Kristie Willis – I had to have a document reviewed and signed. Kristie made recommendations to amend a couple of clauses which were agreed with my company. The whole process was dealt with within a week, which was amazing!

Have you had a slip or fall at work? Know your rights after a workplace injury

Palmers Solicitors Business News 16 December 202511 February 2026

Suffering an injury at work can be distressing and with the winter months come more potential hazards to be aware of.

Ice, snow, heavy rain and reduced daylight can potentially increase injuries in the workplace and it is important to know your rights if this does happen.

Some injuries can cause long-term health effects and you may be eligible to claim compensation.

Our personal injury expert, Gareth Brazier, explains the steps you must take if you are injured at work.

What happens if you injure yourself at work?

If you suffer an accident at work, you should seek medical attention. It may be important for your claim to be able to produce medical records that have a contemporaneous record of your accident and injury.

Reporting the incident to your employer should be done as soon as possible, as most workplaces have an accident reporting procedure or an accident book.

Documentation of evidence relating to the accident, such as photographs of the scene or your injuries and witness contact details, can support your case if it is taken further.

If your injury requires time away from work, you should keep notes of your symptoms and how the injury affects your daily life.

What are your rights after a workplace accident?

Employees have strong protection under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which requires employers to provide a safe workplace.

If your employer fails to take reasonable steps to protect you, and as a result your injury has been caused, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

For a successful claim, there must be someone legally responsible for the injury and the evidence you provide can help determine who is liable.

If your injury leads to time off work, in most cases you will be entitled to at least Statutory Sick Pay for up to 28 weeks. Any additional sick pay or a higher contractual pay will be subject to your employment contract.

If your employer unlawfully disciplines or dismisses you after a workplace accident or claim, you may have grounds for an unfair dismissal claim.

What are employers’ responsibilities for an injury at work?

Winter conditions significantly increase hazards in the workplace and employers must take additional precautions to keep their employees safe.

Common risks in winter include:

Slippery areas caused by ice or rain
Poor lighting due to shorter daylight hours
Unsafe driving conditions for employees required to drive for work
Working in extreme cold weather without protective equipment

Employees should ensure conditions are safe within the workplace and provide appropriate clothing or equipment to prepare for the colder months. Failure to take reasonable steps to protect an employee’s safety may be a breach of duty.

How to make a personal injury claim?

Winter injuries and workplace accidents can have long-term health effects and seeking legal support can help assess if you are eligible for compensation.

A personal injury solicitor can review who is legally responsible for the accident and notify the employer or their insurer, to set out the facts and evidence to prove liability for the accident.

If liability is admitted, medical evidence and proof of financial loss will be obtained and gathered together to present to the opponent, seeking a settlement of the claim.

If liability is denied, legal support will assist you to gain further evidence, fully assess the strength of liability arguments, and prepare for litigation.

The legal process can often feel overwhelming, but this should not deter you from seeking compensation that you may be eligible for.

Why can our legal team help you?

Workplace injuries can heal over time, but they can also bring health and financial implications that have long-lasting effects.

A personal injury claim may be intimidating, especially when it involves your employer, but it is important to achieve a fair outcome if your employer has breached their duty of care to keep employers safe.

If you believe your employer failed to protect you, our specialist team can guide you through the claim process and ensure your rights are fully protected.

If you need support after a workplace accident, contact our personal injury team today.

How to bring a claim against the Personal Representative of an estate

Palmers Solicitors Business News 16 December 202511 February 2026

When a loved one passes away, the administration of their estate must be handled with care and impartiality.

However, disputes can arise when a Personal Representative fails to carry out their responsibilities properly.

Beneficiaries may be entitled to bring a claim to remove the Personal Representative in order to protect their inheritance and the estate from being mishandled.

Our Contentious Probate expert, Erin Duffy, explains further below.

What is a Personal Representative?

A Personal Representative (PR) is the person legally responsible for administering a person’s estate, including executors and administrators, once they have passed away.

The role carries legal obligations and once they begin dealing with the estate, known as intermeddling, they must fulfil those duties diligently.

Under the Administration of Estates Act 1925, PRs must:

Collect and safeguard the estate’s assets
Administer the estate according to the law and the Will
Provide estate accounts and inventories when required by the court
Deliver probate documents to the court if ordered

What happens if a Personal Representative fails in their duties?

A PR who acts negligently, breaches the terms of the Will, unreasonably delays administration or uses their position to take personal benefit from the estate will be in breach of their duties and may be removed from their position.

These breaches can include:

Failing to follow the Will’s instructions
Distributing assets to the wrong people
Not remaining neutral between competing beneficiaries
Selling assets at an undervalued cost
Failing to provide proper accounts or information

If these breaches result in financial loss, beneficiaries may be able to start a claim to hold the PR personally accountable.

The PR may be required to compensate the estate for the loss or account for any profits they have improperly gained.

Managing an estate can be overwhelming, but if you think a PR is not fulfilling their duties or is in breach of trust, you must seek legal advice as early as possible.

How to bring a claim against a Personal Representative?

A claim against a PR requires legal help to review the Will, any available estate accounts and the administration process to identify any breaches.

This includes assessing whether the PR has failed to act with reasonable care and skill and has breached their fiduciary obligations.

Before issuing proceedings, a solicitor will send a formal letter before action outlining the breaches and, if applicable, the loss caused to the estate and its beneficiaries.

This will allow the PR an opportunity to resolve the issue without court involvement.

If the PR does not respond or refuses to cooperate, a claim may need to be issued in Court citing the alleged breaches and financial loss.

When submitting a claim, it may include compensation for losses and an application to remove or replace the PR.

A PR found in breach of trust cannot use estate funds to defend themselves and beneficiaries must act quickly if they suspect this is happening.

How to remove a Personal Representative?

If a PR has intermeddled, they can only be removed by court order and applications are usually made under Section 50 Administration of Justice Act 1985 or Section 116 Senior Courts Act 1981.

The court will consider whether removal is in the best interest of the estate and if wrongdoing has occurred.

The wishes of the beneficiaries and the likely cost of appointing a replacement will also be considered.

What are your rights when claiming against Personal Representatives?

Losing a loved one can be emotionally challenging and the additional stress of a PR in breach of their duties can be difficult to approach on your own.

Personal Representatives have a strict duty to act in the best interests of beneficiaries and the estate, but this does not always run smoothly.

Claims against PRs are overwhelming and if you suspect an estate is being mismanaged, early legal advice is crucial.

Our expert team can assess the situation and help you protect your inheritance and ensure the estate is administered lawfully.

If you are concerned about a Personal Representative and a potential breach may have occurred, contact our Contentious Probate team today.