There are many different accidents and injuries that can happen while using Network Rail services. As Network Rail is the company that runs the majority of rail infrastructure in the UK, a Network Rail incident typically refers to any type of accident that has happened while waiting for a train, working on the train infrastructure, using a level crossing, and so on. This covers a huge scope of accidents and injuries, from vehicles colliding with trains at level crossings to workers that have been injured while maintaining the rail infrastructure.
At Legal Helpline, the panel of solicitors we work with have experience in Network Rail accident claims, which can be launched if the accident was not your fault. We will help you to get the maximum amount of compensation you deserve by building a solid case and providing a No Win No Fee approach. To find out everything and anything with regards to Network Rail accident claims, please read on. You will find our contact information at the end should you have any questions, or if you are ready to get started.
Jump to a Section
- A Guide To Network Rail Accident Claims
- Network Rail Safety Accidents And Safety Rules
- Rail Accidents And Statistics
- Level Crossing Accident Claims
- Public Railway Compensation Claims
- Employee Railway Compensation Claims
- Network Rail Incident Reporting
- What To Do If You Have Been Injured In A Train Accident
- Railway Compensation Claims
- Compensation For No Win No Fee Network Rail Accidents Claims
- Why Choose Us For Your Network Rail Accident Claims
A Guide to Network Rail Accident Claims
Network Rail owns and manages much of the UK rail infrastructure, railway tracks, overhead wires, signals, as well as level crossings, bridges, and most stations. It is, therefore, a major player when it comes to the UK railway sector. If you have been injured while using Network Rail services or while working for the company, you may be able to make a claim.
There are a number of different accidents and injuries that can happen on the rail network in the UK. This includes injuries at level crossings, trespassing accidents, and jumps and falls onto the track. Network Rail accident claims are launched when the company is deemed responsible for the accident that has happened due to negligence and breaching their duty of care to employees and the public. In this guide, we reveal everything you need to know about making a claim. This includes details regarding the Network Rail health and safety management system, how to launch a case for compensation, average payout amounts, and much more.
Network Rail Safety Accidents And Safety Rules
Accidents and injuries are typically more common to those working on the railway. This is considered one of the more dangerous working environments in the UK. As such, Network Rail has a duty of care to both their staff and the wider public. They are bound by the stringent regulations that are in place in the UK, and they have outlined their own Network Rail safety vision and policy in place.
The company, understandably and rightly, has a number of safety arrangements in place for their employees. This includes The Plant Operations Scheme, The Principal Contractor Licensing Scheme, and Sentinel. However, this does not mean that accidents do not occur – to both employees and the wider public – and so if you have been injured, exploring the possibility of making a claim is a must.
Rail Accidents And Statistics
Despite there being Network Rail safety rules in place, there are incidents whereby accidents and injuries happen. The company is very open about their approach to safety and the policies they have in place, as well as the number of accidents that have happened. You can find out more about their principal safety KPIs here.
Here are some statistics about the injuries and accidents that have happened per year (2015/16).
Passenger safety
- Train accident risk component where Network Rail is the risk controller – 1.776
- Personal injuries to passengers (RIDDOR) – 32
- Weighted injuries and fatalities – 0.0761
Workplace accidents
- Lost time injury frequency rate – 0.492
- Lost time injuries – 207
- Specified injuries – 71
Level Crossing Accident Claims
If you have been involved in a level crossing accident, and you believe Network Rail is to blame, you can make a claim. We have helped many people to launch Network Rail accident claims due to level crossing accidents. This includes the following:
- Vehicle collision level crossing accidents – Did your car collide with a train because the level crossing was not safe to use or it was malfunctioning?
- Cyclist and pedestrian level crossing accidents, for example, cycling over a poorly maintained crossing
- Pedestrian level crossing accidents
Did you know that there are roughly 8,000 level crossings in the UK? And, Network Rail manages most of these. In 2014, there were 330 ‘near miss’ incidents involving pedestrians, cyclists, and cars on level crossings. Collisions involving trains are more dangerous but far less common. They account for roughly half of the catastrophic accidents that happen on railways in Britain.
Public Railway Compensation Claims
If you have been injured while using Network Rail as a member of the public, you will have basis for a claim if you can prove that the company was at fault. When it comes to Network Rail accident claims, it is important to report the incident so that there is an official record of what has happened. It is also vital to note that there is a three-year time limit on personal injury claims. As such, the accident must have happened within the past three years. The sooner you claim, the easier it will be in any case, as the details will be fresh in your mind. Plus, leaving it until the last minute is very risky, as court proceedings do need to be issued within this time frame.
Employee Railway Compensation Claims
If you work at Network Rail and you have been involved in an accident that was not your fault, you could be able to make a claim. All companies in the UK have to follow the stringent health and safety laws that are in place to ensure that their employees work in a safe environment. The same applies to Network Rail, where arguably employees face greater risks than they do in a lot of other working environments because of the nature of the job. Because of this, there is a clear Network Rail health and safety police statement, as is to be expected. If the company is found to be in breach of this statement and/or any workplace regulations that are in place in the UK, and you have been injured as a consequence, you may be entitled to compensation.
A lot of people are worried about making a claim against their employer. They fear that there could be consequences, i.e. that they lose their job. This is something you don’t need to fear. All businesses need to have insurance in place to cover such incidents, and your employer will recognise that you deserve compensation. Plus, if you were to lose your job, Network Rail would only find themselves in deeper water because you may well have grounds for unfair dismissal.
Network Rail Incident Reporting
If you have been involved in a Network Rail accident, it is important to report it. If you are a Network Rail employee, this involves going to your employer and ensuring there is an official record of what happened in the accident book. All companies are required to have accident book by law, which records injuries, illnesses, and deaths in the workplace. This will also serve as an official record of your injury, which will help you when claiming. If you were injured as a member of the public, you can find information on Network Rail incident reporting on their website. Click here to head to the Network Rail report a problem page, where you will find information on the policies and processes the company has in place to manage risks.
What To Do If You Have Been Injured In A Train Accident
If you have been involved in a train accident, it is important to take the necessary steps to build a strong case. This includes the following:
- Getting a medical examination – There is only one place to begin, and this is with getting a medical examination. Needless to say, this is imperative for your health. Nonetheless, a lot of people opt to skip the hospital trip if they have only sustained a minor injury. This is not recommended. Not only for your health, but in terms of the case too. Seeing a medical professional is vital for your chances of compensation, as the medical report put together by the doctor will be used to determine the payout you receive.
- Collect evidence – It is important to gather as much evidence as you can. This includes getting witness statements and taking photos of the scene, as well as your injuries.
- Recording any financial losses – Lastly, make sure you record any financial losses you have been subject to as a direct consequence of your injuries. This includes anything from loss of income and counselling expenses to childcare costs and the cost of parking at the hospital. You will need to record these expenses, and you need to have proof of them if you are going to claim for them.
Railway Compensation Claims
A lot of people get in touch with us to ask us how much they will receive if they make a claim. It is understandable that you would want to know this. After all, you want to make sure that it is going to be worthwhile. Unfortunately, giving you a precise and final answer regarding the amount you will receive is simply not possible. This is due to the fact that all Network Rail accident claims are different. There are numerous factors taken into account, which is why two people that might have been involved in Network Rail accidents may receive a completely different amount. What we can do, however, is reveal the average payouts for injuries relating to such claims, as you will see in the table below.
| Reason for claiming compensation | Typical payout amount | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Mental anguish | £3,720 | This payout is for those who feared the end of their life. |
| Pain and suffering | £1,000 - £200,000 | The amount of pain and suffering you were subject to would determine how much money you are awarded. |
| Loss of benefits | £5,000 - £500,000 | A lot of people need to take time off work after they have suffered injuries due to a Network Rail accident. If this applies to you, and you have experienced a loss of income as a consequence, you can claim for this. Please note that in some instances you could receive more than the maximum amount started in the left hand column. |
| Loss of anticipated earnings | £10,000 - £400,000 | Is it likely that you are going to be off work in the future while you continue to recover from your injuries? If so, you can claim for this, and the amount you receive will be determined using your current rate of pay combined with your future earning potential. Please note that in some instances you could receive more than the maximum amount started in the left hand column. |
| Finger injury - Amputation | Up to £72,330 | This payout is for accidents that lead to loss of the finger, compensation will depend on which finger and the effect i may have on the functioning of grip etc. |
| Finger injury - Loss of index finger | Up to £14,930 | |
| Finger injury - Severe fracture | Up to £29,290 | In this case, the individual will have been subject to severe pain due to fracturing their finger and may lead to deformity, partial amputations.. |
| Foot injury - Amputation | £66,930 - £87,410 | This refers to any type of accident whereby the person suffers the permanent loss of the foot. |
| Foot injury - Very severe | £66,930 - £87,410 | The claimant will have experienced a very severe foot injury, which will take a significant time to heal. There are a number of factors that need to be considered when determining the payout amount, from the ongoing symptoms to the impact the foot injury is having on the claimants life. |
| Foot injury - Severe | £33,460 - £55,830 | This refers to cases in which the person suffers loss of function of the foot, and they will experience a lot of pain as a consequence. |
| Foot injury - Serious | £19,920 - £31,250 | The claimant will have been involved in an accident that has caused them to experience continuing pain with prolonged treatment. |
| Foot injury - Moderate | £10,960 - £19,920 | This is a type of injury that has caused damage to the foot with serious pains. The road ahead will be long, but the person should expect to lead a normal life. |
| Foot injury - Modest | Up to £10,960 | The payout awarded will depend on the length of the recovery, as well as a number of other factors. This includes whether the person has any other symptoms, what medication or treatment is needed, the pain involved, and the severity of the original injury. |
| Toe injury - Full amputation | £29,110 - £44,710 | This payout refers to cases in which the accident has lead to permanent loss of the toe. |
| Toe injury - Moderate | Up to £7,650 | An injury that results in temporary loss of function of the toe. |
| Toe injury - Serious | £7,650 - £10,960 | This refers to cases in which the claimant may have experienced loss of function of the toe. This often relates to slip, trip and fall cases, although other types of accidents could, of course, result in such an injury. |
If you cannot find anything that applies to your suffering in the table that has been provided, please do not worry. You can get in touch with our friendly team regarding your train accident and we will be more than happy to explain further and give you an understanding regarding the type of payout you could be looking at.
Compensation For No Win No Fee Network Rail Accidents Claims
When making railway compensation claims with Legal Helpline, you can be sure that we always work with No Win No Fee payment structures. It means that anyone who makes a claim that is unsuccessful will not have to pay any legal fees. This approach ensures that everyone can claim, no matter what his or her current financial situation is. It eliminates any monetary concerns you may have. Plus, when we say No Win No Fee, we truly mean it. We won’t add on extra charges if your case is unsuccessful, as is the case with a lot of other businesses. This also gives you the peace of mind that we will always be working hard for you.
With No Win No Fee solicitors, they are impacted by the outcome of your case. For those who charge per hour, it doesn’t make a difference to them whether your case is a success or not, which is why it is always better to go down the No Win No Fee approach.
Why Choose Us For Your Network Rail Accident Claims
There are several different companies to choose from when it comes to launching Network Rail accident claims. Nevertheless, we are confident that our service far excels the rest. At Legal Helpline, we are a specialist Claims Management Company. We have many years’ experience and deep knowledge in the claims sector, and we have helped many people to get the personal injury compensation they deserve. Not only are we good at what we do, but also we care about our customers, and your recovery is always our main concern. We know that you have been through a traumatic experience, and that you will still be feeling the effects, and because of this, we always strive to secure the maximum payout in the quickest and most convenient manner.
If you still have any questions about the service we provide after reading our guide, or you are going to begin the process of making a claim, there are a number of ways you can contact us at Legal Helpline. You have probably already noticed that there is a live chat feature in the bottom right hand corner of the webpage. You can use this to speak to a representative. Alternatively, you can head to the contact page where you will find an online form or you can use the call back form and we will ring you back in a timely manner.
Other options include sending an email to [email protected], or calling our team directly on 0161 696 9685. We are open from Monday to Sunday, from 9 am in the morning until 9 pm in the evening. We will do our best to answer all of your questions about Network Rail accident claims and explain the claims process. Plus, our advice is free and comes with no obligation, so what are you waiting for?
Helpful links
Here you will find our guide on how much compensation you can attain for a train station accident claim. This guide provides plenty of useful information, including details on train station accident facts and statistics, claiming for an accident as an employee, or as a member of the public, and much more.
Case Study – Network Rail Fined
Clicking above takes you to a case study regarding an incident whereby a Network Rail employee was struck by a train travelling at 80 mph. The worker had to undergo 20 operations, and the company was fined £800,000 as a consequence.
If you want to find out more about Network Rail, head to their website. Here you will find information on the company, their railway upgrade plan, latest updates, and much more.
Railway Safety Board Statistics
The link above directs you to the 2016/17 Annual Safety Performance Report for railways in Great Britain.