Accident at work claims

Your employer has a legal duty to keep you safe. If they failed in that duty and you were injured as a result, you may be entitled to make an accident at work claim. Our specialist team is here to help.

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Author

Angela Dobbs

Partner, Head of Personal Injury

Last Updated

20th July 2026

Can I make an accident at work claim?

You can make an accident at work claim if your employer has failed to provide a safe working environment, which has caused injury as a result. Every employer in the UK has a legal obligation to protect the health, safety, and welfare of their employees. When that falls short, whether through inadequate training, faulty equipment, unsafe conditions, or a failure to carry out proper risk assessments, and you are hurt as a result, you might have the right to compensation.

Employers are legally obligated to provide a safe working environment. This includes providing appropriate training and suitable equipment, as well as safe working conditions. When these responsibilities are neglected, employees have the right to seek compensation.

Work accident compensation can cover losses and costs arising from the injury, such as medical expenses and lost income. If you’ve suffered a serious injury compensation might also factor in the wider impact your injuries have on your life – such as additional care costs and treatment needs. It’s also important to know that your employer can’t dismiss you simply for making an injury at work claim.

Example of an accident at work

Imagine a warehouse employee is asked to retrieve stock from high shelving, without being provided with appropriate access equipment or any guidance on safety working at height. Reaching for an item, they might lose their balance and fall, causing injury.

If the employer had failed to carry out a risk assessment, provide safe access equipment, or train the employee in safe working procedures, this could be a valid accident at work claim.

Common accident claims we support

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What compensation can help with

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Regaining your independence, physically and financially.

Suffering an accident at work can have a significant impact on your daily life. The changes are, you’ll need to take time off work, which can affect your earnings. You might need to travel to medical appointments, reassess your bills, and make adjustments to your usual routine. The uncertainty of what comes next can pile on the pressure at exactly the wrong moment. Accident at work compensation is designed to address all of that, not just the injury itself.

A successful accident at work claim may help fund:

Medical treatment and specialist consultations
Physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and occupational therapy
Psychological support if the accident has had an emotional impact
Loss of earnings during your recovery period
Future loss of income if your injury affects your long-term ability to work
Care provided by family members or professional carers
Home or vehicle adaptations if your injury requires it
Travel costs to and from medical appointments

Understanding the potential value

We secured a settlement of £150,000 for a client who was injured after a wall fell on him whilst he was working. The compensation package covered the costs of rehabilitation and physiotherapy. He was eventually able to recover well enough to retrain as an electrician.

The value of an accident at work claim depends on the severity of your injury, how long your recovery takes, and the financial impact on your life. Cases vary significantly in their value, but we always fight for a settlement that works for you.

Compensating for a breach in duty

Employers have a duty of care to protect their employees, contractors, and visitors. They must take reasonable steps to reduce risks and prevent avoidable workplace accidents.

As a general guide, your employer should:

Provide safe tools, machinery, and equipment
Keep the workplace in a safe condition
Provide suitable training for the work being carried out
Provide appropriate safety equipment and personal protective equipment
Carry out risk assessments, where required
Make sure floors and access routes are kept free from hazards
Avoid unsafe working at height, where possible
Make sure employees are not exposed to hazardous substances

If these responsibilities are not met, and you are injured as a result, you may be able to make a workplace accident claim.

Specialist accident at work solicitors

Our specialist team handles workplace injury claims every day.

Why choose Fletchers for your accident at work claim?

Accident at work claims can sometimes be complex. We might need to consider the impact of serious injuries, disputed liability, and long-term consequences for your career and quality of life. Our dedicated employment, liability, and public law team handles workplace injury claims every single day, with the specialist knowledge that makes a real difference to your outcome.

Expertise you can rely on

Specialist accident at work solicitors handling workplace injury claims across all industries
Ranked by Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for personal injury
Successful claims ranging from a few thousand pounds to significant settlements for life-changing injuries
No win no fee, so there’s no financial risk to you in pursuing your claim
Rated excellent on Trustpilot by the clients we’ve supported
Experienced across all types of employment arrangement, including agency work, zero-hours contracts, and self-employment

You're not alone

We understand what you're going through.

Being injured at work puts you in an uncomfortable position that most people haven’t had to navigate before. You might be worried about how your employer will react. You might be uncertain about your rights, especially if you’re still employed at your place of work. If you’ve had to take time away from work, you might be struggling financially, and feeling guilty about putting your family under pressure. Or you might just be exhausted and in pain, and the last thing you want to think about is a legal process.

We understand all of that. The people who come to us after a workplace accident aren’t always sure if they have a case. Our clients areoften hesitant to make a claim, and sometimes anxious about the consequences. Usually, the people who reach out to an accident at work lawyer, just want to be told where they stand. That’s exactly what we do. We’ll tell you honestly what your options are, take on the legal complexity entirely, and make sure that if you do have a claim, it’s pursued properly and thoroughly.

Workplace injuries shouldn’t be something you simply absorb and move on from. If your employer failed in their duty to you, you have every right to seek the compensation that reflects that.

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Rehabilitation support

We go beyond legal advice to support you, not just your case, making sure the right care and practical help are in place throughout the compensation claim process.

A message from our Rehabilitation and Wellbeing Team

We work alongside Fletchers Solicitors’ legal experts – listening carefully to your needs, helping you understand what support is available and creating a personalised recovery plan.

Led by rehabilitation manager Julie Chorlton, we bring together expertise across healthcare, therapy and welfare support, and can help arrange access to treatment and financial support. We also work with accredited mental health professionals, giving you and your family access to counselling quickly.

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FAQs about accident at work claims

Who can make an accident at work claim?

Most employees can make an accident at work claim if they were injured because their employer failed to provide a safe working environment. In most cases, you must start your claim within three years of the accident.

Different rules may apply for children or people who lack mental capacity, so it is always best to seek advice as early as possible.

What should I do after a workplace accident?

If you have been injured, you should try to:

Report the accident to your employer as soon as possible
Make sure the incident is recorded in the workplace accident book
Take photos of the hazard, area, and any visible injuries if you can
Get medical treatment and keep a record of your symptoms
Keep copies of any correspondence with your employer
Keep receipts and evidence of financial losses, such as travel costs and lost wages
Speak to an accident at work solicitor as soon as possible for advice

Taking steps early can help retain vital evidence that may not be available after time has passed, such as CCTV footage.

Can I be sacked for having an accident at work?

You can’t be dismissed simply for being involved in an accident at work, especially if the accident was not your fault.

Employers can’t legally dismiss you, simply because you’ve been injured or because you’ve decided to make a personal injury claim.

However, if the accident happened due to misconduct, a breach of workplace rules, or unsafe behaviour on your part, your employer might investigate and consider disciplinary action.

If your employer dismisses you after an accident at work, it may be considered unfair dismissal. You may also have grounds for a claim, if your dismissal is linked to your decision to seek workplace injury compensation.

It is important to keep records of any communication with your employer. Evidence such as workplace accident book entries, or proof of unsafe working conditions can support both your workplace accident claim and your employment rights.

If you are facing problems at work due to your workplace injury claim, you should seek advice from an employment lawyer, or as a first port of call, the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Can I claim for an accident at work if I’m still employed?

Yes. Many people make accident claims at work while continuing in their role.

Claims are usually handled through your employer’s insurance, and you should not be treated unfairly for asserting your legal rights.

Can I make a workplace injury claim if I’m partly at fault?

You may still be able to make a workplace injury claim, even if you were partially at fault for the accident. In these circumstances, this is commonly known as contributory negligence.

In these cases, your claim may be treated as split liability, where responsibility is shared between you and your employer. The workplace injury compensation you receive will reflect your level of fault. This is known as split liability, where responsibility is shared between you and your employer.

For instance, if you were found to be 50% responsible for the accident, you may still be entitled to 50% of the total claim value.

Do I need to report the workplace accident to make a claim?

Reporting the accident is helpful, but it is not always essential. If the accident was not recorded at the time, evidence such as witness statements, or CCTV can still support a work accident claim.

What if there was no accident book entry?

You may still be able to claim. In our experience, some accidents are not recorded properly, especially in smaller workplaces. Our accident at work solicitors can help you gather alternative evidence to support your claim.

How long does an accident at work claim take?

The time it takes depends on the complexity of the case, whether your employer admits fault, and the severity of your injuries. Some claims settle within months, while others can take longer, especially if liability is disputed or your recovery is ongoing.

How much time do I have to make an accident at work claim UK?

Although there are some exceptions, in most cases you have three years from the date of your injury at work to make an accident at work claim.

Where the claim is for someone under 18, or for someone who does not have the mental capacity to make a claim themselves, the three-year time limit may not apply.

Regardless of your circumstances, it is important to seek legal advice as early as possible.

How much does it cost to make an accident at work claim?

When dealing with an accident at work claim, the cost of your claim should be the least of your worries.

That’s why Fletchers Solicitors will handle your case on a no win no fee arrangement. This means you pay nothing upfront, and if your case does not succeed, you will not face any legal fees.

Only once your work accident claim is successful, do you pay for the legal services provided, with the fee agreed in advance.

Can I claim if I’m agency staff, a contractor, or on a zero-hours contract?

Yes, you may still be able to make a workplace injury claim. Employers and site operators still have legal responsibilities for health and safety, even where working arrangements are not permanent.

Does it matter which accident at work solicitor I choose?

Yes. accident at work claims can involve many complex issues. Choosing an experienced firm can make a significant difference to your outcome and the support you receive throughout your claim.

Can I change solicitor during a workplace accident claim?

Yes. You have the right to change solicitor at any point. If you are unsure about the advice you are receiving, or you feel your claim is not progressing, you can seek a second opinion and switch to a firm with the right experience.

Will I get sick pay after an accident at work?

If you’ve been injured in a workplace accident and need to take time off, the first step is to review your employment contract.

This will outline whether you are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) or a higher rate of contractual sick pay provided by your employer.

In some cases, your employer may offer enhanced sick pay as part of their policies. If you are unsure about your entitlement, it may be worth speaking with a trade union representative.

While sick pay can help cover your immediate financial needs, you may also be entitled to make an injury at work compensation claim if the accident was caused by your employer’s negligence.

Can I claim if my accident at work happened abroad?

If you’ve suffered an injury while working overseas, you may be eligible to make a work accident abroad claim. Understanding your rights to work accident abroad compensation can be complex, particularly if your employer is UK-based but the incident occurred in another country.

Our specialist international injury lawyers can assess your case, explain the legal framework, and support you in pursuing the compensation you deserve, ensuring your claim is handled with clarity and confidence.

What do I need to prove in a workplace accident claim?

You need to demonstrate that your employer failed to uphold their duty of care to provide a safe working environment.

The type of evidence required differs on a case-by-case basis. However, to build a successful work injury claim, our expert team will usually gather evidence to show that:

The working environment did not meet the required health and safety standards
You were not provided with adequate training to suitably safeguard your wellbeing
You were not provided with appropriate personal protective equipment
A risk assessment was not carried out correctly

Evidence that may support your accident claim at work can include:

Workplace accident book entries
Photos or videos
Witness statements
Risk assessments or lack of risk assessment
History of accidents in the workplace
Statements from a union representative or coworker
Your symptoms, injury progression, and related treatments
Medical records and reports
Evidence of financial losses, such as lost wages or medical expenses
An independent medical assessment

In some cases, additional evidence such as CCTV footage or records showing a lack of proper training or faulty equipment may also strengthen your claim.

Our experienced work accident solicitors will support in organising this evidence.