You may be wondering how commonly injuries are sustained in workplace accidents. This guide will explain the significance of accident at work statistics, potential accidents in the workplace, how to respond to an accident and what compensation you could receive if your personal injury claim succeeds.
A guide with accident at work statistics
Accidents at work may be more common than you think, as it is impossible to provide a completely safe working environment, but it is possible to lessen the harm that risks can pose. Workplace injuries can be unnerving as they can significantly affect how you live your life. It can impact physical activities, mental health and even employability.
Contact our advisors today if you would like free legal advice about making a potential claim. If our advisors deem that you have a strong claim, they may pass it to our panel of No Win No Fee solicitors. Contact us by:
- Calling us on the number above
- Contacting us through the website
Choose A Section
- What Is The Significance Of Accident At Work Statistics?
- Potential Accidents In The Workplace
- How Could I Respond To An Accident?
- Compensation Based On Accident At Work Statistics
- What Are The Positives Of Having A No Win No Fee Agreement?
- Discover More About Accident At Work Statistics
What Is The Significance Of Accident At Work Statistics?
Accident at work statistics can help when claiming as they help show how often an accident happens in the workplace. Statistics can highlight whether an employer has been negligent, depending on whether the causes of workplace injuries have been removed or lessened.
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA) is a piece of health and safety legislation that establishes the steps an employer can take to ensure their work environment is adequately safe for their employees. Employers should follow the steps under their duty of care as they are responsible for ensuring workplace safety.
If you were injured in an accident caused by your employer’s breach of their duty of care, you might be eligible to claim.
If you have any questions about accident at work claims, please contact our advisors.
Recent Accident At Work Statistics
In 2020/21, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), employers reported 51,211 non-fatal injuries under The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (2013).
RIDDOR outlines specified injuries under their reportable incidents, which can include:
- Specific fractures
- Amputations
- Permanent or reduction of sight loss
- Crush injuries to the torso or head with internal organ damage
- Burn injuries covering over 10% of the body or causing significant eye damage, respiratory system damage or other vital organ damage.
- Scalping necessitating hospital treatment
- Head injury or asphyxia-induced unconsciousness
- Enclosed space injuries
In 2020/21, fractures were the most reported non-fatal injuries at 15,159.
The most common accident kind to cause non-fatal injuries was slips, trips and falls at 33%.
Potential Accidents In The Workplace
Accidents in the workplace can happen at any time. However, injuries caused by an employer breaching their duty of care can be grounds for a personal injury claim. HASAWA puts in place practicable steps for an employer to ensure a reasonably safe working environment, including:
- Providing sufficient training and supervision – All employees should receive free and relevant training to perform their job with reasonable safety. Employees operating machinery without proper knowledge and supervision could cause crashing or collision accidents.
- General housekeeping – Pathways should be unobstructed and clear of spills. For example, loose wires in walkways can lead to tripping and falling, possibly causing injury.
- Maintaining work systems – Ensuring that work systems and equipment are maintained to an adequately safe standard. If the employer conducts improper maintenance, this could result in machinery malfunctioning, leading to an injury.
Contact our advisor today for more information about the accident at work statistics.
How Could I Respond To An Accident?
If you are injured in an accident at work, you could gather evidence proving your employer breached their duty of care. A No Win No Fee lawyer could benefit you in gathering evidence by offering guidance. Some examples of evidence include:
- Medical records – Seek medical attention for your injuries, this can ensure your wellbeing, and any medical documentation created by a medical professional could help support your claim.
- Accident at work book – Workplaces with 10 or more employees are legally required to have an accident at work book. Report your workplace accident in the book if you can. Alternatively, a colleague can do it if you are incapacitated.
- CCTV footage – Ask for the CCTV footage from your employer and ask colleagues for their recordings too.
- Picture of the injury and accident site – Take pictures of the injury and accident site to potentially strengthen your claim.
- Get legal guidance – Contact our advisors, and they may be able to help you. They can provide free legal advice and potentially connect you with an accident at work solicitor from our panel.
Compensation Based On Accident At Work Statistics
If your claim succeeds, you will receive compensation for general damages. General damages compensate you for the injuries inflicted, and how much you could receive depends on the type and severity of the injury. The Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) produce a list of potential compensation brackets for general damages.
Please see the following table of possible accident at work compensation. We’ve taken the figures from the 16th edition of the JCG, brought out in April 2022.
Injury Compensation Notes
Significant facial disfigurement scarring (c) £9,110 to £30,090 Plastic surgery has/will reduce the worst effects with some cosmetic disabilities and the psychological impact has diminished since the initial injury.
Damage to teeth (ii) £4,350 to £7,630 Lost or damaged two front teeth.
Fracture of jaw (ii) £17,960 to £30,490 Serious fracture with permanent consequences like difficulty opening the mouth, eating or paraesthesia in the jaw area.
Fracture of nose or nasal complex (ii) £3,950 to £5,100 Displaced fracture with complete recovery post-surgery.
Serious foot injury (e) £24,990 to £39,200 Continuing pain or risk of arthritis, prolonged treatment and may need future surgery.
Moderate knee injury (i) £14,840 to £26,190 Dislocation, torn cartilage or meniscus resulting in minor instability, weakness, wasting, or other future mild disability. Also, includes accelerating pre-existing injuries.
Wrist injury (f) £3,530 to £4,740 Minor, undisplaced or minimally displaced fractures. Soft tissue injuries need plaster application or bandage for weeks and a full recovery around a year.
Moderate pelvis and hip injury (i) £26,590 to £39,170 Notable injury to the hip or pelvis but any permanent disability is not major and future risk is not great.
Severe shoulder injury (a) £19,200 to £48,030 Associated with neck injuries, involving brachial plexus damage, causing notable disability. Serious injury to the brachial plexus causing symptoms in the arm and neck.
Minor neck injury (ii) £2,450 to £4,350 Full recovery between three months and a year. Applies to short-term exacerbation or acceleration of injuries over less than a year.
Additionally, as part of your accident at work claim, you may be eligible to claim for special damages too. Special damages cover financial costs incurred due to your injury. Some examples of damages include:
- Loss of income and future earnings
- Travel to and from medical appointments
- Child care costs
- Property adaptations, e.g. for serious injuries where mobility is severely affected
Contact our advisors for more information on possible compensation you can claim.
What Are The Positives Of Having A No Win No Fee Agreement?
After an accident at work, you may want to make a personal injury claim. There are many positives to hiring a No Win No Fee solicitor as they can make the legal process feel easier. Your No Win No Fee agreement does not require any upfront solicitor fee. And if your claim fails, you don’t pay the solicitor’s fee at all.
Your solicitor will take small percentage of your compensation if the claim is successful. The percentage is capped by law. Your solicitor would only take this success fee after the compensation comes through. You’ll be able to discuss the fee with your solicitor before the claim is made.
Ask Us About Accident At Work Statistics
If you want to pursue an accident at work claim, get in touch with our advisors today. They can help determine whether your claim has a chance, and they may connect you with our panel of No Win No Fee solicitors. Contact our advisors today by:
- Calling us on the number above
- Contacting us through the website
Please see our other helpful articles:
- How Much Time Does An Accident At Work Claim Take?
- Your Rights Following An Accident At Work
- How To Define An Accident At Work
- The Key Steps To Making A Successful Accident At Work Claim In The UK
- How Are Accident At Work Report Forms Completed?
Or, use the informative links below:
- When to visit an urgent treatment centre?
- Can you receive Statutory Sick Pay?
- HSE – Accidents and Investigations
If you have any questions about the accident at work statistics, contact our advisors today.
Writer Jack Errol
Publisher Ruth Vickers