An injury at work that prompts an office accident claim can be debilitating and lower your quality of life. This article will show you how to recognise the risks and causes of injury in the workplace. We’ll also look at how an employer’s negligence could lead to an injury, potentially entitling you to make a claim.
Your employer owes you a duty of care to take all reasonably practicable steps to reduce the risk of injury at work. If they fail to do this, and you’re hurt as a result, then you may be entitled to claim.
You can contact our advisors for an obligation-free consultation if you have further questions regarding office accident claims. Advisors are available 24/7, and you can:
- Call us on the number above
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Office accident claim guide
What Are Office Accidents?
This article will explore what could entitle you to make an office accident claim and how the process of pursuing one works. We’ll also look at what you could receive if your claim was successful.
The hazards that are present in an office may be different to those in other workplaces. For example, an office is unlikely to have moving machinery, dangerous substances or people working at a height in the same way that a construction site might.
However, you could still be injured in an office in a number of ways, which we will look at in closer detail later on in this guide. And if you can demonstrate that you were injured because your employer breached the duty of care that they owed you, then you might be entitled to claim.
The duty of care your employer owes you is outlined in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA). It states that they need to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure your safety at work. The HASAWA is the central piece of legislation relating to workplace health and safety.
Office accident statistics-
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the regulatory authority for workplace health and safety in Great Britain, and they collect statistics relating to workplace injuries and illnesses. They found that 51,211 non-fatal injuries occurred in British workplaces in 2020/21. Of these, there were 18,988 injuries to the upper limb locations, which was the most commonly reported body site category to be injured in this time period.
Of these, there were 6,501 specified injuries to workers and 12,487 that resulted in an absence of over 7 days from work.
Compensation Amounts For Office Accident Claims
The Judicial College Guidelines include guideline compensation brackets based on settlements that were made in cases that went to court.
The awards you claim can generally be split into two heads of compensation:
General Damages
General damages are awarded for the pain, suffering and loss of amenities resulting from the injury. Amenities in this regard refer to an ability to enjoy life. Therefore, if an injury prevents you from enjoying a hobby you otherwise would, you can claim it under general damages. This compensation is awarded in every successful office accident claim.
We have included a table of possible general damages figures from the below:
| Injury | Severity | Compensation Bracket | Further Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ankle Injuries (c) | Moderate | £13,740 to £26,590 | Fractures, ligamentous tears and other injuries that cause less serious disabilities. |
| Foot Injuries (g) | Modest | £13,740 to £24,990 | Displaced metatarsal fractures resulting in permanent deformity and continuous symptoms. There may be risks of osteoarthritis and future surgery. |
| Achilles Tendon (c) | Moderate | £12,590 to £21,070 | Where the tendon has been partially ruptured or significantly injured. |
| Other Arm Injuries (d) | £6,610 to £19,200 | Simple fracture of the forearm | |
| Knee Injuries (b) | Moderate (ii) | Up to £13,740 | Lacerations, twisting or bruising. Injury may involve dislocation, torn cartilage or meniscus. |
| Toe Injuries | Serious | £9,600 to £13,740 | Crush and multiple fractures to two or more toes. There will be some permanent disability by way of discomfort. |
| Hand Injuries (h) | Moderate | £5,720 to £13,280 | Crush or penetrating injuries. Soft tissue and deep lacerations The top bracket is when surgery fails resulting in serious disability. |
| Shoulder Injuries (c) | Moderate | £7,890 to £12,770 | Frozen shoulder with limited movement and discomfort. Minimal symptoms persist for two years. |
| Wrist Injury (e) | In the region of £7,430 | An uncomplicated Colles’ fracture | |
| Hand Injuries (n) | In the region of £6,000 | Serious injury to little finger. |
Special Damages
Although special damage claims are submitted with general damages, they are not guaranteed to be awarded in all successful claims. Special damages compensate for the financial losses incurred by your injury. Summarily, you may not be awarded special damages for an injury that is not a financial burden that otherwise causes monetary loss. Some of those that can be claimed are:
- Loss of income
- Lost ability to earn
- Medical expenses not covered by the NHS (such as certain scar relief procedures).
- Travel related to medical appointments.
| Injury | Severity | Compensation Bracket | Further Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ankle Injuries (c) | Moderate | £13,740 to £26,590 | Fractures, ligamentous tears and other injuries that cause less serious disabilities. |
| Foot Injuries (g) | Modest | £13,740 to £24,990 | Displaced metatarsal fractures resulting in permanent deformity and continuous symptoms. There may be risks of osteoarthritis and future surgery. |
| Achilles Tendon (c) | Moderate | £12,590 to £21,070 | Where the tendon has been partially ruptured or significantly injured. |
| Other Arm Injuries (d) | £6,610 to £19,200 | Simple fracture of the forearm | |
| Knee Injuries (b) | Moderate (ii) | Up to £13,740 | Lacerations, twisting or bruising. Injury may involve dislocation, torn cartilage or meniscus. |
| Toe Injuries | Serious | £9,600 to £13,740 | Crush and multiple fractures to two or more toes. There will be some permanent disability by way of discomfort. |
| Hand Injuries (h) | Moderate | £5,720 to £13,280 | Crush or penetrating injuries. Soft tissue and deep lacerations The top bracket is when surgery fails resulting in serious disability. |
| Shoulder Injuries (c) | Moderate | £7,890 to £12,770 | Frozen shoulder with limited movement and discomfort. Minimal symptoms persist for two years. |
| Wrist Injury (e) | In the region of £7,430 | An uncomplicated Colles’ fracture | |
| Hand Injuries (n) | In the region of £6,000 | Serious injury to little finger. |
How Do Office Accidents Happen?
Below, we’ve provided examples of the kinds of accidents that could occur in an office:
- Slips trips and falls. These can be caused by obstacles in walkways, wet floors and uneven surfaces.
- Lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), or PPE that isn’t fit for purpose. Your employer needs to provide you with appropriate and fit-for-use PPE that you need to do your job safely. If they fail to do this and you’re injured as a result, you could claim.
- Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). Your employer should carry out a risk assessment on your workstation to reduce the risk of injury. For example, if you work at a computer and your screen is too high, this could cause you to strain your neck resulting in a neck injury.
For more information on whether your accident could entitle you to claim, speak with an advisor today.
Evidence For Office Accident Claims
In the aftermath of your accident, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances when it comes to making a later claim. You can collect evidence, for example:
- Medical report. After a workplace accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Firstly for your safety, and secondly, to generate records that can be used in support of your claim.
- CCTV footage. If the accident was caught on a CCTV camera, you could request the footage.
- Witness statements. Take the contact details of anyone who witnessed the accident. They might be contacted to provide a statement at a later date.
- Details of suffering. Keep a diary of how your injuries have impacted you. It will be useful to record how you have suffered as a result of your injury.
- Fill out the accident book. If your workplace employs 10 or more people there must be an accident book on site. You can fill this out with details of what happened.
- Consider hiring a solicitor to handle your claim. Personal injury lawyers can help guide you through the process of claiming with their experience and expertise.
What Does A No Win No Fee Agreement Mean?
If you have an office accident claim and hire a solicitor to represent you, they may offer to work under a No Win No Fee agreement.
A No Win No Fee Agreement is a blanket term that encompasses Conditional Fee Agreements. Under this kind of agreement, you won’t be asked to pay them upfront to secure their services. As well as this, they won’t expect payment as they work on the claim.
Furthermore, if you’re awarded a settlement, then your solicitor will take a legally-capped success fee from your compensation. If your claim is not a success, this payment would not be due.
Contact our team of advisors for a free consultation regarding your claim with no obligation to proceed.
You can get in touch by:
- Calling us on the number above
- Using the live chat feature
- Requesting a call back through our online form
Further Information About Office Accident Claims
Taking Sick Leave | GOV
LFS Self Reported Injury Tables | HSE
Labour Force Survey Information | ONS
If you have any more questions about making an office accident claim, speak with an advisor today.
Writer Ryan Willis
Publisher Fern Summers
