I strained my back after moving heavy equipment at work and have been unable to sleep since. I believe I may be eligible to claim compensation for an injury from lifting an office computer, what process must I follow?
To successfully claim compensation for an injury from lifting an office computer you must prove that your employer is – at least partially – to blame for the accident and consequently your injury. In order to do this you will need to gather evidence to substantiate your claim, beginning with a medical record of your injury. When you injure yourself, health must be your number one priority therefore it is imperative that you visit your doctor or GP in the immediate aftermath of the accident. Not only are you safeguarding your health but you will also ensure that it cannot be alleged by the negligent third party that you adversely affected your injury by failing to seek prompt professional medical care.
You should then speak with a personal injury solicitor as they will be able to advise on evidence you should gather in order to support your claim. Photographs of the computer you moved, its official weight and size and any CCTV footage of you moving it could be very useful in helping you claim compensation for an injury from lifting an office computer. It is likely your solicitor will also advise you to obtain any testimonies from people who saw the accident as well as make a note of the incident in your employer’s ‘Accident Report Book’.
Once your solicitor is satisfied with the evidence gathered, they will send a letter of claim to your employer or their insurance company advising that you intend to seek compensation for your injury. They then have 21 days to acknowledge receipt of the letter and a further 90 days to indicate whether they accept liability for the accident.
If they accept responsibility, your solicitor will enter into negotiations with them to ensure you receive the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to for your injuries. However if responsibility is denied by the third party your solicitor will initiate court proceedings subject to your approval, although this does not mean that your claim for compensation for an injury from lifting an office computer will end up in court as it is quite common for insurance companies to agree to settle when threatened with court action.