Minor Work Accident-Medical Bills

pclancy

Got a piece of dust in my eye on friday morning and had to go casualty to get it removed and my eye cleaned and antibiotics applied as I got a small abraision to its surface. Was off until today and had a note from the hospitals eye clinic to explain why. The nurse said the hospital would bill my workplace and that I should give them the receipts for eye medication i have to get. Thing is, my employers a ****er when it comes to this stuff and will probably refuse to pay it. Are they legally obliged if the accident happened when in work and should I report it to the HSA or expect the company to do it? I was working in a room that hasnt been hoovered for at least a year so wasnt in any way being negligent.

Pablo

It is up to the employer to provide you a safe and healthy work place. If they fail to provide this then you can take them to court. And in your case I am certain you would win.

They should have some employee liability insurance anyway that should cover such things.

Gurgle

pclancy wrote:

Got a piece of dust in my eye on friday morning

First question you'll be asked:
Did your employer make safety goggles available?
If so, were you wearing them?
If they didn't, did you ever ask for them?

pclancy wrote:

Are they legally obliged if the accident happened when in work and should I report it to the HSA or expect the company to do it?

afaik it depends on whose fault it was.

pclancy wrote:

I was working in a room that hasnt been hoovered for at least a year so wasnt in any way being negligent.

So why didn't you hoover the room first?

The old compo culture here is based on the assumptions that employees are babies and can't decide for themselves whats safe and what isn't. New legislation from the last couple of years makes it clear that everybody is responsible for their own safety and that of every other employee. You can't hold management responsible for not making an area safe if you didn't bring it to their attention that it was unsafe.

Having said that, you will probably win if it turns nasty.
Old habits die hard.

pclancy

No its an office room which had some stock stored in it for a good while. No need for goggles and no mention of hoover this room first before you use it. I get your drift with the compo culture idea but Im not like that and dont have to be spoonfed by tasks!

Im not looking to sue them, I just dont want to be out of pocket with medical expenses that were not my fault.

godtabh

Gurgle wrote:

So why didn't you hoover the room first?

Maybe its not in the OP job description.

I'm not allowed to change light bulbs in work