Accident at Work Solicitors

In the UK, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to start your claim.

However, there are exceptions:

• For diseases or injuries that develop over time (like industrial deafness or repetitive strain), the three-year limit begins from the date you first became aware (or reasonably should have become aware) that your illness was caused by your work.
• If the injured person lacks mental capacity, the time limit may be extended.

It is crucial to act quickly. While three years sounds like a long time, early contact allows our solicitors to investigate immediately, secure witness statements while memories are fresh, and gather evidence before it is lost or destroyed.

Compensation for a workplace accident usually includes two parts:

1. General Damages (for your injury)

This covers pain, suffering and loss of amenity — essentially the physical and emotional impact of the injury. The amount depends on the severity of your injury and how long recovery is expected to take.

2. Special Damages (your financial losses)

This includes:

• Lost earnings (including future loss if your ability to work is affected)

• Medical treatment and rehabilitation costs

• Travel expenses for medical appointments

• Costs of care or assistance during recovery

• Damage to personal items (e.g., clothing, equipment)

• Adaptations to your home or vehicle if needed

Your solicitor will calculate all current and future losses to ensure the claim reflects the full impact the accident has had on your life and finances.

You may still be able to claim. Many workplace accidents involve shared responsibility. This is known as contributory negligence.

Examples:

• You slipped on a wet floor that wasn’t signposted, but you were rushing.

• You lifted something incorrectly because you weren’t trained, but tried to “manage” anyway.

• You knew that you were given faulty equipment, but tried to get the job done anyway.

In such cases, your total compensation is reduced by the percentage you were deemed at fault (e.g., if you were 25% responsible, your award is reduced by 25%). We work hard to minimize any finding of contributory negligence.

It is illegal for your employer to dismiss, victimize, or otherwise discriminate against you for making a genuine personal injury claim.

• Legal Protection: Making a claim is a legally protected right. Any action taken against you solely because you initiated a claim could lead to a separate, successful claim for unfair dismissal or detriment.

• Insurance Pays: Claims are paid by your employer’s compulsory Employer’s Liability Insurance, not directly out of the company’s operating budget. This removes the financial burden from the employer and protects the business relationship.

If your employer did attempt to dismiss you because of a claim, you may have grounds for an unfair dismissal case in addition to your injury claim.

Your solicitor will keep everything confidential and guide you through the process professionally, ensuring your rights are protected.

We proudly offer our clients a Conditional Fee Agreement, commonly known as a ‘No Win No Fee’ agreement, but we apply it with professional diligence to ensure the best outcome for all parties.

We offer this arrangement in the vast majority of personal injury cases. Each case is carefully assessed on its individual merits.

After reviewing the details of your claim, we’ll determine the likelihood of success. If we believe your case has a strong chance of winning, we’ll proceed on a No Win No Fee basis, giving you peace of mind as to protection from financial risk.

If a claim does not meet our threshold for success, we will advise you honestly, ensuring you only pursue cases with a realistic chance of compensation.