Who is Liable if You Are Injured at a Job Interview?

Last Updated on August 20, 2023

Injuries can happen even in the most unlikely of places. In this article, we’ll discuss who is liable if you’re injured at a job interview.

Accidents at the workplace are not uncommon, so it’s not a surprise that others entering the same workplace could experience an injury all the same. Whilst few of us actually enjoy job interviews, it can swiftly become an even more stressful situation if you find yourself coming out with an injury.

Just like many other injury claims, an injury experienced as a visitor at a workplace can go through a no win no fee compensation process, should something happen whilst you’re interviewing. It can often be confusing to figure out who’s liable in these situations so, in this article, we’ll be looking at the type of injuries which may result from a job interview and who may be liable.

What Kind of Injuries Can Occur at a Job Interview?

There are a few ways in which an injury can potentially occur during a job interview and, some of these are:

Trips and falls

Uneven stairs and wet floors can lead to trips and falls in any workplace – and this can be a particular risk for interview candidates who aren’t familiar with the layout of the building and are potentially distracted by nerves. While some trips and falls can be minor, others can lead to moderate to severe injury.

Physical tasks

In some instances, an employer may set a physical task for a candidate in order to ascertain their suitability for the job. This could include completing a building assignment, driving a forklift truck, or operating a piece of equipment. If the candidate is unfamiliar with the particular piece of equipment, this could potentially lead to an accident or injury.

Photo by Skitterphoto: https://www.pexels.com/photo/sign-slippery-wet-caution-4341/

Electric shock

As unlikely as it may seem, it’s possible for job interview candidates to suffer an electric shock in the event that equipment, such as lifts, are not operating correctly. These shocks can vary in severity but can quite often require medical treatment.

Who is Liable for Injuries at a Job Interview?

This is quite a complex topic and will usually be appraised on a case-by-case basis. Let’s look at this in a little more detail:

Trips and falls

If you suffer a trip or fall whilst visiting a business for a job interview, you may have a case for legal action under some circumstances. For example, if you slipped on a wet floor while attending your interview, and there were no visible signs to warn you that the floor was wet, you may be entitled to compensation. This type of case will normally be resolved quickly through the company’s public liability insurance.

Exercises or tasks

If during your interview the employer asks you to complete an exercise, project or task the employer may be liable for any injuries that you may sustain from doing so. This is because in asking you to complete a work-related task, you are generally considered to be ‘on the job’ and as such, are entitled to the same level of protection that an employee of the company would be. This will generally be covered under the company’s employer’s liability insurance.

Injury due to faulty equipment

If you suffer an injury due to faulty equipment while on the premises for your interview, you will almost certainly have a case for financial compensation. Although, a case like this will almost certainly be fairly long winded as the employer may try to offset any financial loss by making a claim against the manufacturer of the equipment.

Photo by Yan Krukau: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-man-holding-his-face-7640494/

Steps to Take if You Suffer an Injury at a Job Interview

As we’ve mentioned, this is thankfully a fairly rare situation but it does unfortunately happen. Following the injury, you should complete the following important steps:

• Take photographs of the scene if relevant – for example, in the case of a wet floor that is not clearly marked as such or is missing altogether. If possible, add a date and time stamp to the photograph for further clarity.
• Ask the employer if they have an accident book in which you can record the incident.
• Ask the employer to make a record of the incident – and don’t forget to ask for a copy of this.
• Contact a reputable personal injury solicitor who will be able to advise you on the next steps and help you to navigate a case for financial compensation should they feel that this is an appropriate course of action.

Get the right support if you sustain an injury…

While most injuries sustained during a job interview will be reasonably minor – for instance, slipping on a wet floor in an office building, others can be more serious. An example of this might be a labourer interviewing for a job on a building site where an injury may occur due to the fact that they may not be wearing the appropriate protective clothing.

If the injury sustained causes pain, a trip to the hospital or doctor or has life changing consequences, you should always consult with a specialist solicitor who may be able to help you to seek recompense.

Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained legal professional. Be sure to consult a lawyer/solicitor if you’re seeking advice on injury claims. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.