What Will Happen When I Make A Claim?
After you’ve contacted us, we’ll set up a free initial consultation to discuss your case and whether you have a legal claim. We’ll discuss what funding options are available to you to pay for your claim, including No Win No Fee agreements *.
We’ll then get in touch with those responsible for your accident at an early stage to see if they accept the blame for your injuries. If they accept responsibility, we’ll try to secure interim compensation payments which can fund private medical care and ongoing expenses, before your claim fully settles. Any interim payments will be taken out of your final compensation award.
Our lawyers will look into your case in detail, gathering evidence from independent medical professionals and health and safety specialists. These experts will analyse why your accident happened and can determine any future implications to your health. They’ll also advise us on the care you’ll need in the future.
We’ll always try and negotiate claims out of court, keeping the claim process as short as we can. However, if your employer doesn’t accept responsibility or doesn’t agree with the amount of compensation we feel you need, we’ll start court proceedings.
Even when trial dates have been set, claims are still often settled before reaching court. If your claim does need to go to court, we’ll be there to help you every step of the way, talking you through what will happen so you feel as comfortable as possible.
Read more about what happens if your case goes to court.
Can I Make A Claim Against My Current Employer?
You could make a claim against your current or past employer if you’ve suffered a back injury at work. We know that claiming against your employer can be daunting, but we’re here to make things as easy as possible.
The law states that your employer should have ‘liability insurance’, which means they'll be protected if a claim is made against them. This insurance will also mean that they won’t be damaged financially if you make a successful claim, as your compensation will be paid by their insurer.
You could also be worried about your future with the company and being dismissed for making a claim against them. By law, employers can’t terminate your contract for this reason and we can provide you with expert advice in this area if you have any questions.
By making a claim, you’ll also be highlighting that a safer working environment is needed in the workplace. This could protect other members of staff from getting injured as safety precautions will be put in place.
If you’re thinking about making a claim, contact our experts today to set up a free initial consultation to discuss your case.
What Can Compensation Pay For?
Compensation can make a real difference to your life, ensuring that you can access the healthcare and support to make the best recovery you can. By making a claim with us, we can get you funds which can help pay for:
Private healthcare treatment
Physiotherapy
Psychological therapy
Expenses (such as travel costs to hospital appointments)
Loss of income
Household adaptations
The amount of compensation you receive will depend on the severity of your injuries and the likelihood that you’ll make a full recovery. We’ll seek expert opinions on what care you’ll need to ensure that the compensation we claim will be sufficient.
If your employer accepts responsibility for your accident, we could help you get early compensation payments. Often known as interim payments, these funds will be taken from your final settlement and can help pay for ongoing care costs and expenses, before your claim has settled.
Who Can Make A Claim?
We could help you make a claim if you’ve suffered a back injury in a workplace accident, including if you’re an employee, contractor or a visitor to the worksite.
Even if you’re a casual worker or self-employed, you might still be considered as an employee under UK law, giving you the same rights as other workers when it comes to health and safety.
If you’re an agency worker who has experienced a back injury at work, both the agency you work for and the managers of the business you’re working for should take responsibility for your safety. They should work together to make sure that precautions are in place to protect you.
We can also help with claims being made on behalf of others including:
On behalf of a child who has been in an accident before their 18th birthday
For someone who doesn’t have the mental capacity to handle their own case
If you have any questions about making a claim, contact our team today on 0800 056 4110 .
How Long Do I Have To Make A Claim?
You’ll normally have three years to make a claim from the date of your accident. However, there are some exceptions to this rule:
Under 18s – you can claim on behalf of a child who was on an apprenticeship, on work experience or working part-time. No time limits apply in these circumstances until the child turns 18. When the child turns 18 they can make their own claim but the three year time limit will then apply.
Mental capacity – you can make a claim on behalf of someone who doesn’t have the ability to do so themselves, including when someone has suffered a serious injury as a result of their accident. No time limits apply in these circumstances.
If you have any concerns about the time limits for claiming compensation, we’ll be able to talk through your options in a free initial consultation .
Can I Make A No Win No Fee Claim?
Many of our cases are funded with a No Win No Fee agreement. This means that there’s no financial risk* to you when making a compensation claim.
At the start of your claim, we’ll discuss the funding options available, advising you which we think is the most suitable. If you have legal expenses insurance (LEI), or can access support through trade union membership, these may be best for you. Legal expenses insurance is included in many household and car insurance policies, so it’s always worth checking whether you’re already covered.
If we think you’re best supported by a No Win No Fee agreement, we’ll explain the process clearly. This involves setting up an insurance policy that will protect you, at no cost to you. You’ll only have to pay anything when your claim is successful – your opponent will pay most of our fees.
Please visit our No Win No Fee page for more information on how it works.
Meet Our Experts
Our experienced solicitors have dealt with a range of back injury claims which were caused by workplace accidents. We have particular expertise in handling claims relating to manual handling , a common cause of back injuries. We have an in-depth knowledge of the regulations and guidelines around lifting, holding and moving heavy objects, making sure that your claim has the best chance possible of being successful.
We also have a thorough understanding of the kinds of rehabilitation and medical treatment you may need. Our in-house support and rehabilitation coordinators can help you plan your rehabilitative care, helping you access the support you need for local care providers.
Most importantly, your interests will always be our priority. We work tirelessly to take the positive action needed to achieve the best outcome for your back injury claim. Not only can we help with getting compensation for you, but we’ll make sure measures are put in place in your workplace to stop a similar accident happening again.
Meet the team