Cleaner Injured at Work – A Guide to Claiming Compensation

You might think that working as a cleaner isn’t the most dangerous job in the world. However, cleaners face many hazards and risks on a daily basis. As such, employers have a duty of care to try and protect cleaners whilst they are working. If a cleaner is injured at work and their accident was caused by their employer’s actions or omission, it may be possible for the cleaner to claim compensation. This guide explains how cleaner injury claims work, what evidence might be used to strengthen a claim and how much compensation for injured cleaners could be awarded.

You can contact our legal advisors if you’ve been injured while cleaning and have your chances of being compensated assessed for free. What’s more, we’ll provide no-obligation legal advice so that you understand your options. If you decide to start a claim and one of our solicitors offers to help, you’ll be represented on a No Win, No Fee basis. As a result, no payment for your solicitor’s time and effort will be required unless you are compensated.

For more on how we can help with injured cleaner compensation claims, you can:

• Call 0333 241 2519 to connect with one of our advisors.
• Use our free live chat service which is available 24 hours a day.

There is lots more information throughout this guide on how cleaner compensation claims work but do feel free to call with any queries.

Can I Make a Cleaner Injury Claim for Compensation?

All employees including cleaners are owed a legal duty of care by their employer when it comes to workplace safety. Primarily, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 provides this duty of care (but other laws may also apply).

Some of the ways employers can meet their obligations and try to prevent cleaners from being injured at work include:

• Writing and updating a health and safety policy that is available to all staff.
• Training cleaners on how to do their job safely.
• Carrying out workplace risk assessments to spot any potential hazards.
• Providing cleaners with safety goggles, latex gloves and other forms of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for free where needed.

As such, if an employer fails to comply with safety regulations and a cleaner is injured at work as a result, the cleaner could claim compensation if it can be proven that:

• The cleaner was owed a duty of care by the employer at the time of the accident.
• The accident only occurred because the employer was negligent; and
• The cleaner was injured as a direct consequence of that accident.

Please contact our legal advisors now to check your entitlement to compensation.

What Types of Negligence at Work Can Cause Injuries to Cleaners?

Here is a small sample of the types of negligence at work that could enable an injured cleaner to claim compensation:

• A cleaner was electrocuted by a faulty vacuum cleaner that had not been inspected or maintained properly by the employer.
• A cleaner suffered chemical burns on their hands while mixing cleaning products because their employer failed to provide rubber gloves.
• While using a poorly maintained floor buffer, a cleaner was pulled awkwardly and suffered a dislocated shoulder after falling hard.
• A cleaner suffered contact dermatitis after being repeatedly exposed to harsh cleaning chemicals because their employer failed to provide adequate training.
• A cleaner slipped on a wet floor and suffered a concussion because another cleaner had failed to put warning signs out after cleaning a corridor.

Cleaners face many more risks than we’ve listed here so don’t be put off from contacting us if your accident is not listed here.

What Should I Do If I’m a Cleaner Injured at Work?

If you’re a cleaner who has been injured at work, here are the steps you should take:

• Go to A&E or see your GP as soon as possible to ensure that your injuries are properly assessed and treated. Timely medical treatment is crucial for your health and can also provide important evidence for any claims.
• Notify your supervisor or employer about the incident without delay. Explain how the injury occurred and under what conditions.
• Ensure the accident is documented in your employer’s accident report book. This is an essential step for legal purposes and helps validate your claim.

Taking these steps not only provides necessary evidence for supporting a cleaner injury claim but also helps ensure that measures may be implemented by your employer to prevent similar injuries in the future.

What Evidence Can Be Used for Cleaner Injury Claims?

If a cleaner is injured at work, they’ll generally have to prove how the accident occurred, the injuries they sustained and employer negligence if they are to receive compensation for their suffering.

Here is a list of evidence that could make a cleaner injury claim stronger:

1. CCTV footage from employer security cameras where available.
2. Copies of medical records (from a hospital or GP surgery) to prove any injuries.
3. Photographs from the accident scene and of any visible signs of injury (swelling, bruising, cuts and abrasions).
4. A copy of an accident report form to help prove when and where the incident occurred.
5. Contact information for potential witnesses. This might help if statements are required to help prove what happened.

Even if you don’t yet have any evidence to prove your case, please feel free to call now to discuss your options.

How Long Do I Have to Claim Compensation for My Injuries?

As with all personal injury claims in the UK, there is a 3-year time limit in which a cleaner injured at work must begin a claim against their employer. Typically, this time limit starts from:

• The date of your accident at work; or
• The date a doctor diagnosed your injuries and linked it to your employer’s negligence (your date of knowledge).

Unfortunately, claims that are made too late can be dismissed by your employer. As this could mean you missing out on any compensation you might be owed, we suggest that you start your claim as soon as possible so that your claim can be filed on time. Please get in touch to check if you have enough time to start your claim.

How Much Compensation for a Cleaner Injured at Work?

When a cleaner successfully claims for work-related injuries, they will be awarded compensation. The amount paid will vary from case to case as it’s based on the extent of any injuries and any costs or financial losses they cause.

To value your injuries, your solicitor might refer to the Judicial College Guidelines after gathering medical records and reports from independent experts.

Additional damages could also contribute to any settlement offer if you’ve been left out of pocket after being injured while cleaning. They could cover:

• Lost earnings.
• Medical expenses i.e. prescription costs and the cost of physiotherapy.
• The cost of someone else’s time if you needed to be cared for whilst injured.
• Travel expenses.
• Future loss of earnings.
• The cost of making changes to your vehicle or home to make accessibility easier if you’ve been left disabled.

If you work with a solicitor from our panel, they’ll work hard to try and make sure all aspects of your suffering are considered before your claim is filed.

Will I Get Into Trouble If I Sue My Employer for Compensation?

We understand that for many cleaners, the thought of being disciplined for an accident at work or losing their jobs because they’ve made a personal injury claim is worrying.

However, legally, your employer cannot take any negative action against you as a result of an honest claim. This means you can’t be picked on, bullied, sent to the worst jobs or fired simply because of your claim.

If you believe you have suffered after making an injured cleaner compensation claim, please give us a call so that we can check if you’re entitled to claim for unfair or constructive dismissal.

Do You Need a Solicitor for a Cleaner Accident Claim?

If a cleaner is injured at work and decides to seek compensation for their injuries, the claims process can seem quite complex and daunting. Therefore, if you wish to start a claim, you might benefit from the help of one of our solicitors who specialise in accident-at-work claims.

If your claim proceeds, some of the services your solicitor may undertake include:

• Collating and finding evidence to support your claim.
• Handling communications with your employer and their insurance provider.
• Conducting negotiations on your behalf and trying to counter any objections raised during the claims process.
• Providing you with clear and regular updates about how your claim is progressing.
• Trying to secure as much compensation as possible to cover your suffering.

As you can see, there’s a lot to consider when a cleaner is injured in an accident at work and decides to claim compensation. If you work with one of our solicitors, you should find the claims process easier and it could lead to you receiving more compensation than you might think possible.

If your case is taken on, you’ll be asked to sign a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) so that your solicitor can offer a No Win, No Fee basis.

The CFA means no fees for your solicitor’s work need to be paid unless you are compensated. Within the CFA, you’ll find the success fee percentage you’ll pay if the claim is won. Legally, this is capped at 25 per cent. Success fees are deducted from any compensation payment rather than you having to pay your solicitor directly.

To see whether you can make a No Win, No Fee cleaner accident claim, please call now.

Can Agency Cleaners Claim Compensation if Injured at Work?

If you clean for a company but are hired by an agency, you could still be entitled to compensation for accidents caused by the company’s negligence. That’s because all types of employees can expect the same health and safety protection regardless of their employment contract.

Therefore, if you’re an agency cleaner injured at work, please get in touch and we’ll assess your chances of being compensated during a free initial consultation.

How Long Will the Claims Process Take?

If you are a cleaner injured at work, you might want to know how long it’ll take for your claim to be settled. Unfortunately, each case is unique so the length of the claims process varies.

For instance, if you suffered a simple broken toe after tripping while cleaning and your employer admits liability right away, you could receive a compensation payment in around 4 or 5 months.

However, some claims can take over a year where more serious injuries are involved. For instance, if you suffered a bad spinal injury after falling while cleaning, it might take a lot longer for your injuries to heal or for the extent of any future suffering to be understood. These are both factors that could delay the processing of your claim. To help you financially, though, you might be paid interim compensation while your claim is ongoing once liability for the incident has been established and agreed.

Contacting Us About a Cleaner Accident Compensation Claim

Our team is here to help cleaners injured by accidents at work to find out if they have the chance of being compensated. You can check your options now by:

• Calling 0333 241 2519 to speak with one of our specialists; or
• Use our live chat service any time of day or night to get in touch.

We offer a free initial consultation. As such, injured cleaners can contact us for a risk-free assessment of their claim. If you get in touch and we believe you have a feasible claim, we’ll connect you with one of our solicitors. Crucially, if they offer to help you claim, you’ll benefit from their No Win, No Fee service. This means no fees for their work are payable unless you receive a compensation payout.