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Workplaces in Middlesbrough and wider Teesside areas are subject to strict health and safety laws designed to protect employees from harm. When these standards are not met and accidents occur, those affected may be entitled to make a claim.

What is health & safety at work?

Health and safety refers to your right to be protected from harm while at work. Employers in England and Wales are legally required to take all reasonable steps to safeguard your wellbeing while you carry out your job. This duty arises under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Under health and safety law, employers must take a wide range of steps to protect their workers.

Examples include:

1. Carrying out risk assessments to identify and control potential hazards
2. Providing appropriate training and supervision
3. Performing regular inspections and equipment checks
4. Supplying personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, ear protection or safety goggles
5. Keeping records of workplace accidents and near misses
6. Consulting with employees on health and safety issues
7. Reporting certain incidents and injuries to the relevant authority, such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

What is a health & safety claim?

If you are injured at work due to an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Many of these incidents could be avoided if proper health and safety procedures were followed. It’s important to seek independent legal advice from a personal injury solicitor.

At Askews, we can advise you following such an accident. Visit Work Accident Claims to learn more or Contact Us to discuss what happened.

There are also steps you can take immediately that may help support your case.

What should I do after a health & safety breach in a Middlesbrough or wider Teesside workplace?

In the immediate aftermath of a workplace accident, you should prioritise getting medical attention. Notify someone immediately and ask your designated workplace first-aider to assess you. If the injury is serious, an ambulance may be required.

You should also report the incident to your line manager, who is responsible for ensuring it is properly recorded and, where legally required, reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013).

Keep a written record of any symptoms and seek medical attention from your GP or hospital as needed. Make a note of any losses linked to your injuries, such as lost earnings. Avoid admitting fault for the accident, and do not accept any offers of compensation without first speaking to a solicitor. This practice, known as third-party capture, is rarely in your best interests.

Finally, Contact Askews Solicitors as soon as you are able.

Askews Solicitors deals with healthy & safety claims from offices in Middlesbrough & Redcar

Although based in Middlesbrough and Redcar, we assist injured employees across Teesside, North Yorkshire and throughout England and Wales.

Our personal injury solicitors are well regarded for their expertise in handling Personal Injury Claims.

Am I at risk of disciplinary action for making a health & safety claim at work?

Your employer has a legal duty to ensure your safety at work and you are entitled to seek compensation if that duty is breached. If you are treated unfairly for exercising this right, your employer may be acting unlawfully. In such cases, we can refer you to our Employment Law Department for further support.

Although we can help you take action if this does occur, such situations are rare. Most employers in England and Wales understand their legal responsibilities and will treat you fairly. Accidents can happen, which is why employers are required to hold employer’s liability insurance to cover claims arising from workplace injuries.

How much compensation could I receive for a health and safety claim in Middlesbrough, Teesside and North Yorkshire?

The amount of compensation you may receive depends primarily on the nature and severity of your injuries, as well as how long it takes you to recover. Generally, the more serious the injury and the longer the recovery period, the higher the award for pain, suffering and loss of amenity.

You may also be entitled to special damages, which cover financial losses linked to the incident.

What should I do if I spot a health & safety hazard at work?

Ideally, you and your colleagues will never need the services of a personal injury solicitor. But workplace accidents do happen and raising concerns early can help prevent them.

If you spot a potential hazard, check your organisation’s health and safety policies to see whether the risk has been assessed before. If it hasn’t, report the issue to your line manager or designated health and safety officer. They should then carry out a risk assessment and take appropriate action if a hazard is confirmed.

If you believe the response is inadequate and the risk remains, consider raising the issue with your trade union representative, if you have one.

Where internal procedures have been followed but the concern persists, you can report the issue to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or your local authority, depending on who is responsible for enforcement in your workplace.

Visit HSE: Report a health and safety issue to learn more about submitting a report.

Arrange a consultation with a Middlesbrough or Redcar-based solicitor about a breach of healthy & safety claim

If you’ve been injured in a workplace accident, our team is here to guide you through the claims process and help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to.

Contact Us to arrange a free, no-obligation initial consultation.

Or, visit our Accidents at Work Claims page to learn more about how we can help.

This content is for informational purposes and is not intended as advice of any kind.