According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), non-fatal injuries to employees were caused most commonly by slips, trips and falls in the workplace during 2020/21.
They could lead to a variety of injuries, from minor sprains to brain damage. If you suffer an injury following a slip, trip or fall as a result of employer negligence, you could be eligible to claim compensation.
In this article, we will explain how employer negligence might contribute to a slip, trip, or fall, how compensation works, and the benefits of choosing a No Win No Fee solicitor to help you with your claim.
Get in touch with our team of expert advisors today to learn more by:
- Calling the number above.
- Using our form to contact us online
- Using the live chat feature at the bottom of the screen
Slips, trips and falls in the workplace claims guide
What Are Slips, Trips And Falls In The Workplace?
If you suffer an injury in the workplace, you may have to face consequences that can last for days, weeks or even months after the accident. For example, if you break your ankle when you trip, you may be unable to work while the injury heals. This can result in a loss of earnings, and considerable stress and anxiety.
However, not every slip, trip, and fall injury can form the basis of a successful claim. To make a claim, you must be able to prove that:
- Your employer owed you a duty of care
- They were in breach of this duty
- Your injuries occurred as a direct result of this breach
Every employer owes a duty of care to their employees according to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Acct 1974 (HASAWA). This means that they have a responsibility to provide a safe working environment for their employees by taking reasonable steps to prevent them from sustaining harm.
As such, if you suffer a slip, trip or fall injury due to your employer breaching their duty of care, you could be eligible to claim compensation.
Get in touch with our advisors today to learn more about claiming for slips, trips and falls in the workplace.
Slip, Trip And Fall Statistics
Employers must report certain accidents and injuries under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases or Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).
According to these reports, there were around 16,698 non-fatal slips, trips and falls on the same level during 2020/21. Of these, 9,958 required over 7 days off work.
Please note these figures are provisional.
Compensation Amounts For Slips, Trips And Falls In The Workplace?
If your claim succeeds, your compensation may comprise two heads, general damages and special damages.
General damages seek to compensate you for the pain and suffering that was caused by your injuries, and as such the exact amount you could receive can be difficult to estimate. The amount you receive will depend on certain factors relating to your injuries, such as:
- Severity
- Impact on your quality of life
- Future prognosis
Medical evidence provided in support of your claim can be used to understand the impact your injuries have had when calculating how much compensation you’re owed.
Also, a document known as the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) may be used to help value potential claims alongside medical records. The JCG provides a list of injuries with corresponding guideline compensation brackets. You can find examples of certain injuries listed in the JCG and their corresponding award in the table below. Please only use the figures as a guide.
Injury Type Compensation Bracket Notes
Minor Brain or Head Injury (e) £2,070 to £11,980 Little to no brain damage, with consideration given to severity and continuing symptoms.
Severe Neck Injuries (a) (iii) £42,680 to £52,540 Injuries might include severe damage to soft tissues, tendon ruptures, serious fractures or dislocations.
Moderate Back Injuries (b) (ii) £11,730 to £26,050 Injuries might include ligament and muscle damage, causing back ache.
Moderate Shoulder Injuries (c) £7,410 to £11,98 Limited movement due to frozen shoulder lasting around two years.
Fracture of Clavicle (e) £4,830 to £11,490 Consideration given to level of fracture and other factors.
Moderate Damage to Pelvis and Hips (b) (i) £24,950 to £36,770 Significant damage to the pelvis or hips, but low risk of any permanent disability.
Forearm Fracture (d) £6,190 to £18,020 A simple forearm fracture.
Injuries to the Wrist (b) £22,990 to £36,770 Cases of significant permanent disability, but with some useful remaining movement.
Fracture of Index Finger (j) £8,550 to £11,480 Cases where recovery has been made, but with some impairment of grip remaining.
Moderate Knee Injuries (d)(i) £13,920 to £24,580 Dislocation, cartilege tears resulting in instability or other future disability.
Special damages are the part of your compensation that covers any financial losses you incur due to your injuries. For example, if you have to travel to and from hospital appointments, you could claim your travel costs back under special damages. Some other examples of expenses you may be able to claim back might include:
- Mobility aids
- Domestic care
- Childcare costs
However, you must be able to provide proof of these losses to claim them back. As such, it can be helpful to retain any bills, invoices, or other documents involved with any costs related to your injuries.
Our advisors can offer a free estimation of what your claim could be worth when you get in touch today.
How Do Work Accidents Happen?
As we mentioned earlier, claims for slips, trips, and falls in the workplace are only valid if your injuries are a result of employer negligence. This means that your accident and subsequent injuries must have come about due to your employer breaching their duty of care. Some examples of this can include:
- Poor housekeeping: Where possible, walkways should be kept clear of clutter and trip hazards like loose wires or boxes to help prevent injury. In some cases, your employer may fail to take reasonable action to ensure this is the case. As a result, someone could trip over a trailing wire in the office and break their leg.
- Failure to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Where necessary, your employer must provide any free and adequate PPE that you need to do your job safely. For example, if you work in a kitchen, your employer may need to provide you with non-slip shoes, if the risk of slips is still present after they took all other reasonable steps to remove the risk.
- Failure to carry out risk assessments: Every employer has a responsibility to carry out regular risk assessments. This can help prevent accidents by identifying hazards that may not be immediately obvious. An employer must address any hazards and put reasonable measures in place to remove or reduce the risk. Failing to do so could lead to slips, trips and falls in the workplace and other incidents that could cause harm.
Our advisors can help you identify if your injuries are a result of employer negligence, and can offer free legal advice surrounding your claim.
Evidence For Claims Against Employers
If you choose to hire legal representation, a No Win No Fee solicitor can help you gather evidence to support your claim. There are several pieces of evidence you could obtain to support a claim for injuries sustained after slips trips and falls in the workplace, including:
- Medical records: Seeking medical attention following your accident is important for your own health and wellbeing, but it can also strengthen your claim. Any records or notes made by a medical professional can be used as evidence. They can also highlight the full extent and nature of the injuries you sustained.
- Accident book logs: All workplaces with ten or more employees must have an accident book. If you record your accident here, a copy of the record could be used later to strengthen your claim.
- CCTV footage: If your workplace is equipped with CCTV, you can request footage of the accident or the circumstances leading up to it from your employer.
Contact our team of expert advisors today to learn how our panel of No Win No Fee solicitors could help you seek compensation.
What Is The Definition Of A No Win No Fee Agreement?
The personal injury claims process can seem complex and daunting, but an experienced No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel could guide you through the steps you need to take.
A No Win No Fee agreement offers the opportunity to hire legal counsel without the traditional financial risk. For instance, with this type of agreement, you won’t need to pay any upfront or ongoing expenses to your solicitor.
If your claim succeeds, your solicitor will deduct a percentage of your compensation as their success fee. This percentage has a legal cap. However, if your case does not succeed, you will not have to pay this percentage to your solicitor.
Make Your Claim Today
Our team of advisors can discuss your potential claim and may be able to assign an experienced No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel. They can also offer a free estimation of what your claim could be worth.
Get in touch today to learn more about slips, trips and falls in the workplace by:
- Calling the number above.
- Filling out our form to contact us online
- Using the live chat feature at the bottom of the screen
Further Information About Slips, Trips And Falls In The Workplace
We have provided some additional resources below:
GOV.UK – Requesting CCTV footage
HSE – Workers’ health and safety
You can also check out some of our other guides below:
- Accidents At Work Claims
- Forklift accident claim
- Factory accident claim
- Construction accident compensation claims
- Office accident claims
- Calculating compensation for a workplace accident
- Tripped and fell at work can I claim
- Average payouts for a trip and fall at work
- Average compensation for a fall at work
For more information on slips, trips and falls in the workplace, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team on the number above.
