If you’ve suffered a personal injury at work due to your employer’s negligence, you may be eligible to make an accident at work claim for compensation. Whether you were injured in a fall from a height, hurt by faulty workplace machinery, or struck on the head by a falling object, we could help you claim.
Our claims advisors can initially review what happened and help explain whether a work accident claim may be viable. Where appropriate, we could connect you with a personal injury solicitor from our team. All accepted work accident claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis.
You can call our team on 0800 6524 881 for a free, no-obligation consultation about your accident, or continue reading to learn more about the claims process first.
Table of contents
- Your Rights After An Accident At Work
- Who Can Make An Accident At Work Claim?
- Am I Eligible To Make An Accident At Work Claim?
- Common Causes Of Accident At Work Claims
- Common Injuries Caused By Workplace Accidents
- How Much Compensation For An Accident At Work Claim?
- Evidence To Support An Accident At Work Claim
- Accident At Work Claim Time Limits
- Do I Need A Solicitor To Make A Work Accident Claim?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Starting The Accident At Work Claims Process
Your Rights After An Accident At Work
After an accident at work, you may have the right to claim compensation if your injury was caused by your employer’s negligence or by another party responsible for your safety. You should not be dismissed or treated unfairly simply because you make an honest claim.
You can also report unsafe working conditions and ask for the accident to be recorded if your workplace has an accident book or reporting system. Keeping a record of what happened can help if you later decide to make a claim.
Who Can Make An Accident At Work Claim?
An accident at work claim is not limited to permanent employees.
Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to claim compensation if you were injured at work and you were:
- An employee (full-time or part-time).
- An agency worker.
- A contractor or subcontractor.
- Self-employed, where another party was responsible for your safety.
What matters is not your job title, but whether your employer or another party responsible for the workplace failed to take reasonable steps to keep you safe.
Am I Eligible To Make An Accident At Work Claim?
Generally, you may be eligible to make an accident at work claim where:
- Your employer owed you a duty of care;
- They breached that duty through negligence; and
- You were injured at work as a result.
For example, you may have a claim if you were injured because your employer failed to provide suitable personal protective equipment, or you slipped on leaking oil from machinery that had not been dealt with properly.
You can easily check whether you’re eligible to claim for an accident at work by contacting our claims advisors for free advice.
Common Causes Of Accident At Work Claims
Some common causes of work accidents that can result in a claim include:
- Slips, trips and falls.
- Falls from height.
- Defective or poorly maintained equipment.
- Unsafe workplace machinery.
- Unsafe working practices or poor workplace procedures.
- Manual handling accidents involving lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling.
- Insufficient or improper training.
- Lack of suitable personal protective equipment.
- Falling objects or unsafe storage.
- Exposure to hazardous substances, fumes, dust or chemicals.
- Workplace vehicle accidents, including forklift truck accidents.
- Accidents caused by the actions or mistakes of colleagues.
Please call us or request a callback to discuss your accident and options with a specialist.
Common Injuries Caused By Workplace Accidents
Workplace accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, including:
If your injury isn’t listed here, it doesn’t mean you can’t claim. What matters is whether the injury was caused by a failure to keep you safe at work.
How Much Compensation For An Accident At Work Claim?
There is no fixed amount of compensation for an accident at work claim. The value depends on factors such as:
- The severity of your injury.
- How long recovery takes.
- Whether you need time off work.
- The long-term impact on your quality of life.
Compensation payouts generally consist of two main categories: general damages and special damages.
- General damages:
Compensation for pain, suffering, loss of amenity, and psychological trauma. - Special damages:
Covers financial losses, including loss of earnings, medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and home or vehicle adaptations.
Keeping receipts and records of your financial losses can significantly affect the final value of your claim.
Workplace Injury Compensation Calculator
As every accident claim is different, it isn’t possible to calculate an exact payout in advance. However, our compensation calculator can give a general idea of general damages based on Judicial College Guidelines, which are commonly used when valuing claims.
*Please note these figures are a guide only. A workplace accident solicitor from our team can provide a more accurate assessment once medical evidence is available.
Evidence To Support An Accident At Work Claim
If you’re injured at work, gathering evidence can help show what happened, why your employer or another party may have been at fault, and how your injury has affected you. Useful evidence may include:
- Medical records – to show what workplace injuries you suffered and what treatment you needed.
- Accident book reports – to confirm when, where and how the workplace accident was reported.
- Witness details – from colleagues or anybody else who saw the accident or the conditions that caused it.
- Photographs or video – showing the accident scene, hazard, defective equipment or visible injuries.
- CCTV footage – if cameras covered the area where the accident at work happened.
- Training and risk assessment records – especially where lack of training, unsafe systems of work or poor supervision are relevant.
- Emails or correspondence – such as messages to your employer about the accident, hazard or your injuries.
- Financial records – including payslips, receipts, invoices and travel costs linked to the injury.
- A diary – recording symptoms, recovery, appointments and the impact on your life as a whole.
Collecting evidence early can make your claim easier to assess. If you’re unsure what evidence you need, or you think you’re missing something, a personal injury solicitor specialising in employer liability claims can advise you accordingly.
Accident At Work Claim Time Limits
In most cases, you have three years to start an accident at work claim. This usually runs from:
- The date of the accident; or
- The date you first became aware your injury was linked to your work. This is known as the “date of knowledge“.
Different rules can apply in cases involving those under 18, people who lack mental capacity, fatal accident claims and some work-related illnesses, so it’s worth checking how the time limit applies to your situation.
Do I Need A Solicitor To Make A Work Accident Claim?
You’re not legally required to use a solicitor, but many people choose to do so.
Employers or insurers may dispute responsibility or undervalue a claim. An accident at work solicitor can:
- Gather and organise evidence.
- Value the claim accurately.
- Handle communication with insurers.
- Negotiate a fair settlement.
- Represent you if court action becomes necessary.
Most accident at work claims are handled by No Win No Fee solicitors, meaning there’s no upfront cost and no solicitor’s fees if your claim doesn’t succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we’ve answered some common questions about accident at work claims.
Will I lose my job for making an accident at work claim?
You should not be dismissed or treated unfairly simply because you make a genuine accident at work claim. If your employer reacts badly, you should seek advice, as you may have separate employment rights depending on your circumstances.
Can I still claim if I was partly at fault?
Yes, you may still be able to claim if your employer or another party was also partly responsible. This is known as contributory negligence. If you are found partly at fault, your compensation may be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility.
Can agency or self-employed workers claim for accidents at work?
Yes, agency workers, contractors and some self-employed people may be able to claim if another party was responsible for their safety. Your employment status does not automatically stop you from claiming.
Do I have to report an accident at work to claim?
Reporting an accident at work helps, but failing to report it immediately does not automatically prevent a claim. Other evidence, such as medical records, witness details, photographs or emails about the accident, may still help support your case.
How long does an accident at work claim take?
Straightforward claims may settle within a few months. More complex cases, such as those involving serious workplace injuries, disputed liability or work-related illnesses, can take more than a year.
Who pays accident at work compensation?
Accident at work compensation is usually paid by your employer’s Employer’s Liability Insurance, rather than directly by your employer. Employers are generally required to have this insurance in place.
Starting The Accident At Work Claims Process
If you’re considering starting a compensation claim and require assistance, please call us on 0800 6524 881. Our experienced team is dedicated to helping victims of workplace accidents by offering a no-obligation phone consultation. If your accident at work claim is viable, and with your approval, we may assign your case to a solicitor from our team on a No Win No Fee basis.
You can also use live chat or request a callback if you’d prefer to talk things through at your own pace.