Office Accidents

You might not think of the office as a particularly dangerous environment, and usually it isn't compared to a construction site or a factory. However, an office environment presents its own unique set of hazards. Both employers and employees have certain responsibilities in preventing accidents in the office.

Office accidents are sometimes caused by the employer's negligence, meaning they failed to implement the necessary safety precautions to prevent office accidents from occurring. An example would be an employer failing to keep walkways clear from obstructions which causes a fall.

Under UK law, employers must do all they can to keep employees safe and healthy at work. If an employer fails in their duty to make the working environment safe for their employees, and someone is injured in an office accident as a result, the injured employee may be able to claim compensation from their employer for the injuries caused.

How can office accidents happen?

Office accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. Slips, trips and falls are among the most common office accidents, and are often caused by obstructed walkways, dangerous floor surfaces, or spillages that haven't been cleared up properly - all hazards that can be removed with a proactive approach to workplace health and safety.

Other causes of office accidents include bad working practices, insufficient training, poor ergonomic planning (which can lead to repetitive strain injuries), and unsafe electrical equipment (all electrical equipment should be regularly tested).

Office accidents can also arise from heavy lifting, damaged steps or stairs and ice or snow in the office car park or on the pavement outside the office.

To find out some simple ways to reduce risks such as these in your office, read our page on preventing office accidents.

Claiming compensation after office accidents

We believe that if you've been injured through no fault of your own, you shouldn't suffer in silence. If you've been the victim of an office accident caused by the negligence of your employer or a colleague, call us today or start your claim online. You needn't worry about losing your job - it's against the law for your employer to dismiss you or treat you differently for claiming the compensation you're entitled to. Read our job security page for more information.