Could I File A Claim If I’m Injured At Work?

health and safety free advice

Have you been injured at work? If so, and the accident that caused your injury was caused by negligence, you could be entitled to claim.

Injuries in the workplace can range from sprains, abrasions to breaks. However, there needs to be sufficient proof of your employer being at fault in order for a claim to be made.

Injured at work claims guide
Injured at work claims guide

Our team of advisors would be happy to help you with any legal advice and if you have a valid compensation claim, could connect you with an accident at work lawyer from our panel.

You can contact our team on the following:

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Can I Claim Compensation If I’m Injured At Work?

In the workplace, your employer has a duty of care towards all their employees. This is set out in the Health and Safety at Work etc. 1974.

This means that they should take all reasonable steps to ensure your safety in the workplace. If the employer breaches this duty of care, and you’re injured as a result, you could be entitled to claim.

Injuries can come in a number of different forms, and some accident types might be more common in certain workplaces or industries. Whatever the cause of the injury at work, you may be able to claim if it came about as a result of negligence.

As part of your employer duty of care, your employer has an obligation to:

  • Identify hazards – noting what items in the workplace may cause harm and looking back at historical records to identify less obvious hazards.
  • Assess risks – After identifying hazards, employers should assess how likely it is that this hazard could result in injury.
  • Control risks – If the risk can not be removed then your employer should minimise it.
  • Record findings – logging the potential hazards and risks, including who might be affected by them, could prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.

For further information on what could form the grounds of a personal injury claim, we have more information on workplace health and safety accident claims on our website.  Otherwise, you can get in touch with our team today for free legal advice about what to do if you have been injured at work.

The Latest Statistics About Accidents In The Workplace

In Great Britain, in the year 2020/2021, there were 51,211 non-fatal injuries reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013.

Some industries have a higher than average rate of non-fatal workplace injuries, while others have a lower rate. For example, the rate of injury in the construction injury for 2020/21 per 100,000 workers was above the all-industries rate. The rate in professional, scientific and technical activities was higher to a statistically significant degree.

Non-fatal accidents can include:

  • Slips, trips and falls
  • Handling, lifting and carrying
  • Collisions
  • Violent acts
  • Falls from a height

For more information on claiming after being injured at work due to negligence, speak with one of our advisors today.

How Could I Be Injured In The Workplace?

Workplace injuries can occur due to many reasons due to the requirements of the job and the negligence of the employer. For example:

  • Substandard training – If employers do not ensure that their staff are sufficiently trained then accidents are more likely to happen. For example, if you need to use a piece of machinery that you’re not trained to use, this might cause you to be injured.
  • Insufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – The right level of protection isn’t provided, therefore endangering the employee and exposing them to harmful materials. For example, if you’re not given a hard hat that you need to do your job safely, you could be hit on the head by a falling object and sustain a head injury.
  • Poor housekeeping– low standards on the upkeep of the workspace (for example, leaving wires trailing or clutter obstructing walkways) could increase the potential of slips, trips and falls which could lead to leg injuries, for example.

This list is only a few ways you could be injured at work. If you’ve been injured as a result of your employer’s negligence then please consult with our team of advisors to see if you are eligible to claim.

Recognising What To Do After A Duty Of Care Breach By An Employer

After identifying a breach in duty of care that resulted in you being injured, it is important to recognise what you should do. These steps can include:

  • Seeking medical attention – Making sure your safety is paramount and taking care of your own well being. However, it is also beneficial to get a report from a medical professional, as this can support your claim.
  • Reporting in a workplace injury book – this generates a record of the incident that is both date and time-stamped.
  • Photos, for example, of the incident area and the injury.
  • Collecting witness contact details- this is so that a statement can be taken at a later date.
  • Requesting any documented footage – CCTV can be a helpful factor in proving your personal injury claim.

For more information on the steps you should take if injured at work, speak with one of our advisors today.

How Much Compensation Could I Get For Being Injured At Work?

You may be wondering how much compensation you could get if you were injured at work. A personal injury settlement could consist of two heads of claim. These are general and special damages.

The Judicial College is a document detailing guidelines based on previous compensation awards. This document is used to value the general damages head of your claim; this is the part of your workers’ compensation that covers the pain and suffering caused by your injuries.

The following table is an example of these compensation brackets:

Injury at WorkCompensationNotes
Serious (iii) Leg Injury£36,790 to £51,460Compound or comminuted fractures impairing stability and resulting in lengthy treatment periods of inactivity. Heightened risks of arthirtis and extensive scarring.
Moderate (i) Knee Injury£13,920 to £24,580Dislocation, torn cartilages/meniscus causing minor instability, wasting or future mild disability. Also includes accelerating symptoms from a pre-existing condition.
Modest Ankle InjuryUp to £12,900Minor fractures, sprains and ligament injuries. Dependent on whether a complete recovery has been made or if there is future joint weakness, scarring, aching and/or discomfort.
Severe (ii) Back Injuries£69,600 to £82,980Nerve root damage with sensation loss, restricted mobility, impaired bladder and bowels. Sexual difficulties and unsightly scarring.
Serious Shoulder Injuries£11,980 to £18,020Dislocation and damage to the lower brachial plexus causing neck and shoulder pain, elbow aching, sensory detereoration in the forearm and hand. Grip weakness and fractured humerus resulting in restricted shoulder movement. Rotaor cuff injury with persisting post-surgery symptoms.
Clavicle Fracture £4,830 to £11,490Depends on extent of fracture, disability level, residual symptoms and anatomical displacement.
Wrist Injuries (f)£3,310 to £4,450Very minor displacement, fractures and/or soft tissue injury requiring plaster or bandage for weeks and a full 12 month recovery.
Serious Foot Injuries£23,460 to £36,790Continuing pain from traumatic arthritis or the risk of future arthritis, long treatment period and risk of fusion surgery.
Dermatitis (a)£12,900 to £18,020Dermatitis of both hands with cracking and soreness, affecting employment and capability. Possible psychological fallout, lasting years or indefinitely.
Chest Injury (e)£5,000 to £11,820Inhalation of toxic chemicals, leaving residual damage but doesn't permanently impede lung function.

Special damages is the part of your claim that compensates you for any financial losses you incur as a result of your injuries; for example, medical costs, travel expenses or loss of earnings. You will need to provide evidence in order for this to be included in your work injury claim.

Ways That A No Win No Fee Solicitor Could Help You

A No Win No Fee agreement is a kind of agreement that sets out the conditions that a solicitor needs to meet before being paid. They take a percentage of the compensation in the event of a successful claim.

However, there is nothing for you to pay your solicitor upfront or as the claim progresses. Furthermore, you don’t pay them anything if your claim is not a success.

Please contact our team of advisors for more information. You could be offered a No Win No Fee agreement by a solicitor on our panel, provided your claim is valid. Contact us about claiming after being injured at work via:

  • Following the banner at the top of the screen
  • Emailing or writing to us using our online form
  • Using the live chat feature at the bottom of your screen

Extra Resources If You’re Injured At Work

Please see the below links for other helpful information:

When To Call 999- NHS

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)- A Government Guide

When To Visit A Walk-In Centre

Claiming for NHS Health and Safety Breaches 

You can also read other guides we have to offer, including the following:

If you have any more questions about claiming after being injured at work, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.