Factory Accidents

Despite an overall reduction in injuries sustained at work in recent years, Health and Safety Executive figures released in November 2011 show that the manufacturing sector (along with transport and storage, construction and human health and social work) has a statistically significantly higher injury rate than other sectors.

Factory accidents can occur for a number of reasons. As with any other working environment, slips and trips are common, but other causes of factory accidents include:

• Faulty machinery
• Inappropriate work clothing or a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Objects falling from racking or storage
• Accidents involving fork-lift trucks

Depending on the seriousness of the injury and the amount of lost earnings, factory accidents can result in substantial compensation claims.

As a result of the physical nature of factory work, small factory accidents such as minor cuts and bruises happen relatively frequently and, in many cases, recovery is quick and fairly painless. Often, accidents occur which are no-one's fault and are down to human error on the part of the injured employee.

However, factory accidents can also cause more severe injuries and lead to a lot of pain and suffering, often requiring lengthy recovery times. More serious factory accidents can be caused by faulty machinery which was not tested properly, or dangerous working practices which the employer failed to address.

Should I make a factory accident claim?

Any factory employee who suffers severe injuries as a result of a factory accident which wasn't their fault may be able to claim compensation for their injuries, and any income lost after taking time off to recover.

This is because all employers, including those working in industrial environments, have a 'duty of care' towards their employees, meaning they must take all the reasonable steps to ensure a safe working environment, preventing factory accidents wherever possible and making sure all health and safety regulations are adhered to.

Failing to provide a safe working environment is a breach of the employer's duty of care, and if employees are injured following factory accidents as a result, factory accident claims can help the injured employee secure compensation.

If you're thinking about claiming compensation after a factory accident, don't hesitate to get in touch. We can provide you with all the advice and information you need to make a decision, such as what you will need to do, why you don't need to worry about losing your job, and how the 'no win no fee' system works.