Are you thinking of making a work accident claim? If you got injured at work then you may have a very legit claim and you may be eligible for compensation. Many people are afraid to speak up for a variety of reasons but in the end it's you who will suffer or benefit. Although you cannot do anything about the accident you can most certainly make sure that you get what you legally deserve. In cases where you lost your income you really need to step up and make sure that you get the full compensation amount as it may affect you and your family's future for good.

Before you can make a claim you need to make sure that you satisfy certain requirements. Although there are always exceptions and every case gets handled individually, these are some basic guidelines to get you started and to help you move forward with confidence.

• When did the accident happen?

Accidents that happened more than 3 years ago cannot be claimed for. In the United Kingdom at least, you need to start the claim procedure within 3 years of the accident.

• Who was to blame for the accident?

Accidents that happen due to your own blatant negligence will probably not win you a claim. If your company was at fault then they will be liable. This goes for defective equipment, a lack of safety procedures and even a lack of management.

• Did you suffer serious injuries?

The extents of your injuries and how the accident affected you both physically and emotionally will be a determining factor in your claim. It's important that you keep medical record - especially if it happened a while ago.

• Did you suffer a loss of income?

This is probably the biggest sticking point and often people get dismissed after saying off after an accident. If you lost any income during the time when you were recovering from your accident then you are eligible for a claim.