Accident at Work Claims

You should be kept safe at work – but accidents happen. First4Lawyers can help you make a claim for compensation if you’ve been injured at work.

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Can I make an accident at work claim?

If you’ve been injured at work in an accident that wasn’t your fault in the last three years, you could be able to claim for compensation.

No matter where you work, you have the right to a safe working environment. Employers can help prevent injuries in the workplace by following health and safety guidance – identifying and addressing any potential hazards.

Unfortunately, many employers don’t prioritise employee safety. There are countless ways your employer could put you in danger at work, including:

  • Not carrying out appropriate risk assessments
  • Not providing sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Not maintaining equipment and machinery efficiently
  • Not ensuring the workplace is free of hazards, such as liquid spills
  • Not enforcing health and safety regulations
  • Not training employees appropriately
  • Not addressing colleagues’ negligence
  • Not ensuring vehicles are carrying an appropriate load

If your employer has not fulfilled their duty to provide a safe workplace, you could make a personal injury claim for accident at work compensation to help your recovery.

How to claim for an accident at work

If you’ve been injured at work and it wasn’t your fault, you should do the following:

  • Seek medical attention
    Try to see a doctor as soon as possible. This will allow you to get the medical treatment you need, as well as ensuring that there is an official record of the injuries you suffered.
  • Report and record your accident
    Report the accident to your supervisor or manager. Make sure it is recorded in your workplace’s accident book. This could become useful evidence if you decide to make a claim.
  • Keep track of the details
    If you can, be sure to take a note of the exact circumstances surrounding your accident. If there were any witnesses, record their contact details as you may need to call upon them if you proceed with a compensation claim.
  • Record your expenses
    Make a note of any extra expenses that arise because of your accident. This could range from lost earnings if you’ve had to take time off work, to the cost of travel to and from hospital appointments. Be sure to hold onto receipts and documents as evidence.
  • Get in touch
    Contact us and we’ll let you know if you’re eligible to claim accident at work compensation. If we think you have a case, we’ll put you in touch with one of our expert accident at work solicitors who will guide you through the claims process.

Can I be sacked for making an accident at work claim?

It shouldn’t happen, but we can’t guarantee it won’t. There are, however, laws in place to protect you. So if your employer tries to fire you for making a claim, they could be opening themselves up to further legal action.

Your employer has a responsibility to ensure your health and safety at work. If they do not keep you safe and you suffer a workplace injury, you have the right to pursue compensation that could help make a difficult time a bit easier.

Common workplace accidents

Workers in certain professions are more likely than others to be injured. Your risk of being involved in an accident will depend on your work environment and your specific role. When there are more risk factors, there is a higher chance of an accident.

For example, workers in the construction sector were more likely than other workers to suffer a fatal injury in 2023/24, according to the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) most recent statistics.

Agriculture, forestry and fishing saw the second highest number of fatal injuries, while manufacturing is another comparatively dangerous industry.

The HSE has revealed that the most dangerous types of injury in the workplace are:

  • Falls from a height – this killed 50 people in 2023/24
  • Being struck by a moving vehicle – this killed 25 people
  • Being struck by a moving object – this killed 25 people
  • Being trapped by a collapsing or overturning object – this killed 15 people
  • Coming into contact with moving machinery – this killed 8 people

Why choose First4Lawyers?

Whether you want to make an accident and injury claim, or need a solicitor for personal or business law matters - our friendly team are here to help, 24/7.

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Can I make a claim if the accident was partly my fault?

In certain circumstances, it is possible to still make a work injury claim even if you were partly responsible for your accident.

Contributory negligence means that you and the other party – in this case, your employer – will both accept a share of the blame. Any compensation you are then awarded will be split according to the division of responsibility.

For example, if you and your employer were equally to blame for the accident, you would then receive 50% of the compensation you would otherwise have been awarded.

If the accident was entirely your fault – for example, you ignored safety guidance and fell from a height – you won’t be able to make a claim. In order to make a workplace accident claim, your injury must have been at least partly caused by someone else.

How can I fund an accident at work compensation claim?

Everyone is entitled to justice when they are wronged – but not everyone can afford to pursue it. This is why No Win No Fee claims were introduced. They allow everyone the same opportunity to take legal action when they’re injured due to someone else’s negligence.

Making a claim on a No Win No Fee basis means there is nothing to pay upfront. So you can focus on your recovery rather than worrying about the cost of a claim.

It also means that if your claim is not successful, you won’t pay your solicitor’s fee. There is no financial risk involved in a No Win No Fee workplace injury claim.

If your claim is successful, your solicitor will take a success fee. This could be up to 25% of your final compensation amount for an accident at work – but it won’t be more. Your work accident lawyer will explain all the fees before you go ahead with the claim, so there won’t be any surprise costs down the line.

Only pay a fee if you receive compensation

Our No Win No Fee solicitors will take a success fee from the compensation you are awarded for a successful claim in the form of a percentage of your damages. This could be up to 25% but it won't be more than that, except in cases of road traffic accidents. Changing laws mean our solicitors will now take a payment of 35% of the final compensation amount plus VAT for all road traffic accidents.

First4Lawyers are an award-winning claims management company with a track record of delivering service that our clients love.

How much work injury compensation will I receive?

To work out your compensation for a work injury, there are two main factors that are taken into consideration: the suffering caused by your injuries (general damages) and any financial losses you experience as a result of the accident (special damages).

To establish what you might be entitled to in general damages, your solicitor will likely arrange for you to have a medical assessment. The doctor you see will put together a report that details how you might be affected by the injury, how long it will likely take for you to recover and what sort of treatment you’ll need.

Special damages put a value on what you have lost because of the accident. This can include wages from time taken off work, money spent on medical care and medication, reimbursement for any possessions that may have been damaged in the accident, as well as compensation for any additional care.

This means that without knowing the severity of your injury and the impact it has had on you, it is difficult to say exactly how much you might receive in compensation. Our simple compensation calculator can help to give you a better idea of the amount you might be awarded.

You can also give our team of advisors a call to discuss your claim. It’s free to chat to us and we’re happy to talk you through your options.

Calculate your compensation in 4 easy steps...

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  • In these cases brain damage, if any, will be minimal.
  • Where a good recovery has been made but symptoms such as poor concentration and memory problems continue.
  • Where ability to work is reduced and there is a risk of epilepsy.
  • The injured person is very seriously disabled and is dependent on others.
  • Epilepsy has been caused as a consequence of the injury.
  • Affecting the ability to cope with life and/or work or affecting relationships with family and friends.
  • The injured person largely recovers within two years.
  • Injury causes effects that cause significant disability for the foreseeable future, or permanently.
  • In consequence of defective permanent waving etc. where effects are dermatitis or hair loss leading to distress and effects on social life.
  • Where hair has been pulled out leaving bald patches, or stress-induced alopecia with full recovery within two years.
  • Resulting in pain and temporary interference with vision.
  • Permanent impairment of vision in one or both eyes.
  • Total loss of sight in one eye and reduced vision or other problems with the other eye
  • Total loss of sight in one eye only.
  • Mild tinnitus with some hearing loss
  • With noise induced hearing loss, or moderate to severe tinnitus, or noise induced hearing loss alone.
  • With noise induced hearing loss
  • With or without associated problems such as tinnitus, dizziness or headaches.
  • With or without the speech being affected, or tinnitus.
  • Full recovery with no surgery required.
  • Where recovery is complete after surgery
  • Injuries requiring a number of operations and/or resulting in permanent damage.
  • Simple fracture of the cheekbone, which will fully recover without surgery.
  • Simple fracture of the cheekbone requiring some reconstructive surgery, but with full recovery and little or no cosmetic effects.
  • Serious fractures causing lasting effects such as burning/prickling sensation or an element of disfigurement.
  • Requiring immobilisation but recovery is complete.
  • Serious injury causing permanent damage, such as difficulty eating or opening the mouth.
  • Very serious multiple fractures requiring prolonged treatment. Permanent effects such as severe pain, restricted eating.
  • Assessed per tooth.
  • Single tooth only.
  • Extends over a number of years, including significant deterioration of overall condition of the teeth.
  • Where full recovery takes place between nine months and one year.
  • Fractures or dislocations which cause severe immediate symptoms and chronic conditions, leading to impaired function or limitation of activities.
  • Injuries usually involving serious fractures or disc damage leading to disability, such as substantial loss of movement or loss of function in one or more limbs.
  • Caused by asbestos
  • Varying levels of respiratory disability and reduced lung function (1-10% and in excess of 10%)
  • Severe pain and impairment of the pleura (lung lining) or the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity), affecting function and quality of life.
  • Causing respiratory disability attributed to asbestos exposure.
  • Causing permanent damage, impairment of function, physical disability and reduction of life expectancy.
  • Such as soft tissue damage causing considerable pain but recovery almost complete within two years.
  • Such as frozen shoulder causing limitation of movement and discomfort for up to two years.
  • Causing pain in shoulder and neck, aching in elbow, weakness of arm and hand.
  • Involving damage to the brachial plexus and resulting in significant disability.
  • Temporary or permanent disability as a result of a fracture.
  • Such as strains, sprains, disc prolapses and soft tissue injuries.
  • Such as disturbances of ligaments and muscles causing backache, or compression fracture.
  • Injuries causing severe pain and disability, including impaired bladder, bowel and sexual function.
  • Resulting in significant or permanent disability
  • Most elbow injuries such as simple fractures, laceration and tennis elbow, not resulting in permanent damage or impairment.
  • Injuries causing impairment of function but not involving major surgery or significant disabilty
  • Injuries such as deep lacerations, soft tissue wounds or crush injuries, all recovering within six months.
  • Resulting in impairment of grip or reduced mechanical function. Partial amputations resulting in deformity.
  • Injuries such as a thumb being severed and re-attached, leaving it with little use, amputation of the tip or at the joint of the thumb. Nerve damage or fracture resulting in impaired grip or dexterity.
  • Amputation resulting in very little use and weak grip.
  • Amputation due to crush injuries, or loss of a significant part of the hand due to traumatic injury.
  • Serious injury resulting in extensive damage to both hands, effectively leaving them with little use.
  • Caused by repeated vibration, damage to hands including impaired grip, dexterity and frequent pain.
  • Such as an uncomplicated fracture with full or virtual recovery.
  • Injuries resulting in significant permanent disability, but some useful movement remains.
  • Injuries causing some permanent disability, such as persistent pain and stiffness.
  • Resulting in complete loss of function in the wrist, for example when an arthrodesis has been performed.
  • Such as a broken femur, tibia or fibular
  • Serious fracture or injuries to joints or ligaments, scarring, instability and lengthy treatment required.
  • Fractures where a full recovery is not made.
  • Loss of a leg below the knee
  • Loss of a leg above the knee
  • Both legs being lost above the knee, below the knee, or where one leg has been lost above the knee and the other below.
  • Torn cartilage or meniscus, laceration, twisting and bruising. May be full recovery, or continued aches and pains.
  • Injury or damage causing mild disability or continuing pain, discomfort or limited movement that may require future surgery.
  • Fractures, joint or ligament damage causing constant pain, impairing movement and agility. Requiring prolonged treatment, the injured person will be prone to osteoarthritis.
  • Including fractures where there is full recovery within two years.
  • Significant injury but any permanent disability is not major. Injury may require a hip replacement.
  • Such as extensive fractures resulting in substantial disabilities.
  • Simple metatarsal fractures, ruptured ligaments.
  • Displaced metatarsal fractures resulting in permanent deformity.
  • Fractures to feet resulting in restricted mobility and /or considerable continuing pain.
  • Crush or multiple fractures to two or more toes, resulting in permanent disability.
  • Undisplaced fractures, sprains and ligament injuries.
  • For fractures and ligament tears resulting in moderate disability, such as difficulty walking on uneven ground or on stairs.
  • Injuries involving long periods of treatment, long period in plaster and some permanent disability.

Simply fill in our form below and we’ll call you back at a time to suit you.

Or talk to our team on:
0808 271 6198

There are other types of compensation you could be awarded through your accident such as loss of earnings or damage to property. The estimates given here are simply for your personal injury claim.

First4Lawyers' solicitors will be able to give you the best idea of the amount you should expect from your individual injury.

It is important to keep in mind that every case is different and the advice and estimates you'll be given, once your case has started, will be tailored specifically for your case.

How long do I have to make a work accident claim?

The length of time it takes to conclude injury at work claims can vary. The circumstances of your accident, how severe your injury is and how much it has affected your daily life will all have an impact on how long your claim takes.

Your employer’s actions will also affect the timeline. For example, if they accept responsibility for your accident, your claim will be settled more quickly.

How long it takes your solicitor to negotiate an appropriate compensation amount will also depend on your employer’s insurer and what they are willing to offer.

Your solicitor will let you know how long they think your claim might take after speaking to you.

To find out more about how we could match you with one of our specialist work accident solicitors, give us a call or start your claim online today.

Meet Jacqueline

Head of Legal Services

A qualified solicitor, Jacqueline has experience in handling complex injury cases and has worked in the legal sector since 2009.

She says: "An injury can cause both physical and financial distress. If you've had to take time off work to recover, you may be concerned about how to pay your bills. But you're entitled to compensation after an accident that wasn't your fault."

Find out more about making a compensation claim by getting in touch with our expert team.

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