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Accident at work claims · England & Wales
No Win No Fee Accident at Work Claims
If you were injured at work in the last three years because your employer didn't keep you safe, you can usually claim compensation. Employers must have insurance to cover these claims, so compensation is normally paid by their insurer, not out of your employer's pocket.
Injuries Direct is a trading name of NJS Law, SRA-regulated personal injury solicitors. Eligible claims are handled on a no win, no fee basis, with nothing to pay upfront.
- Authorised and regulated by the SRA
- No win, no fee on eligible claims
- Specialist employer's liability team
- Free, no-obligation first call
Common accidents at work we help with
Whatever your job, from warehouses and building sites to offices, shops and care homes, you may be able to claim if you were hurt because of:
What to do after an accident at work
These steps protect your health and make your claim easier to prove. Don't worry if you couldn't do all of them at the time.
Get medical help
Get first aid at work and see your GP, call NHS 111 or go to A&E, even if the injury seems minor.
Report the accident
Tell your manager or supervisor and make sure it's written in the accident book. Take a photo or copy of the entry.
Photograph the cause
Take photos of the hazard, equipment or area where it happened, and of your injuries.
Note witnesses
Write down the names of colleagues or anyone else who saw what happened.
Keep records
Keep payslips, sick notes and receipts for travel, medication and other costs.
Get legal advice
Contact us for a free, no-obligation chat about whether you can claim.
What does my employer have to do to keep me safe?
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and related regulations, your employer must take reasonable steps to protect you at work. That includes:
- Assessing risks and acting on them
- Providing safe equipment and keeping it maintained
- Giving you proper training and supervision
- Supplying protective equipment (PPE) where it's needed
- Keeping floors, walkways and work areas safe
Employers must also have employers' liability insurance under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969. If they fall short and you're injured, that insurance is there to pay your compensation.
Time limits at a glance
- Most work accidents
- 3 years from the accident
- Injury noticed later
- 3 years from the date of knowledge
- Under 18 at the time
- 3 years from their 18th birthday
Source: Limitation Act 1980. Contact us as soon as you can, as evidence is easier to gather early on.
Worried about your job?
It's natural to worry about claiming against your employer. Your employer must not dismiss you or treat you unfairly for raising health and safety concerns, and compensation is paid by their insurer. We'll talk through any concerns with you before you decide anything.
Read the video transcript · Presented by Nicole Parr, NJS Law
How much compensation could I get for an accident at work?
Compensation depends on how serious your injury is, how long you take to recover and what it has cost you. It's made up of two parts:
- General damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity, valued using the Judicial College Guidelines.
- Special damages for financial losses, such as lost earnings and overtime, the gap between your pay and sick pay, treatment and therapy, travel, and care from family.
How a no win no fee accident at work claim works
Most accident at work claims settle with the employer's insurer without going to court.
Free first call
Tell us what happened at work and how you were hurt.
We contact the insurer
We notify your employer and their insurer, and ask them to accept fault.
Medical evidence
We arrange an independent medical report and, where possible, early treatment.
We negotiate
We value your claim, including lost earnings, and negotiate a settlement.
Settlement
If your claim succeeds, compensation is paid and we explain every deduction.
What do I pay if I win?
Under a Conditional Fee Agreement, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation, plus any After the Event insurance premium. If your claim doesn't succeed, you don't pay our fees. We explain all of this clearly before you sign anything.
Who will handle your claim?
Accident at work claims are run by NJS Law's employer's liability team, led by Leanne Henton. Meet the full team.
A solicitor advocate specialising in employer's liability, public liability and occupiers' liability claims.
Read Angela's profile →
Particular experience in employer's liability and public liability claims.
Read Laura's profile →
More than 30 years in personal injury, handling employer's liability claims through to trial.
Read Mark's profile →
FCILEX, with experience of serious and life-changing workplace injuries.
Read Curtis's profile →Accident at work claim FAQs
Can I claim against my employer?
Yes. Employers must have employers' liability insurance by law, so compensation is usually paid by their insurer rather than by the business itself. Most claims settle with the insurer without going to court.
Will I lose my job if I make a claim?
Your employer must not dismiss you or treat you unfairly for raising health and safety concerns, and dismissing you because you made a claim may be unfair dismissal. If you're worried about how your employer might react, tell us and we'll explain your position.
What if my employer has gone out of business?
You may still be able to claim against their insurer. If we need to find out who insured your employer at the time of the accident, we can search the Employers' Liability Tracing Office database.
Can I claim if I'm an agency worker or self-employed?
Often, yes. What matters is who was responsible for your safety, such as the agency, the business you were placed with, or whoever controlled the site. We'll work out who is responsible when we look at your claim.
What if the accident wasn't recorded in the accident book?
You can still claim. An accident book entry is useful evidence, but it isn't essential. If you can, report the accident to your employer in writing now and keep a copy, and we'll help gather other evidence such as witness statements and medical records.
How long do I have to make an accident at work claim?
Usually three years from the date of the accident, under the Limitation Act 1980. If your injury or illness only became apparent later, the three years can run from the date you first knew it was linked to your work. For anyone under 18, the three years starts on their 18th birthday.
Can I claim if the accident was partly my fault?
Yes, you may still be able to claim. If you were partly responsible, your compensation is reduced to reflect your share of the blame. Employers must still provide safe systems of work, training and equipment, so we'll look at the full picture.
Can I claim for lost wages?
Yes. Your claim can include lost earnings, such as the difference between your normal pay and sick pay, lost overtime or bonuses, and future earnings if you can't return to the same work.
Can I get treatment before my claim settles?
Often, yes. Where the insurer accepts fault, we can ask them to fund early treatment such as physiotherapy under the Rehabilitation Code, to help you recover and get back to work sooner.
Injured at work through no fault of your own?
Talk to our team for free, with no obligation to claim. Eligible claims are handled on a no win, no fee basis.
Other claims we handle
Compensation guide
How much compensation could I get for an accident at work?
The amount you could receive depends on the type of injury, how serious it is and how it affects your life and work. The table below shows indicative ranges for some of the most common workplace injuries, based on the current guidance used by the courts in England and Wales.
| Type of injury | Key factors | Indicative range |
|---|---|---|
| Minor soft tissue injurySprains, strains and whiplash-type injuries to the neck or back | Recovery period, impact on daily activities | Up to £16,500 |
| Moderate back injuryDisc, ligament or muscle damage with longer-lasting symptoms | Duration of symptoms, impact on mobility and work | £16,500 – £51,000 |
| Serious back injuryLasting damage that may need surgery | Permanent symptoms, disc damage, nerve involvement | £51,000 – £212,000+ |
| Leg fracture (simple)A simple fracture of the tibia, fibula or femur | Recovery time, surgery required, long-term impact | Up to £18,500 |
| Serious leg / limb injuryComplex fractures and injuries with lasting effects | Multiple fractures, permanent disability, amputation | £36,500 – £117,000+ |
| Arm / shoulder injuryFrom soft tissue damage to fractures and elbow injuries | Severity, dominant arm affected, impact on work | £5,500 – £42,000 |
| Head and brain injuryFrom less severe brain injuries to life-changing damage | Cognitive impairment, personality change, long-term care | £20,000 – £530,000+ |
| Psychological injury (incl. PTSD)Anxiety, depression or PTSD caused by the accident | Severity, duration, impact on employment and relationships | £2,000 – £150,000+ |
How to read these figures
- These are indicative ranges for pain, suffering and loss of amenity only. You may also be able to claim for financial losses, such as lost earnings, future loss of earnings, care, travel costs and medical treatment.
- Figures are rounded and based on the Judicial College Guidelines (18th edition, April 2026). The whiplash tariff doesn't apply to accidents at work, so minor neck and back injuries are valued using the guidelines.
- Compensation is usually paid by your employer's insurer, not your employer personally. Employers must have employer's liability insurance by law.
- Every claim is different. The amount you receive depends on your medical evidence and circumstances, and past results don't guarantee future outcomes.