Common warehouse injury claims
Working in a warehouse can be a physical and sometimes dangerous job. Warehouse environments are usually very busy as employes work to challenging deadlines.
Warehouse work typically involves:
- packing, stacking shelves and moving heavy loads
- driving and interacting with forklift trucks, lifting equipment and other machinery
- repetitive motions in uncomfortable positions
- working with ladders and at height
- working in a noisy environment
- working with hazardous substances
There are many ways warehouse injuries can occur. Some injuries develop gradually over time. These can include:
- Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
- Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)
- Musculoskeletal strain, e.g. back pain
- Gradual hearing loss and tinnitus
Injuries sustained in accidents are also common:
- falling objects
- falls from height
- crush injuries
- slips, trips and falls
- burns and dermatitis from harmful substances
- acoustic shock from sudden loud noises
What to do if you have been injured in a warehouse
Get medical attention
Your health is the priority. All other steps can be dealt with after you have sought medical attention. Even if you are initially helped by your company’s first aider, you should visit A&E or your GP, as appropriate.
You should also ask the medical professional for a written record of your visit. The record should include the time and date and details of the injuries, prescriptions etc. Make sure you keep a copy of the medical report as it may be vital evidence should you decide to make a warehouse accident claim.
Many large warehouses will have a first aid station or room, and may even employ a dedicated first aider. You should keep notes of any first aid treatment you are given after your accident. You should still see a doctor, even if you have been given first aid at the warehouse.
Find out more: Key things you need to do when getting medical help for a work injury
Start a file
Even if you don’t plan to start a compensation claim now, you should still keep a record or file containing any company correspondence, your own notes, accident reports and witness details. It can be very hard to remember all the important details of your accident months later.
You could also keep a diary of medical appointments, expenses relating to your injuries, and notes about how your recovery is progressing and how your life has been affected.
Having a written file to hand can make it easier for your solicitor to build a case make sure you get the correct compensation amount.
Find out more: Gathering evidence after a work injury - checklist
Reporting the accident
Once you have received medical attention and the site of the accident has been made safe, you should report the incident to your manager or supervisor. If you cannot, ask someone you work with to do so.
A record of the accident should be made in the company’s accident book. If there is no accident book, write up a detailed account, give a copy to your employer and keep another copy for yourself.
Can I claim injury compensation for a warehouse accident?
As a basic rule, If you were injured in the last 3 years and someone else was to blame, you may be able to claim financial compensation for your injuries.
You can make a warehouse injury claim if your accident happened for reasons like:
- You were told to do something that you have not been trained for, like lift heavy loads or operate a forklift or other machinery
- Another worker did something dangerous
- You were not given suitable protective equipment (PPE)
- You were injured by poor-quality or broken equipment
- You were pressured to work through breaks or work excessive hours
Financial help if I can't work
After an accident at work, you may be able to claim for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) and other support, depending on your circumstances.
You may also be able to make a work accident compensation claim. A compensation award will include loss of wages as well as any future anticipated loss of earnings.
If you are unable to meet your living costs after the accident, it may also be possible to get an advance payment.
How will my employment status affect my right to claim?
If you are injured in a warehouse and have a valid claim, making a claim against your employer is relatively straightforward. If you are self-employed, working through an agency placement or on a zero-hours contract, a claim may still be possible but the process will be different.
Read more about claiming if you are:
How much compensation can I claim for a warehouse accident?
The compensation you can claim following an accident at work will depend on what injuries or illness you have suffered, and how serious those injuries are.
The final amount will also factor in:
- Pain, suffering and loss of amenity
- What impact the injury or illness has had on your life and ability to work
- Any financial losses or expenses that were caused by your injuries
The Work Accident Advice Centre online calculator sets out what you can claim for, and how much compensation you could claim.
How to make a No Win, No Fee claim
Wearhouse accident claims can almost always be made on a No Win, No Fee basis. No win, no fee means that if your claim is not successful, you will not have to pay your solicitor any legal fees.
When you formally instruct your solicitor, you sign a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This CFA sets out the details of how No Win, No Fee works. The CFA also sets out what your solicitor will be paid if the claim is successful and you are awarded compensation. Under a No Win, No Fee agreement, a solicitor will receive a success fee of up to 25% of a claimant's compensation.
Our work injury advisors will:
- Offer free, impartial advice
- Explain how No Win, No Fee works
- Recommend the right solicitor