What will happen when I make a claim?
After you’ve contacted us, we’ll set up a free initial consultation to discuss how you were burnt or cut 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 *.
As well as helping you claim compensation, we can also help with your rehabilitation and recovery . If you can’t work because you have been so badly burnt, or if you have psychological issues as a result of scarring, then we can also advise you on benefit entitlements and arrange for the best possible support to help you recover.
We’ll then get in touch with your employer and their insurance company 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.
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 you’re worried about taking action against a current employer, because you’re afraid that you might lose your job or be given a bad reference, we can reassure you that laws are in place to protect you. If you’re particularly worried about this, we could put you in touch with our specialist Employment team for detailed and expert advice.
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.
If you have been cut or burned badly at work you may need reconstructive or plastic surgery and even then there may be permanent scars or mental damage.
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 burns or scarring. We arrange expert opinions on what care you’ll need to ensure that the compensation we claim will be sufficient.
Who can make a claim for a workplace accident?
We can help anyone make a claim who has suffered a burn, laceration or scarring in the workplace - including employees, contractors, members of the public and visitors.
Even if you’re a casual worker or consider yourself to be 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 suffered a burn or laceration, both the agency you work for and the owners of the business 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 loved one who has unfortunately passed away.
If you’ve sadly lost a loved one in a workplace accident, we can help you with:
Recovering compensation for their pain and suffering, to account for financial losses caused by their death and to cover funeral expenses
Representing you at inquest
Getting you the answers and apology you deserve from those responsible
You 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 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 head/brain injury as a result of their accident. In these circumstances, no time limits apply.Fatal claims – if you’re claiming on behalf of a loved one who died, you’ll either have three years from the date of their death or the date of the accident to make a claim.
