Every year, employers across Great Britain report well over half a million non-fatal injuries to workers. When an injury is caused by an employer breaching their legal duty of care, the law allows the injured person to seek compensation. This guide walks through how workplace injury claims work — from the moment of the accident through to settlement.
You may be able to claim if your injury was caused by your employer failing to take reasonable steps to keep you safe. Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, every employer in England & Wales owes employees a duty of care — to provide a safe workplace, proper training, suitable equipment, and to carry out risk assessments.
A successful claim usually needs to establish three things:
Common examples of a breach include unsafe lifting procedures, lack of protective equipment, faulty machinery, slips and trips from poor maintenance, and failure to provide proper training. Workplace injury claims are usually based on preventable safety failures rather than genuine accidents no one could have avoided.
Workplace injuries often occur when safety systems break down or risks are not properly managed. Common causes include:
Your health always comes first. Even if an injury seems minor, seeking medical attention ensures it is properly assessed and recorded. Seek urgent care for a head injury or loss of consciousness, severe pain or suspected fractures, heavy bleeding, spinal injuries, or neurological symptoms. Medical records are vital evidence — they establish when symptoms began, the diagnosis, and whether they are consistent with the incident.
Workplace accidents should be reported as soon as possible. Most employers must record incidents in an accident book. Where you can, preserve photographs, witness details, accident reports, and financial records (lost income, medical costs, travel and care costs). You are not expected to investigate yourself, but keeping what you already have helps.
Not every accident leads to a claim — it needs to show duty of care, breach and causation. If you were partly responsible, you may still claim under contributory negligence: your compensation may be reduced in proportion to your share of fault, but you are not prevented from claiming.
Once you instruct a solicitor, they investigate the accident — obtaining accident and safety records, gathering witness evidence, obtaining medical records, instructing independent experts, and sending a formal Letter of Claim (or Claim Notification Form via the Claims Portal) to the employer or insurer. Employers are normally insured, so compensation is usually paid by insurers. Many claims resolve at this stage.
Independent medical experts assess the nature and severity of your injury, addressing diagnosis, cause, recovery and long-term prognosis. Compensation is usually split into general and special damages (below). If the employer admits responsibility, interim payments may be available while the claim continues.
Most claims settle through negotiation without court. Once settled, compensation is normally paid within a few weeks, any agreed deductions are applied transparently, and the balance transferred to you. If court is necessary, your solicitor guides you throughout.
Under the Limitation Act 1980, most accident at work claims must be started within three years of the accident, or of the date you became aware your injury was linked to your work. Important exceptions:
Worried you might be running out of time? It is free to check where you stand — with no obligation.
Check my time limitWorkplace injuries occur in every industry, but some incidents appear frequently:
There is no fixed amount — it depends on the severity of your injury and its financial impact. The injury element is valued using the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). Compensation is usually divided into two parts:
| Type of injury | Key factors | Indicative range |
|---|---|---|
| Minor soft tissue / whiplash | Recovery period, impact on daily activities | £1,000 – £11,000 |
| Moderate back injury | Duration of symptoms, impact on mobility and work | £12,000 – £38,000 |
| Serious back injury | Permanent symptoms, disc damage, nerve involvement | £38,000 – £170,000+ |
| Leg fracture (simple) | Recovery time, surgery required, long-term impact | £7,000 – £20,000 |
| Serious leg / limb injury | Multiple fractures, permanent disability, amputation | £40,000 – £130,000+ |
| Arm / shoulder injury | Severity, dominant arm affected, impact on work | £6,500 – £45,000 |
| Head and brain injury | Cognitive impairment, personality change, long-term care | £15,000 – £380,000+ |
| Psychological injury (incl. PTSD) | Severity, duration, impact on employment and relationships | £3,500 – £100,000+ |
Ranges are based on the Judicial College Guidelines and are for general guidance only — they are not a quote. The amount you could receive depends on the specific facts of your case, and financial losses (special damages) are awarded on top of these figures.
Want to know what your claim could be worth? Our team can give you a free, no-obligation assessment.
Get a free assessmentTiming depends on the seriousness of the injury, whether the employer admits responsibility, and when medical evidence becomes available.
Most accident at work claims are funded under a no win, no fee agreement (a Conditional Fee Agreement): no upfront legal fees, no fees to pay if the claim does not succeed, and a capped deduction from compensation only if it succeeds. All funding is explained clearly before you decide whether to proceed. Read how no win, no fee works.
Workplace injury claims are rarely just about the accident itself — they often involve worry about employment, financial pressure, and relationships at work. Many people feel uncomfortable claiming against an employer. Our role is to provide clear, practical advice so you can understand your options without pressure. We build each case thoroughly — obtaining documentation, reviewing health and safety procedures, identifying the correct insurer, gathering evidence and instructing independent experts — and, where appropriate, seek interim payments and support access to rehabilitation. You remain in control throughout. More reasons to choose NJS Law.
Contacting NJS Law does not commit you to a claim. We'll listen, explain how the law applies, and tell you honestly whether we can help — free and with no obligation.
Start my free claim check →NJS Law Limited is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 8006550). This guide provides general information for England & Wales only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, please contact our team.
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