Workplace Accidents: Your rights and how to claim compensation

Workplace accidents can happen in any setting – from construction sites to offices. Whether it’s a slip on a wet floor, an injury from faulty equipment, or a fall from height, you may be entitled to compensation if the accident was caused by your employer failing to take steps to keep you safe in the workplace.

So what is a workplace accident?

A workplace accident is any unexpected incident that causes injury or illness while you are in the workplace carrying out your job.

Common examples of workplace accidents include:

• Slips, trips, and falls
• Manual handling injuries
• Falls from height
• Machinery-related injuries
• Exposure to hazardous substances

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 138 workers were killed in workplace accidents in 2023/24 in Great Britain. The most common causes were:

• Falls from height
• Being struck by a moving vehicle
• Being struck by a moving object

These three types of accidents accounted for around 70% of all fatal injuries.

So what legal duties does my employer have?

Employers in England have a legal duty to protect the health and safety of their employees under several key laws:

• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
• RIDDOR 2013 (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations)

If your employer has failed to meet these obligations and you have been injured or suffered an illness as a result, you may have grounds for a compensation claim.

When can I make a claim?

You can usually make a claim if:

• The accident / incidents which led to the injury / illness happened when you were at work performing your work duties
• The injury / illness was caused by:
• Your employer being negligent in failing to take steps to keep you safe resulting in the injury or illness taking place (such as not providing sufficient training, or providing defective equipment); and / or
• a work colleague causing you the injury / illness whilst at work, who your employer would be responsible for
• The incident / illness occurred within the last three years

What can I claim compensation for?

A successful workplace accident / illness claim can cover:

• General damages – for pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life – this covers the actual injuries or illness sustained
• Special damages – for financial losses such as lost earnings, medical expenses, travel costs and rehabilitation or care needs that have arisen as a result of the injury / illness sustained

The amount of compensation depends on the severity of your injury, how long it takes to recover, and the impact on your daily life.

How to start a claim

The first step is to speak to a specialist personal injury solicitor. They will:

• Assess your case
• Gather evidence (e.g. accident reports, medical records, witness statements)
• Handle negotiations with insurers
• Represent you in court if necessary

Most claims are handled on a No Win, No Fee basis, meaning you won’t pay legal fees unless your claim is successful.

If you have been injured or sustained an illness as a result of an accident / incident in the workplace, please contact our experienced team of personal injury solicitors on 01473 232121 or e-mail Louise Plant at lplant@prettys.co.uk or you can learn more about our services here.