Accidents in the Workplace*

All workers have a right to work in a safe environment. If, through no fault of your own, you suffer injuries during the course of your work you may be entitled to compensation. Accidents in the workplace can be caused by a variety of reasons including unsafe systems of work, insufficient or lack of training or the conduct of other employees.   There is significant health and safety legislation in place in Ireland today that is intended to ensure a safe working environment.  

Accidents in workplaces could typically arise from the use of machinery, working with heavy loads, transportation of goods, accidents on building sites, farm accidents or working with flammable or chemical substances. Mangan O’Beirne Solicitors LLP have decades of experience in handling claims arising out of workplace accidents and we will assist you in securing the maximum compensation to which you are entitled.

The amount of compensation to be recovered in any case will depend on the extent of your injuries. We will obtain reports to support your claim from medical experts and, where appropriate, vocational, rehabilitation or actuarial experts. The compensation we will seek to recover for you will include:

  1. general damages for pain and suffering and
  2. special damages in respect of any out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of the accident and, if appropriate,  losses and expenses into the future.

Almost all claims for compensation must be processed initially through the Injuries Board (formerly known as PIAB) provided that both parties agree to the process.    If both parties do not agree, then the injured party will initiate a case through the courts.     If both parties agree to the Injuries Board processing the claim, the Board will assess the level of compensation that should be paid to the injured party.   If the injured party does not accept the assessment it is open to them to pursue a case through the courts. Mangan O’Beirne Solicitors LLP will assist claimants in submitting a claim to the Injuries Board and will advise on each heading of compensation to which they may be entitled and will secure the expert reports necessary to support their claim. Mangan O’Beirne Solicitors LLP will also advise whether an award made by the Injuries Board should be accepted or rejected.

Time Limits: Notification of a claim should ideally be made to a defendant within two months of the accident giving rise to the injury.  It is important to collate as much information as possible at an early stage including insurance details, witness details, details of investigating Gardaí, involvement of the Health & Safety Authority etc.

A court action seeking compensation for personal injuries from negligence must be issued within two years from the accident or from the date of knowledge of the person concerned as respects that cause of action, whichever occurs later.   The time during which the Injuries Board considers a claim is disregarded for the purpose of calculating the time limits.

In all cases it is important to seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity.

Please contact us at 01 668 4333 or email solicitors@manganobeirne.ie

*in contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.

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