What is an accident at work claim?
A serious injury at work can often happen when your employer fails to follow their legal health and safety obligations. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, every employer in the UK has a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all their employees. This includes providing the correct protective equipment, adequate training, and a safe working environment. If your employer has fallen short of these obligations and you’ve been injured as a result, you may have a valid employer liability claim.
If you’ve been injured during an accident at work, you could be entitled to compensation. Marley solicitors can help you get that, you have 3 years from the date of your accident to pursue a no win no fee claim against your employer. Your employer’s duty is to ensure that you are safe at work and if they have failed to do this and as a result of this you have become injured then we encourage you to get in touch with one of our solicitors and discuss what you could do about your accident and if you are eligible for a payout.
Regional trends in workplace injuries
Workplace injuries occur all over the UK, however, some areas experience higher rates than others do. As an example, regions such as Scotland and the North West of England see many more fatal accidents when compared to London and the South East. The local variations in industry types, working conditions, and the reporting practices in place in businesses up and down the UK can all play a role in these differences.
No matter where you’re based, our team of solicitors are happy to help you navigate the settlement process.
Some of the accidents you could have had at work would be:
- Slips, trips and falls
- Lifting accidents / manual handling injuries
- Falling from a height
- Hit by fallen objects
- Repetitive strain injury
- Crashes and collisions
- Injuries caused by faulty machinery or equipment
- Burns/scalds
- Inhaling toxic fumes
- Exposure to loud noise
How common are workplace injuries?
Every year, thousands of people across the UK suffer injuries at work. The most recent data shows that over 600,000 workers in the UK reported a non-fatal injury. Incidents range from slips and trips to more serious injuries that can involve machinery or a fall from height.
On top of that, there are approximately 1.7 million workers who have experienced work-related ill health, with a large number linked to stress, anxiety or depression caused by their jobs.
Unfortunately, many workers still lack the financial support they need to recover because a significant number of workplace injuries remain unreported or don’t get the payout they deserve.
What you should do after you have been involved in an accident at work?
As a long-standing solicitor we advise that the most important thing you need to make sure you do is let your supervisor or manager know that you have had an accident if you are unable to do so then let your colleagues know so that they can inform your manager and supervisor, they should then write down exactly what happened in the accident report book.
It is vital that you go and seek medical attention because no matter how small your accident was, it could develop into a more severe injury. It is always best to seek medical attention because even though you might not see any symptoms yet, your doctor can help catch out something caused by the accident that would have developed into something more catastrophic.
It’s also worth knowing that many workplace accidents must be formally reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under RIDDOR, the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. RIDDOR requires employers to report deaths, serious injuries, over-7-day incapacitation injuries, and certain dangerous occurrences. If your accident falls into one of these categories, there should be an official HSE record of it, and this can be valuable evidence when making your accident at work claim.
Key Points to Keep in Mind When Claiming for Workplace Injury Compensation:
- If you’re looking to successfully claim compensation, you need to be able to demonstrate that the accident was not entirely your fault and that your employer’s negligence played a role in causing the injury you have.
- Your employer is legally prohibited from dismissing you or treating you unfairly because you have made a claim.
- Your compensation/settlement will depend on the severity of your injuries and the time it takes for you to recover.
- You can also seek reimbursement for any financial losses related to the accident, such as medical expenses or any wages you have lost.
- In most situations, you have up to three years from the accident date to file for your payout.
Our workplace injury claims operate on a no-win, no-fee basis, this means you won’t have to pay anything if your claim is unsuccessful, provided you’ve met the initial agreement terms.
How Much Compensation Could You Receive for a Workplace Accident?
- The compensation that you can be entitled to following a workplace accident will depend on the seriousness of your injuries and the effect that they may have had on your daily life. Compensation amounts will vary depending on the nature and severity of the injury you have experienced. In the UK, the majority of successful claims fall between £1,500 and £25,000, with more serious injury cases exceeding this range. The Judicial College Guidelines, which are issued by the Ministry of Justice, serve as a benchmark when it comes to assessing the amount of compensation you can receive. These guidelines consider factors such as the location and severity of your injury, as well as the estimated time it takes for you to recover. This type of compensation falls under “general damages.”In addition to the general damages you can claim for, you may be able to also claim for special damages, this can cover financial losses you’ve incurred due to the accident. These can include:
- Medical bills and costs for your treatments
- Any loss of earnings due to time you have had to take off work
- Future loss of income, including any pension reductions
- Any adjustments to your ability to work in the long term
- Therapy or treatment for any psychological distress you have experienced
- Costs of care, whether it has been provided by a professional or family and friends
- Travel expenses for medical appointments
- Repair or replacement of damaged personal belongings
- Expenses for home modifications or specialist equipment needed to aide your recovery
Client testimonial – Accident at work claim
“In 2024 I suffered a nasty head laceration at work that wasn’t my fault but was hesitant about making a claim. Being put off by the big name corporate injury lawyers you see on tv and their flashy advertising I searched for an independent option in my area and found Marley Solicitors. The initial phone consultation I had with Yasmin Ishrat was great, she was professional but extremely friendly and understanding of my case, all my hesitations were put to rest during the call and I knew that making an injury claim was the right choice.
The rest of the process was stress free, Yasmin kept me updated and always responded immediately to any queries, I barely had to do anything at all.
My claim took just over 4 months and I received £1500 which I’m happy with. My first and hopefully last time having to make an injury claim, but I would definitely recommend Marley Solicitors to anyone and confidently use their services again if needed. Many thanks to everyone there who helped.”
– Julian
Can I still claim compensation if I contributed to the accident?
The short answer is, yes. This is called contributory negligence. In cases such as these, the compensation amount may be reduced based on the extent of your responsibility, but, you can still receive compensation for the employer’s failure to meet safety standards or provide the appropriate training you should have had. A solicitor will assess your case and help determine your eligibility.
What is the time limit for making a workplace injury claim?
In most cases you will have three years from the date of the injury or from when you first realised the injury was related to work. In certain situations, such as cases of occupational diseases or illnesses, the time limit can be extended. It’s recommended to begin the process as early as possible to make sure you don’t miss the deadline, our solicitors are happy to help at every step.
Do I need to go to court to make a claim?
Not necessarily, most of the claims that we deal with can be settled without the need for any court intervention. If your employer accepts liability for your workplace injury, the matter is often resolved through a negotiation. However, if your case goes to court, we will support you every step of the way and will be happy to represent you in court if required.
Will my employer find out if I make a claim?
Yes, your employer will always be informed about the claim you are making. However, they cannot legally punish or discriminate against you for doing so. Under the Employment Rights Act 1996, employees are protected against unfair dismissal and detriment for asserting their statutory rights, which includes making a workplace injury claim. Retaliating against you for claiming would be unlawful, and you would have grounds for a separate employment claim on top of your personal injury case. Our goal is to make the process as straightforward as possible and ensure your job security is fully protected throughout.
Can I make a claim if I’m self-employed or on a zero-hours contract?
Yes, you are still able to make a claim if you’re self-employed or on a zero-hours contract. Even though you may not have the same employment rights as full-time workers, you can still claim compensation if your injury was caused by negligence on the part of the employer or a third party. Marley Solicitors can help you understand your rights and options based on your specific work status.
Can I claim for stress or mental health issues caused by my job?
Yes, you are absolutely able to claim compensation for mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, or depression if your job has contributed to any of these conditions.
When you are looking to claim for mental health issues, you will require solid evidence, this includes medical records or proof that your employer failed to provide adequate support or a safe working environment. Our solicitors are happy to help you gather the necessary documentation to support your claim.
What kind of evidence will I need to support my claim?
The more evidence you are able to provide, the stronger your claim will be. Useful evidence includes medical records, accident book entries, photographs of the accident site or injury, witness statements, and any correspondence with your employer. If you don’t have all the evidence that you need, don’t worry, we can help you to gather everything needed to make sure you can build a solid case.
How much will making a claim cost me?
At Marley Solicitors, we operate on a no win, no fee basis, this means that there are no upfront costs to you. Should your claim be unsuccessful, you won’t owe us anything. If your work injury claim is successful, a percentage of the compensation you receive will cover our fees, but this will always be discussed with you in advance, so there will never be any surprises.
Use our online personal injury claim calculator
Although a personal injury calculator can be extremely useful, be aware that it won’t be as precise as an evaluation by a professional solicitor. We are able to provide accurate accident at work pay-out calculation for free and will work hard to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
