How Much Compensation Can I Claim For An Accident At Work?

By Stephen Bishop. Last Updated 15th June 2023. When it comes to accident at work claims, it’s natural to wonder how much compensation you could receive.

Many different accidents can happen in the workplace, including slips, trips, and falls and being struck by moving objects or vehicles.

So long as the incident was caused by someone else’s carelessness or negligence, and it happened within the past three years (unless the injury occurs over time), you will be able to make a claim.

This is something that our panel of personal injury solicitors have many years of experience in, and we can help you to get the full amount of compensation you deserve. For more information, please read on.

Call our claims helpline if you have any questions – 0161 696 9685

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A guide to accident at work claims

How Much Compensation For Accident At Work Claims

Accident At Work Claim Guide

Accidents in the workplace happen every year in the UK. Although some work environments are more dangerous than others – take the construction industry as a prime example – accidents can happen in any environment. In fact, we handle office accident claims regularly. If you have been injured in an accident at work that was not your fault, you will be entitled to compensation.

This is because your employer has a duty to provide a healthy and safe work environment – this is something they are required to do by law. If they fail to do this, you will be entitled to a payout, which is something we can help you to secure.

But, before you give us a call to get started, take a look at the information below to find out everything you need to know regarding how much compensation for accident at work claims you may receive. In this accident at work advice guide, we explain statistics regarding accidents at work, information on how to claim, eligibility, average payout amounts, rules and regulations, and much more. We also discuss where the accident occurred and how this could impact the potential settlement.

What is an accident at work?

There is no singular definition for an accident at work. This is because workplace accidents can happen in many different ways and in many different environments. Nonetheless, generally speaking, this refers to any type of situation whereby you were injured while being employed. This can be as a consequence of something your employer did or something they failed to do. For your claim to be a success, you simply need to be able to prove that your employer is to blame for the injuries you have sustained. And this could allow you to receive accident at work compensation amounts of some description.

There are many ways this could be the case, including: your employer having failed to carry out regular risk assessments, they may have ignored risk assessment findings, they may have failed to provide adequate training, they may have failed to supply the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), they may have allowed you to work on machinery when they knew it was faulty, they may have allowed a potentially violent employee to continue working at the firm… The list is endless! And so the list of situations potentially leading to accident at work claims is endless too.

What Types of Accidents At Work Could I Potentially Claim For?

There are many ways that you could be injured in an accident at work due to your employer’s negligence. Some examples may include:

  • Ladder accidents – Various jobs involve having to use a ladder, such as retail jobs or if you work in a warehouse. If your employer was aware of a faulty ladder but had taken no steps to fix or replace it, this could lead to you falling off a ladder and injuring yourself.
  • Slips and trips – Your employer may also be liable if you tripped or slipped at work. For example, if your employer failed to secure some cable wires, this could cause you to trip on them and suffer a leg injury.
  • Defective machinery – If your employer failed to perform regular maintenance checks on vital machinery at your job, this could lead to it malfunctioning, and you could become injured.

No matter the nature of the accident or the injuries you suffered, you must prove that your injuries were directly caused by your employer breaching their duty of care in order to be eligible to claim.

Contact our advisors today to find out whether you may be eligible for compensation. They may also be able to connect you to a work injury lawyer from our panel.

Accident at work law

There are several important pieces of legislation that have been put in place to protect you from risks in the workplace and which detail the steps employers need to take. This includes the following:

If your employer has failed to abide by the legislation in place, and you have been injured as a consequence, you will definitely have grounds for making a personal injury claim.

Accidents At Work Examples

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s regulatory body for health and safety at work. They provide statistics based on reports under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) and to the Labour Force Survey.

The latest statistics, published in 2021/22, reveal the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry was the industry most affected by workplace injuries in the past year. However, the stats also indicate common accidents at work examples, such as:

  • Slips, trips or falls
  • Handling, lifting or carrying
  • Getting struck by a moving object
  • Falling from heights

Get in touch for free legal advice on claiming accident at work compensation payouts. Our advisors can answer questions about claiming for an accident at work, and how long to claim compensation in the UK.

Injury At Work Advice – Examples Of Evidence

In order to make a successful injury at work claim, you will need evidence to improve your chances of being awarded compensation. Whether you suffered harm from a slip, trip or fall, or a manual handling injury, it is still essential that you can provide proof of your injuries and the negligence that caused them.

After an injury at work, our advice would be to gather some of the following forms of evidence:

  • Witness contact details: Ask for the contact information of any witnesses to your accident. Their statements can provide evidence of what happened and who was liable.
  • Medical evidence: It’s important to see a medical professional about your injury as they can put together a medical report, which can prove the extent of your injuries. Hospital records can also show that you were injured.
  • Photographs: You could gather photographic evidence of your injuries and any hazards in the workplace that may have caused your accident.
  • CCTV footage: You could request CCTV footage from your employer if your workplace has any CCTV installed on the premises.
  • Workplace logbook: Any workplace with over 10 employees should have an accident logbook on site where details of your accident should be recorded. This could be used a evidence of your claim.

Speak to our advisors for free advice on gathering evidence. Furthermore, they could put you in touch with an expert accident at work solicitor from our panel.

How to begin an accident at work claim

If you want to claim for an accident at work that was not your fault, all you need to do is get in touch, and we will handle the case for you. We always begin every claim with a free consultancy session. This gives us the ability to find out the facts regarding your case, and so we will ask you several questions. There is nothing to worry about; we simply need to find out the ins and outs of your case to advise you in the best possible manner. It also allows you to ask any questions you may have.

You will be pleased to know that all of the accident at work solicitors who are part of our panel, can operate on a No Win No Fee basis. This means that you will only need to pay legal fees if your case is a success. You can find out more about this payment structure below. We can also arrange a local medical for you if required, free of charge. That could be the first step towards you being in receipt of any accident at work compensation amounts.

Accident at work slip trip or fall claims

Slip, trip, and fall claims are some of the most common in the UK, and they can often occur in the workplace. There are many different ways such incidents can occur. Perhaps you slipped on an unmarked wet floor? Maybe you fell because of a danger in the workplace that had not been dealt with? No matter how your injuries have been sustained, so long as the incident was not your fault, you will be able to secure compensation.

However, it is important to note that you only have three years to claim such incidents, so the sooner you get started, the better. It will be much easier too, as the details will be fresh in your mind, and gathering evidence will be a lot more straightforward. This allows us to determine how much compensation for accident at work claims you may be entitled to.

I suffered a back injury at work, can I claim?

Back injuries can potentially occur in many places, including the workplace. They can occur in work because of falls or as part of manual handling injuries. Some workers can also potentially experience back damage due to repetitive strain injury. For example, if your job requires you to sit at a computer desk all day, and your employer does not allow you to take regular breaks, you could possibly sustain a repetitive strain injury as a result. You may have grounds to make a back injury at work claim if this is the case.

You can contact our advisors if you’re looking for any tips on potentially starting a back injury at work claim. You can read our compensation payouts section further on in this guide if you have any queries about the average payout for a back injury at work.

Burns, scars & lacerations at work can I claim

Lacerations, scars, and burns can happen in several different scenarios. Accident at work examples include leaving points or sharp edges exposed, storing chemicals carelessly, failing to clearly label hazardous chemicals, and leaving machine blades unguarded.

It is your employer’s responsibility to safeguard practices and ensure the workplace is safe. These accident at work employers responsibilities include having the required insurance, introducing regular breaks, having an appointed first aider, holding regular reviews of the working environment, thoroughly training staff, communicating risk and safety measures, and carrying out regular risk assessments.

If your employer has failed in their duty, we will be able to secure the compensation you deserve via accident at work claims. Not only does this include accident at work compensation amounts for the physical pain and suffering you have experienced, but any psychological trauma too. We know that burns and scars can be incredibly difficult for some people to deal with, and we treat emotional injuries just as importantly as physical ones.

I had a fall from a height at work can I sue?

Just because you work in a risky occupation does not mean you have to accept your injuries. If you have fallen from a height, and your employer is to blame, you will claim compensation. There are regulations in place that all employers need to follow to ensure your safety, and if they have failed to do this, you deserve to be compensated.

There are many different ways your employer could be at fault. Perhaps the structure you were working on was not secure? Maybe they failed to provide you with the correct Personal Protective Equipment? Perhaps you received inadequate training? There are rigorous safety standards for working from a height, as the government recognises just how dangerous this is. In fact, of all workplace fatalities, 29 per cent are caused by an employee falling from a height. If your employer does not take this seriously, you have every right to pursue compensation. And we’ll explain how much compensation for accident at work claims is reasonable for your case.

I got a head injury while at work, can I claim compensation?

Head injuries can be very worrying, and in some cases, the consequences can be extremely severe. This is reflected in the average payouts for such injuries. For minor head injuries, a claimant can usually expect anything from £1,675 to £9,700. This depends on several factors, including the presence or absence of headaches, the extent of continuing symptoms, the period taken to recover from symptoms, and the severity of the initial injury. At the other end of the spectrum, we have cases involving very severe brain damage, resulting in a payout between £214,350 and £307,000.

When you work with us, we always aim to secure the maximum compensation possible for your injuries. There are many different ways head injuries can occur in the workplace, including falls from a height, falling objects, crashes and collisions, and much more. The type of incident that has occurred is not the determining factor; what matters is proving that your employer is to blame. If they have failed in their duty to provide a healthy and safe working environment, either by doing something or failing to do something, you will have a very strong basis for a successful compensation claim.

Manual handling work accident injury can I claim?

Manual handling work accidents are the most common in the UK. In fact, 20 per cent of the 621,000 non-fatal workplace injuries reported in the UK in 2015/16 were manual handling injuries. So, if you have been injured due to a manual handling accident and it was not your fault, you will be entitled to accident at work compensation amounts. This is because your employer will be in breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and/or the Manual Handling Regulations 1992.

There are several different ways they could have breached such legislations. In most cases, it will be because they have not provided you with adequate training on handling the equipment in such a way that prevents injuries. However, there are many other ways they could have failed to uphold their legal responsibility. For example, they may have encouraged you to use faulty lifting equipment. No matter what has occurred, if you have been injured due to a manual handling incident and you believe your employer is to blame, get in touch with us today to discuss accident at work claims so that you can get the maximum amount of compensation that you deserve.

I had an accident at work what are my rights?

If you have been injured at work and it was not your fault, you have a right to make a personal injury claim. Many people are worried about claiming against their employer, as they fear they will get sacked as a consequence. This is something you do not need to worry about, so long as you employ a reputable firm to handle everything in the correct manner, which is where we come in.

It is important to recognise that your employer has a legal responsibility to ensure that the working environment is safe and healthy. If they fail to do this, and you are injured as a consequence, they also have a right to compensate you. All employers are required by law to have insurance in place to cover such scenarios – the payout will not come directly from their back pocket. Moreover, if they were to fire you for making a claim, they would only land themselves in even deeper water, as you would then have grounds for unfair dismissal as well.

So, your rights are as follows:

  • To receive the payout you are entitled to
  • For your job to remain safe

It is important to know that there is legislation in place to protect you. You may also be wondering whether you get sick pay if you have been injured at work. Accident at work do I get paid? Your employer is not legally required to pay you your full salary if you have needed to take time off work due to an injury caused by their negligence.

However, in most cases, you will be automatically entitled to sick pay. At the very minimum, your employer needs to pay Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). At the present moment, this stands at just under £88 per week for up to 28 weeks. To qualify for this, you must have reported the incident to your employer, and you must earn more than £111 per week at the moment.

Of course, when making a claim for an accident at work on your behalf, one of the things that we will claim for is ‘loss of benefits’ – this payout is designed to compensate you for the earnings you have lost. If you are going to be off work for a considerable period of time, we can also claim for loss of future earnings. This is calculated based on your current pay grade, as well as your future earning potential. We will always aim to secure the maximum amount of compensation possible to ensure you do not experience any financial hardship due to your injuries.

Accident at work claim time limit

Most personal injury cases have a three-year accident at work claim time limit. This is three years from the accident date, and court proceedings must be issued within this time frame. However, some workplace accidents can be an exception to this rule.

This relates to cases whereby injuries develop over time, such as industrial deafness and industrial diseases. In such scenarios, it is usually impossible to pinpoint an accident date, as symptoms don’t appear straight away. Therefore, you will have three years from the date of your diagnosis to make accident at work claims instead. And these could pave the way for you to receive any accident at work compensation amounts.

Scenarios Where You Could Be Owed Accident At Work Compensation – Examples

There are various ways that you could be injured at work. Let’s take a look at the ten most common accidents at work compensation examples:

  1. Slips, trips, and falls – A slip, trip, or fall can happen in any type of workplace. Perhaps a spillage was not cleaned up promptly, and you were injured as a result? No matter what applies, you will be able to claim compensation so long as the incident was not your fault.
  2. Muscle strains – Muscle strains are another type of common work-related injury. Handling, lifting or carrying can be another of the most common causes of injuries at work. Most people suffer from this if they lift heavy items regularly as part of their job. Your employer should have taught you the proper lifting technique to ensure that you do not get injured. If they have failed to do this, you can make a claim.
  3. Being hit by moving objects – Serious injuries caused by this can include blindness and concussions, while minor injuries include abrasions and cuts.
  4. Repetitive strain injury – Repetitive strain injury, which is often shortened to RSI, is an extremely common workplace injury. It can happen as a consequence of any type of repetitive or forceful activity. Many people experience RSI when they sit at their desk, looking at their computer for an extended period of time. It is vital to ensure that you get to take regular breaks so that your body gets a rest from the repetitive task. Most of these injuries will impact the upper body, including the neck, shoulders, hands, wrist, elbow, and forearm.
  5. Collisions and crashes – Impact injuries and crashes are quite frequent in workplaces that involve forklifts and other smaller vehicles, as well as big vehicles, such as lorries and cars. These accidents can have severe consequences, so it is pivotal for employers to have the appropriate safety procedures in place.
  6. Lacerations and cuts – Painful cuts can happen due to a wide range of office and workplace implements, from paper trimmers to power saws. The most common causes of these injuries include failing to wear the correct protection, inadequate safety and accident at work procedures, and poor training.
  7. Toxic fume inhalation – Many workplaces have hazardous substances in the air in the form of vapours, gases, mists, fumes, and dusts. If you work with hazardous chemicals, the risk of injury is serious, which is why employers need to provide the correct PPE, including fitted face masks and goggles, to avoid dangerous exposure.
  8. Loud noise exposure – Hearing damage can occur as a consequence of noise at work, and this can be disabling and permanent. Hearing loss can either be sudden, or it can be gradual due to exposure to noise over time. Major compensation payouts can occur further along the line due to industrial deafness, which is why the employer should nip this problem in the bud. If they have failed to implement correct safety measures, including ear protection, you will have the basis for a personal injury claim.
  9. Walking into objects – We have all done this at some point in your life; however, such accidents can be your employer’s fault if they have failed to move unnecessary hazards out of the way.
  10. Fights at work – If an employer has allowed an employee to continue to work with you when they know that they pose a serious threat, they could be to blame for a fight. Of course, you can also claim against the person that has actually started a fight with you.

Top employers in the UK

As mentioned in the section above, slips, trips and falls are the most common cause of non-fatal injuries in the workplace. A common result of these accidents can be musculoskeletal injuries and disorders, commonly affecting areas, including the back. The top industries with the highest rates of musculoskeletal injuries include:

  • Agriculture, forestry and fishing (2,030)
  • Construction (2,020)
  • Human health and social work (1,420)

By calling Legal Helpline today, the expertise of our team could help you take a step closer to the compensation that you deserve for your workplace accident, regardless of your employer. Our advisors could discuss everything, including how much compensation for an accident at work claims is possible via a personalised consultation.

Assessing the severity of an accident at work injury

It can often be difficult to assess the severity of a workplace injury and the impact it can have on the claimant in the future. This is why you will need to undergo a medical examination to evidence accident at work claims.

This is nothing to worry about; it is merely to ensure that you get the correct compensation amount. The doctor will put together a medical report that will be used to determine how much compensation you receive. If you need a medical, we can arrange this for you. This is a simple and quick examination carried out at no cost to you at a local medical centre.

Accidents At Work Compensation Examples

If you’ve determined that you have a valid work accident compensation claim, you may wonder what your claim might be worth. The accidents at work compensation examples in the table below were taken from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), updated in 2022.

It is important to note that the amounts shown may not match the payout you would receive in a successful claim. When determining compensation for an accident at work, solicitors use the JCG figures as a guide. Compensation for an accident at work is determined on a case-by-case basis taking the specific circumstances into consideration.

General damages and special damages could be included in your work accident compensation claim. The pain and suffering caused by your injury are covered by general damages.

InjuryComments Amount
Quadriplegia/TetraplegiaAt the mid range of this bracket, payout is for cases where the claimant has an expectation of life of 25 years or more. They will have full awareness of their disability and not be in physical pain, and they will have retained powers of hearing, sight, and speech.£324,600 to £403,990
ParaplegiaThe level of award will be determined by age and life expectancy, depression, the degree of independence, and the presence and extent of pain.£219,070 to £284,260
Back Injuries - Severe (i)Severe damage to the spinal cord and nerve roots. These lead to serious consequences that are not normal for common back injuries.£91,090 to £160,980
Back Injuries - Minor (i)A full recovery takes place within 5 years from a soft tissue injury, sprain or strain.£7,890 to £12,510
Arm Amputations (b)(i)One arm is amputated at the shoulder.Not less than £137,160
Neck Injuries - Severe (ii)Serious disc damage in the cervical spine or fractures that cause disabilities of considerable severity. £65,740 to £130,930
Neck Injuries - Moderate (ii)Wrenching-type injuries or soft tissue injuries that cause symptoms including recurring pain and serious movement limitation. £13,740 to £24,990
Knee Injuries - Severe (ii)Impaired agility and limited movement due a leg fracture that has extended into the knee joint.£52,120 to £69,730
Minor eye injuriesMinor injuries include the likes of being splashed by liquids, exposure to fumes including smoke, and being struck in the eye, which causes some temporary interference with vision and initial pain.£3,950 to £8,730
Wrist InjuriesA colle's fracture that is uncomplicated.In the region of £7,430

Special Damages For Claims At Work

You may also be able to claim for special damages as part of your personal injury claim. Special damages aim to compensate you for financial losses or expenses that have been directly caused by your injuries.

Examples of the losses you could claim for under special damages in an accident at work claim may include:

  • Loss of earnings if you’ve had to take time off work.
  • Travel costs that you have accumulated in order to receive necessary treatment for your injuries (examples could include train tickets and taxi or bus fares).
  • The cost of home assistance, equipment or housing adaptations needed to help you complete everyday tasks at home.

Providing evidence of these losses could help support your claim. Examples could include payslips, receipts and invoices.

If you have support from an injury at work lawyer for your case, they can offer guidance on what special damages you may be able to claim for.

To learn more about making a personal injury claim for a back injury from work, contact our advisors on the phone or online today.

No Win No Fee accident at work claims

One of the key features associated with our service is that our panel of accident at work solicitors can work on your case on a No Win No Fee basis. This means that anyone with a valid claim can claim, irrespective of his or her financial situation. This is because you will only need to pay legal fees if we manage to successfully secure compensation for you.

If for some reason, your case is not a success, you won’t need to pay a penny. Not only does this give you peace of mind, but it assures you that we will only take on your case if there is a genuine chance of it being successful. We will never waste your time. If you opt to claim an hourly solicitor, there is always the chance that they will take on your case irrespective of the likely outcome, simply to take your money.

Why choose us as your claims service for an accident at work claim?

There are many reasons why you should work with us if you want to learn how much compensation for accident at work claims. We have many years of experience in the industry and have helped many personal injury victims to get the compensation they deserve. We always aim to get our clients the maximum amount of compensation possible, and we do so in the most efficient manner. We know that you are going through a difficult time, which is why we want you to focus on your recovery while we focus on getting you the payout you deserve.

Call for free advice and to start a claim

We hope this guide has been of help to you and helped you better understand the process of claims for an accident at work.

Our advisers are available at any time and could offer you any additional help or guidance you may require. They can provide you with examples of accident at work claims our solicitors have managed, and better provide a free eligibility check.

They could also answer any questions you may have about how settlements can be negotiated in claims for accidents at work, and compensation examples for the injury you may have suffered.

You can speak to an adviser for free now, by

Consultations are free, and could help you start your claim today

How Much Compensation For Accident At Work Claims FAQs

Here are some common queries regarding accident at work claims and accident at work compensation amounts.

Learn More About Accident At Work Claims

Expenses and benefits for compensation for injuries at work

This takes you to the UK Government website, where you will find information on compensation for work injuries. You will find out whether you need to report such an incident to HM Revenue & Customs.

Citizens Advice Accidents at work overview

This link takes you to the Citizens Advice website, where you will find plenty of helpful information regarding accidents at work, including getting Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) when you cannot work.

Government’s Health and safety at work

This takes you to the Government’s A to Z guide on health and safety at work, including fire safety in the workplace, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), workplace temperatures, smoking at work, running a business from home, recruitment and disabled people, health and safety using farm vehicles and machinery, and health and safety on ships.

HSE Information about health and safety at work

This is a link to the UK’s official Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website. It has lots of information on health and safety at work.

NI Direct Accidents in the workplace

This link provides plenty of useful information for those in Northern Ireland that suffer accidents in the workplace, including reporting an accident at work, accident at work sick pay, and where you can get help.

Below, you can find some other guides that you may find useful:

We hope reading our guide, which explores how much compensation for accident at work claims you may receive, has been useful for you.