Month: August 2026

Every employer has a legal duty to protect the health and safety of their employees. Unfortunately, a recent prosecution in North Wales highlights the devastating consequences when those responsibilities are not met.

A Preventable Tragedy

Openreach was fined £1.34 million after one of its engineers tragically lost his life while attempting to repair a telephone line near the River Aber in Abergwyngregyn during flooding.

Following an investigation, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found there was no safe system of work for employees working on or near water. It also concluded that workers had not received suitable training, information or instruction, despite the obvious risks involved.

The HSE described the incident as one that could have been prevented if appropriate safety measures had been in place.

Every Employer Has Legal Responsibilities

Regardless of the industry or workplace, employers have a legal duty to:

• Carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments.
• Provide appropriate training and clear safety instructions.
• Implement safe systems of work.
• Supply the equipment, supervision and support employees need to work safely.

When these responsibilities are ignored, the consequences can be life-changing for workers and their families.

How Acclaim Solicitors Can Help

At Acclaim Solicitors, we understand how overwhelming a serious workplace accident can be. Our experienced personal injury team will take the time to understand your circumstances, explain your legal rights in plain English and provide honest, practical advice tailored to your situation.

Speak to Our Team Today

If you or someone you love has been injured in a workplace accident caused by unsafe working practices, contact Acclaim Solicitors today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

We’re here to help you understand your options and support you every step of the way.

You can contact us by calling 01244 956434 or by filling in the contact formon our website.

Many people assume that if they were partly responsible for an accident, they can’t claim compensation. However, that isn’t always the case.

Under the law in England and Wales, it’s possible for more than one person to share responsibility for an accident. This is known as contributory negligence, which means that even if your own actions played a part in what happened, you may still be entitled to claim compensation if someone else was also at fault.

For example, you might still have a claim if you were injured in a road traffic accident while not wearing a seatbelt, or if you slipped on an unmarked wet floor while distracted by your phone. Every case is different, and the circumstances surrounding the accident will always need to be carefully considered.

The important thing is not to assume that being partly to blame means you have no legal rights, and if contributory negligence applies, the court or the parties involved will decide what percentage of responsibility each person should bear.

Understanding where responsibility lies isn’t always straightforward, which is why it’s important to seek legal advice before deciding whether you have a claim. Even where liability is disputed, many people are surprised to discover they are still entitled to compensation.

At Acclaim Solicitors, we’ll take the time to understand exactly what happened, explain your legal rights in plain English and give you honest, practical advice tailored to your circumstances.

If you’ve been injured and you’re concerned you may have been partly to blame, don’t rule yourself out. Contact Acclaim Solicitors today for a free, no-obligation consultation and let us help you understand whether you could still be entitled to compensation.

You can contact us by calling 01244 956434 or by filling in the contact form on our website.