Accident at work claims solicitors
You can claim compensation for an accident at work if the accident was not your fault or was caused by your employer’s negligence.
The most important things to remember when claiming for injuries caused by accidents at work:
- To claim compensation, you must prove that the accident and your injury was not, or not entirely, your fault. In addition, the evidence must show that your employer’s negligence contributed to the accident.
- Your employer cannot fire you or make your work life harder as a result of you making a claim
- The amount of compensation you could receive depends on the severity of your injuries and the time it takes for you to recover.
- Additionally, you can claim for all out-of-pocket expenses you may have incurred because of your accident.
- In most cases, you have up to three years from the date of the accident to start your claim.
- Our employer liability claims are handled on a no win no fee basis. This means that if your claim is unsuccessful and you complied with what was agreed at the outset, you won’t have to pay a penny.
Accidents and injuries at work
If you’ve been injured in an accident at work, we understand what you may be going through. Speak with our specialist no win no fee solicitors today to find out your legal rights, how we can help with the financial impact of your accident, and why you’ll claim more compensation with us.
Our team has over 1,000 years of combined legal experience, and in 99% of cases, we recovered more compensation than the insurer’s first offer.
Read our in-depth guide below or contact us to start your claim or to receive free, unlimited legal advice, to assess your potential claim if you are unsure if you can claim.
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We have recovered an additional £21.2m more in compensation for clients who switched to us from their previous firm.
Contact us now to discover the real value of your claim.
How much compensation can I claim for an accident at work?
The amount of compensation you could receive will depend on the severity of your injuries and how they impact your life.
The Judicial College Guidelines, a part of The Ministry of Justice, provide a reference for the amount of compensation you may be able to claim for your injuries.
The Guidelines take into account which part of your body has been injured and the severity of your injuries, including how long it may take to recover. This type of compensation is known as general damages.
Additionally, you can claim for special damages. This amount is calculated for all out-of-pocket expenses you may have incurred because of your accident.
The amount of compensation for special damages may include, but is not limited to:
- Medical expenses.
- Any income lost because of time off work.
- Any future income that may be lost, including pensions.
- Any changes to your ability to work in the future.
- Treatment costs such as for Psychological trauma.
- The costs of care you may need, including from friends and family.
- Travel expenses to appointments.
- Damages to your belongings.
- Any costs associated with your ongoing care, including specialist equipment and adjustments to your home.
You can use our accident at work calculator below to see how much compensation you may be able to claim for your general damages.
Find out how much you could claim
Compensation amounts are estimated based on the level of injury below
The amount is limited to only your general damages. However, the total amount of compensation you could claim could be much higher once your special damages are taken into account.
Speak with our specialist solicitors today to find out the total amount of compensation you may be able to claim.
How long after an accident at work can I claim?
You can make a claim for compensation if you’ve been injured in an accident at work within the last three years.
In most cases, you will have three years from the date of the accident, or the diagnosis of a medical condition caused by the accident to start your claim.
Are there exceptions to the time limit for starting an injury at work claim?
You may be able to claim outside of the three-year window if:
- The injury caused psychological trauma (or brain damage), and you were not mentally capable of claiming. In these cases, there is no time limit.
- There was a manufacturing or design fault. If a piece of equipment is later found to have been faulty, for example, through a product recall investigation, then you could claim outside the three-year window.
- The accident happened overseas. Other countries may have different laws, so please ask us if you’re unsure.
- The accident proved fatal. The three-year limitation begins from the date of the death, even if a claim has already been started.
Speak with our specialist no win no fee solicitors today to get advice if you are unsure whether you can still make a claim.
What types of accidents at work can I claim for?
Many types of accidents can occur in the workplace, some caused by poor risk assessments, inadequate protective clothing, or a workplace environment that falls below the Health and Safety requirements.
We represent thousands of people who have been injured at work each year. Some of the most common types of workplace accident compensation claims include;
Industrial disease claims, such as claiming for exposure to asbestos or making a claim for mesothelioma (lung tumours caused by asbestos).
Claims for slips or trips and falls where liquid spillages, inadequate signage or insufficient training could lead to accidents.
High-risk workplace environments such as building sites can result in various types of construction accident claims, such as claims for manual handling injuries or compensation for crush injuries when a person may have suffered crush injuries to a part of their body.
Similarly, agricultural environments can be considered high risk, and we are very experienced in representing clients in farm accident claims.
Claims for accidents caused by defective machinery or inadequate training are common, as are electric shock claims for those who may have suffered a workplace injury after carrying out electrical work that the person was not trained in or wasn’t given the correct safety gear or testing equipment.
We regularly represent employees who have suffered injuries in warehouses and factories. Claims for warehouse injuries can vary from claims for forklift accidents to claims for repetitive strain injuries, vibration white finger claims, or back injuries caused by incorrect lifting.
Additionally, we have a proven track record in successfully claiming compensation for military and armed forces accidents, as well as accidents in the office.
Can I make a no win no fee accident at work claim?
Yes, all of our employer liability claims are handled on a no win no fee basis. This means that if your claim is unsuccessful and you have complied with the no win no fee agreement you signed up to, you won’t have to pay a penny.
Speak with our specialist injury at work solicitors about our no win no fee service, our fees, and how we can claim the maximum amount of compensation for you.
Unlimited legal support.
That’s right, we provide unlimited legal support for our prospective clients. Not sure if you have a claim, or if you even want to make a claim?
You can speak with us for as long as you like and as many times as you like. We’ll let you know your legal rights, completely free of charge and with no obligation to make a claim.
How to start an work accident claim
We advise you to make a claim with us as soon as possible after your accident. This may help our solicitors in gathering evidence to support your case.
Typically, the compensation process starts with an initial telephone call. Our friendly specialist work accident solicitors will take down your details and ask for as much evidence as you can provide. We may need to speak to others to get a better picture of the claim.
After this stage, you can leave it with us. Then, we’ll go through the negotiation process and represent you, claiming your rights as an employee under your employer’s duty of care.
If we’re successful, you’ll be awarded the total amount minus any legal fees. The opponent will pay a substantial proportion of these fees in most cases, leaving you with as much compensation as possible. We may also be able to secure interim payments to cover any ongoing costs.
I’ve had an accident at work; what are my legal rights to claim compensation?
Your employer has to comply with health and safety regulations by law. This includes the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Six Pack Regulations 1992.
Additional safeguards for more hazardous workplaces must be implemented, such as the 1992 Manual Handling Operations Regulation or the Work at Height Regulations 2005 Act.
Under your employer’s duty of care, they have to provide a safe workplace environment with well-maintained equipment, high-quality protective wear, and adequate training.
If your employer hasn’t met these requirements, and you have been injured because of it, you may have a legal right to claim compensation.
Speak with our specialist no win no fee accident at work solicitors today to discover your legal rights, including how much you could claim and how your job is protected.
Client Stories – Hit by a Falling Tree
Paul sustained major injuries after being struck by a falling tree at work. We were able to help him recover compensation and move on with his life.
What should I do if I’ve been injured at work?
Most importantly, you should seek medical help for your injuries.
The next step is to report the accident. Either you or a trusted work colleague should report it to your manager or employer as soon as possible and make sure they record it in the accident book.
If they don’t do this or there isn’t an accident book, then write down the details of your accident, send it to your manager, and keep a copy yourself.
Your employer is legally bound to report certain accidents to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, often known as RIDDOR.
Get witness statements from colleagues and collect as much supporting evidence as possible such as photos or video.
If you are part of a trade union, speak to your representative to let them know what has happened.
We understand the financial impact of an accident.
In 99% of cases, we recovered more compensation than the insurer’s first offer. We’ll provide financial security with our interim payments wherever possible, meaning you don’t need to rush into an offer that is lower than you’re legally entitled to.
What do I need to prove in a work accident claim?
The most important thing to prove is that the accident and injury was not, or not entirely, your fault. In addition, the evidence must show that your employer’s negligence contributed to the accident.
Our solicitors will ask you to provide information to support your claim. This could include evidence such as:
- Workplace accident book logs
- Photographs/video footage of the hazard in its location
- Witness statements
- A statement from a colleague or trade union worker
- An injury diary with symptoms, details, and medical evidence
- An independent medical assessment of your injuries
- Medical records and treatments received
- Records of financial losses.
You can talk to our accident at work solicitors for free and in confidence. We’ll ask for the full details of the accident and any evidence you can provide to support your case.
The evidence you provide will depend on the nature of your claim. For example, you may have CCTV footage or HR documents that prove you have not had refresher training. You may even be able to offer photographs of faulty equipment.
It’s best to prepare this information in advance so that we can get to work on your claim straight away. Once we’ve looked at your evidence, we’ll arrange for a medical professional to review your injuries and provide a report.
If we think you have a claim, our solicitors will start the negotiations process with your employer’s insurer. If your employer denies fault, then proceedings may have to go further.
Can I make an accident at work claim if I’m partly at fault?
If you were partially at fault for an accident (for example, not looking where you were going), you may be able to make a claim that is subject to what is known as your contributory negligence.
If there was a hazard that caused a collision or something else that could have partly been your fault, your claim will be deemed “split liability.”
This is when both the employer and employee agree to share responsibility, or a court makes a finding of contributory negligence. Then, you’ll receive a percentage of the total compensation based on how much you were at fault.
For example, if it was agreed or decided that the accident was 25% your fault, you’ll receive as compensation 75% of the full value of the claim . However, you cannot claim if the accident was entirely your fault.
Get the best legal team on your side
- Over 1,000 years of combined legal expertise
- We’ll get you more compensation than anyone else
- Early payments to cover your expenses*
- We win the cases other firms can’t
- Fully independent, and fully regulated.
* Where applicable
What are my employment rights after an accident at work?
Speak to your employer about your employment rights if your injury is serious and you may need to take time off work.
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you should be entitled to statutory sick pay and, in some cases, industrial injuries disablement benefit payments.
Can I be sacked if I make an accident at work claim?
UK employment law is very clear in this matter. If the accident was either fully or partially the fault of the employer, and you make a claim, you cannot be dismissed, nor can they penalise you or make your working life harder as a result of making a claim.
You may be concerned that making a claim will sour your relationship with your employer.
However, the law states your employer cannot sack you for making a claim when they have broken the law. If they did try to sack you, this could, in turn, result in an unfair dismissal claim.
They must also not make your job so unbearable that you feel forced to quit. In this case, you would have a ‘constructive dismissal’ claim.
How do I know if I have grounds for a work compensation claim?
Many people are unsure if they can make a claim. However, if the cause of the injury was from any activity relating to your work and the answer is yes to any of the following questions, we suggest you speak to our solicitors about your claiming options.
- Are you getting ongoing medical treatment for an old injury or illness caused by your work?
- Have you had to take time off work because of your injury?
- Have your injuries stopped you from returning to work as before?
- Have you been unable to return to work at all because of your injuries?
How long does it take to make an injury at work claim?
The amount of time it takes for a claim to be processed depends on the complexity of the claim.
On average, it would take around six months for claims where employers are clearly at fault, and the injuries are minor.
For more complex cases involving a Health and Safety Executive investigation, claims can take longer, sometimes more than a year.
Our specialist solicitors will be able to let you know more specifically about your claim during your initial call.
Frequently asked questions about claiming for an accident at work
What is Employers’ Liability Insurance? 
Who pays the compensation?
Can I claim for an injury at work if I'm working on a zero-hour contract?
Can I claim for an accident at work if I'm a self-employed contractor?
Do I need to attend a medical?
When does the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigate workplace accidents or occupational illnesses?
Average compensation amounts for accident at work claims
| Part of body | Severity of injury | Amount of compensation | Types of injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head | Minor | £1,880.00 to £10,890.00 | Covers head injury with recovery within a few weeks. Higher compensation if symptoms include headaches. |
| Head | Moderate | £13,430.00 to £112,130.00 | Symptoms ranging from poor concentration, lower and higher risk of epileptic attacks, minor personality changes, depression, more severe intellectual impairment, or injuries/symptoms leading to a vegetative state. |
| Head | Serious | £186,890.00 £240,590.00 | Covers reduced life expectancy, serious physical symptoms, serious changes to personality or intellect, large dependence on others due to paralysis or otherwise. |
| Head | Severe | £240,590.00 to £344,640.00 | Covers minimally conscious state (life expectancy less than 15 years), severe disability, brain damage with little/no response, vegetative states needing full-time nursing. |
| Eye | Severe | £56,080.00to £229,260.00 | Complete blindness on one/both eyes or severe visual impairment on one/both eyes. |
| Face | Minor | £1,460.00 to £7,460.00 | Light or no scarring on the face, but no fractures, loss/damage of one/two front teeth, simple fractures of the jaw or nose, but with a possibility of complete recovery. |
| Face | Serious | £15,320.00 to £26,010.00 | More serious fractures such as a broken jaw or nose, breaking/damage/loss of several teeth. |
| Face | Severe | £26,010.00 to £38,850.00 | Severe injuries resulting in facial disfigurement, several jaw fractures, chronic tooth pain, and scarring. May lead to eating restrictions or higher risk of joint arthritis. Covers negative effects on mental health. |
| Ear/ hearing | Minor | Up to £5,980.00 | Possible Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), slight/occasional tinnitus. |
| Ear/ hearing | Moderate | £12,700.00 to £25,350.00 | Partial hearing loss or mild to severe tinnitus. |
| Ear/ hearing | Serious | £25,350.00 to £38,850.00 | Complete deafness in one ear. Severity varies based on additional symptoms (e.g. dizziness, tinnitus, etc.). |
| Ear/ hearing | Severe | £77,430.00 to £120,040.00 | Complete deafness in both ears. Higher compensation for child injuries also resulting in a loss of speech. |
Compensation amounts for back, neck, shoulders and upper body injuries
| Part of body | Severity of injury | Amount of compensation | Types of injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neck | Minor | Up to £6,680.00 | Soft tissue injuries or whiplash with recovery within 3 – 24 months. Compensation factors include severity of pain and amount of negative effects on everyday life. |
| Neck | Moderate | £7,410.00 to £47,760.00 | Covers injuries that accelerated a pre-existing condition, disc lesions, cervical spondylosis, serious limitation of movement, permanent and/or recurring pain, all caused by fractures or dislocations. |
| Neck | Severe | £56,100.00 to £139,210.00 | Serious fractures, severe soft tissue damage, chronic pain conditions, disc damage, partial paraplegia, or significant, permanent disability. |
| Back | Minor | £2,090.00 to £10,670.00 | Includes lighter strains, sprains, disc prolapses, and soft tissue injuries. Recovery between 3 months and 5 years. |
| Back | Moderate | £11,730.00 to £26,050.00 | Includes: spinal fusion, compressed or fractured lumbar spine (possibly resulting in higher risk of osteoarthritis and constant pain), prolapsed discs and other injuries that may require surgery and a continued acceleration/worsening of a pre-existing back condition. |
| Back | Severe | £36,390.00 to £151,070.00 | Typically requires surgery. Injuries include: damaged spinal cord and partial paralysis, psychological issues, loss of bladder and/or bowel function, disc lesions, impaired movement, arthritis, etc. |
| Shoulder | Minor | Up to £6,730.00 | Soft tissue injury resulting in pain. Full recovery between 3 – 24 months. |
| Shoulder | Serious | £10,890.00 to £16,380.00 | Fractured humerus, clavicle or rotator cuff needing surgery. |
| Shoulder | Severe | £16,380.00 to £40,970.00 | Significant disability caused by severe damage to the neck or brachial plexus. |
| Pelvis & hips | Minor | £3,370.00 to £10,750.00 | Complete recovery after minor soft tissue injuries. Little or no disability within 2 years. |
| Pelvis & hips | Moderate | £10,750.00 to £33,430.00 | No serious disability, but covers injuries requiring hip operations, replacement of hips (or the need for either in the future). |
| Pelvis & hips | Severe | £33,430.00 to £111,690.00 | Severe hip/pelvis fractures resulting in bowel damage or spinal fusion, childbirth complications, hip replacement, and/or leading to higher likelihood of future surgery. |
| Scarring (not facial) | Minor | £2,020.00 to £7,380.00 | One noticeable scar or several superficial, unsightly scars on the legs, arms, or hands. |
| Scarring (not facial | Moderate | Up to £7,380.00 | Full recovery within 2 years, up to a partial recovery with symptoms that are not largely debilitating. |
| Scarring (not facial | Severe | £6,680.00 to £19,390.00 | Several noticeable laceration scars or a single disfiguring scar. |
Compensation amounts for arm, hand, and finger injuries
| Part of body | Severity of injury | Amount of compensation | Types of injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arm | Mild | £5,630.00 to £16,380.00 | Fractured forearm. |
| Arm | Moderate | £16,380.00 to £33,430.00 | Serious arm injury leading to long-lasting symptoms. |
| Arm | Serious | £33,430.00 to £111,690.00 | Serious injury resulting in an inability to use the arm(s) to some extent. Does not result in amputation. |
| Arm | Severe | £82,040.00 to £255,930.00 | Results may include the amputation of one/both arms. Compensation amount will depends on amputated area, whether phantom pain is experienced, and on other effects on the quality of life. |
| Elbow | Moderate | Up to £10,750.00 | Includes: tennis elbow, deep cuts, simple fractures, no permanent damage. |
| Elbow | Serious | £13,360.00 to £27,320.00 | Results in restricted movement but does not require surgery or cause disability. |
| Elbow | Severe | £33,430.00 to £46,780.00 | Injury causes severe disability or requires surgery. |
| Wrist | Moderate | Up to £8,740.00 | Uncomplicated Colles fracture or minor undisplaced fractures with recovery between 1 – 2 years. May include use of plasters. |
| Wrist | Serious | £10,750.00 to £20,900.00 | Soft tissue damage or broken wrist causing some permanent disability. |
| Wrist | Severe | £20,900.00to £51,070.00. | Significant permanent disability or complete loss of wrist function. |
| Hand | Minor | Up to £4,050.00 | Covers lacerations and crush injuries, and soft tissue injuries (recovery within 6 months). |
| Hand | Moderate | £4,780.00 to £11,330.00 | Covers penetrating wounds and crush injuries resulting in permanent but non-intrusive symptoms, or soft tissue damage and deeper cuts resulting in impairment of the hand (may require surgery). |
| Hand | Severe | £24,740.00 to £171,920.00 | Covers amputation and rejoining of several fingers, resulting in a clawed, impaired, or unsightly hand, amputation of one/both hands (alternatively, amputation of several fingers rendering the hand almost useless). |
| Finger | Minor | Up to £4,055.00 | Includes: full-healed fractured finger bones (healed within 1 year) with/without minor scarring. |
| Finger | Moderate | £3,370.00 to £5,000.00 | Includes: complete (or almost complete) recovery after broken finger, amputation or loss of a part of the little finger. |
| Finger | Severe | £10,380.00 to £31,350.00 | Includes: complete amputation of one/more fingers, fractures of the index finger. Compensation depends on level of disability and suffering. |
| Thumb | Minor | Up to £4,055.00 | Short-term, severe pain gone within 3 months. |
| Thumb | Moderate | £3,370.00 to £10,750.00 | Covers fractures with recovery within 6 months, damage to nerves or tendons resulting in partial loss of sensation, and cosmetic thumb deformities. |
| Thumb | Severe | £10,750.00 to £46,780.00 | Partial/complete amputation of the thumb, surgical wire insertions, nerve damage, fractures, inability to grip. |
Compensation amounts for leg and foot injuries
| Part of body | Severity of injury | Amount of compensation | Types of injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leg | Minor | £7,780.00 to £12,010.00 | Minor injuries with recovery within a few months (e.g. soft-tissue injuries, bruising, cuts, and contusions). Slightly more severe injuries such as simple fractures of the femur, tibia, or fibula. |
| Leg | Moderate | £15,320.00 to £46,780.00 | Minor fractures with partial recovery, serious soft tissue injury, injuries to one leg (e.g. broken bones, crushing injuries), ligament injuries, compound fractures leading to near certainty of arthritis or instability. |
| Leg | Severe | £46,780.00 to £240,590.00 | Severe injuries resulting in extensive degloving, bone grafting, permanently reduced mobility, or amputation of one/both legs (above/below the knee). |
| Knee | Minor | Up to £11,730.00 | Includes soft tissue injuries (recovery within a few months), a twisted knee, lacerations, or bruising resulting in discomfort or pain. |
| Knee | Moderate | £22,340.00 to £37,070.00 | Includes: seriously damaged kneecaps, ligaments, or muscles, dislocation, a torn meniscus, acceleration injuries (over several years), resulting in ongoing discomfort or pain. |
| Knee | Severe | £44,470.00 to £82,080.00 | Covers constant pain, severe disability, or muscle wastage. Higher compensation if need for surgery or injury effects quality of life. |
| Ankle | Minor | Up to £11,730.00 | Smaller fractures, but bone has not been displaced. May include sprains, injured ligaments (likely leads to scarring). Smaller injuries can allow for full recovery within a year, without any scarring. |
| Ankle | Moderate | £11,730.00 to £42,710.00 | Includes ligament tears, fractures, leading to smaller disabilities while standing/moving. Increased risk of osteoarthritis. Operation/cast needed. May lead to inability to work or call for special footwear. |
| Ankle | Severe | £42,710.00 to £59,480.00 | Severe injury resulting in deformities, disabilities, or even amputation of the body part down the line. |
| Achilles | Minor | £6,200.00 to £10,750.00 | Minor instability due to tendon damage around the ankle. Some more severe cases might involve scarring. |
| Achilles | Moderate | £10,750.00 to £17,970.00 | More serious injury and partially ruptured tendon. More severe cases tend to involve disability and/or permanent scarring. |
| Achilles | Severe | £21,320.00to £32,780.00 | Restricted movement of the ankle due to severed muscle tissue. Small likelihood of further improvement of limp and residual scarring. |
| Foot | Minor | Up to £11,730.00 | Includes: minor fractures, lacerations or contusions (with complete recovery within 2 years), ruptured ligaments or other puncture wounds that result in chronic pain or a permanent limp. |
| Foot | Moderate | £11,730.00 to £59,730.00 | Includes: metatarsal fractures resulting in permanent deformity and ongoing symptoms, fractured heels (both), restricted mobility, degloving and heel fusion. |
| Foot | Severe | £71,640.00 to £171,920.00 | Injury needing amputation of one/both feet or traumatic amputation of the forefoot (to prevent need for complete amputation). |
| Toe | Minor | Up to £8,190.00 | One or more broken toes with a varying recovery period. Compensation depends on presence of long-term symptoms and speed of recovery. |
| Toe | Moderate | £8,190.00 to £11,730.00 | Multiple fractures, crush injuries to two/more toes, permanent disability. May have involved unsuccessful past operations. |
| Toe | Severe | £11,730.00 to £47,830.00 | Severe crush injuries leading to less/surgical amputation of one or two toes (not including the big toe), amputation of all toes or the big toe. |
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