I work for a large company, I don’t want to say where. I was recently injured in an accident at work when equipment fell off a forklift my work colleague was driving. I thought that my work colleague was “messing” and driving too fast. I was injured and I spent a week in hospital. My wife wants me to get legal advice. Please advise me.
Every employer is obliged to provide a safe place of work for his employees. Furthermore, employees are expected to take reasonable care to protect the health and safety of themselves and of other people in the workplace. However, if an employee, whilst acting in the course of his employment negligently causes an accident
which injures another then the employer may be considered vicariously liable for that incident. In such circumstances an employer, or in his insurers, may be liable to compensate the injured employee.
Employers must have a Safety Statement in place setting out policies and procedures regarding accident prevention. All accidents must be reported to the employer who should in turn investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Witnesses to the incident should also be interviewed.
Under the Statute of Limitations, one has two years from the date of accident to bring a compensation claim for personal injuries. I would suggest that you contact a member of Byrne Carolan Cunningham LLP Solicitors
Personal Injury Department who will offer you expert advice on your rights.