Injury Resulting in Amputation
When accidents happen in the workplace, they can vary in severity. One of the most serious consequences someone can endure is an injury resulting in the amputation of a part of their body. This is both devastating and life changing for those involved.
All places of work have a duty by law to uphold health and safety regulations. Employers are bound by the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 which ensures employees are protected within practical reason. If an amputation injury was caused by an accident that wasn’t the employees fault and could have been prevented, this can only add to the emotional trauma they may be feeling.
Types of Amputation
Amputations are defined as the removal of the part of the body. This could be a:
- Upper limb amputation, arms, hands, fingers
- Lower limb amputation, legs, feet, toes
In some cases, the amputated body part may be reattached. However, the chances of this decrease when the amputation is caused by traumatic means.
Main Causes of Injury Where Amputation May Occur
There are many accidents which could result in an amputation injury occurring. Some of the most common ones are:
- Crush injury usually caused by machinery, vehicles or falling objects
- Severe blast or burn injuries
- Electrical accident e.g. high voltage shock
- Chemical accident involving corrosive chemicals or acids
Whatever the cause, the results are not only painful but traumatic as well. An individual can often suffer from low self-esteem, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, or depression as a result of the life changing injury that has occurred.
Employers Responsibilities
An employee is expected to take reasonable care of themselves and anyone who may be affected by their actions. They should try to be aware of the hazards around them and follow any safety procedures they have been made aware of. Any training given should be adhered to including emergency procedures. Concerns regarding health and safety, especially anything which may cause immediate danger should be reported as soon as possible to the appropriate person.
Employers Responsibilities
Employers are bound by law to protect their staff from harm wherever reasonably possible. There should be health and safety procedures in place to reduce exposure to risk and strict guidelines implemented where it comes to dealing with dangerous materials or machinery.
The following could prevent an amputation injury from occurring:
1. Suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Employees who are exposed to increased risks of injury need to undertake the task wearing appropriate PPE for the task in hand
- This may include safety footwear, hand protection and high visibility clothing
- PPE should be mandatory
- Appropriate training is required for any employees who need to use PPE
2. Controls to stop accidents happening
- Visible warnings signs where there is an immediate danger. This includes sites of live electrical circuits or exposed hot surfaces
- Safety guards present to protect employees from coming into contact with dangerous mechanisms and high temperatures for example
- Scheduled safety testing all equipment and vehicles
- The safe storage of hazardous items
- Adequate controls to be able to stop machinery at all times including emergency stop devices
- Processes to ensure that equipment is safe to use i.e. stable equipment in good repair that has been grounded
- Any devices which could stop a vehicle or equipment becoming dangerous e.g. protection against machinery rolling over such as restraints and a rollover protection system
3. Risk Assessments
- Regular risk assessments to identify any hazards to employee health and safety
- Where a risk can be eliminated or a safer alternative used, this should be actioned
- Any risks should be highlighted and dealt with immediately if possible
- A detailed action plan should be made when the risk cannot be immediately eliminated or reduced. Employee exposure to such risks should be limited and carefully managed
4. Appropriate training
- Only those who are properly trained to use machinery, vehicles or handle chemicals should do so
- Adequate and clear safety instructions in English
- Emergency equipment should be provided and first aid kits available
- Ensure employees are aware of how to report any health and safety concerns they may have including defective machinery
Can I Make a Claim?
If you have suffered an amputation injury at work in the last 3 years that wasn’t your fault, you could be eligible to claim for compensation. This will not only take into consideration the physical injury you have suffered but also the pain, emotional trauma, financial losses, moderations to your home, rehabilitation and any other ways your life has changed.
How Can We Help?
Injury Lawyers UK is a team of qualified lawyers who have over 20 years of experience in dealing with compensation claims against employers. We can independently assess your claim to advise if it is eligible and guide you through the entire process.
We put people and their families at the heart of what we do, therefore taking the stress out of the legal process at what has already been a traumatic time for yourself. We have a no win, no fee policy so there is no cost to yourself to pursue a claim – you do not owe us anything unless we secure compensation for you. We guide you through the process using plain English – we believe in our clients having a jargon-free understanding of their case.
One of our legal advisers is waiting to speak to you. For a no strings attached assessment of your case, just use one of the contact methods below.
TALK TO INJURY LAWYERS UK TODAY
If you want to know if you’re in a position to make a claim for an injury that resulted in amputation contact Injury Lawyers UK on 0800 285 1411 today or fill out an online enquiry form. We’ll be happy to provide you with the advice you need to pursue any action, and work with you to secure the compensation you deserve.
