Many people assume that workplace injuries only occur on construction sites or in warehouses, but office environments can be just as hazardous. Poorly positioned equipment, heavy items stored unsafely, and inadequate risk assessments can all create serious risks for employees.
In this real employer liability case, a routine attempt to clear a printer jam resulted in a painful arm injury with long-term consequences. Because the accident was entirely preventable and the employer failed to meet essential health and safety duties, NJS Law secured £18,000 in compensation for our client.
If you’ve suffered a workplace injury – whether in an office, shop, school, warehouse, or any other setting – this guide explains what happened, why the claim succeeded, and how to find out if you may be eligible to make a workplace accident claim.
It started as a routine task. When our client attempted to print documents, the office printer jammed. The printer had been poorly positioned – tight against a wall and difficult to access safely. To reach the jam, our client tried to pull the printer forward into a safer working position.
But the printer wouldn’t move. While attempting to shift it, our client felt sudden, intense pain and heard three sharp “snaps” in the arm, marking the moment the workplace injury occurred.
Following the incident, our client suffered:
This was not an unavoidable or freak accident. It was a preventable workplace injury caused by an unsafe office setup – particularly the poor positioning of heavy and awkward equipment that could not be accessed safely.
If you’ve suffered a slip, trip, or fall at work, you may be entitled to compensation – especially if the hazard was hidden, unmarked, or caused by poor workplace maintenance. These types of workplace injuries are often preventable, and employers have a legal duty to keep staff safe.
Start your accident at work claim today:
In the UK, employers have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to keep employees safe at work. This includes ensuring that workplace equipment is:
In this case, the employer liability claim succeeded because the evidence showed the injury was entirely preventable. The employer’s failure to position the equipment safely and manage the risks properly directly contributed to the workplace accident.
The printer was positioned in a way that created an avoidable workplace risk:
A proper risk assessment could have identified obvious hazards:
Employers should not leave staff to improvise with heavy equipment. In many workplaces, safer systems include:
A successful personal injury claim usually requires proof of:
We obtained the documentation needed to demonstrate fault and quantify the impact.
Accident at work claims are time-sensitive. The sooner you get advice, the easier it can be to secure key evidence such as photos, incident reports, CCTV, and witness details.
You may be able to claim if:
The hazard was concealed (e.g., spills, poor lighting, trailing cables, uneven flooring)
There were no warning signs or barriers
The area should have been inspected, cleaned, repaired, or made safe under workplace procedures
To build a strong case, NJS Law gathered and presented key evidence, including:
This evidence allowed us to demonstrate that the injury was linked to preventable risk, not simply “bad luck,” and to negotiate an appropriate settlement.
Compensation depends on factors like:
In this case, the settlement was £18,000, reflecting both the injury and its wider impact. Your claim value may be higher or lower depending on your circumstances.
In most UK workplace injury cases, you typically have three years to bring a claim (with some exceptions). Acting early helps because:
You may be able to claim if:
Office injury claims can include accidents involving:
Even incidents that seem minor can lead to serious, long-lasting injuries—so the right legal support matters. Look for a solicitor who:
At NJS Law, we help people claim compensation after preventable workplace injuries—whether you work in an office, retail, healthcare, education, logistics, or construction.
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Yes. If unsafe placement, lack of safe access, or missing risk controls contributed to your injury, your employer may be legally responsible.
Not necessarily. If the workplace setup made it likely people would try to move equipment to do their job, the employer may still be at fault for not providing safe procedures, training, or access.
It varies. In this case, our client received £18,000 for a printer-related arm injury. The value of your claim depends on severity, recovery, and financial losses.
👉 View our full Employer Liability compensation guide →
Discover today if you’re eligible to make a claim.
Complete the form below, email or call our accident at work solicitors for free, no-obligation advice.
