Several industries are involved in packaging goods, including the food and beverage and pharmaceutical sectors. Therefore, an accident in such industries may give rise to packaging injury at work claims. Such a claim may be possible if the injuries are a result of the employer’s negligent actions.
At Legal Expert, we understand the struggles that an employee or worker faces after an accident at work. We know how physically and emotionally taxing it can be to sue your employer while recovering from your injuries. In such circumstances, proper guidance can go a long way to reduce the strain on you.
Key Takeaways
- Some common packaging accidents at work include falling objects, defective machinery and manual handling accidents.
- Various injuries could be suffered in such incidents, such as crush injuries, fractures and soft tissue injuries.
- Packaging injuries could be suffered in a warehouse or factory, for example.
- Your packaging accident at work claim may include compensation for your injuries and the resulting financial struggles.
- If your packaging injury claim is eligible, you may be able to work with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors.
Speak to our team now for more information on making an accident at work claim. Our friendly advisors can offer you free advice and potentially connect you with our solicitors.
4.8 (466 reviews) Who Can Make Packaging Injury At Work Claims?
Those who have been injured due to the negligent actions of their employer can make packaging injury at work claims.
Essentially, to have a valid claim, you must prove that your case meets the following criteria:
- The employer had a duty of care towards you.
- They breached the duty of care.
- You suffered a packaging injury due to the breach.
Every employer has a duty of care towards their workers and employees. This duty of care refers to the legal responsibility towards a person’s safety and welfare in any particular situation. Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Section 1974, an employer must take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of their employees while they are working. This could include:
- Providing all staff with sufficient training to complete their duties.
- Providing personal protective equipment (PPE) when needed.
- Ensuring a reasonably and practically safe working environment.
To see whether you may have an eligible workplace injury claim, you can contact our advisors.
What Workplace Packaging Accidents And Injuries Might Occur?
Various workplace packaging accidents and injuries could occur, such as slipping on packaging, dropping stock, as well as cuts and crushes.
Below, we provide some examples of different accidents that may lead to packaging injury at work claims:
- Slips, trips and falls: Such accidents can occur due to loose cables, discarded packaging or spills on the floor. Some common injuries include sprains, knee injuries and fractures.
- Manual handling injuries: Back injuries, sprains or fractures may occur due to the lifting or carrying of heavy items without training.
- Falling objects: If an object, such as a heavy box, falls from a shelf, it can cause injuries to the head or shoulders.
- Machinery accidents: While operating packaging machinery, a worker’s fingers may become trapped or crushed, potentially leading to amputations.
Get in touch now for more examples of packaging accidents at the workplace you may be able to claim compensation for.
What Is The Average Payout For A Workplace Packaging Injury?
The average payout for a workplace packaging injury could include compensation for both the pain and suffering you have endured as well as associated financial losses.
Your physical and mental injuries would be compensated under general damages. Legal professionals calculating this head of your claim can make reference to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This document lists out injuries and their guideline compensation brackets, depending on their severity.
Our table below lists some compensation brackets which may be relevant to packaging accidents. Please note that this table is only guidance and the top row isn’t based on the JCG.
| Injury | Severity | Compensation Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Severe Injuries and Special Damages | Severe | Up to £500,000+ |
| Brain Damage | Moderately Severe- Seriously disabled with substantial dependence on others | £267,340 to £344,150 |
| Moderate (i)- Moderate to Severe Intellectual Deficit | £183,190 to £267,340 | |
| Pelvis and Hip Injuries | Severe (i)- Extensive Hip Fractures and Other Effects | £95,680 to £159,770 |
| Severe (ii)- Dislocation of the Pelvis | £75,550 to £95,680 | |
| Arm Injuries | Permanent and Substantial Disablement | £47,810 to £73,050 |
| Leg Injuries | Severe (iii) Serious- Compound Fractures or Joint Injuries | £47,840 to £66,920 |
| Back Injuries | Moderate (i)- Compression or Crush Injuries to the Spine | £33,880 to £47,320 |
| Back Injuries | Moderate (ii)- Soft Tissue Injuries or Disturbed Muscles | £15,260 to £33,880 |
| Ankle Injury | Moderate - Fractures or Ligament Tears | £16,770 to £32,450 |
What Other Damages Can I Be Compensated For After A Packaging Accident
Other damages that you can be compensated for after a packaging accident include special damages. This is compensation for the financial losses resulting from your packaging injuries and may include:
- Loss of earnings due to an inability to work or having to take time off to recover.
- The cost of travelling to and from medical appointments.
- Medical expenses, such as psychotherapy fees.
- Long-term rehabilitation, including physical aids and physiotherapy.
- Care provided by a family member or a professional caretaker.
Please note that if you’re including special damages, you will have to provide evidence, such as bank statements and payslips.
You can call our advisory team for more hands-on guidance on calculating compensation, or you can go through our article on compensation amounts.
How Can I Prove Fault In A Packaging Injury At Work Claim?
You can prove fault in a packaging injury at work claim by gathering sufficient supporting evidence that proves your employer’s liability and the injuries you suffered.
Examples of evidence you could gather include:
- Medical records, including consultation notes, discharge summaries and X-rays.
- Photographs of the accident and/or visible injuries.
- Records from the accident book report.
- Contact information of colleagues or any other person who can provide witness statements.
- Personal supporting statements or diary entries.
Speak to our advisors now for more information on the importance of gathering evidence as part of the accident at work claims process.
Is There A Time Limit For A Workplace Packaging Accident?
There is a 3-year time limit for starting a workplace packaging accident claim. Under the Limitation Act 1980, you have 3 years from the date of the accident to begin the claiming process. However, the time limit may be paused in the following circumstances:
- Minors: The time limit will only begin on the date of their 18th birthday.
- Individuals with limited mental capacity: If a person doesn’t possess the mental capacity to claim for themselves, the time limit pauses indefinitely. Only if they regain this capacity will the time limit begin from this date.
On the other hand, you may be able to claim on behalf of your loved one who is unable to claim for themselves as a litigation friend.
Contact our advisors now for more information on making an accident at work claim on behalf of somebody else.
No Win No Fee Packaging Injury At Work Claims
No Win No Fee packaging injury at work claims can be made with our team of expert solicitors here at Legal Expert. However, it should be noted that ‘No Win No Fee’ refers to the costs of hiring legal representation and not making the claim itself.
Our solicitors offer their services through a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), which means that you won’t have to pay for their work:
- Upfront
- While the claim progresses
- If your claim is unsuccessful.
In the event your case is a success, your solicitor will charge a success fee. This is a fixed percentage of your compensation. You need not worry about losing the majority of your compensation sum since there is a legal cap on the percentage that can be charged as the success fee.
Call us now for more information on the advantages of claiming with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors.
What Can Legal Expert Do For Me?
Here at Legal Expert, our advisors can offer you free advice, answer your questions about packaging injury at work claims, and connect you with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors. Some of the advantageous services our solicitors can offer you include:
- Explaining and simplifying complex legal terminology.
- Communicating and negotiating with your employer for the compensation payout.
- Calculating the potential compensation for your packaging injuries.
- Preparing court documents in the event of litigation.
- Arranging a medical examination to create an official record of your injuries.
- Updating you about the progress of your case at regular intervals.
Call our team of friendly advisors to learn more about what we can do for you:
- Call on 0800 073 8804
- Contact us online
- Use our live chat
Learn More
Here are some more guides related to accidents at work:
- Information on claiming for a rubbish bag injury at work.
- Details on claiming for injuries due to poor lighting at work.
- Our guide on conveyor belt accidents at work.
You can also go through these links for additional knowledge:
- Guidance from the Health and Safety Executive on packaging machinery.
- Government resource on taking sick leave at work.
- Information from the NHS on back pain.
Thank you for reading our guide on packaging injury at work claims.
