Work Accident Claims
If you’ve been injured in an accident at work, your employer may be legally responsible. Employers have a duty of care to protect the health and safety of their employees, and if they fail in this duty, you could be entitled to compensation.
Common Types of Work Accident
Workplace injuries happen across every industry. Some of the most common include:
- Slips, trips, and falls — Wet floors, obstructed walkways, uneven surfaces
- Manual handling injuries — Lifting, carrying, or moving heavy objects
- Falling from height — Ladders, scaffolding, roofs, platforms
- Struck by moving objects — Falling stock, moving machinery, vehicles
- Machinery accidents — Faulty equipment, lack of training, missing guards
- Repetitive strain injuries — From repeated tasks without adequate breaks
- Exposure to harmful substances — Chemicals, asbestos, excessive noise
- Workplace violence — Assault by customers, clients, or colleagues
Your Employer’s Legal Responsibilities
All employers in the UK are required by law to:
- Provide a safe working environment
- Carry out risk assessments and act on findings
- Provide adequate training for all tasks and equipment
- Supply appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) free of charge
- Maintain equipment and machinery to a safe standard
- Ensure safe systems of work are in place and followed
- Report and record accidents and injuries in an accident book
- Have Employer’s Liability Insurance (minimum £5 million cover)
If your employer has failed in any of these duties and you’ve been injured as a result, you have a strong basis for a claim.
How Much Could You Claim?
Work accident compensation varies depending on the severity of your injury, recovery time, and financial losses:
| Injury Type | Typical Compensation |
|---|---|
| Minor injuries (full recovery) | £1,000 — £5,000 |
| Moderate injuries (e.g. fractures) | £5,000 — £25,000 |
| Serious injuries (long-term impact) | £25,000 — £75,000 |
| Severe injuries (permanent disability) | £75,000 — £250,000+ |
You can also claim for:
- Lost earnings — Time off work and future loss of income
- Medical expenses — Treatment, medication, rehabilitation
- Travel costs — To and from medical appointments
- Care and assistance — If you need help with daily tasks
- Adaptations — To your home or vehicle if needed
Can I Be Sacked for Making a Claim?
No. It is illegal for an employer to dismiss you for making a personal injury claim. If they do, you would have an additional claim for unfair dismissal. Your employer’s insurance covers the compensation — it does not come out of their pocket directly, so there is no financial reason for them to hold it against you.
How to Make a Work Accident Claim
- Report the accident — Ensure it’s recorded in your employer’s accident book
- Seek medical attention — Get your injuries assessed and documented
- Gather evidence — Photos of the scene, witness statements, accident book entry
- Keep records — Of medical costs, lost earnings, and any related expenses
- Complete our free assessment — Check your eligibility in 60 seconds
- Speak to a specialist — A work injury solicitor handles the claim for you
Time Limits for Work Accident Claims
You have 3 years from the date of the accident to make a claim. For industrial diseases (like asbestos-related conditions or hearing loss), the 3-year limit starts from the date you became aware your condition was caused by work.
Injured at work? Check if you can claim → — our free assessment takes 60 seconds and there’s no obligation.
Check If You Can Claim
See if you could claim compensation for your injury. Takes 60 seconds — no obligation.