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Workplace injury claims in Scotland

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If you have been injured at work because your employer did not keep you safe, you can make a workplace injury claim. No matter the workplace injury in Scotland,whether you were running a tractor on a farm, lifting stock in a warehouse, or walking through a loose wire in an office, the law in Scotland states your employer owes you a duty of care. If they fail to uphold that duty, you can claim compensation for suffering, lost wages, and the upheaval that follows. It is also important to note that your employer cannot fire you or penalise you for bringing a claim forward. That is the law.

When it comes to workplace injury claims in Scotland, the scope varies significantly. We see more accidents involving heavy machinery and livestock in rural areas while we are met with more slips on wet floors and poorly maintained buildings in cities. But the right to a safe workplace stays the same wherever you work.

Who can make a workplace injury claim in Scotland?

It does not happen every day, but when a serious accident happens at work, the impact on the individual, their colleagues and their family can be devastating. Scotland's workplace injury rate sits above the UK average, with construction, agriculture, and waste and recycling accounting for a disproportionate share of the harm.

What qualifies a workplace claim in Scotland? If your employer was negligent, that is, they failed to carry out a risk assessment, skipped training, let equipment deteriorate, or ignored a known hazard, and you become injured as a result, you are likely to have a valid workplace accident claim

Thompsons Solicitors has been supporting injured workers in Scotland for years. We act exclusively for the injured worker, never for employers or insurers, and that distinction shapes every case we take on.

What types of workplace accident claims arise in Dumfries?

Thompsons has fought for clients in Dumfries and Galloway for over sixteen years.

Dumfries and Galloway is heavily agricultural, with forestry playing a major role in the local economy too. Heavy machinery, chainsaws and farm vehicles are daily realities for workers in the region, and the accidents they cause can be severe. The accidents in Dumfries typically include crush injuries, falls from height, being struck by equipment or falling branches. When it comes to injuries we see spinal injuries, head trauma, and amputations, and the outcomes can be devastating. 

What workplace accident claims do lawyers in the Scottish Borders handle?

The Borders encompasses a range of industries from construction and manufacturing to agriculture, and each carries its own risks. Falls, machinery accidents and manual handling injuries are the most common claims our solicitors handle from towns like Peebles, Galashiels and Selkirk. We also deal with industrial disease claims in the region. This refers to workers being exposed to dangerous substances for years and going on to develop respiratory or skin conditions long after the original exposure. These are complex cases, but our team has the experience to pursue them properly.

What workplace accident claims can be made against councils in the Scottish Borders?

Council buildings, parks, roads and schools are workplaces for council staff and must always be kept safe. When they are not, injuries happen. Our solicitors handle claims for falls on uneven pavements, trips in badly lit or unmaintained walkways, and similar failures of duty. Local authorities carry liability insurance for exactly this purpose. Making a claim holds them accountable and makes these spaces safer for the next person.

What workplace accident claims do solicitors in Dundee handle?

Dundee's economy covers construction, manufacturing and services. Our solicitors represent workers injured in industrial settings as well as office-based accidents that people sometimes assume they cannot claim for. They can. Construction sites in Dundee produce some of the most serious injuries we see and this includes scaffolding falls, forklift collisions, and machinery malfunctions. If your employer or a subcontractor on site cut corners on safety, you are entitled to compensation for your treatment costs, lost earnings and the wider impact on your life.

What types of workplace accidents happen in Edinburgh?

Most of Edinburgh's working population is office-based, which gives the impression that workplace accidents are rare in the area. They are not. We see slips, trips, faulty equipment and poorly maintained premises which injure office workers more often than people realise. Social care settings also see their share of incidents such as falls, injuries from moving objects, and harm during patient handling. If you have been injured in a workplace accident in Edinburgh, whether in an office, care home or another setting, Thompsons Solicitors can help. Our workplace accident solicitors can advise you on how to make a compensation claim.

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What types of workplace accidents happen in Glasgow?

Glasgow's economy has shifted from heavy industry to services, but the legacy of its shipbuilding and manufacturing past lingers. Former workers are still being diagnosed with mesothelioma from asbestos exposure that happened decades ago, and our industrial disease team continues to pursue claims on their behalf. In the modern Glasgow economy, construction, vehicle repair and agriculture generate the most workplace accident claims. Falls from height, machinery injuries, and vehicle collisions are serious incidents that demand experienced legal representation.

How does a workplace injury claim work in Scotland?

In Scotland, you generally have three years from the date of the accident, or from the date you first realised the injury was linked to your work, to bring a claim. The Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 governs this, and it differs from the rules in England, which is one reason why instructing a solicitor with genuine Scottish legal expertise matters

Workplace injury claims across Scotland

Workplace accidents happen across the country. Wherever you were working when you were injured, the law protects your right to claim. Thompsons Solicitors has offices and meeting places across Scotland, and we have been fighting for injured workers longer than most firms have existed. If you have been injured at work, get in touch for a free, no-obligation conversation about your options.

It depends on your contract. Some employers pay full sick pay; many do not. Either way, you are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you are off work for more than three days. We will also pursue recovery of lost earnings as part of any compensation claim.

Yes. Something called contributory negligence may reduce your award slightly, but it rarely stops a claim entirely. This comes up often in cases where training was inadequate, which itself points back to employer failings.

No. You cannot be dismissed for making a personal injury claim. If your employer does sack you or treats you badly because of a claim, that could amount to unfair dismissal, a separate legal matter altogether.

Not your employer personally. By law, every employer must carry Employers' Liability Insurance. It is the insurer who pays out. Worth bearing in mind, because many people hesitate to claim thinking the money comes from their employer's pocket. It does not.

 

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From start to finish Alix was absolutely brilliant. When I received a low initial offer, she fought my corner tirelessly, kept pushing for what my case was truly worth, and secured me a much higher, fair settlement. She always took the time to explain everything clearly in plain language, never made me feel like I was pestering with questions, and was so understanding about how stressful the whole process felt. Knowing I had someone working hard for me made such a huge difference. I could not recommend Alix and Thompsons highly enough – professional, supportive, and got me the amazing outcome I deserved. Thank you so much for everything.

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Superb service from Regan Cotter he was approachable,informative & very efficient all the way through to the end keeping me informed at every step I would like to make a point of thanking Regan & his team in the handling of my claim

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Your right to be safe at work

Health and safety legislation is in place to protect you and your colleagues while you are at work. Many personal injury accidents which happen in the workplace are foreseeable and therefore avoidable.

In this section we tell you more about your employer’s duties, the significance of risk assessments and how legislation affects people who visit a workplace. Click here for more information about your rights.

Types of workplace accidents

Many people think of workplace accidents as falls from height, vehicle accidents or equipment related incidents; however, hazardous substances which cause burns, and manual handling accidents such as lifting and carrying of large or awkward loads are also accountable annually for serious workplace injuries.

And, if you’ve been injured by a falling object or as a result of lack of training, you could also make a claim for compensation.

Types of workplace injuries

The expert solicitors at Thompsons Scotland can help you make a claim for compensation if you have suffered a workplace injury. Whether a catastrophic head injury suffered in a fall from height, an electrical injury which occurred on a construction site, or a crush injury which happened in a bottling plant, we can help.

Click here to find out more about the range of injuries which can befall workers and how we can help you seek justice.

Types of workplace

Typically, there are some industries generally considered to be more dangerous than others, such as construction and the agriculture sector, but if you work in a hairdressers’ salon, for instance, you are likely to come into contact with certain hazardous substances which carry the risk of causing contact dermatitis.

Or, perhaps you work in the logistics industry as an HGV driver and you suffer from chronic back pain. Wherever you work, whatever your role, there are likely to be controllable risks. If these risks are not managed and you suffer a personal injury, the expert solicitors at Thompsons in Scotland are here to help.

Possible complications in your claim

Learn more about the factors likely to make your claim successful and what issues there could be which may make your case more complicated; such as being self employed, or if you are claiming on behalf of someone else.

Claims process

Making a claim following an accident at work can feel daunting, and yes, sometimes the process is complex. But the personal injury solicitors at Thompsons Scotland are experts in their field and only ever work for claimants. We are dedicated to upholding worker rights and to ensuring that our clients receive the maximum amount of compensation possible.

Whenever appropriate we will seek to claim interim sums to allow you and your family to move on with your lives swiftly and get the help you require for recovery and any rehabilitation needs.

Accidents in the workplace Scotland

Whether you have suffered a workplace accident in Edinburgh, Glasgow or Aberdeen; in the Highlands, the Borders or the Trossachs; wherever you may have suffered a work accident in Scotland the personal injury lawyers at Thompsons can help.

Thompsons solicitors are leaders in our field and we only represent claimants - we never work for insurers or in defending big businesses. We believe in ensuring you, the claimant, receive the justice you deserve and we are very good at it - winning over 90% of our court cases.

Accident at work claim FAQS

Thompsons work accident solicitors in Scotland are here to answer your questions about making a claim for compensation. Find out who will pay, what happens if your employer has gone out of business and lots more on our FAQs page.

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