Can I make an accident at work claim?

If you have been injured or suffered harm in your workplace due to the fault of your employer or colleagues, whether that has been caused by faulty machinery, incorrect protective equipment, or an unsafe system of work, you may be able to make an accident at work compensation claim. Our lawyers understand the anxiety felt when you are injured at work, and we are on hand to support you.

Employers have a legal duty of care to ensure their employees have a safe working environment and equipment, proper training, and protection. If they breach that duty and you are injured as a result, you are entitled to make a claim against them.

Even if your accident was caused by a colleague's actions or negligence, your employer is responsible for compensating you. Every employer, by law, must have employers' liability insurance, to make sure they can pay compensation for any accidents at work that result in illness or injury. This is particularly important as this means the injured person is protected from a business not having the financial means to pay compensation.

Types of work accident claims

There are many ways in which you could be injured in the workplace, and we have been instructed to represent clients for a wide range of accidents. Here are just some examples of workplace accident claims we have worked on:

• Construction accidents: Construction sites remain one of the most dangerous places to work and we have helped many people who have been injured when working on them due to falls from height, electrocution, manual handling lifting incidents, faulty machinery, lack of training or suitable staff are common examples.
• Defective equipment: You have a right to expect the equipment you use at work to be safe, but unfortunately, poor maintenance and inadequate safety procedures mean some equipment is defective or inappropriate for the job in hand, which can cause injuries.
• Warehouse and factory injuries: Though warehouses and factories are far safer than they used to be, accidents do still happen, so if you have been injured or have been made ill from working in one, we can help.
• Military injuries: If you have been injured in a military accident or suffered because of negligence, we can help.

What are the most common injuries sustained at work?

Unfortunately, injuries at work are not uncommon. In fact, according to the Health and Safety Executive, 561,000 workers reported a non-fatal injury in the Labour Force Survey 2022/23, while more than 60,000 employers reported employee injuries through RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations).

It’s important that employees are made aware of the risks their work and working environment pose, and that employers take every reasonable action to ensure workers’ safety. The most common causes of accidents and injuries in the workplace are often easily corrected measures, such as:

• Supplying the correct personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Carrying out the proper risk assessments
• Maintaining equipment
• Providing regular health and safety training

When measures such as these are not put in place, workers’ safety can be jeopardised, and accidents are far more likely to happen. Some of the most common types of injury at work are:

• Slips, trips and falls
• Falling from a height, or being struck by a falling object
• Injuries caused by machinery
• Manual handling injuries

What happens after an injury at work?

As with any injury, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Your workplace should have a designated first aider or, for more serious injuries, visit your local Accident & Emergency department or call 999.

If you’ve been injured at work, you should also report this to your employer (usually via your manager). Your employer should then record the accident in the company accident book so that there is an official record of what happened, and how you were hurt.

In certain cases, usually ones that involve more serious injuries, your employer should also report your accident and injuries to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under RIDDOR.

You may be required to take time out of work to recover from your injury, which will entitle you to support such as statutory sick pay. However, if you believe your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, you could also be entitled to make a work accident claim.

Speak to a specialist lawyer today

How do I make an accident at work claim?

If you believe your injury could have been prevented and your employer or colleague was at the fault you should then seek legal advice from our expert accident at work solicitors who will support you throughout the entire process.

1. Contact us online today to speak to one of our experts, who will be able to discuss your claim with you.
2. We will assess your claim and collect all the relevant evidence, including speaking to medical experts and witnesses and gathering evidence/disclosure.
3. We can help you deal with the Health and Safety Executive who may also be investigating the accident and a potential criminal prosecution because of illegal practices.
4. To support your personal injury claim, we’ll need to obtain medical evidence. We will obtain this evidence with your permission, and then assess your medical records and arrange for you to have an examination with an independent medical expert who specialises in providing expert medical evidence required in cases such as this.
5. We’ll ensure you have access to the best quality treatment and rehabilitation to maximise the chances of a full recovery and future independence.
6. In most cases, negotiations will lead to a successful conclusion of a claim. However, there are occasions when a successful settlement cannot be reached and we will need to commence Court Proceedings and proceed to a hearing before a Judge. Most cases reach a compromise without the need for a full hearing before a Judge.
7. Our expert solicitors will keep you informed and supported as the claim progresses.

How do I prove an injury at work claim?

As with many personal injury claims, to be entitled to make a claim for compensation you’ll need to be able to prove that the accident was caused by your employer’s negligence.

This can seem daunting, but your solicitor will be able to advise you on how best to approach this and help you to collect the evidence you need. This will include things like:

• The official record of your accident in your company’s accident book
• Medical records detailing any injuries seen by a doctor or medical professional, and the treatment that was prescribed
• Witness statements from the accident
• Photographic or video evidence of the accident (including CCTV footage)
• Records of any financial losses incurred because of your injuries, such as time out of work, treatment costs and travel expenses

Why choose our accident at work solicitors?

Having a reliable and skilled solicitor is essential when addressing personal injuries. Our experts have earned top rankings from reputable independent legal guides such as Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500. They also hold esteemed positions within APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers), such as Vice President, Senior Litigator and Brain Injury Specialist.

In addition to securing multiple awards at the national Personal Injury Awards, our accreditation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Law Society's Lexcel program underscores our commitment to the highest standards of professionalism. This dedication ensures that our clients receive the highest levels of service possible.

We collaborate closely with medical professionals to assess injuries and determine the necessary future care and rehabilitation. This collaborative approach enhances our ability to negotiate fair compensation on your behalf. Within our teams, we have an in-house rehabilitation coordinator to ensure you receive optimal support for a successful recovery.