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Accidents at work compensation claims
Accidents at work can happen to anyone, anywhere – but many are avoidable. If you're dealing with the consequences of a workplace injury, we're here to help you make things right.
Have you been injured in a workplace accident?
No one expects to be injured at work, so when it happens it can leave you with unexpected physical, emotional and financial challenges. We're here to help you make a workplace injury claim with clear advice and expert support, giving you one less thing to worry about.
Can I make a workplace injury claim?
Your employer has a legal duty of care to protect your health and safety while you're at work. If they've failed in that responsibility and you've been injured as a result, you may be entitled to make a no win, no fee compensation claim. If you’re not sure if you have grounds to claim, ask yourself the following questions:
Are you still receiving treatment for a work-related injury?
Are you attending ongoing medical appointments?
Have you had to take time off work to recover?
Has your injury affected your ability to return to work or do the same job or hours?
If any of these apply to you, it's worth speaking to our Helpline Advisors on 08003760150, where they can listen to your story and explain if you’re eligible to claim.
Types of workplace accident claims we can help with
If you’ve been injured at work and believe your employer or another party was responsible, you may be able to claim compensation. Some of the common workplace accidents we can help with include:
Slips, trips and falls: Slips, trips and falls are a leading cause of workplace accidents. They can happen because of wet or uneven floors, spills, obstacles or a lack of warning signs. These accidents can happen anywhere from office buildings to warehouses.
Falling objects: Being struck by a falling object can cause serious injuries, particularly in warehouses and construction sites where equipment, stock or materials are stored at height.
Manual handling accidents: Manual handling, which involves lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling heavy or awkward objects, can cause injuries when workers aren’t given the right training, equipment or support.
Falls from height: Falls from ladders, scaffolding, roofs, platforms or other raised areas can result in serious or life-changing injuries. Employers have a responsibility to assess the risks of working at height and take reasonable steps to keep workers safe.
Machinery accidents: Machinery accidents can happen in factories, warehouses, construction sites and farms when machinery isn't properly maintained, workers haven't received adequate training or the appropriate safety measures haven't been put in place.
Transportation accidents: Accidents involving lorries, forklifts or delivery vans can happen because of poor traffic control, limited visibility, unsafe driving or a lack of training.
Defective work equipment: Defective tools, faulty electrical equipment, damaged machinery or inadequate protective equipment can put workers at risk of injury. Faulty wiring or electrical equipment can also cause electric shocks or burns.
If how your accident happened isn't listed above, don't worry. We're here to help you understand your options and support you if you decide making a workplace accident claim is right for you. Call us on 08003760150 or request a callback at a time that suits you.
What happens during the accident at work claims process?
Making a compensation claim for injury at work against your employer can feel overwhelming. That's why we're here to support you every step of the way and guide you through the claims process. Here's what you can typically expect:
1. Call our Helpline Advisors
If you think you may have grounds for a work injury compensation claim, the first step is to call our Helpline Advisors for free on 08003760150. Tell us your story, at your own pace, and we'll let you know if we think you may be eligible to make a claim.
2. Get matched with a solicitor
If we think you can claim and you decide you'd like to go ahead, we'll pair you with expert accident at work solicitor who will handle your claim on a no win, no fee basis. They will discuss the details of your accident and talk you through the next steps.
3. Building your case
Your work injury solicitor will gather the evidence needed, collect witness statements and arrange an independent medical assessment. They will then submit the claim to your employer and their insurance company.
4. Negotiations begin
If your employer accepts liability for your injury, your solicitor will start negotiating workplace accident compensation. If your employer denies responsibility or a settlement cannot be agreed, court proceedings may begin. Negotiations often continue after court proceedings have started, and most workplace injury claims are resolved without the need for a court hearing.
If you've been injured in an accident at work that wasn't your fault, you're entitled to claim compensation, regardless of the injury you have. We're here to help you make a claim for a range of injury types, including:
You typically have three years from the date of the accident to make a claim for injury at work. There are a few exceptions to the three-year limit:
Fatal claims: If you're claiming on behalf of a loved one who has passed away, a claim can be made within three years of the person’s death or from the date it was discovered that an accident caused the death. Within this period, the claim must either be settled, or court proceedings have begun.
Mental capacity: There are no time limits for claims made on behalf of someone who can't manage their own case due to a lack of mental capacity. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis and requires medical evidence. If they regain mental capacity, the three-year limit starts from that point and won't stop even if they lose capacity again.
To build a case against your employer, you’ll need to be able to prove that they were negligent or in breach of a legal duty and that this caused your injury. Your work injury solicitors will gather the following evidence (if available) to build your case:
The official accident report recorded in the company accident book
A record of medical treatment received afterwards
An independent medical assessment of your injuries
Photographs of the location and accident hazard
Witness statements from colleagues if they saw what happened
A record of financial losses you’ve incurred such as loss of earnings or medical costs
No two workplace accident claims are the same. While straightforward cases may be settled in less than a year, more serious injury claims can take three years or longer to resolve. The length of the claims process will depend on factors, including:
The nature and severity of your injuries
If the other party admits liability or not
If any delays occur, such as waiting for police reports, medical records or court dates
The accident at work solicitors we connect you with will be able to give you a more accurate estimate of a timeframe when they've reviewed all the details of your accident and injury.
How much work injury compensation could I claim?
The amount of work injury compensation you could receive depends on the type of injury you've suffered, its severity and the impact it's had on your life. Settlements can range from £250 to over £300,000.
Employers' liability insurance covers the damages in a successful work accident compensation claim. This means a solicitor will negotiate on your behalf with your employer's insurance company, not personally with your employer.
When you make a workplace injury claim with us, your solicitor will consider the full impact of what you've suffered. Compensation for accidents at work will cover both general damage and special damages. General damages cover the pain, physical suffering and emotional impact of your injury, while special damages include:
Any time off work and lost earnings
Any future loss of income
Any changes to your ability to work
Care or support you have needed, even if given free by family and friends
Any changes you might need to your home or car
Paid medical treatments, travel costs for treatment and accommodation costs
Solicitors and legal teams use the latest edition of guidelines from the Judicial College, as well as previous cases to settle on the right amount of compensation. To get an idea of what your workplace accident claim could potentially be worth, the below table shows the compensation ranges set out by the Judicial College for the following injury types:
Injury type | Compensation* |
Neck injuries |
|
Neck (minor) | Up to £10,420 |
Neck (moderate) | Up to £50,850 |
Neck (severe) | Up to £195,970 |
Back injuries |
|
Back (minor) | Up to £16,520 |
Back (moderate) | Up to £51,230 |
Back (severe) | Up to £212,670 |
Shoulder injuries |
|
Shoulder (minor) | Up to £10,420 |
Shoulder (moderate) | Up to £16,870 |
Shoulder (serious) | Up to £25,370 |
Shoulder (severe) | Up to £63,450 |
Knee injuries |
|
Knee (moderate) | Up to £34,600 |
Knee (severe) | Up to £127,110 |
Elbow injuries |
|
Elbow (moderate or minor injury) | Up to £16,640 |
Elbow (less severe injuries) | Up to £42,290 |
Elbow (severely disabling injury) | Up to £72,440 |
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) |
|
PTSD (less severe) | Up to £10,810 |
PTSD (moderate) | Up to £30,580 |
PTSD (moderately severe) | Up to £79,080 |
PTSD (severe) | Up to £133,000 |
Source: Values are from the 18th edition from the Judicial College guidelines, published in April 2026.
*These figures are provided as a guide only and are not fixed. The final compensation will depend on the specific circumstances of each case, including the severity of the injury, its overall impact and the strength of the evidence.
Want to know how much workplace accident compensation you could be entitled to? Try our free personal injury calculator and get an estimate in under two minutes.
How we've helped people claim after an accident at work
You shouldn't have to worry about your finances after an accident. That's why we're here to help you get the workplace accident compensation needed for your recovery. We've helped more than two million people make claims for an injury at work. Backed by over 20,000 five-star Trustpilot reviews, our friendly Helpline Advisors are here to guide you through the process and connect you with a specialist workplace accident lawyer.
Start your no win, no fee claim by getting in touch with us on 08003760150 or requesting a callback.
Why choose National Accident Helpline?
We helped Paul make it right when he was hit on the head by a falling steel tool at work. This is his experience…
For weeks afterwards I was struggling to do simple tasks and was getting headaches and pressure behind my eyes. As an engineer, the fact that I was struggling to do maths told me that something wasn't right. I went to the hospital and they said I had a severe concussion.
When I rang up National Accident Helpline, I forgot everything I was planning to say, but the advisor was brilliant and walked me through the story so that he could understand and piece the information together.
I was really struggling and emotional at the time, but he had time for me, and I didn't feel rushed. A lot of people talk to you with an answer already in mind, they aren't really listening, but this was different. I felt like he really listened to me.
Paul Jenkins, Leicestershire
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