Can I Sue Amazon For An Injury At Work?
You may be wondering “can I sue Amazon for an injury at work?”. Your employer has a duty by law to ensure that any environment you work in, and any task you are asked to perform has been made practically safe.
Sue Amazon For An Injury At Work Guide
If you are injured because they fail to do this sufficiently, then they can be found liable for your injury. As a result, you might be able to claim.
This guide will talk about work accident claims and explain how liability for workplace injuries is assessed. It will explain the responsibility placed on employers and show you how you can get in touch with a No Win No Fee solicitor to help you.
You can also speak to our advisers directly to discuss your claim. You can do so by:
- Calling them on 0800 073 8804
- Using our contact page
- Using the live chat feature
Select A Section
- When Can You Sue Amazon For An Injury At Work?
- What Injuries Could You Sue Amazon For?
- What Must You Do If You Get Injured At Work?
- How Long Do I Have To Claim For An Injury At Work?
- What Can Be Included In A Personal Injury Claim Against An Employer?
- Check To See If You Can Sue Amazon For An Injury At Work
When Can You Sue Amazon For An Injury At Work?
Every employee in the UK is owed a working environment that has been made as safe as it practically can be. This applies to the tasks they are asked to perform, and the space they are assigned to work in. If there are reasonable and practical actions your employer can take to make your work safer, they are expected by law to take them.
Outlining this duty of care is the aim of workplace health and safety legislation, for example, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA). This is the primary piece of workplace safety law and requires employers to perform actions such as risk assessments and provide free protective equipment when necessary, to help ensure the health and safety of their employees.
If you are injured as an employee, because your employer failed to take necessary or reasonable actions to make your work safer, then you could be eligible to make a personal injury claim against them.
Liability
In the case of warehouse accidents, an employer could be found liable for an injury caused by:
- Defective equipment: It is your employer’s responsibility to make sure that any equipment they provide for you is in safe working order. If you are injured by malfunctioning equipment that they did not perform a check on, then they could be found liable.
- Unsafe environment: Any environment you are assigned to work in should first be assessed for risks and hazards. You should also be made aware of any risks. If you suffer an illness, for example, because of long-term exposure to a harmful substance as part of your work, your employer can be found liable, especially if they had not informed you of the risk.
- Lack of maintenance: It is an employer’s responsibility to ensure that any required maintenance is carried out on the site you are working in. An employer can be found liable for an injury caused by an unsafe building.
If you have evidence that you were injured because your employer failed to take necessary actions such as these, then please speak to our advisers to see if you could be eligible to sue Amazon for an injury at work.
What Injuries Could You Sue Amazon For?
You may be wondering “if an accident were to occur, when might I be able to sue Amazon for an injury at work?” Examples of injuries you could suffer in a warehouse include:
- Head injuries: For example, concussions because of falling objects and a lack of protective personal equipment such as hard hats.
- Back injuries: From performing manual handling tasks without being trained on safe lifting techniques.
- Hand injuries: Such as cuts or lacerations from defective equipment, or using equipment you were not suitably trained to use.
- Ankle injuries: Could be caused by slipping or tripping on hazards such as objects or spills on the floor.
If these are common risks at your place of work, then your employer is expected to take action to both look for their presence and address them. If you were injured at work, please speak to one of our advisers to see if you could be eligible to make a claim.
What Must You Do If You Get Injured At Work?
If you’re wondering what proof you would need to sue Amazon for an injury at work if one were to occur, this section could help. Evidence will be an important part of a personal injury claim.
If your employer failed to take action they should have you can collect evidence to prove their liability. It can come in the form of:
- CCTV or similar recordings: These can show how your accident happened or the cause of your injury
- Witnesses: Collect the contact details of witnesses who can provide supporting statements
- Work documents: For example, if you raised a concern with your employer and they failed to take action, you could provide records of this conversation to support your claim
You can also collect evidence of your injury, and records of how it is affecting you. This can come in the form of:
- Medical records: Medical records from your GP or hospital can act as evidence of your injury
- Financial losses: Maintain receipts of any costs you have incurred because of your injury,
If you are looking to claim against your employer, then please reach out to one of our advisers to discuss evidence that could be useful to you.
How Long Do I Have To Claim For An Injury At Work?
You may be wondering, “how long do I have to sue Amazon for an injury at work?” You should be aware that there is a time limit to starting a personal injury claim. In line with the Limitation Act 1980, you will have either three years from the day of your accident or the day you were made aware that your injury was connected with negligence to begin your claim.
There are exceptions to this time limit, however. For example:
If you were under the age of 18: Then your three-year time limit will begin on the date of your 18th birthday.
If you lacked mental capacity to claim: The three-year limit only starts in the event that you recover the mental capacity to claim.
Someone may be able to claim on your behalf while you’re unable to do so yourself, and this could affect the time limit. Please speak to an adviser for information about how long you have to start a claim.
What Can Be Included In A Personal Injury Claim Against An Employer?
Your injury will influence your compensation. It is why it is important to have a thorough assessment in place and knowledge of your injury and the effects it could have on you in the future.
You can seek compensation for the pain and suffering the injury has injury caused you. You can also be compensated for the financial effects it has had or will continue to have on your life.
The compensation that’s awarded for the pain caused by your injury is known as general damages. To show you how various injuries can be valued, we have included a table of injuries and potential compensation. The figures come from the Judicial College Guidelines, which is a publication used by legal professionals to help value claims.
| Injury | Notes | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Moderately Severe Head Injury | Leaving a permanent disability of a very serious nature. | £219,070 to £282,010 |
| Moderate Head Injury: (ii) | Moderate to modest intellectual deficit affecting their ability to work | £90,720 to £150,110 |
| Less Severe Head Injury | Affecting a person’s concentration and memory, but a good recovery will have been made. | £15,320 to £43,060 |
| Severe Back Injury: (iii) | A fracture leaving permanent pain | £38,780 to £69,730 |
| Moderate Back Injury: (ii) | Backache from muscle or ligament injuries | £27,760 to £38,780 |
| Hand Injuries: (e) | Injuries reducing the hand’s function by half | £29,000 to £61,910 |
| Hand Injuries: (h) | Deep cuts, crush injuries and soft tissue damage | £5,720 to £13,280 |
| Severe Ankle Injuries | Injuries requiring the insertion of plates for treatment, for example | £31,310 to £50,060 |
| Moderate Ankle Injuries | Ligament tears or fractures | £13,740 to £26,590 |
| Modest Ankle Injuries | Minor ligament injuries | Up to £13,740 |
The compensation amount for financial losses is called special damages. The losses will have to be directly tied to your injury and can cover losses such as:
- Loss of income
- Travel costs to appointments
- Modifications to your house or car to cope with your injury.
As mentioned, you can maintain relevant receipts or records to use as part of your claim. This will ensure that your settlement accurately reflects the harm you were caused.
Please speak to an adviser if you are looking for an valuation of the compensation you can be awarded in your claim.
Check To See If You Can Sue Amazon For An Injury At Work
Our advisers can provide you with a free consultation on your claim. They can discuss your injuries and can give you more information about what a personal injury claim can entail. This can also give you a chance to potentially speak to a No Win No Fee solicitor.
A solicitor’s help can be hugely beneficial when making a claim. They have experience in settling claims and claiming compensation.
A No Win No Fee agreement, or Conditional Fee Agreement, means you will not have to pay an upfront fee or any ongoing fees. Their fee comes as a percentage of your compensation. This is a percentage that has a legal cap in place. If your claim is not successful, you will not be required to pay this fee.
To see if a solicitor can help you, please talk to our advisers by
- Calling them on 0800 073 8804
- Using our contact page
- Using the live chat feature
Learn More About If You Can Sue Amazon For An Injury At Work
Other resources you might find useful include
- HSE: Guide to your employers’ responsibilities
- NHS: Guide to requesting your medical records
- GOV: Guide to accessing sick pay
Thank you for reading our guide explaining what could entitle you to sue Amazon for an injury at work. We offer guides on other topics such as:
- Claiming Compensation For Being Dismissed After An Accident
- Unsafe Work Area Claims
- Whiplash injury Claims
- £4,700 Compensation For A Pulled Muscle At Work Accident
- Back Injury While Pregnant At Work – Can I Claim Compensation?
- £50,000 Compensation For A Knee Injury At Work Claim
- The Department for Work and Pensions Accident At Work Claims Guide
Written by Charles
Edited by Stocks
