Work Accident and how work is dealing with it.

[alanbjames]

Hi Guys i wonder if anyone can help me with dealing with a works accident.

Last Tuesday i had an accident in work which was works fault. I work for a delivery firm and oil had leaked from one of the vans into the delivery bay and i slid on it while walking to the van and i have damaged ligaments in my left knee and have 8 stitches. I have been told by hospital i will need 6 weeks rest + physio.

I took pictures at the scene on my phone of what i slid on and it was entered into the works accident book + works first aider attended before i was taken via ambulance because i couldnt drive.

Today i had a meeting with my boss and although he didnt come out and say it, he give me the impression that if i claimed for the accident it would be frowned upon.

Also im having problems from another member of staff since the accident, this staff member its part of his job to make sure there are no hazards in the work place but he rarely leaves the office, hes obese and sits in the office eating and drinking tea and its a running joke at work about him. Questions are now being asked why he didn't spot the oil and why he didn't even attend the accident when it happened to even view the hazard and hes looking at loosing his job and hes sent me a few nasty text messages via my phone.

How would anyone in my place handle this?

Thanks

[Will21st]

Originally Posted by alanbjames

Hi Guys i wonder if anyone can help me with dealing with a works accident.

Last Tuesday i had an accident in work which was works fault. I work for a delivery firm and oil had leaked from one of the vans into the delivery bay and i slid on it while walking to the van and i have damaged ligaments in my left knee and have 8 stitches. I have been told by hospital i will need 6 weeks rest + physio.

I took pictures at the scene on my phone of what i slid on and it was entered into the works accident book + works first aider attended before i was taken via ambulance because i couldnt drive.

Today i had a meeting with my boss and although he didnt come out and say it, he give me the impression that if i claimed for the accident it would be frowned upon.

Also im having problems from another member of staff since the accident, this staff member its part of his job to make sure there are no hazards in the work place but he rarely leaves the office, hes obese and sits in the office eating and drinking tea and its a running joke at work about him. Questions are now being asked why he didn't spot the oil and why he didn't even attend the accident when it happened to even view the hazard and hes looking at loosing his job and hes sent me a few nasty text messages via my phone.

How would anyone in my place handle this?

Thanks

I'd claim,that company needs a kick up the behind...

[Hom3r]

Show the company the text messages.

Do you need to claim against the company?

They should pay you full wages.

[alanbjames]

i need to pay other expenses.

I will need to pay for Taxis and Busses for treatment, Need to pay someone to help me do housework and keep place clean, need to pay someone to wash my clothing at the laundrette because ive only just moved and dont have a washing machine yet.

+ Damage to clothing and the fact that im now in horrendous pain and i shouldnt be why shouldnt i claim?

[danielf]

Obviously, your wages should be paid. Taxis and Buses for treatment sounds reasonable. Having someone do the housework/washing your clothes sounds like you're taking the **** if you're going to be off work.

[multiskilled]

Have a look at the HSE site it gives you info you might need.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/workers/index.htm

Just noticed this as well on the HSE site. "Cases of over-seven day injuries must be notified within fifteen days of the incident, using the appropriate online form". So your employer should be doing this at least.

[alanbjames]

Originally Posted by danielf

Obviously, your wages should be paid. Taxis and Buses for treatment sounds reasonable. Having someone do the housework/washing your clothes sounds like you're taking the **** if you're going to be off work.

and how do expect to get carry stuff when im on crutches, hoover and dust when i cant walk.

I will be putting in a claim wheather they like it or not.

[gooner4life]

Originally Posted by danielf

Obviously, your wages should be paid. Taxis and Buses for treatment sounds reasonable. Having someone do the housework/washing your clothes sounds like you're taking the **** if you're going to be off work.

Agreed, I wouldn't sue my company if I slipped on a wet/oily floor especially if vehicles are parked there, oil leaking is a common sense hazard to look out for, be thankful the company will pay you full sick pay and don't take liberties.

[danielf]

I couldn't give a rat's arse either way. It's just that there seems to be a bit of a stretch between your original description of your injuries:

i have damaged ligaments in my left knee and have 8 stitches. I have been told by hospital i will need 6 weeks rest + physio.

And not being able to walk.

By all means: claim for expenses that are reasonable. You just don't sound very reasonable...

[idiosyncratic]

This appears to me as a combination of two things.

The requirement for a company to maintain a safe work environment.

The responsibility of the individual for their own welfare.

So - the oil shouldn't have been there, but that doesn't mean someone should walk through it, either.

I agree with danielf, the wages & expenses for attending treatment seems reasonable, claiming for 'home help' seems a bit ott. My wife amazed me how much she managed to do with a broken foot, while in a pot & on crutches - she wouldn't let me help!

I think whether to sue or not depends entirely on how the company deal with you over the accident.If they are fair and treat you well then why bother?

As for the housework I'd take the opportunity not to bother and have the perfect excuse to relax and get better.As Quentin Crisp said,after a while the dust gets no thicker.
I'm pretty sure any friends and colleagues will be by to check on you.

[Bulky]

Rather than go for a claim , why not just ask if the company will pay these expenses , it's in your interest and theirs ...

---------- Post added at 00:20 ---------- Previous post was at 00:13 ----------

Originally Posted by alanbjames

and how do expect to get carry stuff when im on crutches, hoover and dust when i cant walk.

I will be putting in a claim wheather they like it or not.

Looks like you've made your mind up , don't expect a great reception when you get back to work with an attitude like that

[alanbjames]

The reason i have made up my mind is because of the attitude of the fact ive had the accident its as if they are trying to make out its my fault. After posting the last post on here i checked email to receive a message from the boss stating "on the day of the accident we have heard that you were not wearing ur glasses because the oil spill was rather extensive and visible for a wide area". my reply was "No, because i wont wear glasses to work i wear contact lenses instead because i find if i sweat wearing glasses they steam up and being a driver can be dangerous". And i also added "You have just made a very good point, if the oil spill was that extensive and visible surely those responsible for health and safety should have picked up on it while doing their rounds."

I know for a fact when loading and unloading is taking place the guy whos job it is for hazards as i said the one who is now threatening me should be on the loading area watching whats happening because theres people and forklifts and trollys going in all directions but he rarely peers out of his office.

i also have it on good authority and i will be getting evidence even though the accident happened at just before 7am in the morning, the oil wasnt actually sorted until the vans came back in after 6pm the following day, there were no warning signs or anything placed in the area either.

[MovedGoalPosts]

Is your firm big enough to have a HR dept? If so see them.

Is there anyone more senior than your boss you can speak to?

Presumably there is no union or other employee representation at the company?

If you are being harassed at a workplace by another, that is wrong. You could choose to complain.

If they are not being sensible in acknowledging they did not provide a safe environment then consider using one of these ambulance chasing lawyer firms that are forever on the TV / radio. But once you start down that route you will probably be burning your bridges with your employer as although they shouldn't treat you unfairly, memories are long and future promotion, pay rises etc could all be affected.

[alanbjames]

Rob i cant say the firm name but its a HUGE firm and yes there is a union rep but hes on his honey moon and wont be back for atleast another week.