In this article, we will discuss how slips, trips and falls in the workplace could form the basis for a personal injury claim. We’ll explain the key legislation that relates to claiming for an accident at work, as well as the eligibility requirements you must meet and time limits that may apply. We will also explain how compensation for this kind of claim can be calculated.
A guide to claiming for slips, trips and falls in the workplace
Further in the article, we will provide information about how a No Win No Fee solicitor may be able to help you claim for a workplace accident in a way that means you don’t have to pay for their services upfront.
To learn more about making a work injury claim, keep reading. You can also reach our team of advisers using the methods described below. They can offer insight about whether employer negligence may have played a role in the injury you sustained. Learn more today:
- Complete our contact form
- Call 0800 073 8802
- Speak to an adviser in the live chat box below
Choose A Section
- What Compensation Could You Receive From Slips, Trips And Falls In The Workplace?
- When Are You Eligible To Claim For Slips, Trips And Falls?
- How Can Slips, Trips And Falls Happen In The Workplace?
- Potential Evidence You Could Use In A Workplace Accident Claim
- Why Make A Work Injury Claim On A No Win No Fee Claim?
- Read More About Claiming For Slips, Trips And Falls In The Workplace
What Compensation Could You Receive From Slips, Trips And Falls In The Workplace?
Accident at work compensation could be made up of up to two heads of claim, which reflect two aspects of harm that an individual could suffer. The first head of claim is called general damages, which are intended to help compensate you for the pain caused by your injuries.
Accident at work solicitors will generally turn to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) when assessing how much a claim could be worth in general damages. This document contains compensation brackets for different types of injuries, broken down into different severities.
We’ve provided relevant entries in the table below. However, these are intended only as guidelines, as your personal circumstances are considered when calculating compensation and could affect the amount you’re awarded.
Judicial College Guideline Brackets
| Injury Type | JCG Brackets | Further Descriptions |
|---|---|---|
| Moderately Severe Brain Damage | £219,070 to £282,010 | Individual is seriously disabled, with considerable dependence upon others and requirement for constant care. |
| Severe Neck Injuries (ii) | £65,740 to £130,930 | Usually involves serious fractures or damage to cervical discs. Creates disabilities of considerable severity. |
| Moderate Neck Injuries (i) | £24,990 to £38,490 | Dislocations or fractures that cause severe and immediate symptoms. This bracket could also include the exacerbation of chronic conditions that create marked vulnerability to future trauma. |
| Severe Leg Injuries (ii) | £54,830 to £87,890 | Very serious injuries that create permanent mobility issues, or where the injuries require extensive medical treatment and take years to heal. |
| Severe Leg Injuries (iv) | £27,760 to £39,200 | Moderate injuries generally affecting a single limb, comprising multiple and/or complicated fractures. |
| Wrist Injuries | £47,620 to £59,860 | Complete loss of wrist function, such as where two or more bones in a joint are fused. |
| Wrist Injuries | £12,590 to £24,500 | Less severe injuries that result in some permanent disability, such as persisting pains or aches. |
| Severe Ankle Injuries | £31,310 to £50,060 | Extensive treatment period and/or lengthy time spent in plaster. Additionally, injury could necessitate pins/plates. |
| Moderate Ankle Injuries | £13,740 to £26,590 | Ligamentous tears, fractures and similar injuries that create less serious disabilities, such as difficulty walking for long periods. |
| Moderate Knee Injuries (i) | £14,840 to £26,190 | Dislocations, torn meniscus and/or cartilage that results in mild future disability such as instability. |
What Else Could I Claim In Accident At Work Compensation?
You may be eligible to receive a second head of claim, known as special damages. This is intended to help you recoup any financial losses you’ve incurred as a result of your accident in the workplace.
For instance, special damages could cover:
- Alternate travel expenses, such as when your injury prevents you from driving
- Past and future lost earnings
- Medical expenses, such as the cost of buying prescription medications
This list isn’t comprehensive, so speak to our team if you’d like more information about compensation payouts that could result after claiming for slips, trips and falls in the workplace. They can also explain the results you receive after using a work injury claim calculator.
When Are You Eligible To Claim For Slips, Trips And Falls?
You may be eligible to claim for a fall at work if you can show that the incident occurred due to negligence on your employer’s behalf. A piece of legislation called the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 outlines the duty of care that employers owe to their employees. It dictates that they must take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of their employees while at work.
A number of other laws supplement this 1974 Act, such as the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, which states the employer must perform regular risk assessments and, afterwards, carry out reasonable steps to decrease any identified risks.
You may be eligible to claim when you can show the actions or inactions of your employer breached the duty of care they owed you and, as a result, caused you to sustain injuries. If you aren’t sure how to prove these criteria are true of your circumstances, speak to our advisers. They can offer more information about employer negligence during a free consultation.
How Can Slips, Trips And Falls Happen In The Workplace?
A fall at work could occur as a result of negligence for many reasons, including scenarios such as:
- A cleaner mops the bathroom and kitchen areas in a workplace but does not mark these areas with a wet floor warning sign afterwards.
- A trailing lead was not tidied away or fixed to the floor. As a result, you trip and suffer from a broken cheekbone.
- A handrail is fitted incorrectly and flagged during a subsequent risk assessment check. However, no actions are taken to rectify the issue.
Speak to our team if you have questions about whether the scenario in which you were injured could be an example of employer negligence. Our advisers could offer valuable insight into workplace accident claims.
Potential Evidence You Could Use In A Workplace Accident Claim
Certain types of documentation can help prove your claim that negligence caused your accident at work. For instance, it could be useful to produce:
- CCTV footage showing the accident
- Photographs of the incident location
- Contact details for anyone who witnessed the accident happening
- A copy of your medical records showing the extent of your injuries
Additionally, there is a specific work injury claim time limit to keep in mind while preparing. You generally need to start your claim within three years of the incident occurring.
There may be exceptions to these time limits. If you’d like to know more about the evidence you could provide or the time limits to adhere to, contact our advisers today.
Why Make A Work Injury Claim On A No Win No Fee Claim?
The accident at work solicitors on our panel could bring a great deal of experience to the claiming process. Though you don’t need to hire a lawyer to begin a claim, it could be worth drawing upon a professional’s knowledge on claims for slips, trips and falls in the workplace.
Additionally, the solicitors on our panel may be able to work with clients nationwide and can offer their services under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), which is a form of No Win No Fee agreement. By agreeing to these terms, you generally would not have to pay for the solicitor’s services upfront to begin the claim.
Furthermore, you typically wouldn’t have to pay their service fees if your claim fails. Instead, the solicitor would take a success fee at the end of a successful claim. This fee is legally capped, so you always receive the majority of your compensation.
Contact Us For Free To See If You Can Make An Accident At Work Claim
If you’re considering claiming for a slip and fall at work, our advisers can answer questions you may have about the process. This consultation is free and there is no pressure to continue using our services. To find out more:
- Complete our contact form
- Call 0800 073 8802
- Speak to an adviser in the live chat box below
Read More About Claiming For Slips, Trips And Falls In The Workplace
More personal injury claim guides:
Third-party information that may help:
Employers’ Responsibilities – Guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) about the responsibilities of employers
First Aid – NHS resource about first aid measures that can be performed before emergency services arrive
Statutory Sick Pay – Government information about the Statutory Sick Pay allowance following an absence from work
Thank you for reading this article about claiming compensation for slips, trips and falls in the workplace. If you have questions about any of the information above, contact our advisers using the detail provided above.
Writer Morgan Fable
Publisher Fern Spall
