Are you wondering if you can make a claim for compensation after suffering injuries sustained in an accident at work on a zero hour contract? If you suffered an injury at work due to your employer breaching their duty of care, you may be eligible to claim.
Accident at work zero hour contract claims guide
This guide will explain who can make an accident at work claim, and how the claims process works.
It will also go into detail about the types of compensation you could receive should your claim succeed.
Additionally, we will look at the how hiring a No Win No Fee solicitor could benefit you.
Our advisors are available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to offer you free legal advice and answer any of your questions. They can also tell you if you have a valid claim. If you do, they may connect you with a solicitor from our panel.
You can get in touch with us by:
- Calling the number at the top of the page
- Using our live chat feature
- Filling in the contact form on our site.
Choose A Section
- What Happens If I Suffer An Accident At Work On A Zero Hour Contract?
- Examples Of Accidents At Work
- How Does The Claims Process Work If I’m On A Zero Hour Contract?
- Compensation After An Accident At Work On A Zero Hour Contract
- Could I Claim With A No Win No Fee Agreement?
- Guidance About Claiming For An Accident At Work On A Zero Hour Contract
What Happens If I Suffer An Accident At Work On A Zero Hour Contract?
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA) is a prominent pieces of legislation that outlines the health and safety regulations for the workplace. It also outlines the duty of care that employers owe their employees. This means that they need to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure an employee’s safety. You are still owed this duty of care if you are employed on a zero hour contract.
If your employer breaches their duty of care, and this leads to you sustaining an injury, this is known as negligence. In order to make a personal injury claim after an accident at work, you have to be able to show that:
- A duty of care was owed to you by your employer
- They were in breach of this duty
- This breach lead to you suffering an injury.
If your case meets these criteria, then you may be able to claim. Call us for more information on whether you could claim for injuries sustained in an accident at work on a zero hour contract.
Current Work Injury Statistics
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) records and publishes health and safety at work statistics for Great Britain, including reports made by employers under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).
According to these reports, for the year 2020/21, there were a total of 51,211 employees who suffered a non-fatal injury at work.
Examples Of Accidents At Work
Accidents at work can happen for a number of reasons. Examples of accidents at work can include:
- Slip, trips and falls on the same level – If a walkway isn’t clear or has debris, you could trip and sustain an injury.
- Falls from a height – Employers should provide you with adequately maintained equipment. A failure to do so could lead to you falling off a faulty ladder from a height.
- Machinery accidents – If an employer allows you to use broken or faulty equipment that they are aware of, and this results in an injury, you may be able to claim.
However, as we mentioned earlier, your injuries must be a result of negligence in order to claim.
To find out more about claiming for harm sustained in an accident at work on a zero hour contract, get in touch using the number above.
How Does The Claims Process Work If I’m On A Zero Hour Contract?
The claims process for a personal injury is the same for full-time, part-time and zero-hour contract employees. After suffering an injury at work, it is important to seek medical assistance. Not only does this ensure you get the help you need, but any medical reports could be used as evidence to support your claim.
While making a claim, it would be beneficial for you to begin to gather evidence of the accident and the injuries you sustained. There are different forms of evidence you could gather, including:
- Photographs of the accident or hazard that caused the accident
- Photographs of the injuries you sustained
- Contact details of witnesses for witness statements
- CCTV footage
- Written record of the accident from the accident book
It can also be helpful to get legal advice while you are preparing to claim. This can clear any doubt or fears you may have when claiming. It can also help you understand the legal requirements you may have to meet. Our advisors can provide free legal advice when you get in touch.
For further advice on seeking compensation for injuries you sustained in an accident at work for zero hour contract employees, our advisors are happy to help. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Compensation After An Accident At Work On A Zero Hour Contract
The Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) offer guidelines for solicitors to consider when valuing your injuries. Many different factors determine how much compensation you could be awarded, including the severity of the injury, how long you have suffered, and the effects the injury has had on your day-to-day life.
Generally though, settlements for successful accident at work claims can be split into two heads: general damages and special damages. General damages address the pain and suffering you endure as a result of your injuries.
Below, you can find some guideline brackets taken from the JCG. Please only refer to the figures as a guide because the settlement you receive can vary depending on your specific case.
| Types of Injuries | Compensation | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Arm Injuries (a) | £96,160 to £130,930 | An extremely serious injury that falls short of amputation. |
| Severe Knee Injuries (a) (ii) | £52,120 to £69,730 | A leg fracture that involves the knee joint and causes several symptoms, such as constant and permanent pain. |
| Serious Hand Injuries (e) | £29,000 to £61,910 | Injuries will have reduced the hand to around 50 per cent capacity. |
| Moderate Back Injuries (b) (i) | £27,760 to £38,780 | Cases that involve compression or crush fractures to the lower back, with a risk of osteoarthritis as well as ongoing pain and discomfort. |
| Wrist Injuries (b) | £24,500 to £39,170 | Some useful movement remains following a permanent and significant disability. |
| Fractures Of Jaws (ii) | £17,960 to £30,490 | Permanent consequences from a serious fracture such as difficulty opening the mouth or eating. |
| Moderate Ankle Injuries (c) | £13,740 to £26,590 | Fractures and ligament tears which lead to less serious disabilities are included in this bracket. |
| Moderate Foot Injuries (f) | £13,740 to £24,990 | Permanent deformity with ongoing issues caused from a displaced metatarsal fracture. |
| Moderate Shoulder Injuries (c) | £7,890 to £12,770 | Limitation of movement and discomfort occurs due to a frozen shoulder. It lasts around two years. |
| Fractures of Nose or Nasal Complex (c) (ii) | £3,950 to £5,100 | Recovery of a displaced fracture is complete after surgery. |
You may also be eligible for special damages. This head of claim addresses the financial impacts of your injuries. For example, you may need to pay for travel expenses, mobility aids, or adjustments to your home as a result of your injuries. In this case, you could be able to claim these expenses back under special damages, provided you have evidence to prove the losses.
If you have any further questions about making a claim for an accident at work on a zero hour contract and how much you could receive in compensation for the injuries you sustained, don’t hesitate to contact our advisors today.
Could I Claim With A No Win No Fee Agreement?
You may be wondering how legal representation could benefit your claim. A No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel could offer you a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
Typically, under a CFA, you are not required to pay any fees for your solicitors services. In cases where your case is successful, a solicitor will take a success fee with a legal cap from your award.
Discuss Claiming For An Accident At Work On A Zero Hour Contract
Our advisors are on hand to answer any questions you may have about making a claim for injuries sustained in an accident at work on a zero hour contract. Get in touch today to learn more and to find out how a solicitor from our panel could help you by:
- Calling the number at the top of the page
- Using our live chat feature
- Filling in the contact form on our site.
Guidance About Claiming For An Accident At Work On A Zero Hour Contract
For more of our helpful guides, we recommend:
- Accident At Work Claims Explained
- What To Do After A Slip Trip Or Fall Accident
- A Guide To Personal Injury Claims
Or, for more resources:
- NHS – How Do I Know If I’ve Broken A Bone?
- HSE – Workers’ Health & Safety
- GOV – Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
Get in touch today to learn more about making a claim for injuries sustained in an accident at work on a zero hour contract.
Writer Lizzie Wyatt
Editor Cat Herb/ Meg MacAllister