Accident At Work Claims

Accident At Work Claims and Injury Compensation

Injured at work? We understand how difficult this can be. You may be in pain, stressed about finances, and even worried about your job security. The positive news is that you could be entitled to compensation if the accident wasn’t your fault. Most workplace injury claims are resolved within 4–9 months, with settlements ranging from £3,000 to £50,000, and possibly even more depending on the severity of the injury.

You’re not alone. According to the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) official 2023/24 figures, 604,000 employees sustained work-related injuries, and sadly, 138 workers lost their lives in occupational accidents (HSE Annual Statistics Report, November 2024). Many others are facing the same challenges you are right now.

At Emaari Legal, we’ve supported countless individuals in securing the damages, redress, and financial support they deserve after a work accident. We know what you’re going through, and our dedicated team is here to guide you every step of the way.

Let’s Answer Your Key Questions Straight Away

We know you’ve got concerns, so let’s clear up the most important ones first:

Can I claim? Yes – if you suffered an injury in the last 3 years and it wasn’t completely your fault (as set out under the Limitation Act 1980).

How much compensation? Anywhere from £2,000 for minor harm to £150,000+ for severe injuries (based on the Judicial College Guidelines, 17th Edition, 2023).

How long does it take? On average, most work injury claims are settled within 4–9 months.

Could I lose my job? Absolutely not. It’s unlawful for an employer to dismiss you simply for bringing a claim (protected by Section 47B of the Employment Rights Act 1996).

Do I need legal help? Yes – having a specialist solicitor ensures you receive the maximum settlement and avoid unnecessary legal stress.

Step 1: Check If You’re Eligible

Let’s confirm whether you can actually start a workplace accident claim. Don’t worry – in most cases, the answer is yes.

You may qualify if:

✓ The incident happened within the last 3 years (as required by the Limitation Act 1980)
✓ It occurred while carrying out your job duties
✓ Another party was at least partly responsible
✓ You were working as an employee, contractor, or on a third-party site

And here’s what many people don’t realise – you can often still pursue compensation even if:

You no longer work for that employer (even if you left because of the accident)
You were on a zero-hours contract (you still have legal rights)
You were an agency worker (the site owner remains accountable)
You were partly at fault (your award is reduced but not removed)
Your employer is no longer trading (insurance policies still apply via the Financial Services Compensation Scheme)

Real-Life Situations That Count

Do any of these sound like what happened to you?

You slipped on a wet floor without warning signs (slips, trips, and falls make up 31% of workplace injuries – HSE 2023/24)
You were hurt by defective or poorly maintained machinery (breaching the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998)
You were not given proper safety training for a risky task (a violation of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999)
You fell from height because safety measures were missing or inadequate (8% of workplace injuries – HSE 2023/24)
You developed an illness due to unsafe working conditions (potential breaches of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002)

Step 2: How Much Compensation Could You Receive?

Here comes the part everyone is most curious about – the potential amount of compensation. You’re probably asking yourself: “How much could my claim actually be worth?” Well, it depends on a few key factors:

The seriousness of your injury
How long your recovery takes
The financial losses you’ve suffered (such as lost income)

To give you a clearer picture, here are some real examples of clients who have been successful, alongside figures taken from the Judicial College Guidelines (17th Edition, 2023) – the official reference courts use to assess injury payouts:

Type of Injury	Compensation Range (JCG 17th Ed)	Example Award
Minor Back injury	£5310 – £9630	A warehouse worker, securing £8,500 after hurting his back lifting boxes without proper training.
Arm injury – fracture	£8,060 – £23,430	A painter and decorator, was awarded £15,200 after breaking her arm in a ladder fall.
Minor Hand injury	Up to £5,800	A factory worker, received £4,750 after a minor crush injury from faulty machinery.
Leg injury – Fracture	£17,180 – £109,290+	An office worker, obtained £22,400 for a broken leg after tripping on loose cables.
Head injury	£18,700 – £493,000+	A retail worker, received £22,300 after suffering concussion from falling objects.

What Your Claim Can Cover

Your settlement isn’t just about the injury itself. It may include money for:

Pain and suffering – recognising what you’ve been through (general damages)
Loss of earnings – covering wages you missed while off work (special damages)
Future financial impact – if you can’t return to your old role or work full-time (special damages)
Medical expenses – treatment, medication, rehabilitation, or therapy (special damages)
Travel expenses – trips to and from hospital and medical appointments (special damages)
Care and support – if you needed help at home during recovery (special damages)

Step 3: How the Claims Journey Really Works

We understand the legal side of things can feel overwhelming – but don’t worry. Our job is to make the whole experience as smooth and stress-free as possible. Here’s how we’ll support you, stage by stage:

Free Initial Chat (Takes just 1 day)

We’ll start with a relaxed conversation to hear your story, check if you’ve got a valid claim, and explain the next steps. This can be over the phone, by video call, or face-to-face – whichever suits you best.

Getting Your Claim Started (1–2 weeks)

If you decide to move forward, we’ll:

Take a full statement from you (at your pace, no rush)
Request your medical records (we’ll handle all the admin)
Contact your employer (so you avoid any difficult conversations)
Begin collecting evidence (that’s our responsibility, not yours)

You won’t pay anything upfront. We work under a No Win No Fee agreement (officially called a Conditional Fee Agreement), so there’s zero financial risk to you.

Building Your Case (2–3 months)

This is where we do the detailed groundwork:

Gathering witness statements
Securing accident logs and reports
Reviewing workplace health & safety practices
Consulting independent medical specialists about your injuries

You won’t have to speak with your employer directly – we’ll manage those tricky discussions for you.

Independent Medical Assessment (Just 1 day)

You’ll attend a short appointment with an independent doctor, who will prepare a medical report on your injuries. These are straightforward and usually held at a local clinic.

Reaching a Settlement (1–3 months)

This is where our negotiation skills come in. We’ll deal with your employer’s insurers to secure the best possible settlement for you. And don’t worry – around 95% of cases settle outside of court, so you can avoid that stress.

Receiving Your Compensation (2–4 weeks)

The most rewarding part! Once everything is finalised, your compensation is typically paid within 14–28 days.

How Long Does It All Take?

Straightforward claims: 4–9 months
More complex claims: 12–18 months
Throughout, we’ll keep you fully informed so you’re never left in the dark.

Step 4: Let's Talk About Your Worries About Making a Claim

We know what you’re probably thinking: “What if I lose my job for making a claim?” It’s the number one concern we hear, and it’s completely understandable.

But here’s the truth: It’s absolutely against the law for your employer to fire you for making a legitimate accident claim. This is explicitly protected under Section 47B of the Employment Rights Act 1996.

Let us put your mind at ease:

It’s illegal for your employer to fire you, discipline you, or treat you differently because you’ve made a claim
If they did fire you (which is extremely rare), you could make another claim for unfair dismissal through an Employment Tribunal
Your employer won’t pay the money personally – it comes from their insurance policy (which is mandatory under the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969)
Most employers understand that accidents happen and claims are part of running a business

Step 5: Collecting Proof (We’ll Guide You Through It!)

To give your claim the best chance of success, it helps to have some proof of what happened. But please don’t stress if you don’t have much right now – that’s where we come in. We’re experts at tracking down what’s needed and building strong cases, even from very little to start with.

As recommended by the Citizens Advice Bureau, here are the kinds of information that can make a real difference:

Essential Proof:

Accident record – Make sure the incident is written in the workplace accident book (required for companies with 10+ staff under RIDDOR rules)
Photos – Of your injuries and the accident scene if possible (even pictures taken later are still useful)
Witness details – Names and contact info of anyone who saw the accident
Medical notes – From your GP or hospital visits

Extra Supporting Evidence (Good to Have):

Work emails – Especially messages about safety concerns
Training logs – Showing you weren’t properly trained
Risk assessments – Or proof they weren’t carried out (required under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999)
Previous complaints – About the same hazard

Remember – it’s perfectly fine if you don’t have all of this. Many successful claims begin with just one or two pieces of evidence. We’ll do the rest to make sure your case is as strong as possible.

Step 6: Why You'll Be Glad You Chose Emaari Legal

When you’re hurt and stressed, you need solicitors who:

Actually specialise in workplace accidents (not generalists)
Have a proven track record (not just promises)
Make the process simple and stress-free (because you’ve got enough to worry about)

With us, you’ll get:

A free, friendly chat – Get answers about your claim with absolutely no obligation
Our No Win No Fee guarantee – You only pay if you win (and even then, most costs are paid by the other side)
Our high success rate – Significantly better than the industry average of 75%
Local expertise – We understand workplaces and employers across the UK
Plain English explanations – No confusing legal jargon, ever
Regular updates – We’ll keep you informed at every stage (no wondering what’s happening)
Maximum compensation – We typically get 15% more than average

We Bet You Still Have Some Questions – Let Us Answer Them

Even after everything we’ve covered, you might still have some questions. That’s completely normal! Here are the ones we hear most often:

How long do I have to make a claim?
You have 3 years from your accident date, as specified in the Limitation Act 1980. For industrial diseases that develop over time, the 3 years starts when you first realised your condition was work-related. Our advice? Don’t wait – evidence is fresher and easier to gather the sooner you start.

Can I really claim if I was partly at fault?
Absolutely! This is called contributory negligence in legal terms. Your compensation might be reduced by the percentage you were at fault. For example, if you were 25% responsible, you’d still get 75% of the full amount. We all make mistakes – that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be compensated.

Can I claim if I’m self-employed?
Yes, you can! If you were working on someone else’s premises or using their equipment, the site owner or equipment owner may be responsible for your injury under occupier’s liability laws. Being self-employed doesn’t mean you have no rights.

How long will my claim actually take?
Most straightforward claims settle within 4–9 months. More complex cases with serious injuries typically take 12–18 months. We’ll give you a more accurate timeframe after we look at your specific case. We know waiting is hard, which is why we push to resolve claims as quickly as possible.

Will I have to go to court?
It’s highly unlikely. Over 95% of our work accident claims settle without court. We prepare every case thoroughly so insurers prefer to settle rather than face a court hearing. But if you do need to go to court, don’t worry – Emaari Legal will be with you every step of the way, explaining everything in plain English.

What if my employer has gone out of business?
You can still claim! Work accident claims are made against the employer’s insurance company, not the employer directly. Even if the company no longer exists, the insurer at the time of your accident is still responsible. If the insurer cannot be traced, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) may be able to help, as confirmed by the HSE.

How much will it cost me to make a claim?
Nothing upfront, and nothing if your claim doesn’t succeed. We work on a No Win No Fee basis (Conditional Fee Agreement), which means:

No upfront costs (not a penny)
No hidden charges (we’re completely transparent)
If you win, most costs are paid by the other side
If you lose, you pay nothing (we take that risk, not you)