Office accident compensation claims
If you’ve been injured while working in an office and believe your employer’s negligence is to blame, you may be able to claim compensation.
Last updated on November 8th, 2023.
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The most important things to remember when claiming compensation for an office accident
- You can make an office accident claim if you’ve been injured in an accident that you believe was caused by your employer’s negligence
- You have up to three years from the accident date or the date a professional medical practitioner diagnosed your injuries to start your claim
- The amount of compensation you may receive for an accident in an office will depend on how severe your injuries are and how long it may take to recover
- Your employment status is not at risk if you choose to make a claim against your employer
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What are the most common injuries caused by accidents in the office?
As part of their legal responsibilities, employers should conduct a risk assessment for your office to ensure your workplace is as safe as possible, ensuring accidents are rare.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and accidents in the office can happen in a variety of circumstances, including:
Office accident claims from slips, trips or falls
- Claims for slips or trips on a wet floor where warning signs are not present
- Claims for trips over boxes or other obstacles left on the floor
- Claims from trips over cables that have been laid in an unsafe manner
- Claims for falls down stairs due to broken handrails, insufficient lighting, or uneven steps
- Claims for falls from unstable office furniture, such as desks and chairs
Office accident claims caused by faulty office equipment
- Claims for electric shock from poorly installed or unsafe electrical equipment
- Claims for objects falling from a height, including files and boxes from dangerous shelving units and cupboards
- Claims for back injuries caused by lifting heavy objects
- Claims for repetitive strain injuries
What is the time limit to make an office accident claim?
The Limitation Act 1980 states that the statute of limitation for personal injury claims is three years from the accident date or the date a professional medical practitioner diagnosed your injuries.
There are some exceptions to this rule. You may have longer than three years to claim if:
- The three-year time limit does not apply if the injured person is mentally incapacitated. It will only begin if they regain mental capacity
- You were under 18 at the time of the accident – you can start your claim up to the date of your 21st birthday
- If a defective or faulty product caused your injury, the time limit may be extended if the product was found to be faulty. In such instances, the time limit would be three years from the date the product was discovered to be faulty
We recommend you start your claim as soon after your accident as possible, as we have the best chance of collecting all the evidence we need to mount the strongest case. Speak to our specialist no win no fee solicitors today to start your claim.
What our clients say
How much compensation can I claim for an office accident?
The amount of compensation you may receive for an accident in an office will depend on how severe your injuries are and how long it may take to recover.
Office accident and injury compensation claim calculator
Our office accident and injury claims calculator below provides a guide to the approximate amount of compensation you may be able to claim for your injuries.
The calculator considers the part of your body you have injured and the severity of your injuries and provides an approximate compensation payout based on recent case law and the Judicial College Guidelines.
Alternatively, see our table of office accident compensation claim amounts at the bottom of this page.
Find out how much you could claim
Compensation amounts are estimated based on the level of injury below
The amounts shown in our calculator only consider the compensation you could claim for your injuries, known as General Damages.
In addition, you can also claim for Special damages to cover expenses you may have already incurred or will incur because of your injury.
Such expenses may include, but would not be limited to;
- Any loss of income you may have suffered
- Any medical and rehabilitation treatment you may require
- Any costs for the care you may have or will need to receive, even if provided by a family member
- Any out-of-pocket expenses you or anyone who has cared for you may have incurred
- Any out-of-pocket expenses you may have incurred because of your injuries
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 are my legal rights to claim compensation for an accident in the office?
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, The Workplace Regulations 1992, and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, your employer has a legal responsibility to safeguard their employees’ health, safety and well-being.
Under these regulations, just some of your employer’s responsibilities include:
- To conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards and inform you of them
- To check that all facilities meet health and safety requirements
- To check that all materials are stored and handled safely
- To ensure all equipment is safe to use and provide adequate training on safely using any equipment or machinery
- To provide any necessary work equipment to use any equipment or machinery safely
- To ensure sufficient lighting on the premises and that floors and stairs are safe to use
- To appoint a supervisor responsible for all health and safety related issues
- To provide adequate first aid equipment and have trained members of staff
- To prevent or control the exposure to substances that may cause ill health
- To report any accidents within the office to the Health and Safety Executive
You can make a claim for compensation if your employer has been negligent of such responsibilities and such negligence has contributed to injuries you have suffered from an accident.
What evidence will I need to provide to support my office accident claim?
Our solicitors will ask you for evidence to prove that your injury occurred at your office and resulted from your employer’s negligence. Such evidence could include the following;
- A copy of the accident report as filed in the company accident book
- A copy of all witness reports or contact information for any witnesses of the accident that caused your injury
- A description of the accident and why you think your employer was to blame for the accident
- Photographic evidence of the accident scene and photos of what may have been the cause of the accident
- Photographic evidence of your injuries
- Contact details of any eyewitnesses to the accident
- Any CCTV or other recorded evidence of the accident (if applicable.)
- All medical records if you visited your GP or hospital or received physiotherapy for your injuries
- A record of all expenses relating to your accident. Include any relevant receipts, for example, records of travel to appointments
Don’t worry if you don’t have all of this information. Our expert accidents at work solicitors will be able to help you to compile evidence that will support your compensation claim.
You’ll claim more with us.
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.
Can I make a no win no fee office accident claim?
Yes. Our office accident claims are provided on a no win, no fee basis.
When a no win no fee claims agreement is set up, your solicitor will take an insurance policy out on your behalf, which protects you in the rare event the claim isn’t successful. The policy covers any costs incurred relating to your claim. These costs could include legal fees, medical reports, court, and other expenses.
The insurance policy, known as after-the-event insurance, fully protects the person claiming if the claim is unsuccessful and from any costs during the compensation claim process, meaning you can make a claim without paying a penny.
You will only pay a fee if your claim is successful, and the amount will be agreed upon when you enter into the agreement at the start of the claim process.
How much compensation can I claim for an accident at work?
When can I start my office accident compensation claim?
You can start your no win, no fee office injury compensation claim straight away.
We generally advise starting your claim as soon as you feel well enough. This helps us to gather the most accurate evidence to support your claim.
Your claim will start with a friendly consultation call with one of our legal advisors. We’ll discuss your injuries and any evidence you can provide to support your case.
Once we have all your evidence, our expert solicitors will assess your claim based on your injury, loss of earnings and long-term impacts. We’ll calculate a proposed compensation amount and make a claim against your employer’s liability insurance.
If your employer accepts responsibility, you’ll receive your compensation payment.
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.
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Can I be sacked for making an office compensation claim against my employer?
No. It would be illegal for your employer to sack you because you have started a claim. Employment law means you cannot be fired, demoted, singled out, or prevented from any opportunities usually available because you have started a claim.
You would have the right to claim for constructive or unfair dismissal should any of these actions occur following your claim starting.
Your employer is legally required to have liability insurance for accidents in the office. This insurance policy is in place for such circumstances, and it would be your employer’s liability insurance company will pay the compensation rather than the business or any individual at the business.
How long will my office accident claim take?
Each compensation claim is unique, so there is no set time frame for a claim to settle. Usually, the length of your claim will depend on how complex it may be.
Our specialist accident at work solicitors have an extensive history of securing the very highest levels of compensation our clients are legally entitled to.
Do I need to attend a medical?
We can arrange for you to have an independent medical supporting your claim. This is only sometimes necessary if you have medical evidence, but we may request it, or your employer may request one for additional evidence. We’ll always keep you informed and ensure you are comfortable.
Can I claim if I am self-employed or work zero hours?
You can still claim if you were not a full-time employee. Your employer has a legal duty of care to keep you safe, whether you’re a full-time, part-time employee, a contractor, or even just visiting the office.
What is the average compensation amount for an office accident claim?
Our table below is a guide to the amounts of compensation you may receive if you’ve been injured in an office through no fault of your own.
These amounts are based on a combination of case law, our previous claims, and the Judicial College Guidelines.
These amounts do not include additional compensation you may be able to claim for your out-of-pocket expenses.
Speak with our accident at work solicitors for more information and to find out how much you might be entitled to claim for your injury.
Average compensation amounts for office accident 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. |
Office accident 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. |
Office accident 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. |
Office accident 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. |
Why choose Express Solicitors?
At Express Solicitors, we have more than 25 years of experience handling office accident claims just like yours. We specialise in taking on claims that other solicitors will not, and we have secured millions of pounds in compensation.
Get in touch with us today to start your office injury claim and get the compensation you deserve.
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