If you’re interested in making an accident at work claim, you might wonder about how accident at work compensation in the UK is valued. If you’ve been injured at work as a result of negligence, you might be entitled to claim compensation.
Accident at work compensation in the UK guide
Through this guide, you can find out more about compensation estimates and examples of workplace accidents. We will also explain the benefits of working with a solicitor under a No Win No Fee agreement.
Our team of expert advisors are ready to help you start your claim today. Get in touch by:
- Calling us using the number at the top of the screen
- Contacting us using our online form
- Using the live chat feature at the bottom of this screen
Choose A Section
- How To Claim Accident At Work Compensation In The UK
- What Are Examples Of Workplace Accidents?
- Which Factors Determine How Much I Could Get?
- Calculating Accident At Work Compensation In The UK
- Should I Have A No Win No Fee Agreement?
- Further Guidance About Claiming Accident At Work Compensation In The UK
How To Claim Accident At Work Compensation In The UK
To claim accident at work compensation in the UK, you must be able to prove that your employer is at fault for your injuries. This means you need to establish that:
- Your employer held a duty of care towards you
- They breached this duty of care
- Your injuries are a result of this breach
According to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA), all employers have a responsibility to provide a reasonably safe working environment for their employees. This responsibility is also known as a duty of care. If your employer breaches this duty and you sustain an injury because of this, you could be eligible to make a claim.
To find out if you could be eligible to claim, contact our advisors today. They could offer further guidance about the process of claiming.
What Are The Findings Of HSE Statistics?
According to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR), employers must report certain non-fatal injuries to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
In the year 2020/2021, reports made under RIDDOR indicate that 51,211 workers suffered a non-fatal injury in the workplace. Some industries had higher than average rates of workplace injury per 100,000 workers, including agriculture, forestry and fishing and construction.
What Are Examples Of Workplace Accidents?
There are multiple ways an accident at work can happen. However, in order to claim accident at work compensation in the UK, you must be able to prove that your employer’s negligence led to your accident. Below are some examples of how employer negligence can contribute to workplace accidents:
- Poor housekeeping: All walkways should be kept clear from things like boxes and clutter. If walkways are cluttered, you could trip or fall and suffer an injury.
- Failure to risk assess: It’s important that risk assessments are carried out so that hazards to health can be minimised or removed. If they fail to carry out a risk assessment or fail to act on the results, you could claim if you’re injured as a result.
- Lack of training: Employers must provide free and relevant training to all their employees. For example, if you work in a warehouse, you might need training around manual handling. If you aren’t provided with this, you could develop a musculoskeletal disorder because of poor lifting techniques.
If you would like to learn more about claiming accident at work compensation in the UK, our advisors can help. Get in touch today using our contact details.
Which Factors Determine How Much I Could Get?
Accident at work compensation in the UK can be determined on a case-by-case basis. Because of this, multiple factors are considered when valuing your claim. For example, the severity of your injuries and the amount of pain they cause you will be considered.
If you choose to hire legal counsel, your solicitor can help you gather evidence to strengthen your case. We’ve compiled a list of some evidence you can use to support your claim:
- Medical records: Seeking medical attention after your accident ensures you get the help you need, but it can also strengthen your claim. Any notes made by a medical professional can help support 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.
- Witness statements: You can’t ask for statements yourself, but you can take the contact details of anyone who might have witnessed the accident so their statements can be taken later.
- Accident book logs: If your workplace has more than ten employees, there must be an accident book. Filling in the accident book is good practice for all workplace injuries, and it can also strengthen your claim as it shows how the incident occurred.
For free legal advice and help starting your claim, contact our advisors today.
Calculating Accident At Work Compensation In The UK
Many people use online compensation calculators to find out how much they could be awarded in terms of accident at work compensation. However, you can also use the table we have included below.
A document called the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) is used to help value claims. This document contains a list of injuries with guideline compensation brackets and is often used to help inform general damages amounts.
General damages are the first head of your claim and cover the pain and suffering caused by your injuries. We’ve included some examples of JCG compensation brackets in the table below.
Injury Type Compensation Bracket Notes
Minor Brain or Head Injury £2,070 to £11,980 Brain damage will be minimal if any. Consideration will be given to injury severity, recovery time, and persistence of symptoms.
Complete Loss of Sight in One Eye £46,240 to £51,460 Consideration given to sympathetic opthalmia and cosmetic scarring.
Total Loss of Hearing in One Ear £29,380 to £42,730 Consideration given to tinnitus and speech deficit.
Loss of One Kidney £28,880 to £42,110 Loss of one kidney with no damage to the other.
Moderate back Injury (ii) £11,730 to £26,050 Soft tissue injuries, prolapsed discs and disturbance of ligaments that give rise to pain or other symptoms.
Moderate Shoulder Injury £7,410 to £11,980 Frozen shoulder with limited movement and pain, lasting approximately two years.
Arm Amputated at the Shoulder Not less than £128,710 Arm amputated at the shoulder.
Simple Fractures of the Forearm £6,190 to £18,020 Simple forearm fractures.
Fracture of Index Finger £8,550 to £11,480 Consideration given to level of repair, strength of grip and presence of pain and other symptoms.
Amputation of One Foot £78,800 to £102,890 Amputation including the ankle joint.
You might also be able to claim for special damages. Special damages can cover any financial losses you might incur due to your injuries. This can include travel costs, childcare expenses, or loss of earnings.
For example, if your injuries required a long absence from work, special damages could cover your lost earnings. You must provide proof for anything you claim under special damages, so it’s a good idea to keep any relevant payslips, invoices, and receipts.
The JCG provides guideline amounts, but they aren’t guaranteed. For a more detailed estimation of what your claim could be worth, contact our advisors today.
Should I Have A No Win No Fee Agreement?
You do not need to hire a solicitor to make an accident at work claim, but a No Win No Fee solicitor can make the process seem easier.
A No Win No Fee agreement means you do not have to pay upfront or ongoing fees to your solicitor when you make your claim. If your claim succeeds, your solicitor will take a percentage of your compensation award as a success fee.
You will be made aware of this percentage at the start of your claim, and the amount a solicitor can take is capped by law. However, if your claim fails, you will not have to pay any fees to your solicitor.
A No Win No Fee agreement is a good way to fund legal representation with lower financial risk. Contact our advisors today to see if our panel of No Win No Fee solicitors can help you.
Make A Work Accident Enquiry
If you have any more questions about accident at work compensation in the UK, our advisors are available 24/7. Get in touch today by:
- Calling us using the number at the top of the screen
- Contacting us using our online form
- Using the live chat feature at the bottom of this screen
Further Guidance About Claiming Accident At Work Compensation In The UK
For more helpful resources related to accident at work compensation in the UK, try:
GOV.UK – Requesting CCTV footage
HSE – Workers’ health and safety
Other Work Accident Claims Guides
- Could I Claim Compensation Following A Workplace Accident?
- Accident At Work Claims – Read Our Complete Guide
- Finding The Accident At Work Compensation Company That’s Best For You
- Making Work Accident Claims With A No Win No Fee Solicitor
- The Rights You Have After An Accident At Work