In a time when the economy is still trying to recover and the threat of job cuts looming, research has shown that workplace accidents have cost the economy nearly 5 million work days in 2009.

Due to the nature of health and safety in some work places, members of the general public find themselves injured and forced to take time off work.  This could result in a partial, if not a complete loss of income, especially during the period taken to recover.

Some injuries can be so severe that individuals are unable to return to their previous occupation. This results in a displacement of a section of the work force and contributes to the unemployment rate. No doubt, those who suffer serious injuries find that securing employment becomes so much more difficult.

This is where the value of personal injury compensation really comes into play. Compensation will take into account the nature of the injury and its impact on your life. This impact would be measured in the loss current earnings as well as the loss in potential earnings, if applicable.

Of all potential injuries possible at the workplace, the most common is slipping and tripping on level surfaces. This could a wet floor or a disguised crack in the pavement. This type of injury accounts for nearly 36% of accidents at work.

After this, falls from a height are the most common. This could be falling from balconies, or off ladders, and as a result tend to have more devastating effects on a person.

Finally there are those injuries that are sustained from moving objects, such as forklift equipment etc.

It has been estimated that approximately 15,000 work accidents happen each year. This figure is based on those accidents being reported in the RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) packs. However some sceptics believe that this figure could be much higher as a large majority of accident at work cases go unreported.

Antonia Torr is a graduate from the University of Leicester, with a degree in Law with European Union Law. Having enjoyed writing from a young age, Antonia has received numerous awards that act as a testament to her quality of writing. To find out more about what you can claim regarding Accidents at Work, Why not pop in to a QualitySolicitors Branch today, or visit our website at http://www.qualitysolicitors.com to find your nearest branch and claim a Free Consultation.