Back injury at work claims

A back injury at work can affect your ability to earn, live independently, and do the things you enjoy. If your employer failed to keep you safe, you may be entitled to make a claim. Our specialist solicitors are on hand to guide you through every step.

GET IN TOUCH 0330 175 8740

Trustpilot
TOP-RANKED LEGAL EXPERTS CHAMBERS & LEGAL 500
NO WIN, NO FEE

Author

Jenny Stevenson

Associate & Head of Personal Injury

Last Updated

15th July 2026

Can I make a back injury at work claim?

You may be able to make a back injury at work claim if your employer’s negligence caused your injury, meaning they failed to meet their legal duty to keep you safe. Back injuries at work can range from short-term discomfort to long-term, life-changing conditions, and in many cases, you are entitled to seek compensation for both the physical impact and any financial losses you’ve experienced.

Your employer has a legal obligation to provide a safe working environment. If they failed to meet minimum health and safety standards, didn’t carry out proper risk assessments, or didn’t provide adequate training or equipment, that failure could form the basis of a back injury at work claim. Your solicitor will gather the evidence needed to show that your employer’s negligence contributed to your injury.

You may be able to claim even if you’re unsure whether your employer was fully at fault, or if some time has passed since your injury. In most cases, you have three years from the date of your back injury to make a claim, though there can be exceptions. If you’re aged under 18, or if you want to pursue a claim on behalf of someone who lacks the mental capacity to handle their own affairs, the three-year ruling won’t apply in the same way.

It’s also important to note that your employer can’t dismiss you for making a back injury at work claim. If you’re experiencing problems at work as a result of bringing a claim, you can speak to an employment lawyer or Citizens Advice.

Example of a back injury at work claim

A warehouse worker is regularly required to lift heavy boxes without proper manual handling training or equipment. Over time, they develop a serious lumbar spine injury that leaves them unable to work. If their employer failed to carry out a risk assessment or provide the required training, this could be a valid back injury at work claim.

Related injury at work claims we support

What compensation can help with

Man holding his lower back with both hands, wearing a beige shirt and black watch

Covering your losses and funding the support you need.

Compensation for a back injury at work helps you process what has happened, but also makes sure you have the financial means to access any treatment, rehabilitation, and practical support you need, both now and in the future.

Every case is different, but speaking to a specialist solicitor can help you understand what your claim could be worth.

Successful back injury at work claims may help fund:

Medical treatment, including GP and specialist appointments
Physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and occupational therapy
Psychological support and counselling
Loss of earnings, both current and future
Costs of any adaptations to your home or workplace
Ongoing care and support needs
Travel costs related to your treatment and recovery
Any other out-of-pocket expenses caused by your injury

Understanding the potential value

Our team has handled a breadth of cases with varying compensation levels. We secured £2,575 for a client who aggravated a pre-existing back injury pulling a food trolley at a care home, £2,462 for a man who aggravated an existing back injury using a manual pump truck, and £1,760 for a client who injured their back in a fall at work. The value of a back injury at work claim depends on the severity of your injury, how it affects your ability to work, and the long-term impact on your day-to-day life. Your settlement will reflect the full picture of what you’ve experienced and lost.

Expertise you can trust

9/10 clients would recommend us
APIL accredited experts
4,000+ client outcomes achieved in the last 12 months

Specialist back injury at work solicitors

Our team has decades of experience handling back injury at work claims.

Why choose Fletchers for your back injury at work claim?

A back injury at work claim can be more complex than it first appears, especially when injuries affect your long-term ability to work or when pre-existing conditions are involved. Having a specialist team behind you makes a real difference. We focus exclusively on personal injury and serious injury law, and we have more than 40 years of experience helping people get the compensation they deserve.

Expertise you can rely on

Specialist accident at work solicitors with over 30 years of experience in back injury claims
Ranked among the top personal injury lawyers in the UK by Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners
Proven track record of successful outcomes across a wide range of back injury at work cases
We gather all the evidence, including medical records, witness statements, and expert reports, so you don’t have to
Clear, honest advice at every stage, so you always know where you stand
Rated excellent on Trustpilot by the clients we have supported
‘No Win, No Fee’, so you can pursue your claim without any upfront financial risk

You're not alone

We understand what you're going through.

Many of the people we support come to us feeling unsure about whether they have a case, or worried about the impact of making a claim. There can be a sense of uncertainty, and people generally worry that their employer may be able to dismiss them if they bring a case forward.

But suffering a back injury at work can affect every part of your life. Employers have a legal duty to ensure a safe working environment. And they can’t dismiss you simply for pursuing a claim, that you are within your rights to pursue. If you’ve experienced a back injury that has forced you to take time away from work, or has left you unable to carry out every tasks in the usual way, you deserve to be compensated.

The financial pressure of a back injury can also be significant. Time off work, treatment costs, and the possibility of a long-term impact on your earning capacity are valid, practical concerns that should be part of your claim. You shouldn’t have to face those pressures alone.

Our team handles every part of the process. We gather evidence, deal with the other side, keep you informed, and work to secure the compensation for a back injury at work that you deserve.

Happy amputee doing exercises for upper body strength on exercise machine at gym.

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.

OUR REHABILITATION & WELLBEING TEAM

People we’ve supported

1/3

VIEW ALL STORIES

FAQs about back injury at work claims

What are the common causes of a back injury at work?

Back injuries at work can happen in almost any industry. Some of the most common causes we see include slips, trips, and falls, and manual handling injuries from lifting or carrying heavy loads without proper training or equipment.

Construction accidents, including falls from height, forklift accidents, and injuries caused by repetitive movements or poor workstation setup in an office environment, can also lead to back injuries at work.

If your back injury was caused by your employer’s failure to manage these risks properly, you may have a valid claim.

How long does a back injury at work claim take?

The length of time a back injury at work claim takes depends on the complexity of your case and how quickly the other side responds. Straightforward claims can sometimes be resolved in a matter of months, while more complex cases, particularly those involving serious or long-term injuries, may take longer.

Your solicitor will keep you updated throughout and give you a realistic picture of timescales as your case progresses.

What evidence is needed for a back injury at work claim?

The evidence required for a back injury at work claim will depend on the specific circumstances of your case, but it typically includes:

Photographs or videos of the accident site and your injuries
Contact details of any eyewitnesses
Copies of accident reports or correspondence with your employer
Medical records confirming your diagnosis and treatment
Notes about your pain, symptoms, and how your injury affects daily life
Receipts or documentation for any related expenses

Your solicitor will guide you through what is needed and help gather the evidence on your behalf.

What support is offered during my back injury at work claim?

From your first free consultation, your solicitor will take the time to understand your situation and explain what to expect at every stage. We will handle the evidence gathering, negotiate on your behalf, and keep you informed throughout. If you need access to medical treatment or rehabilitation, we can help with that too.

We ensure you get the support you need, not just at the end of your claim, but as early as possible in the process.

Can I claim if my back injury was partly my fault?

Yes. In many cases, you can still make a claim even if you were partly responsible for your injury. This is known as contributory negligence, where both you and your employer share some degree of fault. In these situations, your compensation may be reduced to reflect your share of the responsibility.

A specialist solicitor will be able to advise you on how contributory negligence might affect your claim.

Who can make a back injury at work claim?

In most cases, the injured person makes the claim themselves. However, if the injured person is under 18, a parent or guardian can bring the claim on their behalf. If the injured person lacks the mental capacity to manage their own legal affairs, someone acting as their litigation friend can also bring the claim for them.

In these situations, the standard three-year time limit may not apply, so it’s best to speak to a specialist solicitor for advice.

How much does it cost to make a back injury at work claim?

Fletchers handles back injury at work claims on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis. This means you pay nothing upfront, and if your case is unsuccessful, you won’t face any costs. If your claim is successful, the fee is taken from your compensation.

Your solicitor will discuss this fee with you upfront, so you’ll always know what to expect before committing.