In this guide, we will look at the different factors that influence the compensation payout you will receive. As each case is assessed based on its own individual circumstances, it’s difficult to provide an average personal injury settlement. However, this guide will explain the factors that may influence your payout and show you how compensation is calculated.
Additionally, we will provide examples of how sustaining an injury due to your employer’s negligence could lead you to make an accident at work claim.
Furthermore, this guide will provide information on the steps you can take to help you build a strong claim to help you get the compensation you deserve.
If you have specific questions about the compensation you could be awarded following a successful claim, you can speak to one of our advisers. They offer free initial consultations and are available via:
- The number at the top of the page
- Our online contact page
- The live chat feature
Choose A Section
- What Is An Average Personal Injury Settlement?
- How Injuries Could Happen At Work
- What Should I Do After An Accident At Work?
- Calculating An Average Personal Injury Settlement
- Is It Beneficial To Use A No Win No Fee Solicitor?
- Learn More About The Average Personal Injury Settlement
What Is An Average Personal Injury Settlement?
Personal injury settlements intend to compensate for the injury suffered and the effect it has had on the person’s life. In addition, the settlement you receive may consist of compensation for the financial losses you incurred.
However, the compensation awarded can vary. For example, two people may suffer the same injury but experience a different impact on their life. An example of this might include:
- An office worker may have sustained a broken leg but is still able to work while recovering.
- A construction worker who also broke their leg might be left unable to work while recovering and so lose their source of income for a short period.
Due to the difference in impact, they might potentially receive different compensation amounts for the same injury.
As you can see, it’s difficult to provide a definitive average personal injury settlement as it can depend on various factors, such as the impact the injury has on your life.
If you have questions about examples of workplace accident compensation payouts you can reach out to one of our advisers. They could provide you with a free valuation of your claim and give you an accurate estimate of the compensation you could receive.
Updated Accident Statistics
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the agency responsible for workplace health and safety enforcement and regulation. They require employers to report various accidents and injuries under Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).
As such, it was found that fractures and sprains and strains were the most commonly reported non-fatal injury by nature of injuries during 2020/21.
These figures are provisional.
How Injuries Could Happen At Work
At work, your employer has a duty of care to ensure your health, safety and wellbeing. This responsibility means they must do all they reasonably and practically can to make a working environment safe and prevent employees from sustaining harm.
Legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA) outlines the general duties that an employer has. These might include:
- Performing risk assessments over areas of work. This could help them identify potential hazards in your area of work i.e. damaged floor surfaces or trailing cables. It also gives them a chance to either control the risk, such as through signs and barriers or remove it entirely.
- Performing risk assessments over tasks. This could help them understand potential risks posed by tasks, i.e. rotating machinery may pose a risk of causing severe lacerations. In this case, your employer could provide gloves to reduce the potential risk of the machinery causing you harm.
- Providing adequate training. Manual handling causes over a third of all workplace injuries. Training on correct manual handling techniques could help avoid accidents that lead to musculoskeletal disorders affecting the back and neck.
- Providing safety equipment. Providing necessary safety equipment could help avoid injuries. Certain job roles such as those involving working with chemicals or on a construction site could pose a risk of harm and safety equipment could help avoid or minimise potential injuries. For example, a hard hat could help prevent someone from sustaining a head injury.
If your employer did not perform these, or similar actions to make your working environment as safe as they reasonably can, they could be found at fault for any resulting injuries.
Our advisers are available to answer any questions about employer liability. Additionally, they could provide further guidance on the average personal injury settlement.
What Should I Do After An Accident At Work?
If looking to seek compensation after an accident, you can gather evidence as part of the accident at work procedure for claiming that could support your case.
Evidence of the injury can be important. If you have not already done so, seek out medical attention for the injury you suffered. Medical records could highlight the treatment you received for your injuries and provide information on the extent of your condition.
Additionally, an independent medical assessment can be arranged as part of the claims process to produce a detailed and current report on your injuries.
You could also gather evidence of what led to the accident. If your accident and injury came from your employer acting negligently, you could gather evidence in the form of:
- Witnesses: You could obtain contact details of witnesses who can provide testimonies later on.
- CCTV footage or pictures: This could include pictures or video footage that show the hazard that led to your injury. It could also include pictures of your injuries.
It may also be beneficial to document any details of the injury and the impact it has had on you, such as:
- Notes on the day-to-day effects of the injury
- Financial records of costs you incur because of the injury.
These can all strengthen your claim and help provide an understanding of the ways in which the accident and subsequent injuries have impacted your life. This information can be used when calculating how much compensation for a workplace injury you should receive.
As the information regarding your injuries is unique, the compensation you receive may be different to another average personal injury settlement awarded.
Calculating An Average Personal Injury Settlement
An average personal injury settlement often comprises two heads of claim.
The first head, intended for the pain and suffering from the injury, is known as general damages. It compensates for physical and psychological injuries, such as a broken hand or emotional distress. The Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) can be used to help value your injuries when calculating the compensation you could be awarded under general damages.
The publication offers guideline compensation awards for several injuries. Solicitors often use this publication to help when valuing claims.
The table below includes some entries from the JCG. However, you should only use these figures as a guide because your actual settlement will vary depending on other factors. For instance, medical evidence may be used alongside the JCG to address the severity of your injuries.
| Injury | Notes | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Wrist Injuries: (a) | Complete loss of function in the wrist. | £44,690 to £56,180 |
| Wrist Injuries: (b) | A permanent disability but the person will still have some useful movement. | £22,990 to £36,770 |
| Wrist Injuries: (e) | A Colles' fracture with no complications. | In the region of £6,970 |
| Severe Fractures to Fingers: (f) | Fractures that result in reduced mechanical function or impaired grip. | Up to £34,480 |
| Knee Injuries: Severe (a) (i) | A serious knee injury that has caused disruption of the joint and gross ligament damage as well as other symptoms. | £65,440 to £90,290 |
| Knee Injuries: Moderate (b) (i) | Injuries might include a dislocation or torn cartilage. | £13,920 to £24,580 |
| Multiple Fractures of Facial Bones (b) | Leading to permanent facial deformity. | £13,970 to £22,470 |
| Fractures of Jaws (e) (i) | Very serious fractures that cause ongoing issues. | £28,610 to £42,730 |
| Back Injuries: (a) Severe (i) | Damage to the spinal cord and nerve roots. | £85,470 to £151,070 |
| Back Injuries: Moderate (b) (ii) | Disturbed ligaments and muscles that contribute to back ache. | £11,730 to £26,050 |
The second head of claim is special damages that seek to compensate you for the financial effects of the injury. These monetary losses could include:
- Loss of income
- Expenses towards treatment/care
- Adaptations you have made to your house
It’s important to keep documentation of any losses incurred, such as receipts or payslips.
For more information about what the average personal injury settlement may comprise, you could reach out to an adviser now.
Is It Beneficial To Use A No Win No Fee Solicitor?
A No Win No Fee solicitor won’t require you to pay upfront or ongoing costs. These are costs that may need to pay when hiring a solicitor in the traditional way.
Payment will be taken on the condition that your claim is successful. The payment is deducted from your compensation as a legally capped success fee. If your claim is not successful, you will not have to pay the success fee.
Our panel of solicitors all offer No Win No Fee services and one of them could represent your claim. You can talk to an adviser now and they can assess your case to see if a solicitor from our panel could begin working on your claim.
Call Us To Find Out Your Average Personal Injury Settlement
Our advisers are available for free consultations. They can offer free legal advice and more information on the average personal injury settlement.
You can contact them now using;
- The number at the top of the page
- Our contact page
- The live chat feature
Learn More About The Average Personal Injury Settlement
We have provided some additional resources below:
- Government Guide – Statutory Sick Pay
- Government Guide – Compensation after an accident or injury
- HSE – How to report a health and safety issue at work
Additionally, please see some of our other guides below:
- How Long Do Accident At Work Claims Take?
- Examples Of Workplace Accident Compensation Payouts
- Burn Injury At Work Claims
- What Goes Into Making A Factory Accident Claim?
- Employee Rights After An Accident At Work
- Accident At Work Claims When On A Zero Hour Contract
- What Should I Do If I Have A Finger Injury At Work?
- How To Make A Serious Work Injury Claim
- Scarring At Work Claims
We hope this guide has helped. However, for more information on what an average personal injury settlement for an accident at work case may comprise, please get in touch on the number above.