Assault at work claims

Work is the last place you might think assault could happen, but it does. Being assaulted at work can be traumatic, leaving lasting physical and emotional effects.

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Author

Victoria Marsden

Director of Legal Excellence

Last Updated

15th July 2026

Can I make an assault at work claim?

You may be able to make an assault at work claim if you were physically or verbally assaulted while at work and your employer failed to take reasonable steps to protect you. Workplace assaults can cause serious physical harm and significant emotional distress, and your employer has a legal duty to keep you safe.

Not every workplace assault automatically leads to a successful claim, but there are many situations where an employer’s failure to act makes them liable. It could be that staff shortages created a dangerous situation, that colleagues were not given adequate training to handle potentially violent individuals, or that known risks were not properly managed.

If the right measures had been in place, the assault may have been prevented, or its impact reduced.

It’s important to note that you cannot be dismissed from your job for making a claim following an assault at work. If you do experience any problems at work as a result of making a claim, you should seek advice from an employment lawyer or Citizens Advice.

Example of an assault at work claim

A healthcare worker is physically assaulted by a patient, suffering injuries that require hospital treatment and significant time off work. If the employer had failed to carry out adequate risk assessments, had not provided appropriate lone-working protocols, or had ignored previous reports of that patient’s aggression, this could form the basis of a valid assault at work claim.

Related assault at work claims we support

What compensation can help with

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Covering your losses and supporting your recovery.

Compensation for an assault at work is designed to do more than acknowledge what happened and hold the accountable parties responsible. It’s there to ensure financial support is available for recovery, accessing the right care, and moving forward, whether that’s addressing immediate medical costs or longer-term losses.

The amount you could receive depends on the nature and severity of your injuries, the emotional impact, any medical costs you have faced, and any income you have lost as a result. Because these factors vary from case to case, it’s not possible to give an accurate, fixed figure. However, we will always aim to secure an outcome that truly reflects what you have been through.

Successful assault at work claims may help fund:

Physical injuries, including pain and suffering
Psychological harm, including trauma, anxiety, and PTSD
Counselling and therapeutic support
Loss of earnings, both current and future
Medical treatment and rehabilitation costs
Travel and transport costs related to your recovery
Any other out-of-pocket expenses linked to the assault

Understanding the potential value

The value of an assault at work claim depends on the full extent of your physical and psychological injuries, your age, how the assault has affected your ability to work, and what ongoing support you may need. No two cases are the same, so the range of potential settlements can vary significantly. We’ll always look at the complete picture of how the assault has affected your life, not just the immediate harm, to make sure any settlement accurately reflects your experience.

Understanding special and general damages

Compensation is made up of general damages and special damages. General damages address the non-financial impact of your injury, including pain and suffering and the effect on your day-to-day life. Special damages cover the specific financial losses you can evidence, from medical treatment and rehabilitation costs to lost income and travel expenses. Our team will make sure both are carefully calculated and properly reflected in your claim.

Expertise you can trust

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4,000+ client outcomes achieved in the last 12 months

Specialist assault at work solicitors

Our team has over 40 years of experience supporting people affected by workplace injury, including assault at work claims.

Why choose Fletchers for your assault at work claim?

Assault at work claims can involve complex questions about employer responsibility, risk management, and the full extent of physical and psychological harm. Having the right team behind you is key to a successful outcome. Our solicitors specialise in serious personal injury claims, including workplace assaults, and bring together legal expertise and genuine care to help you achieve the best possible outcome.

Expertise you can rely on

Specialist accident at work solicitors with over 30 years of experience supporting people affected by serious injury
Ranked among the top personal injury law firms in the UK by both The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners
Deep understanding of the physical and emotional impact a workplace assault can have on your life and work
Clear, honest advice from the very first conversation, so you always know where you stand
Support at every stage of your claim, with a team that keeps you informed throughout
We work on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis

You're not alone

We understand what you’re going through.

Being assaulted at work is a deeply distressing experience. Beyond any physical injuries, many people find it difficult to return to work, feel safe in their workplace, or simply get back to normal daily life. The emotional impact, including anxiety, loss of confidence, or trauma, can be just as significant as the physical harm. It may also take much longer to recover from.

Dealing with financial pressure is a concern too. If your injuries have meant time away from work, you may be worrying about lost income on top of everything else. It can feel overwhelming to think about pursuing a claim while trying to recover.

Many of the clients we support have felt unsure whether they had a claim, uncertain who to trust, and exhausted by what they have been through. What they needed was someone to listen, take on the hard work, and keep them informed every step of the way.

That is what we’re here to do. We will handle the claims process, give you clear and honest advice, and work hard to secure compensation that reflects the true impact of what happened.

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FAQs about assault at work claims

What is the average payout for an assault at work claim?

If your claim is successful, the compensation you receive will depend on a range of factors, including the nature and severity of your injuries, how they have affected your daily life and ability to work, any medical costs you have incurred, and any income you have lost. These factors vary from case to case, so it’s not possible to give a single figure before assessing your case.

Rest assured, we will always work to secure an outcome that fully reflects the impact of the assault on your life.

How long do I have to make an assault at work claim?

In most cases, you have three years from the date of the assault to make a claim. If you were under 18 at the time, the three-year period does not begin until your 18th birthday.

There are some exceptions to this time limit, so even if time has passed since the incident, it is still worth seeking legal guidance. The sooner you get in touch, the sooner we can start working on your case.

How much will it cost to make an assault at work claim?

Our solicitors work on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis, which means there is no financial risk to you. If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not pay us anything. If your claim does succeed, a fee that is agreed with you in advance is only paid once your case is resolved. You can speak to us about your situation without any obligation or upfront cost.

What should I do if I am assaulted at work?

If you are assaulted at work, the first thing to do is move to a safe location away from the attacker and seek medical attention as soon as possible. The healthcare professional treating you should record your injuries, and if you feel comfortable, photographs of your injuries can be useful evidence.

Once you have received medical attention, report the assault to your employer. After that, contact an experienced accident at work solicitor who can advise you on your options and help you start a claim.

What are my rights if I am assaulted at work in the UK?

Your employer has a legal duty to protect you from harm in the workplace. If they fail to meet that duty and you are assaulted as a result, you have the right to report the assault to the police, your manager, and your HR team. If your injuries require you to take time off work, you will be entitled to statutory sick pay and potentially contractual sick pay, depending on your employment terms.

You also have the right to make a compensation claim if your employer’s failure to act contributed to the assault. You cannot be dismissed or penalised for making an assault at work claim.

Can I claim if I was partly at fault for the assault?

Even if you feel you may have played some part in the incident, you may still be able to claim, so it’s worth speaking to us. What matters most is whether your employer took reasonable steps to keep you safe. We will listen to the full details of what happened and give you an honest view of whether you have a claim.

What counts as an assault at work?

Assault at work can take several forms, including physical assaults (such as being hit, pushed, kicked, or bitten by a patient, service user, or colleague), verbal abuse (such as being aggressively threatened by a customer or visitor), and threatening or intimidating behaviour.

Some industries, such as healthcare, social care, retail, and security, have a higher incidence of workplace violence, but an employer’s duty to protect staff applies across all sectors.