Depending on the nature of your work, you may be at risk of various injuries. However, if you get injured due to your employer’s fault, you may wish to claim compensation. This guide will cover the eligibility and process for making an accident at work claim.
Key Takeaways On Making An Accident At Work Claim
- You may have a valid accident at work claim if you get injured due to your employer’s fault.
- Your workplace accident claim may include compensation for your injuries and financial losses.
- Collecting evidence is an essential step in your claim.
- If you get injured at work, it is important to report the accident and seek medical attention.
- You can make your claim with the No Win No Fee solicitors from our panel.
For more information on the compensation you could claim, use our compensation calculator or contact us:
- Reach us directly through live chat.
- Call 0800 408 7826.
- Contact us online.
Jump To A Section
- Am I Eligible To Make An Accident At Work Claim?
- How Much Compensation Can I Get For A Workplace Accident?
- Common Types Of Workplace Accidents You Can Claim For
- How To Start An Accident At Work Claim
- Why Choose Our Panel Of Solicitors For Your Accident At Work Claim?
- More Information On Making An Accident At Work Claim
Am I Eligible To Make An Accident At Work Claim?
In your life, you’ll navigate certain situations where other people are responsible for your well-being and safety. This responsibility is called a duty of care.
Employers have a duty of care towards their employees. Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, this duty to take reasonable steps to provide a safe working environment includes the following:
- Assessing the risks present in the workplace and reducing them when possible.
- Making safety equipment like masks and protective clothing accessible to employees.
- Ensuring that all employees are trained in safety practices.
Therefore, an eligible work accident claim includes the following elements:
- Your employer owed you a duty of care.
- They committed a breach of this duty.
- Consequently, you suffered a workplace injury.
Want to know how to claim compensation for a personal injury? Speak to our advisors now.
How Much Compensation Can I Get For A Workplace Accident?
Your accident at work compensation may consist of the following:
- General Damages: This includes compensation for your physical and mental injuries.
- Special Damages: This includes compensation for your monetary losses.
Using Our Accident At Work Claim Calculator
Our accident at work compensation calculator is a simple tool that you can use to value your personal injury claim. All you have to do is enter the details of your accident, like the kind of injury and the body part affected, and you will get an estimated compensation figure.
While our calculator is user-friendly, it’s always better to seek expert and detailed guidance on your case, which our advisers can provide. There could be losses you are entitled to claim that do not show in the calculator. You can reach out to them using the contact details given at the beginning.
The Numbers We Use When Estimating Your Claim
Your workplace injury solicitor may send you for an independent medical examination to gauge how serious your injuries are. This will help to calculate the general damages in your work injury claim. Additionally, the person valuing your claim will refer to the Judicial College guidelines (JCG), a document which provides an estimated range of compensation figures.
We’ve summarised some of the JCG figures in the table below. However, these are only guidelines, and the JCG applies only to cases in England and Wales.
| Injury | Severity | Notes | Compensation Guidelines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple Severe Injuries and Special Damages | Very Serious | Compensation could be awarded for more than one injury and consider if there has been a loss of earnings, nursing care is required | Up to £1,000,000+ |
| Arm Amputation | Loss of both arms | Both arms are lost, leading the individual to considerable helplessness | £293,850 to £366,100 |
| Leg Amputation | Loss of both legs | Both legs are lost and factors like psychological impact and prognosis will be taken into consideration. | £293,850 to £344,150 |
| Injuries Affecting Sight | Total Loss of Vision in One Eye and Reduced Vision in Other (i) | There is a great risk of deterioration of vision in the other eye. | £117,150 to £219,400 |
| Neck Injury | Severe (i) | There is little to no movement in the neck despite wearing a collar and there could be incomplete paraplegia. | In the region of £181,020 |
| Back Injury | Severe (ii) | There is root damage which could lead to loss of sensation and impairment in mobility. | £90,510 to £107,910 |
| Lung Disease | Severe (d) | There are breathing difficulties just short of breathlessness and frequent use of inhaler is required. There is already an impact on social and professional life. | £38,210 to £66,920 |
| Finger Fractures | Severe | There could be partial amputations or some deformity in grip. | Up to £44,840 |
| Toe Injuries | Severe | There could be crush injuries leading to the amputation of a few toes and other significant continuous symptoms. | £16,770 to £25,710 |
| Shoulder Injury | Serious | There is shoulder dislocation and loss of sensation along with chronic pain or impaired movement. | £15,580 to £23,430 |
Special Damages And How They Factor Into Your Payout
You may be able to claim for the following special damages or monetary losses in your work compensation claim:
- Loss of earnings: This includes any income lost due to time taken off from work or loss of benefits, putting you at financial risk.
- Medical expenses
- Travel costs to and from the hospital
- Professional care or care provided by a family member
- Changes made to your car or house to accommodate a disability
Want more guidance? Use our multiple injury compensation calculator or speak to one of our advisers.
Common Types Of Workplace Accidents You Can Claim For
Here are some common workplace injuries which may form the basis of your accident at work claim:
Slips, Trips, And Falls
A slip, trip or fall occurs when you lose your balance and injure yourself. This injury commonly affects the hands or feet.
Example: As a factory worker, you’re climbing a ladder your employer knows is defective. You suffer a fall and break your foot. This could be the basis of a work injury claim against your employer. Use our slip, trip and fall calculator for more information.
Accidents With Dangerous Equipment Or Machinery
You may get injured by working with dangerous equipment or machinery if you’ve not been provided with adequate training or safety equipment. This could cause serious accidents and major injuries.
Example: You’re made to work with complicated machinery without adequate training or instructions. As a result, your hand gets trapped and crushed in the machine.
Manual Handling Injuries
Manual handling is also a common cause of workplace injuries because it puts a lot of pressure on joints. Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, employers must take reasonable steps to prevent such injuries. This law defines ‘manual handling’ as supporting or transporting a load by pushing, pulling, carrying, or lifting.
Example: Without sufficient training, you are made to lift heavy boxes, which causes strain and chronic pain in your shoulder. You can contact our advisors for guidance on manual injury claims.
Contact With Hazardous Substances
According to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, employers must provide personal protective equipment to employees where necessary and take reasonable steps to protect them from toxic chemicals and fumes.
Example: You’re exposed to chemical waste as part of your employment, and your employer fails to provide you with a mask. You end up suffering from respiratory problems due to your employer’s failure to provide personal protective equipment.
Wondering how long compensation takes to pay out? Speak to us for a rough timeline of your work injury compensation claim.
How To Start An Accident At Work Claim
If you’re injured in an accident at work, the first step is to seek medical attention. This will ensure your injuries don’t escalate and help create a record if you’re considering claiming against your employer.
You must inform your employer or any other person nearby of your injury so that they can administer first aid and report the accident in the accident book.
While engaging a solicitor for your accident at work claim is not compulsory, it is always better to seek expert guidance. If you choose to make your claim with a solicitor from our panel, they’ll help you navigate the various steps involved in the process.
The Evidence You Can Use
It is very important to collect evidence in support of your accident at work claim. Some evidence which you can use are:
- Photographs of your injuries/ accident site
- Contact details of eyewitnesses for witness statements
- Medical records
- CCTV footage of the accident
Time Limits For Making A Claim
You have three years to start your claim, according to the Limitation Act 1980. However, there are certain exceptions:
- For Minors: If a child or minor (someone under 18) suffers from a workplace injury, the time limit will only start to run after they turn 18 and can make their claim. Their loved ones can also claim on their behalf before their 18th birthday by becoming a litigation friend.
- Diminished Mental Capacity: There is no time limit for those who don’t have the mental capacity to make their claim. Somebody else could claim for them as a litigation friend. However, the time limit will begin to apply if their mental capacity returns. They have three years from that point to start a case.
To know more about being a litigation friend, contact us now.
Why Choose Our Panel Of Solicitors For Your Accident At Work Claim?
The solicitors on our panel have years of experience dealing with accident at work claims. They’ll work hard on your case to ensure that you get the correct compensation. Your solicitor will help you in the following ways:
- Compiling evidence
- Responding to official communications
- Ensuring that you start your claim on time.
- Valuing your compensation
Our panel also consists of No Win No Fee solicitors. Therefore, you’ll get to make your claim on a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This means that your solicitor won’t charge upfront for their services. If your claim is successful, they’ll deduct a fixed percentage from your compensation. This is known as the success fee, which is legally capped to ensure fairness. In the unfortunate event that your claim is unsuccessful, your solicitor won’t charge for their work.
Make your accident at work claim with the No Win No Fee solicitors on our panel by contacting us:
- Reach us directly through live chat.
- Call 0800 408 7826.
- Contact us online.
More Information On Making An Accident At Work Claim
Thank you for reading our guide about making an accident at work claim. Here are some more links from our website which may be relevant:
- Details on making a crush injury claim.
- Our guide on nerve damage compensation.
- Information on scaffolding claims.
Here are some external links for further reading:
- Guidance from the government on Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
- Information on the health and safety basics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
- A guide on carbon monoxide poisoning by the NHS.