Frequently Asked Questions

You may have questions around making an Accident at Work claim. Take a look at our FAQs; this is where we offer answers to questions that are most commonly asked about personal injury, accident and medical negligence claims.

Of course, if you can’t see your answer here, just give us a call on 0808 256 6855 and we’ll do our best to help.

I had an accident at work – what are my rights?

You have the right to make a personal injury claim after an accident at work. You are entitled to be treated fairly by your employer. You also have the right to Statutory Sick Pay if you earn at least £113 per week before tax and are off sick for four or more days in a row. You are also entitled to make a compensation claim if the accident was someone else’s fault.

What do I need to do in the event of an accident at work?

If you have been injured in an accident at work, you should ensure you do the following:

See a doctor
Visit your doctor as soon as possible to have any injuries treated and officially record the medical details of your accident.
Report it and record it
Report the accident to your supervisor or manager. Make sure it is recorded in your workplace’s accident book. If you work in a very small business that doesn’t have an accident book, write down the details and give a copy to your employer, ensuring you keep a copy for yourself.
Keep track of the details
If you can, be sure to make a note of the exact circumstances of 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.
Keep track of expenses
Make a note of any extra expenses that arise because of your accident. This includes travel costs to get to the hospital, loss of income due to time off work and any other related fees or losses. Be sure to hold onto receipts and documents as evidence.
Get in touch
Contact us and we’ll help you establish whether you are eligible to claim accident at work compensation. We will also guide you through the process that follows, then our expert accident at work solicitors will manage your case to completion. They will work with you to piece together the circumstances of your accident and ensure you are reimbursed for the losses that were caused.

Could I lose my job for reporting an accident at work?

Don’t worry, it’s illegal for an employer to fire one of their employees if they are injured at work and make a claim against them. This means that anyone who needs to make a claim against their employer as a result of an accident at work can do so without fear of negative consequences.

How soon after an accident do I have to return to work?

After an accident at work, you will likely need to keep your losses to a minimum. This will mean you’ll probably want to get back to work as soon as possible. But you should not feel pressured. Your employer cannot legally force you to return to work before you are ready – physically or psychologically.

Is there any reason I might not have an accident at work claim?

If you are injured because health and safety standards are not met, your employer is at fault and you have a right to claim compensation. In instances where you believe you might be partially responsible, you may still be entitled to make a claim on the basis that your employer’s negligence was the main cause of the accident.

Your employer is legally obliged to provide a safe work environment for all employees and protect their health and welfare while they are at work. This includes providing protective equipment when necessary, reporting potential hazards to the relevant authorities, having adequate first aid facilities and ensuring the general environment is safe and comfortable to work in. Find out more about making a claim here.

How much can I claim for an accident at work?

When determining the amount you are entitled to following an accident at work claim, there are two main factors that are taken into consideration: the suffering caused by your injuries and the financial losses you incur as a result of the accident.

When it comes to assessing the damages related to your injuries, a doctor will issue a medical report outlining the time it will likely take for you to recover, along with the physical or psychological rehabilitation you many need to undergo as part of the recovery process.

Financial losses put a value on what you have lost because of the accident. This may include wages from time off work, money spent on medical care and medication (including transport to and from the hospital), reimbursement for any possessions that may have been damaged during the accident, as well as compensation for any additional care you have received to help you recuperate.

Therefore, based on the severity of the injury and the impact it has had on you, the amount of compensation will vary. For an idea of what you might be entitled to, just get in touch with us.

For relatively minor injuries, such as fractured fingers, where recovery happens within a few weeks, you may receive compensation of up to £3,810. A serious back injury could warrant compensation up to £141,050, whereas damage to hearing can qualify for anything up to £96,150, depending on the severity.

How long do I have to make an accident at work claim?

Claims for accidents at work should generally be made within three years of the accident or injury taking place. Ideally, claims should be made sooner rather than later.

It is beneficial to do so because the details of what happened will be clearer in your mind and in the minds of any witnesses you have. The sooner you report your accident, the less chance there is that the accident site may have been changed or repaired. There is also the possibility of CCTV being available, so the sooner you can access this, the better.

In terms of your recovery, the sooner you make your claim, the sooner you may be able to access to any medical care you may need, such as physiotherapy.

Who pays the compensation for an accident at work?

If you successfully claim for an injury because of an accident at work, your employer’s insurance company should cover the costs of the compensation. Employers are legally obliged to have this form of insurance, and you can find out which insurance company they use by asking to see the insurance certificate all employers must display by law.

Does it matter who or what my accident at work was caused by?

An accident at work can be caused by a variety of circumstances. The injury could result from actions taken by another employee or your employer, unsafe work environments, or a lack of protective clothing or training. You may also decide to claim compensation if an incident in the workplace has caused a psychological illness – such as severe and avoidable stress – or if you have contracted an industrial disease associated with your role.

If your injury was caused by your workplace, you may be able to claim compensation.

Why should I report an accident at work?

Reporting an accident at work can help not only you, but your colleagues and anyone else who may visit your workplace. By making your employer aware of what happened, you can help them realise that something has not gone according to plan. They can use this knowledge to help correct the situation, ensuring that it won’t happen to anyone else.

You may also be required to prove that you reported your accident to your employer when making a claim for compensation. If you can do so, it can make the process far more straightforward.

Do you offer no win no fee accident at work claims?

Yes, most of our accident at work claims can be made on a no win no fee basis. This means there is nothing to pay upfront. It also means that if your claim is not successful, there is nothing to pay, eliminating any risk to you. If this is not possible in your situation, we will talk you through your options so you can work out what the best course of action is.