What Could Be The Cost Of An Accident At Work?

According to the HSE, the total cost of self-reported workplace injuries and new cases of ill health in Great Britain in 2018/2019 was £16.2 Billion. If you’ve been injured, you may wonder about the cost of an accident at work.

cost of accident at work — A guide to the cost of an accident at work

When you have an accident in the workplace and your employer is at fault, you may want to start a claim for compensation. Through this guide, you can learn more about how these accidents might occur, and how you can prove that your employer is responsible.

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What Is The Cost Of An Accident At Work?
Situations Where Staff Could Get Hurt
How Can I Prove The Breach Of A Duty Of Care By An Employer?
Compensation Based On The Cost Of An Accident At Work
Is It Easier To Use A No Win No Fee Solicitor?
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What Is The Cost Of An Accident At Work?

In the most extreme cases, the cost of an accident at work could be an employee’s life. But other accidents in the workplace can host a myriad of consequences, ranging from conditions like broken bones to serious lung disease. Moreover, you may have to pay out-of-pocket for prescriptions, special equipment, or transportation to and from appointments, for example.

In Great Britain, health and safety legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA) outlines what your employer must do to create a reasonably safe working experience. This responsibility is also known as a duty of care. If your employer breaches their duty and you are injured, you could have grounds for compensation.

If you’ve been injured at work and think your employer is at fault, contact us now.

Statistics About Injuries Reported In The Workplace

Reports made under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) legislation show that 142 workers suffered fatal injuries while in the workplace in 2020/2021. Of this, 35 of those deaths were due to falls from a height, and 25 were due to workers being struck by moving vehicles.

Rates of fatal injuries have been relatively flat in recent years. However, in 2020/2021, both reports made under RIDDOR and self-reported injuries through the Labour Force Survey (LFS) show a downtrend in non-fatal workplace injury. Still, 441,000 people self-reported work-related injuries in 2020/2021, with 102,000 of those injuries requiring more than 7 days absence from work.

Situations Where Staff Could Get Hurt

Even with health and safety legislation, there are still many situations in which staff could get hurt. HASAWA is a central piece of health and safety legislation and details your employer’s duty of care.

If your employer breaches their duty of care and you are injured, they may be at fault. Below are some situations in which a breach of duty may lead to workplace injury.

Lack of health and safety risk assessments: Risk assessments can help identify what and where the hazards are in your workplace. It is your employer’s legal responsibility to carry out these assessments and to act on the results. If they don’t do this, and you are injured as a result, they could be at fault.
Lack of training: All employees are entitled to free and up-to-date necessary training concerning their job role. For example, if you work in retail, you may need training on how to properly lift and carry boxes of stock to prevent back injuries.
Poor housekeeping: If your workplace is poorly maintained, this could pose a risk to all employees and visitors. Walkways should be kept clear of trip hazards like boxes and loose wires, and all spills should be cleaned up as soon as possible.

How Can I Prove The Breach Of A Duty Of Care By An Employer?

If you make a compensation claim, it can cover the cost of an accident at work. However, when you make this claim, you will be asked to prove that your employer is at fault. There are a few ways you can do this, including:

Get medical attention immediately: Not only is this important for your own health and safety but any notes or reports made by a medical professional can be submitted as evidence in your claim.
Record the accident in the logbook: Any workplace with over 10 employees must have an accident workbook. This is the law. By recording your accident, you are making a verifiable record of what happened.
Request CCTV footage: This can include footage from the incident as well as past footage confirming your employer’s culpability.
Get legal advice: You don’t need a lawyer to start a claim, but by getting in contact with our advisors, you can get free legal advice about your potential claim. To get in touch, click on the banner at the top of the screen.

Compensation Based On The Cost Of An Accident At Work

If you make a compensation claim and succeed, you will be paid general damages. This covers the pain and suffering caused by your injury. As part of the claims process, you would be invited to attend an independent medical assessment. An independent medical professional would look over your injuries and create a report.

The report can then be compared with a document called the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) when valuing your claim. The JCG contains a list of injuries and corresponding potential award brackets, which are based on past claims.

Injury Type	Compensation Bracket	Notes
Less Severe Brain Damage	£14,380 to £40,410	This bracket may include cases of good recovery, but poor concentration or memory, or disinhibition of mood.
Total Deafness	£85,170 to £102,890	This bracket may include total loss of hearing with little to some speech deficit or tinnitus.
Hernia (a)	£13,970 to £22,680	This bracket may include continuing pain and limitation of physical activities.
Moderate neck injuries (ii)	£12,900 to £23,460	This bracket may include soft tissue and wrenching-type injuries, as well as severe disc lesions.
Moderate back injuries (ii)	£11,730 to £26,050	This bracket may include disturbance of the ligaments and muscles, soft tissue injuries and prolapsed discs.
Serious Shoulder Injuries	£11,980 to £18,020	This bracket may include dislocation, damage to the lower brachial plexus, or sensory symptoms in the hand.
Lesser Injuries to the Pelvis and Hips (i)	£3,710 to £11,820	This bracket may include cases of little to no disability even in the event of significant injury.
Simple Fractures of the Forearm	£6,190 to £18,020	This bracket may include a simple fracture to the forearm.
Total or Effective Loss of One Hand	£90,250 to £102,890	This bracket may include hands that were crushed and amputated, or where all fingers have been amputated due to trauma.
Fracture of Index Finger	£8,550 to £11,480	This bracket may include healed fractures with some pain or impairment to grip.

You may also be able to claim special damages. Special damages cover the financial losses associated with your injuries, such as loss of earnings, travel costs, and special equipment. However, like the rest of your claim, you must provide supporting evidence; for example, childcare invoices, or past payslips.

Talk to our advisors now to find out more about the cost of an accident at work, and if your employer could be at fault. Simply click on the banner at the top of the page to learn more.

Is It Easier To Use A No Win No Fee Solicitor?

It is not mandatory to appoint legal representation to make your claim. However, hiring a No Win No Fee solicitor can make the process feel a lot easier. And, it can reduce the cost of an accident at work by cutting down on expensive legal fees you could accrue if your solicitor doesn’t work on a No Win No Fee basis.

A No Win No Fee solicitor can help you make your claim through a No Win No Fee agreement. This means you won’t have to pay any upfront or ongoing fees to your solicitor. Then, if your employer is found to be at fault and your case succeeds, your solicitor will take a percentage of your award. This is capped by law to ensure you take home the majority of your compensation. If your claim fails, you will not have to pay the fee to your solicitor at all.

Chat With Our Advisors About The Cost Of An Accident At Work

If you have any more questions about the cost of an accident at work, get in touch with our team of advisors today by:

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Cost Of Accident At Work