If you are injured at work or develop a disease because of your job, you may be able to claim for industrial injury in the UK. There are two main types of compensation: general damages and special damages. These are part of industrial injury compensation claims that help you recover both physical and financial losses.
● General Damages: This covers pain, suffering, and how the injury affects your life. It includes the emotional impact, reduced quality of life, and any loss of independence. For example, if you have industrial deafness or Vibration White Finger, you can get compensation for ongoing discomfort and challenges in daily life.
● Special Damages: This covers financial losses caused by the accident or disease. You can claim for:
○ Lost earnings if you can’t work or need time off.
○ Future loss of earning potential if the injury affects your career.
○ Medical costs like private treatment, physiotherapy, or rehabilitation.
○ Care costs if you need help at home.
○ Travel expenses for hospital visits or medical appointments.
○ Home or vehicle adaptations are needed because of the injury.
You can make industrial injury compensation claims for accidents caused by employer negligence, such as slips, trips, falls, or injuries from unsafe machinery. You can also claim for illnesses caused by your work environment, including:
● Asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma or asbestosis.
● Industrial deafness from loud noise.
● Vibration injuries, like Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome.
● Industrial asthma from dust, fumes, or chemicals.
Both employees and self-employed workers may be able to claim. For the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB), employees must be at least 14% disabled. For claims based on employer negligence, a solicitor can help you gather evidence and submit your claim.
Making a claim early is essential because there are time limits. If approved, compensation can help with lost income, medical costs, care, and other financial losses. These claims give you support while holding negligent employers accountable.