Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Claims

What is PPE?

PPE, or personal protective equipment, is equipment used to protect you against health and safety risks at work.

PPE can include a range of different protective clothing and equipment, such as:

• Eye protection
• Footwear
• Gloves
• Hard hats
• High-visibility clothing
• Protective facial masks
• Safety harnesses
• Safety helmets

Your employer has a responsibility to provide all workers with PPE when working in high-risk areas or performing a task that may cause injury.

If they fail to provide adequate PPE and you’re injured as a result, then you may be able to make a PPE claim.

Whose responsibility is it to provide PPE?

The Health and Safety at Work Act was introduced in 1974, making it a requirement for employers to provide adequate PPE for employees. The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations were then introduced in 1992 to set out clearer and specific rules for employers to stick to.

Regulation four of the 1992 act states that “every employer shall ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is provided to their employees”.

This means that employers have a responsibility by law to provide PPE free of charge, make sure it is adequate, and ensure it is readily available.

Risk of injury caused by lack of PPE

If your employer fails to provide you with adequate PPE, then this can leave you vulnerable to serious injuries.

For example, if you work in the construction industry, you could suffer lacerations when gloves and footwear aren’t provided.

Meanwhile, if you work from a height and a helmet is not provided you could suffer catastrophic head injuries if you fall.

You could also suffer spinal injuries if a safety harness is not provided and you are required to climb to a height.

Industrial diseases, deafness, asbestos-related diseases, and occupational asthma are also all still issues that PPE is designed to prevent.

Any of these scenarios can leave you with life-changing injuries or illnesses and even have deadly consequences, and the responsibility could lie entirely on your employer.

Therefore, if you’ve suffered an injury or illness because of inadequate PPE, you are fully entitled to start an accident at work claim with us at First4Lawyers today. Just give us a call to find out more.

What constitutes inadequate PPE?

Even when PPE is provided by your employer, it may be inadequate. You may be provided with equipment that is:

• In poor condition or does not provide you with adequate protection
• Unsuitable for the particular hazard you are facing

If this is the case for you, then your employer has broken the law and not provided you with suitable PPE – meaning you may be able to make a claim.

Making a PPE claim

You can start this process by giving us a call at First4Lawyers. Our advisors will be able to take you through the process of starting a claim and give you all the information you need.

When you first speak to one of our advisors, they’ll ask you to explain what happened and how you were injured. They’ll then let you know if they think you have a claim.

If they do, they’ll put you through to an expert injury solicitor – usually right then and there so you don’t have to wait for a phone call. The solicitor will then take a few more details from you and decide whether it’s something they can help you with.

When they can, they will then start the claims process. This will involve investigating the circumstances around your accident and putting evidence together.

They will then work to get the other side – typically your employer’s insurer – to accept liability and come to an agreement on how much compensation you’re entitled to for your employer’s PPE negligence.

Is there a time limit for making a PPE claim?

We recommend you begin your claim as soon as you can so that you can remember any vital information easier and find any evidence quicker.

As with all personal injury claims, you have up to three years from the date of your accident to make a claim.

How much compensation can I claim?

This depends on how severe your injuries are and how much you have suffered.

Your solicitor will be able to give you an idea of what you could be entitled to.

Your PPE claim will cover general damages, which compensate you for the pain and suffering your injury has caused you.

If you want to figure out what you could claim for general damages, then use our simple compensation calculator.

Meanwhile, loss of wages and medical costs can be recovered by claiming special damages.

We know that money won’t change the harm that has been done to you, but you are legally entitled to make a claim if you have been injured because of someone else.

How to pay for a PPE claim

We offer a No Win No Fee service to make your PPE compensation claim as affordable as possible.

This means that we have removed the risk of starting a PPE claim, because if your claim is unsuccessful you won’t have to pay anything.

If it is successful, then a fee of up to 25% of your final compensation amount will be taken to pay any legal fees.

Our advisors will explain any costs before you start your claim so everything is clear and there are no surprises.

How can First4Lawyers help?

We work with highly experienced solicitors that have years of knowledge when handling PPE claims, so rest assured you will get the best legal help and advice.

Our friendly and knowledgeable advisors will also be there to answer any questions you may have and take you through making a claim with us.

First4Lawyers will do the heavy lifting for you when it comes to making a personal injury claim and getting you the justice you deserve.

Start your claim today by giving us a call, beginning your claim online, or requesting a callback.