However large or small your opticians practice, even if you have only one member of staff, you’re legally required to have Employers’ Liability Insurance.

The law on Employers’ Liability is enforced by The Health and Safety Executive and you could be fined if you do not have the necessary cover.

What is Employers’ Liability Insurance?

As an employer you are responsible for the health and safety of your employees while they are at work. If an employee is injured at work or they, or a former employee, becomes ill as a result of their work while in your employment they may claim compensation against your business.

Employers’ Liability Insurance is designed to protect you if your business is held liable for any injury or an illness as a result of working at your business.

It covers the legal costs of a claim, and pays any compensation awarded to your employee.

It is worth remembering that despite our best efforts to provide a safe working environment, accidents happen and when they do it is possible an employee will make a claim and want compensation.

If a claim is made against your business you can’t ignore it, you have to deal with it. In a previous  article -‘Top 5 insurance mistakes’ we highlighted the problems of trying to resolve claims yourself –

Your Employers’ Liability Insurance is there to:

• Provide the legal help you require
• Provide the  funds for the legal costs
• Provide the funds for compensation
• Protect the reputation of your business
• Allow you get on with running your business

How much Employers’ Liability Insurance do I need?

The minimum legally required amount is £5m.

For further advice about the amount of cover you need or what to do when an employee makes a claim, we are always happy to help. Get in touch today on 0161 925 5051.

Written by: admin