Injury at work dating back about 18 years!

keane14

Hi,

I am not at all sure if this the right place to post this, apologies if it is not.

Back in about 1998/2000, I was fitting double glazing for a local company, while ripping out the old windows on a particular job, a peice of glass went into the side of my hand.

I had to go to the local hospital for stitches, after the incident Ppe was provided, in the shape of firemans gloves. Before that none was available.

I never really thought about and just carried on, that particular hand has never been the same, and over the last 12 months it has got worse, it seems to throb and tingle nowadays and is uncomfortable at times.

I have no idea if I have a case or even how to go about it, or even if I should.

Does anyone have any experience with this kind of thing, has anyone used injury lawyers for you etc?

Thanks very much for any advice!

societys_child

First thoughts:

Is the company still trading?
Did it go in the accident book?
Any documentation about hospital visit?
Any ongoing medical treatment afterwards (apart from having stitches removed if necessary)

Second thoughts:

Not sure any of the above matters, because I believe you have to start a claim within 6 years or before your 21st birthday if you were a child at the time it happened.

McKneff

I believe you have to start a claim within 3 years if you are over 21.

So I would think you are well out of time..

Sorry.

keane14

Thanks for your reply, probably left it too long now, and thanks for the info!

Alter_ego

Asbestosis sufferers seem to get away with waiting a few years, perhaps if a problem does not show up till later, a claim is possible?

keane14

Thanks alter ego, may contact a company that handles everything for you.

They are still trading, I know that much, but cannot recall them having an accident book, they were just starting out then!

sun73

I've read somewhere that if you were an employed earner at the time of the accident you can still claim Industrial Injuries Benefit years later, there does not seem to be a time limit because claimants can suffer repercussions in the future. The hospital where you were treated may have some details about the injury. Hope this helps.

[Deleted User]

Of course, posting on an internet forum about potential litigation and expecting accurate information is always a bit of a lottery but even more so when that forum has nothing whatever to do with claiming compensation for work-related injuries!

This is the Money-Saving Expert PPI forum..

Mersey_2

As others have suggested, there are time limits in civil litigation. It's 3 years from the date of the incident, or date when you became aware of the injury/exacerbation (if later). You're best consulting a law firm that deals in employers' liability matters as you've suggested. The company doesn't need to be trading, as it's their insurers who handle any potential claims. Most will offer a free 30-60 minute consultation. Some still offer CFA (No Win No Fee) for PI matters, but most offer DBA (ie they'll take 25% of whatever you're awarded as their Costs)

keane14

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions, and also your knowledge.

Other than moneyineptitude, who should perhaps be in bed because he is grumpy!!

[Deleted User]

keane14 wrote: »

Other than moneyineptitude, who should perhaps be in bed because he is grumpy!!

My point was that posting on a more appropriate forum will get you far more knowledgable responses.
I actually deleted an earlier detailed response, on the basis that I'm not confident advising about work related injuries and the timescale allowed.

However, I will say that (just like PPI complaints) it's definitely possible to make a compensation claim without paying a "professional" an exorbitant fee.