If you have been injured in a slip and fall at work, you might be entitled to compensation. You would need to show that your injuries occurred as a result of employer negligence.
Slip and fall at work claims guide
In this guide, we will address the eligibility criteria for making a claim and the evidence you could use to support your case. Furthermore, we will look at examples of how these injuries could occur to illustrate how you could be harmed.
In addition to this, we have a section that aims to answer the question “how much could a compensation claim be worth?”. Finally, we will look at the benefits that solicitors can offer and how a No Win No Fee agreement could allow you to work with one without paying upfront fees.
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- Calling us on 0800 073 8802
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Browse Our Guide
- When Are You Eligible To Make A Claim For A Slip And Fall At Work?
- Potential Evidence For A Work Injury Claim
- Slip And Fall At Work – Examples Of Employer Negligence
- What Compensation Could You Receive From A Slip And Fall At Work
- Can You Seek Accident At Work Compensation On A No Win No Fee Basis?
- Learn More About Using Accident At Work Solicitors
When Are You Eligible To Make A Claim For A Slip And Fall At Work?
In order to be eligible to claim for a slip and fall in the workplace, you must prove negligence. There are three criteria for negligence. These are:
- The employer must have owed the employee a duty of care
- There must have been a breach of this duty
- The employee must have been injured because of this breach
The duty of care that employers have towards those they employ is set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act etc 1974. Through this, an employer is legally obliged to take all reasonable and practicable steps to prevent their employees from being injured.
Below, we have included some examples of what an employer might need to do to adhere to the duty of care and prevent accidents in the workplace:
- Carry out regular maintenance on machinery
- Train all staff appropriately
- Maintain good housekeeping in the space
- Provide protective equipment where needed
Is There A Time Limit To Claiming For An Accident At The Workplace?
There is a time limit of three years that applies to starting a claim. The ‘limitation period’ is set out in the Limitation Act 1980. However, exceptional circumstances can affect this time limit.
For example, if the injured person does not possess the mental capacity to claim themselves, the limitation period would run from the date they regained capacity, if this happens. If not, it’s indefinitely suspended and a litigation friend can pursue compensation on their behalf.
Another exception could be if the injured person is a minor, under the age of 18. In this scenario, they would have three years from their eighteenth birthday to file a claim. A litigation friend can claim for them before they reach the legal age of majority.
If you would like to confirm whether you’re within the personal injury claims time limit, speak with a member of our team.
Potential Evidence For A Work Injury Claim
Evidence can be useful in supporting your claim. For example, following a slip and fall injury at work, you could collect:
- CCTV footage of the accident
- Medical records, including results of tests such as X-rays.
- Taking eyewitnesses’ details. Any potential witnesses could be interviewed during the claim to provide their account of what happened.
- Photographs of the accident site and of your injuries.
- Keeping a medical diary of your symptoms can help prove the extent of the injury and how it has affected your physical or mental health.
Should you decide to work with one of the solicitors from our panel, they could help you collect evidence for your case. Get in touch today for a free assessment of your case.
Slip And Fall At Work – Examples Of Employer Negligence
Below, we have included some examples of how a workplace accident could be caused by negligence:
- Falling down a flight of stairs due to the handrail being faulty, which was raised in a risk assessment but not addressed by your employer.
- Falling from a height because you were not trained on how to work at a height.
- Slipping on a wet floor because this was not signposted within a reasonable amount of time and suffering a back injury as a result.
- A failure to provide personal protective equipment (PPE), such as non-slip boots on a construction site.
This is not an exhaustive list. If you’ve been injured in a way that we have not touched upon, this does not automatically mean that you’d be ineligible to claim. Speak with a member of our team today for guidance on whether you could be eligible to claim.
What Compensation Could You Receive From A Slip And Fall At Work
If the claim is successful, there are two “heads” of claim you may receive in a compensation settlement for a slip and fall. The first “head” is known as general damages; this will be awarded in all personal injury claims.
General damages account for any physical and psychological pain and suffering that you sustain as a result of a slip and fall at work that left you injured.
Below, we have included a table with some guideline compensation brackets. These come from the Judicial College Guidelines. Solicitors can use this publication to help them assign a value to general damages.
Injury Severity Compensation value Notes
Neck injury Severe (i) In the region of £148,330 The higher end of this compensation refers to fractures, damages to discs or paraplegia.
Pelvis/hip injuries Severe (iii) £39,170 to £52,500 For example, a fracture necessitating a hip replacement that is not totally successful, meaning that there's a need for future surgery.
Arm injuries Less Severe £19,200 to £39,170 Where there will have been significant disabilities, a substantial degree of recovery will have taken place.
Back injuries Moderate (i) £27,760 to £38,780 Residual disability persists, but to a lesser extent than in more serious cases. For example, an accident that crushes one of the lumbar vertebrae.
Hand injuries Less Serious £14,450 to £29,000 Severe crush injuries that impair function without surgical intervention, or despite it already having been done.
Leg injuries Less Serious £17,960 to £27,760 Fractures from which incomplete recovery is made or serious soft tissue injury.
Ankle injuries Moderate £13,740 to £26,590 Fractures that give rise to less serious disabilities such as difficulty walking up stairs, standing for extended periods of time etc.
Wrist injuries Less Severe £12,590 to £24,500 Some permanent disability, such as pain and stiffness.
Shoulder injuries Serious £12,770 to £19,200 Dislocation of the shoulder and damage to the lower part of the brachial plexus, causing the pain in shoulder and neck.
Elbow injuries Moderate or Minor Up to £12,590 Fractures, tennis elbow syndrome and lacerations. i.e. injuries that don't cause any permanent impairment of function will fall in this bracket.
It must be noted that these figures are guidelines and you are not guaranteed to receive them.
You can get in touch with a member of our team today for an estimate of the compensation you could achieve. If they feel your claim is valid, they could connect you with a No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel.
Special Damages In A Slip At Work Claim
The second potential head of a work-related injury claim is known as special damages. You may try to claim for special damages alongside the general damages too. Special damages are there to make up for financial losses caused by the injury, these account for the financial impact your injury has had on your life. For example, you could claim back the cost of:
- Travel
- Medication and medical care
- Any necessary adaptations to your vehicle or property as a result of the injury
It is important to keep records of the costs you have incurred so you can use this as evidence when you make this claim. Don’t hesitate to get in touch for free today, for friendly, free advice on making a slip and fall at work claim.
Can You Seek Accident At Work Compensation On A No Win No Fee Basis?
When you make a claim with a lawyer, you might be offered a No Win No Fee agreement. This is an agreement that generally means:
- You won’t be charged upfront or as the claim is ongoing by your lawyer
- If you’re not awarded compensation, your lawyer won’t charge for their services
- A legally-limited success fee will be deducted from your slip and fall payout if you’re awarded compensation
If you would like to see if you could work with a No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel, speak with a member of our team today. They could connect you with a legal representative if your claim has a good chance of success.
Contact us
For more free legal advice, contact us for free to gain a consultation with one of our advisors who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
- Phone us on 0800 073 8802
- Contact us online
- Use our live chat feature on the website
Learn More About Using Accident At Work Solicitors
Below, we have included some additional resources that could be helpful to you:
Slips and trips- Guidance from the Health and Safety Executive
Writer Matthew White
Publisher Fern Spall
