How Much Compensation for Injury at Work?

Accidents in the workplace are a common occurrence in certain sectors, and many of these accidents could have been avoided by employers implementing the correct measures and procedures to minimise the risk of an accident at work from taking place.

Navigating the aftermath of a workplace accident can be daunting, especially when considering the potential physical, emotional, and financial toll it may cause. Understanding the timelines and procedures for filing a claim is essential for securing necessary compensation and support.

If you have been involved in an accident at work that was not your fault and have been left wondering, ‘how much compensation for an injury at work?’, our personal injury solicitors can provide the guidance and assistance that you need to claim the compensation you deserve.

Common types of accidents at work

The types of accidents that can lead to claims for an accident at work may depend on the specific circumstances of each incident, but the majority of accidents that result in work accident claims include:

Slips, trips, and falls:

These accidents can result in a range of injuries, such as broken bones, head injuries, and sprains, and can lead to work accident claims if they were caused by a hazard that an employer has failed to address.

Manual handling injuries:

This includes injuries caused by lifting, carrying, or moving heavy objects, and can result in back injuries or other types of musculoskeletal disorders.

Industrial machinery accidents:

These types of accidents can result in serious injuries, such as amputations, and can be caused by a lack of training, poor maintenance, or inadequate safety measures. 

Work-related road traffic accidents:

These can occur when employees are required to drive for extended periods of time, such as making deliveries, and can result in injuries to the employee or other drivers or passengers.

Construction site accidents:

This includes any accidents on construction sites, such as falls from scaffolding, being struck by falling objects, or accidents involving heavy machinery.

If you have been injured at work, you may be entitled to make a claim. It is important to seek legal advice from a qualified work accident lawyer. They can help you understand your rights and the compensation you may be entitled to.

What should I do following an accident at work?

Report the accident to your employer:

You should report the accident to your employer. This should be done in writing and should include all the details of the accident, as well as the names and contact details of any witnesses. Your employer should have an accident book available to record details of any accidents at work.

 

Seek medical attention:

You should seek medical attention for your injuries as soon as possible. Make sure to keep a record of all medical treatment you receive, including any medication you take and any medical bills you incur.

 

Gather evidence:

It is important to gather as much evidence as possible to support your claim. This may include photographs of the accident scene, witness statements, and any other documentation that may be relevant to your case.

 

Contact an accident at work solicitor:

If you are interested in making a claim, contact accident at work lawyers, such as Beacon Law. We can provide you with expert advice and represent you in court proceedings.

Your employers’ responsibilities

Safety at work is extremely important. Your employer has a duty of care towards you and is obligated by law (the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974) to provide safe work conditions and a healthy environment in which you can work.

Your employer must always provide appropriate training and, where necessary, the correct and suitable equipment to help you perform your duties safely. Your employer is also under a duty to properly maintain the work environment and the equipment you use through regular risk assessments to ensure that it remains safe at all times. If an accident does occur in the workplace, then your employer must report it to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Health and safety laws and legislation have significantly increased the level of protection open to employees. There are numerous written health and safety regulations and laws designed to prevent accidents in the workplace, and any breach of these regulations can cause accidents with undesirable consequences. The Health and Safety Executive have set out guidance on their website for employers to assist in the implementation of Health and Safety Legislation in the workplace.

If you have suffered injuries at work as a result of your employer’s negligence, you may be entitled to make an injury at work claim.

How much compensation for injury at work?

The amount of compensation you could receive can vary significantly and depends on different factors. It is challenging to provide an exact figure without knowing the specific details of your case. Compensation typically covers two main categories of damages:

 

Special Damages:

These are the quantifiable financial losses you have incurred as a result of the accident. They may include:

• Medical Expenses: Compensation for current and future medical treatment, surgeries, medications, therapy, and rehabilitation.
• Loss of Earnings: Compensation for the income you have lost due to an injury, including future earning potential if your injury has forced you to take time off work. 

 

General Damages:

These are non-economic losses that are more subjective and can be challenging to quantify. They may include:

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life resulting from the accident and injury.
• Emotional Distress: Compensation for psychological trauma, anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by the accident.

There are compensation calculators online which can provide a general estimation on the compensation you may receive. However, it is important to consult with employment injury lawyers who can assess your case’s specific details, evaluate the potential value of your claim, and provide you with a more accurate estimation of the compensation you could receive based on their expertise and experience in handling similar cases.

Time limits for making an injury at work claim

Before starting your claim, it is important to note that there are strict time limits on personal injury claims. From the date of the accident that caused the injuries, the injured party will have 3 years to commence proceedings for claiming compensation.

One exception to the 3 year time limit occurs when the claimant who has suffered an injury does not have the mental capacity to begin their injury compensation claim. In this case, a close family member or friend can make a claim on their behalf, or they can make a claim when they regain mental capacity.

No Win, No Fee injury at work claims

We offer all claims on a no win, no fee basis. These claims allow accident at work solicitors to proceed with your claim with no up-front legal costs to be paid. Throughout the accident at work claim process, there will be no hidden charges or payments required from the injured person.

This type of agreement helps the injured party focus on recovering from their injuries without stressing about the financial risks.

If your claim is successful, you will only be required to pay a small amount from your final damages to your work injury lawyer. These costs will be calculated as a percentage and will be discussed with you before legal proceedings start. This payment is to compensate employment injury lawyers for their time and work put into assisting with your case.

You may also be required to pay a small fee for ATE insurance from your compensation award if your case is successful. This will all be explained to you by your employment injury lawyer before you agree to start your workplace injury claim.

If your case is unsuccessful, unfortunately, you will not receive any compensation; however, you will not be required to pay us anything.

Why choose Beacon Law?

Beacon Law is a law firm of specialist personal injury solicitors. We have helped many of our clients obtain the work accident compensation they deserve for their injuries sustained as a result of accidents at work. We also assist with other work accident claims such as forklift accidents, slips, trips and falls, and defective equipment.

We have years of experience in assisting those who have experienced all types of injuries. We deal with personal injury claims on a daily basis and have vast experience in injury-related cases.

If you have been left wondering, “how much compensation for injury at work?, you can request an initial consultation from our employment injury lawyers by completing the online help form, and an experienced member of our team will contact you to discuss your case. Alternatively, you can call us on 0330 1332 857, and we will be happy to assist you with your query.

Beacon Law are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. To find out about our no win, no fee basis, have a look at the funding section on our website.