Martin taggart

1. What Is a Work Injury? A work injury is any physical or psychological harm sustained while performing your job duties. This can range from minor accidents like slips and falls to serious conditions such as industrial disease, back injuries, or PTSD caused by workplace stress or trauma.
2. Common Types of Workplace Injuries Work injuries can happen in any industry. Some of the most common include:
   • Slips, trips, and falls
   • Manual handling injuries (lifting, pulling, pushing)
   • Machinery-related injuries
   • Exposure to hazardous substances
   • Falls from height (e.g. ladders, scaffolding)
   • Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs)
   • Workplace violence or assault
   • Psychological injuries (stress, anxiety, trauma)
3. Employer’s Legal Responsibilities Employers in the UK are legally required to:
   • Provide a safe working environment
   • Conduct risk assessments
   • Offer proper training and personal protective equipment (PPE)
   • Report serious injuries under RIDDOR
   • Maintain liability insurance to cover workplace injury claims
   If they fail to meet these responsibilities and you’re injured as a result, you may be entitled to compensation.
4. What to Do If You’re Injured at Work
   • Seek medical attention immediately
   • Report the accident to your supervisor or manager
   • Ensure it’s recorded in the workplace accident book
   • Gather evidence (photos, witness contact details, CCTV footage)
   • Keep receipts for medical treatment or travel costs
   • Contact a solicitor for legal advice
5. Who Can Make a Work Injury Claim? You may be eligible to claim if:
   • The injury happened at work or while carrying out your job duties
   • Your employer or another party was negligent
   • The accident occurred within the last three years
   Even agency workers, contractors, and self-employed individuals may be entitled to claim if the workplace was unsafe.
6. How Much Compensation Can You Claim? Compensation for work injuries includes:
   • General damages: Pain, suffering, and impact on your quality of life
   • Special damages: Financial losses, such as:
     • Loss of earnings
     • Medical expenses
     • Travel costs
     • Rehabilitation or therapy
     • Future loss of income or pension
   Payouts vary widely depending on the injury severity and how it affects your life.
7. Time Limits for Making a Claim
   • The general time limit is three years from the date of the injury or the date you became aware it was caused by your work.
   • For children or individuals without mental capacity, time limits may be extended.
8. Do You Need a Solicitor to Make a Work Injury Claim? While it’s not legally required, hiring a solicitor improves your chances of success and ensures you receive the full amount you’re entitled to. A solicitor will:
   • Handle all paperwork and negotiations
   • Gather medical and workplace evidence
   • Calculate your compensation accurately
   • Represent you in court, if needed
9. No Win No Fee Work Injury Claims Most solicitors offer no win no fee services, meaning:
   • You pay nothing upfront
   • You only pay if your case is successful
   • A capped percentage (typically 25%) is deducted from your compensation
   • After-the-Event (ATE) insurance often covers your risk if the claim fails
10. Can You Be Sacked for Making a Claim?

No. It is illegal for an employer to dismiss or penalise you for making a legitimate injury claim. UK employment law protects your right to seek compensation.

11. What If You Were Partly Responsible?

You can still claim compensation under contributory negligence. Your payout may be reduced based on your share of fault, but you won’t be disqualified from making a claim.

12. Workplace Illness and Industrial Disease Claims

Not all work injuries are caused by accidents. Long-term exposure to harmful environments can lead to conditions such as:

• Asbestos-related illnesses
• Hearing loss from noise exposure
• Occupational asthma
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Chemical burns or dermatitis

These claims often require expert medical evidence and may be filed against current or former employers.

13. Work-Related PTSD and Psychological Injury

Psychological trauma, bullying, or witnessing distressing events at work can result in mental health conditions like PTSD, anxiety, or depression. If your employer failed to protect your mental well-being, you may be able to claim.

14. Injuries While Working Off-Site

If you were injured while working from home, travelling for work, or at a client’s site, you may still be entitled to compensation if the injury happened while performing your job.

15. How Long Does a Work Injury Claim Take?

• Simple claims: 3–6 months
• Complex or disputed cases: 6–18 months or more

Timeframes depend on injury severity, liability disputes, and medical evidence availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What if my employer doesn’t have insurance?
  Most UK employers are legally required to have employer’s liability insurance. If they don’t, legal action may still be possible.
• Do I need witnesses to make a claim?
  Witnesses help, but you can still make a claim with medical records and other supporting evidence.
• Can I claim for a work injury if I’m self-employed?
  Yes, especially if you were working on someone else’s premises and they failed in their duty of care.
• Is my claim confidential?
  Yes. Your details and claim will be handled confidentially by your solicitor.
• Can I claim for stress caused by overwork or poor management?
  Yes, if your employer failed to act on known risks to your mental health.
• Do I need to go to court?
  Most claims are settled out of court. Your solicitor will only pursue litigation if necessary.

Conclusion

A work injury can impact your health, income, and daily life—but you don’t have to suffer in silence. The law protects your right to a safe workplace and to claim compensation if that right is breached. With the help of an experienced no win no fee solicitor, you can secure the support you need to recover, rebuild, and move forward with confidence.