This guide aims to answer the question, ‘I had an accident at work, what are my rights in the UK?’. In some cases, you may be eligible to begin a personal injury claim. However, there are a set of eligibility requirements that need to be met in order to do so. As you move through this guide, you will find information regarding the criteria that must be met, the evidence you could use to support your case and the time limits for initiating legal proceedings.
I Had An Accident At Work, What Are My Rights In The UK?
Within this guide, we will discuss the responsibilities your employer has to keep you safe within the workplace. You can also find examples of how an accident at work could occur and the subsequent injuries that could be sustained as a result.
Additionally, we look at how accident at work compensation is calculated and what your settlement could consist of if your case succeeds.
Finally, we discuss the benefits of working with a No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel and the services they could offer.
For more information regarding your potential claim for an injury at work, please get in touch with an advisor. To do so, you can:
- Call via the number above
- Message us through the live chat
- Contact us via our online form
I Had An Accident At Work, What Are My Rights In The UK?
Employers have a duty of care to take reasonable and practicable steps to prevent you from becoming injured in the workplace or as you perform your work-related tasks. This is as per the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. If your employer failed to uphold their duty of care, and this caused you to sustain harm, you may have the right to seek personal injury compensation.
The eligibility criteria to make a personal injury claim is as follows:
- Your employer owed you a duty of care at the time and location of the accident.
- There was a breach of this duty.
- You sustained harm as a result of this breach.
If you have evidence that you meet the three criteria above, it may be possible for you to begin a workplace injury claim. Find out more about your right to seek compensation after an accident at work by calling our team.
How Can A Workplace Injury Be Caused?
There are several ways you could sustain a workplace injury. For example:
- You may sustain a head injury in a construction accident after your employer fails to provide you with necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) such as a hard hat.
- You could sustain a broken wrist in a slip and fall accident because a wet floor wasn’t properly signposted.
- Adequate training isn’t provided before you are instructed to use an electric saw causing you to sustain cutting injuries.
If you would like to discuss your specific circumstances and find out ‘I had an accident at work, what are my rights in the UK?’, call our team. They can assess your eligibility to seek personal injury compensation.
Evidence That Could Help When Claiming For Accident At Work Compensation
There are several forms of evidence that you can provide in order to support your claim. For instance:
- Photographs of your injuries
- CCTV footage and photographs of the scene of the accident
- Contact details of witnesses
- A copy of the incident report from the accident book at work
- Medical records
Our panel of personal injury solicitors can assist you with gathering evidence for your claim. Additionally, they can ensure your case is put forward within the relevant time limit for personal injury claims.
Is There A Time Limit When Making A Claim For An Accident At Work?
The personal injury claim time limit is displayed in the Limitation Act 1980. It states that you generally have three years from the accident date to start your claim. Exceptions can apply in some circumstances.
For more information on the time limit exceptions and how a solicitor from our panel could assist you, please contact an advisor on the number above.
Work Injury Claim Calculator – What Compensation Could You Receive?
After a successful accident at work claim, you could receive a payout comprising general damages and special damages. General damages compensate for the pain and suffering of your injuries, physical, psychological, or both.
Solicitors often use the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), which display guideline compensation brackets, to help them value general damages. They can also use copies of medical reports alongside the JCG.
Compensation Table
We have used figures from the JCG to create the table below. Please only use these as a guide as settlements are calculated on a case-by-case basis.
| Type of Injury | Severity Level | Compensation Bracket - Guidelines | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head | Very Severe | £282,010 to £403,990 | Full-time nursing care is required. |
| Moderately Severe | £219,070 to £282,010 | A very serious disability and substantial dependence on others. | |
| Back | Severe (i) | £91,090 to £160,980 | Spinal cord and nerve root damage. |
| Moderate (i) | £27,760 to £38,780 | A prolapsed intervertebral disc that needs surgery. | |
| Arm | Less Severe | £19,200 to £39,170 | Disabilities of a significant nature are present but there is a substantial level of recovery that is expected or has already happened. |
| Simple | £6,610 to £19,200 | Simple forearm fracture. | |
| Leg | Less Serious (i) | £17,960 to £27,760 | An incomplete recovery from fractures or serious soft tissue injuries. |
| Less Serious (ii) | £9,110 to £14,080 | Femur fracture of a simple nature with no articular surface damage. | |
| Wrist | Less Severe | £12,590 to £24,500 | Some permanent disability such as a level of ongoing pain and stiffness. |
| Simple | In the region of £7,430 | A Colle's fracture of an uncomplicated nature. |
Claiming For Financial Losses
The other head of claim is special damages, compensating you for financial losses directly caused by your injuries. This can include:
- Loss of earnings
- Travel expenses
- Care costs
- Medical costs
Evidence, such as receipts, bank statements and payslips, can help prove any monetary losses.
For further guidance on personal injury compensation payouts, call our team using the number at the top of the page.
Use No Win No Fee Solicitors To Claim Compensation For An Injury At Work
Our panel of accident at work solicitors can offer their services through a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This type of No Win No Fee agreement means no fees for your solicitor’s work will be required:
- Upfront
- While your claim progresses
- If your case has an unsuccessful outcome
Following the completion of a claim with a successful outcome, your solicitor will take a percentage of your compensation as their success fee. This is subject to a legal cap ensuring you keep the most of your settlement.
If you require any further guidance on the question ‘I had an accident at work, what are my rights in the UK?’, or want to discuss whether a solicitor from our panel could represent your case, please contact an advisor. To do so, you can:
- Call using the number above
- Use the contact form to request a callback
- Connect through the live chat
Learn More About What Your Rights Are After An Accident At Work
For more of our guides:
For more helpful external resources:
- NHS – First Aid
- Health and Safety Executive – Statistics For Workplace Accidents
- GOV – Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
Thank you for reading this helpful guide exploring the question ‘I had an accident at work, what are my rights in the UK?’ and when you could be eligible to seek compensation. If you have any other questions about personal injury claims, please don’t hesitate to contact an advisor using the details provided above.
Writer Jess Ainsdale
Editor Meg Martin
