousing accidents are amongst the most common accidents at work.

Warehousing Accidents

Warehousing accidents are very common. In the warehousing industry, there were over 23,000 injuries at work in 2019/20 according to the Health and Safety Executive. There are some injuries that are more common than others, with lifting and handling accidents being the most common. These injuries accommodated for 19% of injuries to workers in warehouses in 2019/20.

Lifting and Handling

Lifting and handling accounted for the most accidents to warehouse staff. When you are lifting and handling at work, your manager must make sure that they are following the manual handling safety rules. This is to minimise the risks of accidents at work, and keep employees safe. One of the biggest aspects of the manual handling regulations is carrying out risk assessments.

Hit by Moving Vehicle/ Falling Objects

The other two main areas of accident at work that are common in the warehouse industry are being hit by a moving vehicle, and being hit by falling objects. These accidents happen a lot due to reckless driving and lack of training on forklift trucks. Only people who have had the correct training should use forklift trucks. Accidents that involve falling objects usually happen because of poor stacking and loading of items.

Your Employers Responsibility

It is your employer’s responsibility to ensure you are safe at work. This means that they must follow correct health and safety guidelines to minimise the risk of accidents and to keep all their employees safe. They must carry out adequate and frequent risk assessments on the machinery and equipment, and make sure that staff training is always up to date.

If you are a temporary or agency worker, your employer has as much of a duty to protect you as a full time, permanent employee. This means they must also ensure that your training is adequate and correct before you do the job. They must also ensure they maintain this training.

If your employer does not follow the correct health and safety guidelines, such as the Manual Handling Regulations and the Health and Safety at work regulations, and you have an accident whilst at work, then you may be able to make a claim. All employers must have Employer’s Liability insurance. This covers the business in case accidents at work happen. If you have had an accident and make a claim, then it is the insurance that pays the compensation.

How We Can Help with Warehousing Accidents

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes accidents at work. Contact us by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 0800 182 2187 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisor.

No matter the type of accident you have, reporting your accident is important. It is important for a number of reasons, including for proof of your accident happening. Other reasons include: so the other party knows the accident happened, loss of earnings due to taking time off work, medical reasons, and to ensure it does not happen again.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) more than 14,000 people die as a result of accidents every year, with thousands more having injuries.

Reporting Your Accident at Work

If you have an accident at work, it is important to report the accident to your employer. In workplaces where there is an accident book, you must make sure you log the accident in there. If not, you must report the accident verbally to a manager or supervisor.

When reporting your accident at work, it is important to note down the date and time of the accident, the cause of the accident, whether there were any witnesses, the treatment you had, and the amount of time you had to take off work.

Reporting Your Accident in a Public Place

Having an accident in a public place may mean that there are a few people that you need to think about when reporting your accident. If you fell in a shop, you need to report your accident to the shop owner or manager. Most shops will also have an accident book or form, so it is important to fill that in too.

If you have an accident on the street, for example, a trip on the pavement, then you will need to report your accident to the council. However, if the council have sent you a claims form, it is important that you do not fill that in and send back if you would like to make a personal injury claim. Nevertheless, the council does need to know about any defects in pavements or roads, so it is still important to report your accident.

Reporting Your Accident on the Road

If you have an accident on the road, for example, a road traffic accident, there are a couple of people you may need to think about reporting your accident to. You must report the accident to your insurance, and take the details of the other person involved in the accident. This is usually their name, registration number and insurance details.

You may also need to report your accident to the police. This is almost always the case in road traffic accidents, as the police are usually called to the scene. If they are not, it is still important to report your accident to them.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience in dealing with all types of personal injury claims. This includes accidents at work, accidents in public places, and accidents on the road. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

The festive season is no doubt the busiest time of year for delivery drivers, and this year they are busier than ever. With everyone staying at home, and online shopping increasing, the extra work may mean that delivery drivers have more work accidents.

The Christmas rush means that there will be more delivery drivers on roads. There are many work accidents that delivery drivers can face, from road traffic accidents to manual handling accidents, and even accidents on customer’s property.

Manual Handling Accidents

One of the biggest causes of work accidents to delivery drivers is manual handling accidents. They often happen due to inadequate or incorrect training. They could also happen due to vans being overloaded.

Employers must ensure that all their staff have the correct training to do manual handling work. If you have had inadequate or incorrect training, your employer may be at fault for your accident. The most common injuries from manual handling accidents are back injuries, according to the Health and Safety Executive.

Your employer must follow the rules set out in the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. This reduces the chances of accidents happening and is designed to protect staff.

Road Traffic Accidents

Having a road traffic accident at any time is bad but having one whilst you are working is even worse. The main cause of road traffic accidents is careless driving. If you have a road traffic accident whilst at work, you must make sure you report the accident to your employer as well as getting the details of the other driver and, if necessary, contacting the police.

Work Accidents whilst delivering

Another work accident that a delivery driver may have is an accident on the property where they are delivering. This could be a slip, trip or fall, a manual handling accident, or even a dog bite. There are various people who may be at fault if you have an accident on the property of the place you are delivering to.

If it is a business, then it is the business owner who may be at fault. This is especially true if you tripped on uneven paving. In this case, the blame could also fall with the local council, so it is important to take pictures of the defect.

If you are injured at someone’s house, and the person you are making the delivery to owns their property, it is the homeowner who may be at fault. There are certain specifics depending on the accident if it may be the homeowner who is at fault. These include insurance and ability to pay.

It is always important to report the accident to your employer. This is also true if you had the accident whilst you were out doing your deliveries.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes accidents at work. So contact us today by filling in our contact form, or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly, knowledgeable advisors.

We are now in Winter, and we all know that Winter and cold weather go hand in hand. Cold weather and public accidents unfortunately can also go hand in hand.  In the cold weather, there may be an increase in accidents in public places. This includes trips and slips on pavements. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), slips, trips and falls are the most common accident in everyday life.

There may be more risks on pavements in the cold weather too. The temperatures may affect paving and potholes. This can lead to more trips and falls, and it is something that we deal with on a daily basis here at The Compensation Experts.

Cold Weather and Public Accidents: Potholes

As the temperatures go down, the rate of potholes may increase on pavements and roads. Add that to the cold surfaces making injuries worse, and you could potentially be hurt for longer than usual.

The Winter may also make the quality of the pavements worse due to ice and frost on the ground. Whilst local councils can not do anything about the weather, they must still ensure that the weather does not affect their maintenance of roads and pavements.

There are certain sizes that potholes must be in order to make a claim. On the pavement the pothole must be at least an inch deep. On roads, potholes must be at least 2 inches deep and at least 12 inches (a foot) wide. It is always best to take pictures if you have fallen due to a pothole, as it can help your claim.

Cold Weather and Public Accidents: Pavements

The cold weather may also cause pavements to crack more. This can increase the risk of people tripping on the pavements. Pavements with defects can be dangerous, as they can cause injuries that last a while, such as fractures and breaks. These injuries can take a long time to recover from and may even require surgery. If it was an accident due to the fault of the council, then you may be able to make a claim.

The council must ensure that they maintain a regular upkeep of their pavements to avoid accidents like this happening. This is especially important in Winter as the cold weather can mean that the injuries people have can be worse.

Similarly to potholes, there is a certain size that a loose or cracked pavement must be either raised by or lowered by. On a pavement, the pavement must be raised or dropped by at least an inch in order to make a claim. It is also best to take pictures in this situation too, as it can help your claim.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with all types of personal injury claim. This includes trips and falls on pavements and roads due to potholes and pavement defects. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

University students across the UK are currently travelling home for Christmas, with many using public transport. During this time, with the rush for many students to get home before the 9th December, the likelihood of accidents on public transport may rise. There could be more road traffic accidents, or accidents at stations due to the rush of people travelling.

Students have been told to travel between 3-9 December if they test negative for COVID-19. This is because the infection rates will generally be lower after the mass testing that they have undergone. They are planning on doing this to reduce the risk of the students passing the virus to their loved ones. The government and universities are likely to stagger the return to universities after the Christmas period in January.

Students on Public Transport

There will undoubtedly be a lot of students using public transport during this week, and with that the amount of accidents may rise. Accidents on public transport can occur on buses, trains, taxis, and more.

According to a report by the BBC, students in England can travel as long as they have had a negative test result. In Scotland students must have two negative test results in 5 days before they can travel. If students test positive, then they must self-isolate before being able to travel.

The public transport companies may add extra transport for this period. This may also cause the number of accidents to rise.

Accidents on Public Transport

The main accident that can occur on public transport is a road traffic accident (RTA). For example, if you are on a bus and a driver hits the bus, or vice-versa, then you may be able to claim. This includes if the accident was the bus driver’s fault.

Another accident that may happen on public transport includes accidents because of the rush of people trying to get on transport, such as a fall at a station. If you have fallen at a station, and it was someone else’s fault, such as a floor that has been recently cleaned but does not have a wet floor sign, then you may be able to make a claim.

What to do if you have an accident on public transport?

If you have an accident on public transport, the first thing you need to do is report the accident. That can be to the bus driver, the bus or train company, or the taxi company. Then you need to make a GP appointment or go to A&E to see the extent of your injuries.

It could also be beneficial to you if there are witnesses to the accident. That could be other passengers or other drivers that were involved in the accident. Or it could be any staff if your accident happened at a station.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes accidents on public transport. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly, knowledgeable advisors.

Accidents at work are always common, however, during the lead up to Christmas, they tend to increase. This is mainly due to increased workloads for staff during the festive season. It can also be due to staff not having adequate training, understaffing, and higher expectations.

It is the responsibility of your employer to ensure that they keep you safe at work. This is especially important during the festive season because of the increased workloads. If you have had an accident at work, and it was due to the fault of someone else, then you may be able to claim compensation.

 

Accidents at Work at Christmas

There are some industries where accidents at work are more likely to happen during the festive period, due to the increased workload. These industries include warehousing and retail.

Manual handling accidents are some of the most common accidents that happen in the workplace. They occur when someone is lifting, pulling, putting down, and moving objects by hand. The injuries from manual handling accidents can be serious, ranging from muscle injuries, to more serious musculoskeletal disorders that can become life-long injuries. These injuries may also worsen, causing you pain and discomfort for a long time.

The increased workload at Christmas means that the likelihood of these accidents happening increases further, as staff have more pressure put on them to work harder.

In retail, the increase in the number of customers in stores can be a hazard, as well as the increased need to replenish stock. If you have an accident because you are unable to replenish stock safely, then it may be something we can help with.

 

Your Employer’s Responsibility

Your employer has a duty of care to ensure you are kept safe at work. There are rules they must follow. These rules are set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Ultimately, your employer must make sure that you are able to do your job safely. This includes making sure there is enough staff to carry out the work, making sure all the staff have the correct training, and making sure that jobs are safe for the staff to do.

With the added pressure on workers to get everything ready for Christmas, it is even more important for employers to make sure the staff are not injured whilst at work.

You may feel uncomfortable claiming against your employer. However, all companies are required to have Employer’s Liability Insurance. This insurance would be used to pay your compensation if you are able to claim.

 

Accidents at Work at Christmas: Temporary Staff

If you are working under a temporary contract, be that through the company or an agency, and you have an accident, you may think that you may not be able to claim. That is not true. Employers have the exact same duty of care to agency and temporary staff that they have to full time workers. This means that they must have the same rules for all. So they must ensure that temporary staff can perform the job safely too.

 

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with all manner of compensation claims. This includes accidents at work. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year. It has been a massive day in the USA for many years, but in the past few years, the phenomenon has spread to the UK. Many items are reduced on the day, and its surrounding days to kickstart Christmas shopping, but it is not without its risks. With the increased number of shoppers, there is an increase in Black Friday accidents.

Whilst this year it is, understandably being held online, in the past it has led people to flood to shops.  With more shops starting to open again in some parts of the country in the lead up to Christmas, the number of accidents may rise. There are some accidents, however, that happen more than others in this period.

Common Black Friday Accidents in Shops

Most accidents that happen on Black Friday and the festive period do so in shops. This can be due to health and safety issues, inadequate staffing, or the fault of other members of the public. Shops have a duty of care, set out in the Occupier’s Liability Act 1984, to ensure that no one is injured whilst on their premises.

This is especially important on Black Friday and during the festive period, as the number of shoppers increases. Businesses and shop owners, at this time, must take even more care to make sure no one has an accident. This includes making sure there are adequate members of staff in to deal with the increased footfall and making sure they have the correct training to deal with the numbers.

Falling Items

It is no surprise that many Black Friday accidents happen in shops. A big cause of accidents in shops is falling items hitting people. Falling items can be dangerous in any circumstance, but may be made worse around the festive period. If the items fall due to the fault of someone else, for example items not being stacked correctly or people pulling items off shelves in an unsafe way, then it may be something you can claim for.

Crushing

Another accident that can be caused on and around Black Friday is crushing. Causes of these accidents include people rushing to get certain items, and it can cause serious injuries. If shops do not have the correct security or health and safety measures, this can lead to more accidents.

Assault

Another form of accident that can happen on Black Friday is assault. There may be cases where someone assaults you trying to get an item, or in the rush to get to the sales. There is a body who deal with assault compensation cases. They are known as the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, or CICA.

Common Black Friday Accidents on the Road

There can also be accidents during the festive period before you even enter a shop. There are many accidents that happen on the roads and in car parks too. Causes of these accidents can include speeding, driving carelessly, and drivers fighting for parking spaces.

Black Friday and the Christmas period causes many drivers to drive more recklessly on the roads, with drivers speeding and not concentrating. According to Department for Transport statistics, the 10 days including and following Black Friday are when the most crashes happen on UK roads. This is likely due to the rush of shoppers.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who deal with all manner of personal injury claims. This includes accidents in shops, public places, and on the roads. If you have had an accident and it was someone else’s fault, then you may be able to claim compensation.

Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly, knowledgeable advisors.

November is lung cancer awareness month here in the UK, and as we know, there is a link between Asbestos and lung cancer; working with Asbestos for a prolonged period can heighten the risk of developing the disease. A study in 2020 found that Asbestos is responsible for 37.5% of all occupational lung cancer cases.

It is more important than ever to go and see a doctor if you experience any of the symptoms of lung cancer. This is especially true if you have worked with Asbestos in the past.

Asbestos and Lung Cancer

In the past, the use of Asbestos was very common. However, we now know that it can cause serious illnesses. Asbestos and lung cancer are linked because of this fact, as lung cancer is one of the conditions that can develop after working with the substance.

Lung cancer from exposure to Asbestos can take years to develop. Many people with the disease do not start showing symptoms until at least 15 years after working with Asbestos. Because of this, many people think that it is too late to make a claim, but that is not always the case.

Examples of other conditions that exposure to Asbestos can cause include Asbestosis, mesothelioma, and pleural plaques.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a serious disease where the lung tissue hardens. It is a slowly progressive disease, usually taking between 15 and 30 years to develop. It is associated with long-term exposure to Asbestos fibres.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer. The cause of this disease is exposure to Asbestos fibres. It develops in the lining of the lungs, and it most commonly affects men aged between 60 and 80. Unfortunately, it is rarely possible to cure the disease, treatment can usually only help control the symptoms.

Symptoms of Asbestos-Induced Lung Cancer

The symptoms of lung cancer caused by exposure to Asbestos are similar to the symptoms for lung cancer. These include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Persistent cough
  • Chest pain
  • Sudden weight or appetite loss

If you develop any of these symptoms, it is best to go and see a doctor straight away, because the condition may be worse than you think.

Claiming on Behalf of Someone Else

Sadly, it is often the case that you may have to claim on behalf of a loved one. This is often the case with Asbestos-related claims, as the damage from Asbestos develops over many years. So, you may be able to make a claim on a loved one’s behalf if they have died or are unable to speak for themselves due to their illness being so far advanced.

If you are speaking on behalf of a loved one, and they were diagnosed with an Asbestos related condition in the last three years, then we may be able to help.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with specialist solicitors who have years of experience dealing with several industrial disease claims. This includes Asbestos related lung cancer. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly, knowledgeable advisors.

The Disability Discrimination Act was passed 25 years ago this year, and with it came a new set of rights for disabled people across the UK. It has since evolved into the Equality Act, but many of the same fundamentals apply. Yet there is still a link between accidents at work, disability and work injuries.

The Act works to protect people with disabilities from discrimination. It was made in 1995, and was replaced with The Equality Act in 2010.

Yet there are still obstacles that disabled people face in the workplace. These obstacles can include employer negligence, which can lead to accidents at work.

Disability and Accidents at Work

The main issue involving disability and work injuries is accidents at work. There are many different accidents that a person can have at work.  Your employer has a duty of care to make sure that you are safe and do not have any accidents that cause injury whilst at work. If they fail in their duty of care, then you may be able to claim compensation. An example of this is if an employer fails to make sure you have all the help you need to lift something safely. In this case, you may be able to make a claim.

Employers have even more of a duty of care to disabled employees to ensure they are kept safe at work, especially if the disabled employee is a vulnerable person.  So, if an accident occurs which causes injury, then there may be even more grounds to make a claim.

Accidents at Work that Can Cause Disability

There are some kinds of accident at work that can leave the employee with a disability. These types of accident are prevalent in the construction and manufacturing industry, where there is a lot of working at height.

Falling from height is one of the most common causes of accidents that lead to disability at work. The further a person is working from the ground, the more they are at risk. This means that their working conditions are also more dangerous. Employers must follow the rules set out in the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and must ensure that they carry out regular risk assessments of the job the employees are doing, and the equipment they are using.

Other types of accidents at work that can cause disability include construction site accidents, factory accidents, defective machinery accidents, and chemical burns. There is a risk of accidents at work leaving someone with a disability in any industry, but these are more common ones.

How we Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with compensation claims. This includes accidents at work and work-related stress claims. If you have experienced either of these in the last three years, then contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly, knowledgeable advisors.

If you are suffering with symptoms of Vibration White Finger, also known as Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), you may think that there is no point in getting a diagnosis, as there is nothing that can be done to help. This is not always the case, as getting a diagnosis of Vibration White Finger can be vital if you wish to make a claim.

Some people have already had a diagnosis, some have not. If you fall into either of these categories, you may still be able to make a claim. At times, the symptoms for VWF do not appear until years after the person has left the job that causes the condition. This could affect whether they have had a diagnosis. Again, this may be something that we can help with.

Getting A Diagnosis of Vibration White Finger

If you have the symptoms of Vibration White Finger, then it is always best to go and see a Doctor. This can help with your peace of mind as well as with a potential claim. Once you have had a diagnosis, you then have three years from your date of diagnosis to make a claim.

In some cases, it is better for you to have not had a diagnosis, as the three-year limitation period does not start until the diagnosis. However, it is recommended that if you do wish to make a potential claim to go and see your doctor.

If you have not been diagnosed, then we may still be able to help. If your symptoms have started in the last three years, then you may be able to make a claim.

Causes and Symptoms of Vibration White Finger

The main symptom of VWF is a whiteness in the tip of one or more fingers. This can be on one hand or both. There are other symptoms which are associated with the condition. These symptoms include:

  • Tingling in the fingers or hands
  • Stiffness of joints
  • Numbness in the hands or fingers
  • Poor circulation
  • Coldness in the fingers

These symptoms may worsen when it is cold weather, but, since no two cases are the same, they also may not. Sometimes the symptoms do not appear until years after you have stopped doing the job where you were using the vibration tools.

The main cause of VWF is through continued use of vibratory equipment. This includes power tools. Many of the enquiries that we get are from people who have had a prolonged use of power tools. These tools can harm joints, nerves and blood vessels in the fingers and hand.

In some cases, you can trace the cause of VWF to a job you worked at decades ago. Many of the enquiries we receive for Vibration White Finger include jobs that people worked at years ago. It may even be the case that the company have since gone out of business. This does not necessarily matter, we may still be able to help.

If that is the case, you may think that there is no way you would be able to claim, but that is not always the case. If you have started experiencing the symptoms within the last three years, for example, then you may still be able to make a claim.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience in dealing with claims. This includes claims for Vibration White Finger. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Cycling Road Traffic Accidents are amongst some of the most common types of RTA. Cyclists are amongst some of the most vulnerable types of road user. Cycling road traffic accidents also commonly cause injuries that can take a while to heal.

There is currently a consultation going on in the Government as to whether to change the rules in the highway code to reflect these different types of road user. This consultation focuses on improving the safety for vulnerable road users; in particular, cyclists, pedestrians, and horse riders.

The main proposals of the consultation are:

  • To introduce a hierarchy of road users which ensures those road users who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to others.
  • Clarifying existing rules on pedestrian priority on pavements, to advise that drivers should give way to pedestrians crossing or those waiting to cross the road.
  • Providing guidance on cyclist priority at junctions to advise drivers to give priority at junctions when travelling straight ahead.
  • Establishing guidance on safe passing distances and speeds when overtaking cyclists and horse riders.

The consultation finished on the 27th October 2020, with the results expected soon after.

Cycling Road Traffic Accidents

Cyclists are amongst the most vulnerable road users. Many of the road traffic accidents that happen every year in the UK involve cyclists. If you have been injured in an accident on the road as a cyclist then you may be able to claim compensation.

There are various reasons that cyclists can have an accident. The main causes of accidents on the road are: careless driving, speeding, and drivers not paying attention. They can often cause injury, and these injuries can take a while to heal.

Accidents involving uninsured drivers

Sometimes, in road traffic accidents, there are uninsured or untraceable drivers. In cases such as these, you may be able to claim from the Motor Insurers Bureau. The MIB specialise in cases of uninsured drivers, and is a body that is paid into by motor insurance companies throughout the UK. In cases that involve the MIB, they would pay the compensation.

Accidents involving a child

If your child had an accident whilst cycling, then you may be able to make a claim on their behalf. With accidents involving a child, the usual three-year time limit does not come into effect until they turn 18. So, in theory, you may have a longer time in which to make a claim. however, it is always better to start a potential claim as soon as possible.

How we can help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who specialise in road traffic accidents. This includes cycling accidents. This means that they are extremely well placed to help you make a possible claim if you were involved in a road traffic accident as a cyclist. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

If you have an accident in public, we know that taking photos of what caused you to have your accident may be the last thing on your mind. However, they are important in your potential claim.

Accidents in public places are one of the most common types of enquiry we receive here at The Compensation Experts. Whether that is a trip, slip or fall on a pavement to falling on a pothole in the road, they can encompass a wide variety of claims. If you have fallen on the street or a road, then, in most circumstances, you may be asked for photos of the area you fell in. These photos are important as they help build the basis of your claim.

Here at The Compensation Experts, we aim to help everyone get the compensation that they deserve. This guide is here to give you everything you need to know about taking accident images as evidence for your compensation claim.

What is an accident photo?

No matter where you’ve suffered a personal injury, be it in public or at work, you want to be sure that your personal injury claim is as strong as possible so you can get the compensation you deserve.

To ensure this is the case, one thing you should always aim to gather as evidence in any claim is an accident photo.

We know that taking photos of what caused your accident may be the last thing on your mind after receiving an injury. However, they are a vitally important piece of evidence for your potential claim.

An accident photo is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a photo of the place you suffered your accident, but specifically of whatever hazard caused it and the area around it.

For example, if defective machinery or inadequate PPE broke at work and caused you to receive an injury, you should take a photo of the tool, the place surrounding where the injury occurred, and the injury itself if possible.

Public accident photos

While you should attempt to take an accident photo regardless of what kind of personal injury you suffer, there are certain types of accidents where an accident photo is a must.

This is especially important when making a public space injury claim.

Accidents in public spaces are one of the most common types of personal injury that people can experience. Whether it’s a trip, slip, or fall on a pavement, or falling in a pothole in the road, they can encompass a wide variety of injury claims.

Regardless of what caused your injury, you should take a picture of the site as soon as possible.

Pavement accident photos

If you have had a slip, trip or fall on the pavement due to a pothole or a raised paving stone, for example, an accident photo can be instrumental in showing that the hole, paving slab, or whatever caused your fall, is at least an inch in depth or height.

An inch is equivalent to a 50p piece, so you can take accident images showing that the damage in question is of a similar size. You could also use a tape measure, ruler, a credit card, or anything else that is bigger than an inch.

This is important to do, and will lend your accident photo more credibility, as the depth can show if it could have been avoided by the council or landowner carrying out regular maintenance.

Road traffic accident photos

The next important type of accident to get an accident photo of are road traffic accidents. A picture of a car accident is perhaps the most important evidence you can have when making a road traffic accident claim, to prove the damages that occurred.

But car accident pictures are relevant for any kind of road traffic accident, even if it’s just a pothole that causes damage to your vehicle.

Pothole accident photos

If you have had an accident on the road due to a pothole or uneven surface, then much like with a pavement accident claim, you should take comparative photos of the offending surface as car accident pictures.

It should be noted, however, that potholes or uneven surfaces on the road need to be bigger than those on the pavement, upwards of 2 inches deep and 12 inches (a foot) across in either width or length.

Again, when you take photos of these defects, you’ll need to use something that measures both the depth of the pothole, and the width or length of it.

An example would be to use a plank of wood or a spirit level across to show the width or length, and then a tape measure to show the depth, again showing how regular maintenance could have avoided the problem.

But as we know, road traffic accidents are not limited to pothole damage. If you do find yourself in a more serious type of road traffic accident, then pictures of car accident damage should be taken when appropriate to do so.

Private property injuries

Of course, some injuries may occur while you’re on private property. In these cases, it’s still just as important to gather accident images should you suffer any injury.

Private property includes anything from supermarkets to farmland; anywhere that’s owned by someone other than the council. If an owner’s property is in public use, it’s up to them to remove any potential injury hazards and make it safe for visiting people.

Therefore, should you suffer a personal injury on private property due to a preventable hazard, you should always take an accident photo of it. For example, suffering a trip, slip, or fall on a wet or polished floor in a supermarket that lacked proper signage.

What to do if you’re unable to take photos at the accident

If you have had an accident in any scenario, but you were unable to gather any accident images at the time, don’t panic.

If you know that the defect is still there, and you can get back to the area to take photos, then you should do so when possible. If you’re unable to go due to your injuries, then you should ask someone else to go instead.

But we also know that there are scenarios where taking an accident photo simply isn’t possible. It’s important to note that these situations do not make your claim any less valid. Plenty of claims have been won without accident images, they just make proving your claim easier.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, the solicitors we work with deal with many personal injury claims every day. This includes public place claims, and slips, trips and falls. This means that they are well placed to help you get the compensation you may be entitled to. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.