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Last Updated 20th October 2025. Experiencing an assault at work can be life-changing, leaving you facing lasting consequences that go beyond the initial incident. It can leave you unable to work, due to injury or fear, which no one should ever have to face alone. If you’ve been hurt through a crime of violence at work, you might be giving some thought to making an assault at work compensation claim. Here at Legal Helpline, we understand that this can raise a lot of questions, but a solicitor from our panel could help you throughout the claims process.
Our panel of solicitors take a sensitive approach to every claim they handle, and they appreciate that the aftermath of an assault at work can be challenging to navigate. That is why your solicitor will take the time to listen and make sure that your needs are met. They will take an active role in helping you build the strongest claim possible and ensure you are supported every step of the way, so you never feel lost or unheard at any stage.
What You Need To Know
- What Is The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA)? The CICA is a government-funded agency that compensates victims of violent crime in Great Britain who cannot claim through other routes.
- What Criminal Injuries Can Be Claimed For? Through the CICA, you could claim for many kinds of injuries, including fractures, organ damage, psychological harm, and brain trauma.
- Do I Need To Report an Assault at Work to The Police? If you are looking to make a claim through the CICA, you will need to have reported the assault to the police.
- Who Is Liable For My Injuries? If your employer failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the assault, they could be liable for your injuries and thus create the grounds for a valid assault at work compensation claim.
- Will I Be Fired for Making an Assault at Work Compensation Claim? No, you cannot be fired for making a claim against your employer, as this may constitute unfair dismissal.
To learn more about how a solicitor from the panel here at Legal Helpline can help you get started with your own assault at work compensation claim, get in touch using the contact details below.
Jump to a Section
- What Is The Average Payout For Assault At Work?
- When Can I Claim Assault At Work Compensation?
- What Should You Do If You Experience Workplace Violence Or An Assault?
- Employers Liability For Violence Or Assaults In The Workplace
- How Our Panel Of Solicitors Can Help You Claim
- Can I Claim Assault At Work Compensation With A No Win No Fee Solicitor?
- Helpful Resources On Claiming Assault Compensation
What Is The Average Payout For Assault At Work?
Every claim is unique, as injuries and their impacts differ. Knowing the average payout for an assault at work will not be very helpful, and how your damages are calculated will depend on if your claim is one of criminal injury or personal injury.
If you successfully apply to the CICA, they award compensation amounts according to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012, a fixed tariff.
If you take legal action against your employer after being assaulted at work, compensation is more variable and usually includes the following:
- General damages for suffering and loss of enjoyment.
- Special damages for financial losses.
Claim handlers who calculate general damages may refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), a text which includes suggested compensation brackets for various injuries.
Compensation Table
The table below contains brackets from the JCG, all of which should be used as a guide only. Please keep in mind that the top figure is not from the document.
| Type of Injury | Severity | Bracket of Compensation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple Very Severe Injuries and Special Damages | Very Severe | Up to £250,000+ | Financial expenses may be for lost income, medical bills, and therapy costs. |
| Disfigurement of Face | Scarring - Very Severe | £36,340 to £118,790 | The higher end of the bracket tends to be for relatively young claimants where the psychological effect is severe. |
| Disfigurement of Face | Scarring - Less Severe | £21,920 to £59,090 | The disfigurement would still be substantial. As such, the psychological reaction would be significant. |
| Disfigurement of Face | Scarring - Significant | £11,120 to £36,720 | Plastic surgery has reduced the worst effects of the injury leaving some cosmetic disability. |
| Disfigurement of Face | Scarring - Less Significant | £4,820 to £16,770 | One scar, or multiple small scars, that mar but not markedly affect the injured person’s appearance. |
| Arm | Less Severe | £23,430 to £47,810 | While significant disabilities will occur, there will be a substantial degree of recovery. |
| Arm | Simple Fractures of the Forearm | £8,060 to £23,430 | Forearm fractures that are simple in nature. |
| Elbow | Minor or Moderate | Up to £15,370 | Fractures that are simple in nature, lacerations or tennis elbow fall into this category. |
| Teeth | Serious Damage or Loss (f) (i) | £10,660 to £13,930 | Impacting several front teeth. |
| Teeth | Serious Damage or Loss (f) (ii) | £5,310 to £9,310 | Affecting 2 front teeth. |
Please note that these figures would not apply to a CICA claim, which is subject to fixed tariffs for the injuries suffered.
Special Damages In Assault At Work Compensation Claims
You may be wondering, ‘I was assaulted at work; what else can I claim?’. If you suffered financial losses because you were attacked at work, compensation may include special damages.
Below, you will find some examples of special damages that may be awarded in assault claims:
- Damaged items—The attack might damage your items, such as your clothes, mobile phones, or glasses. Make sure to keep proof of any repairs or replacements.
- Prescription fees – You may need medication to alleviate symptoms. Retain any receipts to prove this expense.
- Specialist equipment—Depending on the severity of the attack, you may require specialist equipment. For example, you may need a wheelchair after your injury. Keep invoices or receipts as proof of purchasing any equipment.
The rules for financial losses work differently in CICA claims, where there is generally less scope to recoup out-of-pocket expenses.
Find out how much assault-at-work compensation you could claim by speaking to our advisors. Following a free consultation, they may be able to connect you with an expert criminal injury solicitor from our panel.
When Can I Claim Assault At Work Compensation?
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA), employers must take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure their employees’ safety. This is known as a duty of care. If your employer fails to adhere to duty and you suffer an injury, you could be eligible for compensation.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) offers advice about how employers can protect staff from work-related violence and aggression, including verbal and physical abuse.
To seek assault-at-work compensation, you must satisfy the eligibility requirements:
- You were owed a duty of care.
- This duty was breached.
- You suffered injuries as a result of this breach.
Speak with an advisor from our team to check whether you meet the claiming requirements for accident at work cases.
What Should You Do If You Experience Workplace Violence Or An Assault?
After an assault at work, certain steps may maximise the evidence you have supporting a claim.
- Report the incident to your employer – Many people bypass this step because they fear their employer’s response. However, it is important to report an accident suffered at work. Not only will your employer appreciate that you are handling things correctly, but they also have an accident book that they must keep by law.
- Get the contact details of any witnesses. Did anyone see the accident happen? If so, it is a good idea to get their contact information. Witness statements present excellent evidence and help you build the strongest case possible.
- Keep proof of any costs incurred – You may have suffered different expenses because of your injuries. The good news is that you can claim these as special damages. Do not throw away any applicable documents, such as receipts.
- Contact Legal Helpline – Last but not least, the most important thing you need to do is align yourself with a quality criminal injury claims firm that can handle your case for you, and this is exactly what you have with Legal Helpline.
Employers Liability For Violence Or Assaults In The Workplace
Compensation could be claimed from your employer if they breach their duty of care in any of the following ways:
- You raised concerns about your safety with your employer, but they failed to take necessary or sufficient action to ensure your safety.
- There had been repeated issues with either a violent or aggressive customer or coworker, and your employer failed to address this.
- You were asked to work in an unsafe environment, and your employer had not assessed the area’s risk.
As mentioned earlier, evidence you can gather, such as witness statements and medical records, is critical for proving how your employer’s failure to uphold their duty of care contributed to the harm you’ve suffered.
How Long Do I Have To Claim If I’m Assaulted At Work?
If you’ve been attacked at work and a compensation claim against your employer is the action you plan to take, you usually have three years from the incident date to start your claim. This time limit is established by the Limitation Act 1980.
However, the time limit can work differently under some circumstances. This applies to cases where the person lacks the mental capacity to manage their claim or was injured as a minor.
Contact our advisors for free today to learn about these time-limit exceptions.
How Our Panel Of Solicitors Can Help You Claim
At Legal Helpline, we have an excellent panel of solicitors with extensive experience in workplace assault compensation claims. They have undergone high-level education and training to ensure they are specialists in this field.
Understandably, starting an assault at work claim can be intimidating and overwhelming. However, we are here to support you at every stage of the claims process. For example, our advisors will be available to discuss your claim with you anytime, and our panel of solicitors can help you claim compensation by:
- Explaining every stage of the claims process
- Explaining the meaning of legal terminology and how to sign documents
- Helping you obtain evidence such as employment records
- Reviewing your evidence and building your claim
- Explaining how your assault at work compensation will be calculated
- Helping to arrange specialist appointments, such as counselling
- Assistance in applying for interim payments
- Negotiating compensation settlements with third parties
At Legal Helpline, we are dedicated to ensuring that your claim is successful so you can obtain the compensation you deserve following your assault. Therefore, our panel of solicitors will work to a high standard and represent you professionally to ensure they reach this goal.
If you have any questions regarding our panel of solicitors’ role during your claim, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our advisors.
Can I Claim Assault At Work Compensation With A No Win No Fee Solicitor?
If you are eligible to seek compensation for being hurt at work, you may wish to have the support of a solicitor. The solicitors on our panel offer all clients a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
This is a No Win No Fee arrangement in which you don’t pay any upfront fees towards their services. Furthermore, you won’t be charged for their work following an unsuccessful claim, nor during the process.
Your solicitor deducts a legally capped percentage from any compensation if they succeed. You may hear this being called a “success fee.”
To find out if you can claim assault at work compensation, speak to an advisor from our team. If you have valid grounds for a claim, they could then pass you on to a solicitor from our panel.
To speak to an advisor:
- Contact us online.
- Call 0333 000 0729
- Ask a question in our live chat.
Helpful Resources On Claiming Assault Compensation
- HSE – Violence at work – HSE’s guide to assault in the workplace and the correct protocols to follow
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Thank you for reading our assault at work compensation guide.
