Because angle grinders can easily cut many different types of materials, they are used frequently in construction and building tasks. As with other types of power tools, angle grinders can be dangerous if they are damaged, faulty or not used in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. If you’ve suffered an injury whilst using an angle grinder, you may be able to make an angle grinding accident claim to sue your employer for compensation if the accident was their fault in some way.

We can help with an angle grinding accident claim by offering a no-obligation telephone assessment of your case if you call our team on 0800 652 1345. However, if you’d prefer more information on angle grinder claims first, please read on.

What are angle grinders?

An angle grinder is a handheld power tool that uses a spinning disc to perform various tasks including cutting hard objects such as stone, masonry and concrete. They are sometimes used to polish and reshape as well. The speed that the disc spins will depend on the nature of the task but, as you might imagine, a disc that’s able to cut through stone could easily cause injuries if something goes wrong.

Other names used for angle grinders include disc cutters or disc grinders.

Can I claim compensation for an angle grinding accident?

Before a personal injury lawyer on our panel can agree to represent you in a work injury claim, they will check whether:

• Your employer breached their duty of care through an act of negligence;
• An accident involving an angle grinder occurred as a result;
• You sustained an injury due to the accident.

By law, employers must try to keep staff as safe as possible. This is a legal duty of care as set out by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 and other laws. As such, establishing whether a duty of care existed is usually fairly easy.

However, as you might imagine, proving how the accident happened (and why your employer was somehow to blame) is an essential part of an angle-grinding compensation claim. For this reason, we’ll spend some time reviewing the types of proof that might be used later on.

Common angle grinding injuries

Angle grinders can cause injuries in several ways. Many are linked to the speed at which the disc spins while others can be linked to the coarseness of the pads attached to them.

Some of the most common injuries that lead to angle grinding accident claims include:

• Cuts and lacerations.
• Amputations of fingers or hands.
• Flying debris-related eye injuries.
• Electric shock and burns.
• Noise-induced hearing loss.

As part of the claims process, you might be asked to attend an independent medical assessment. This is where a specialist will examine your angle grinding injuries and discuss their impact with you. After the meeting, the specialist will detail your injuries and explain your prognosis in a report that will be provided to both parties involved in your claim.

Whether you have sustained a short-term injury or a life-changing injury such as an amputation, if your employer’s negligence was the cause of the accident, we could help you to claim compensation for your suffering.

When could I sue my employer for an angle-grinding accident?

As we explained earlier, you could be compensated for angle grinding injuries if your employer’s negligence caused them. As such, you may have a valid claim if your injuries occurred because:

• The angle grinder your employer expected you to use was damaged or not maintained.
• Your employer did not supply gloves, safety glasses or other forms of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• You were asked to use the angle grinder in wet conditions where there was a clear risk of an electric shock.
• You were asked to work with an angle grinder for lngthy periods without proper rest breaks.
• You didn’t receive training on how an angle grinder should be used safely.

These are just some examples of why you might be entitled to compensation. If you are not sure whether you’re eligible to sue your employer, speak to one of our specialists today on 0800 652 1345.

Vibration related injuries

The injuries listed earlier in this guide are the type that could happen in an accident when using an angle grinder. However, there is another type of injury that could lead to a claim that can take many months or years to develop when using an angle grinder for prolonged periods.

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is a condition that can cause permanent numbness and tingling in the arms and hands. It is thought to be linked to other conditions like vibration white finger and carpal tunnel syndrome.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with HAVS or a related condition, you could claim compensation if your employer:

• Failed to provide low-vibration angle grinders.
• Did not allow regular rest breaks.
• Failed to provide adequate PPE such as vibration-reducing gloves.
• Failed to consider your physical condition or monitor how you were affected by using vibrating tools.

If you believe you should be compensated for the suffering caused by HAVS, please contact our team for free advice.

How much compensation for an angle grinding accident can I claim?

Any type of angle grinding accident claim should consider how the claimant has suffered physically, mentally and financially. So, if you win an accident at work claim, your settlement could compensate you for:

• The pain and suffering caused by your angle grinding injuries.
• Distress, depression and other forms of psychological injuries.
• Loss of earnings.
• Medical treatment costs including physiotherapy or private healthcare.
• The cost of hiring a carer or the time somebody else spent supporting you.
• Loss of enjoyment of your normal hobbies or activities.
• Travel expenses.
• Replacement costs for personal items ruined from the accident.
• Future reduction of earnings for longer-term angle grinding injuries.
• Adaptations to your house or vehicle if they’ll make it easier to cope with a long-term disability.

We believe that having legal representation may increase your chances of winning your claim and could result in a higher compensation payout. If your claim is taken on by one of our personal injury lawyers, they’ll work tirelessly to try and make sure any settlement offer reflects the level of your suffering.

Providing proof for an angle grinding accident claim

It is more than likely that any claim against your employer will be processed by their insurance provider. If you’re to be compensated by them, you’ll need to prove:

1. Why your employer was to blame for your accident.
2. That your injuries were caused by the accident and nothing else.
3. How your injuries have affected you.

To do this, you’ll need to supply as much evidence as possible. This could include:

• Photographs. Taking pictures of the cause of your angle grinding accident is a very good idea. The best time to do this is right after the accident if you’re able to do so. Also, you should take photos of your physical injuries throughout your recovery.
• Medical records. You should visit a minor injuries unit or A&E to have your injuries treated. This will ensure they are diagnosed and treated properly. Later on, your medical notes can be requested to help prove your diagnosis.
• Accident report forms. Legally, an accident report form should be filled in for any workplace incidents. This will detail the date, location and details of the accident. As such, your copy of the report could be used to support your claim.
• Witness statements. If anybody else was present at the time of your angle grinding accident, you should give your solicitor their contact information. If necessary, they might be asked to describe what they saw.
• Security camera footage. If your angle grinding accident was recorded by CCTV cameras, you are entitled to ask for a copy of any relevant footage.
• Financial records. Payslips, bank statements and receipts should be retained if you wish to claim back any costs linked to your injuries.

During your free consultation, we’ll review any proof you have already secured so please have it ready when you call.

Angle grinding injury claims time limits

It is important to note that all personal injury claims in the UK have a 3-year time limit. For angle grinding injuries, the limitation period will commence from:

• The date of the accident; or
• When your GP diagnosed your injuries (this is more likely for hand-arm vibration injuries).

It is usually a good idea to begin the claims process as soon as possible. In the first instance, this should mean it’s easier to secure the proof and medical reports needed for your claim.

Additionally, if your injuries are causing financial problems, your solicitor may try to secure interim payments. These could help to cover the cost of medical treatment or help you to cope with a reduction in earnings. If successful, you’ll receive the interim payments before your claim is finalised.

No Win, No Fee claims

We believe that using a specialist solicitor during a personal injury claim is a good idea as their training and experience should make the claims process much easier. Our team realise that the thought of paying legal fees after an unsuccessful claim is off-putting for most claimants so they provide a No Win, No Fee service for all accepted claims.

As such, if your angle grinding accident claim is taken on by a solicitor from our team:

• There won’t be any upfront legal fees to pay.
• If the claim fails, you don’t have to pay your solicitor for their work.
• A success fee will be deducted if your claim is won.

As you won’t be asked to pay your solicitor in advance, they can begin working on your claim straight away. During the claims process, they will aim to:

• Review the details of your claim with you.
• Contact your employer to file the claim.
• Collect proof to support the claim.
• Handle all negotiations on your behalf.
• Answer any questions you may have and keep you informed about any progress.
• Review any settlement offer with you to check that it is fair.

Start an angle grinding accident claim today

We’re here to help if you’d like to find out your chances of being compensated. Simply call our team on 0800 652 1345 and we’ll review your claim for free and provide no-obligation legal advice.

If you decide to proceed and one of our solicitors agrees to represent you, they’ll manage the whole process for you and try to make everything as easy as possible.

You can also use our free live chat service to discuss your options to ask any further questions about angle grinding accident claims so please feel free to get in touch.