Can I Claim For An Accident On A Farm?
If you have been injured on a farm you may be able to claim compensation If you are employed on a farm you can claim, but you can also claim if you are visiting and the accident is not your fault. Accidents on a farm are very common- it is estimated that at least 1500 people have serious accidents and others have injuries that may be less but can still significantly affect their health and employment prospects.
An accident on a farm may occur because of either a lack of training or a failure to provide employees with a safe working environment. It is an employer's failure to conform to certain health and safety regulations and provide a safe place to work and if an accident occurs then the employer will be held responsible.
What should you do if you have had an accident working on a farm?
All employers are obliged to have an accident report book on the premises. If you are in a fit state to do so, ensure that full details of your accident are entered as soon as possible. It is important that what has happened is accurately recorded and that you do not make any admissions of being at fault as this could cause problems if you try to claim later. A common mistake made by people who are injured is to admit that either that they may have been to blame or are partly responsible for what has happened- all of which may need to be dealt with as legal arguments later when the claim is being brought.
Do I need a Solicitor?
Yes. A farm accident is likely to be more complicated than one in a factory. There may be problems in proving what has happened and also getting any necessary witnesses in support. In addition it may be difficult to establish precisely who to sue. And because of the dangerous nature of farm equipment any accident could well cause serious injuries- not to get legal representation could you mean your claim is unsuccessful or you may be much less than it may be worth. A properly qualified Solicitor can advise you on all these issues and ensure you get what you are entitled to.
Also, in most circumstances you will be entitled to claim using a No Win No Fee agreement so there is no risk that you will have any legal bills as the Solicitor will be able to claim these back from the insurers at the end of the case.
About the Author
Francis O'Neill is the Principal Solicitor at O'Neill Injury Solicitors who are based at between Keighley and Skipton West Yorkshire http://www.oneill-injurysolicitors.co.uk.. He has dealt with Personal Injury Claims for over 20 years and built up a practice specialising in this field. He is happy to give further free no obligation advice on any of the matters raised in this article
Tell others about
this page:
Comments? Questions? Email Here