How long can you claim after an accident at work? (110)

Generally, you have three years from the date of the incident to start an accident at work claim. While it is always best to seek legal advice as soon as possible, there are some specific exceptions to this under the Limitation Act 1980: Date of Knowledge: In cases where an injury or illness is not immediately apparent, such as with industrial disease, the three-year limit begins from the "date of knowledge." This is the date you first became aware that your condition was significant and linked to your work. Mental Capacity: If the injured person lacks the mental capacity to make a claim themselves, perhaps due to a serious head injury, the three-year time limit is paused. A trusted person, known as a "litigation friend," can make a claim on their behalf at any time. Accidents Abroad: If you were injured while working overseas for a UK-based employer, the time limit for making a claim can be shorter and is often determined by the laws of that country. Defective Equipment: If your injury was caused by faulty work equipment, the claim may fall under product liability laws, which can have different time limits. We can advise you on the specific rules that apply to your situation.

What are my rights after an accident at work? (90)

If you are injured at work, it is important to know that UK law provides several key rights to protect your health, finances, and ability to seek the justice you deserve. Your key rights are set out below: The Right to Report the Accident: You are entitled to have your accident recorded in your employer’s accident book or reported to the HSE for serious incidents. The Right to Medical Attention: Your employer has a duty of care to ensure you receive appropriate medical attention, including first-aid care and independent medical treatment from your GP or a hospital. The Right to Sick Pay: If you are unable to work while you recover, you have a right to statutory sick pay (SSP), provided you meet the eligibility criteria. The Right to Claim Compensation: If your accident was caused by your employer's negligence, you have a legal right to claim compensation for your injuries and financial losses. This may entitle you to recover medical costs, lost earnings, and other damages.

Accident At Work Claims

Q: Can I be disciplined for having an accident at work? (210)

Many claimants who contact us quite often ask: Can I be disciplined for having an accident at work? or can I be sacked for having an accident at work?. In most cases, you cannot be disciplined or dismissed if the accident was not your fault or was caused by unsafe conditions. Disciplinary action is generally only permitted if: You were directly at fault due to carelessness or ignoring safety rules. You breached company procedures, such as refusing to follow health and safety instructions. The accident resulted from gross misconduct, like being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If your accident occurred due to your employer’s negligence, UK law protects you from unfair dismissal. You have the right to seek compensation without fearing for your job, and your employer cannot legally penalise you for simply making a claim.

If you’ve been injured in an accident at work, our accident at work solicitors will help you receive the compensation you deserve.

Accident at work solicitors

Suffering an injury at work brings immediate physical pain and unexpected financial worry. You might face lost earnings, high medical bills, and uncertainty about your future employment. We help employees like you secure the financial support needed to recover and move forward.

Taking the first step is often the hardest, but we are here to make it simple. Our accident at work solicitors handle the legal process so you can focus on your recovery. For your free initial consultation, please call 01507 609027 or complete the enquiry form on this page.

What is an accident at work ?

An accident at work claim is a legal process initiated by an employee to seek compensation for injuries sustained due to their employer’s negligence.

To make a successful claim, you typically need to demonstrate that:

You were an employee at the time of the accident (this can include agency workers, contractors, and zero-hours staff).
The accident occurred within the last 3 years and during the course of your employment.
You suffered an injury or illness as a direct result of the incident.
Your employer was at fault, usually by failing to follow health and safety regulations or not providing adequate training or equipment.

This type of personal injury claim is designed to restore your financial position to where it would have been had the accident not occurred. This includes covering costs such as lost wages and medical expenses while also compensating you for the pain and suffering caused by the injury.

Our workplace accident expertise

All employers have a duty to protect their workers from injury by providing a safe working environment. This involves conducting proper risk assessments, delivering adequate training, and supplying the correct personal protective equipment (PPE).

When these standards are not met and an accident happens, it is your right to seek compensation for the harm caused. Our specialist personal injury lawyers are here to make things easier for you and your family, guiding you through the process to help you achieve maximum compensation.

We have a long history of representing clients across Lincolnshire with a wide range of workplace injury claims. Our expertise includes handling cases relating to:

Can I claim for an accident at work ?

If you have suffered an injury at work within the last three years that was not your fault, you may be eligible to make a No Win No Fee claim for compensation. Workplace injuries often happen due to an employer’s negligence in their duty of care to you.

You may be able to claim for:

Lost wages
Rehabilitation
Travel expenses
Medical expenses

We understand that sustaining an injury is stressful enough without the added worry of financial instability. Taking time off to recover can result in lost earnings, making it difficult to pay household bills or support your family.

You should not have to face anxiety about your career, health, or finances because of an accident that wasn’t your fault. Our workplace accident solicitors are here to help you set things right. Contact Nigel Askew Solicitors today to discuss your situation in confidence.

Your employer’s legal duty of care

Every employer in the UK has a legal responsibility to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of their employees at work. This “duty of care” is established by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. If an employer fails to uphold these standards and you are injured as a result, they can be held responsible for the consequences.

Key employer responsibilities include:

Providing a safe working environment: This means keeping the premises, from the factory floor to the office kitchen, free from avoidable hazards.
Maintaining safe equipment: All machinery, tools, and equipment must be regularly checked and kept in good working order.
Delivering proper training: You should receive full training and clear instructions on how to perform your job safely.
Carrying out risk assessments: Your employer must identify potential dangers in the workplace and take reasonable steps to prevent them.
Supplying protective equipment (PPE): Where risks cannot be eliminated, employers must provide appropriate safety gear, such as helmets, gloves, or high-visibility clothing, free of charge.

When an employer fails in any of these areas, it can lead to accidents and injuries. We know that considering legal action against your employer can feel stressful, but these laws exist to protect you.

A claim for compensation is typically made against your employer’s liability insurance, ensuring you get the financial support needed for your recovery without directly impacting the company’s finances.

The role of our accident at work lawyers is to handle this process for you, helping to obtain the maximum compensation while allowing you to focus on your recovery.

No win no fee accident at work solicitors

Starting a legal claim against your employer can feel overwhelming. That is why we handle all our accident at work claims on a No Win No Fee basis.

A No Win No Fee claim ensures you can access expert legal representation without taking any financial risks. We believe this is the fairest way to help employees who have been injured through no fault of their own.

How does a No Win No Fee agreement protect you?

No financial risk: There are no costs to start your claim. We will fund the entire process, including gathering evidence and any necessary court fees, so you can begin right away.
A clear agreement: Our payment is a pre-agreed percentage taken from the final compensation amount. If your claim is successful, our fee is deducted, and you receive the rest.
No fee if you lose: In the unlikely event your claim does not succeed, you will not owe us a penny for our time and effort. This gives you complete peace of mind.

This arrangement means our success is directly tied to yours. We are fully committed to securing the best possible outcome for you, ensuring you receive the maximum compensation you are entitled to. It allows us to manage the legal side of proceedings, so you can focus on your recovery.

Accident at work procedure - The 9 key steps

Suffering an injury at work is often a shock, leaving you in pain and uncertain about what steps to take next. While your immediate priority must always be your physical recovery, the actions you take following the incident can significantly impact your ability to secure support later.

Following the practical steps below helps protect your health and strengthens your legal position should you decide to seek compensation.

Seek medical attention

Your health is the absolute priority. If you haven’t already done so, make sure you see a doctor or visit a hospital immediately.

Not only is this vital for your recovery, but the medical records created during your visits act as strong evidence for your work accident claim. These records provide an official account of your injuries and the treatment required.
Inform your manager immediately

You must inform your manager about the accident as soon as you can. Follow your employer’s standard reporting procedures to make sure they are aware of what happened.

Do not worry about discussing who was at fault at this stage. Even if you feel you might be partly responsible, or if your manager blames you, your employer may still be liable. The question of liability is a legal matter that can be assessed by our work accident lawyers.
Make an official record

Every workplace should have an accident book. Check that the details of your accident are entered correctly. Some employers may hesitate to record accidents to protect their safety records, but you have a right to have it logged.

If your employer refuses to use the accident book, create your own written record. Send an email to your manager or HR department describing the incident. This creates a dated paper trail proving you reported the event that took place.
Gather evidence

Photographs and videos of the accident scene can serve as crucial evidence. If it is safe to do so, take pictures of the hazard that caused your injury, such as a spillage, faulty equipment, or an obstruction.

Try to capture this evidence quickly before the area is cleaned or machinery is fixed. If you cannot do this yourself due to your injury, ask a trusted colleague to help you.
Track your recovery

Keep a daily record of your symptoms and recovery progress. Doctors may not note every detail during brief appointments, so your own notes are helpful.

Write down how your injuries affect your daily life, including pain levels, sleep disruption, and any impact on your mental well-being. This diary helps paint a full picture of how the accident has affected you over time.
Document financial losses

The aim of a compensation claim is to put you back in the financial position you would have been in had the accident not happened. To do this, you need to track every cost incurred because of your injury.

Keep receipts for travel to medical appointments, and any care provided by family members. You should also record any lost earnings, including missed bonuses or overtime, so these can be included in your work accident claim.
File a workplace grievance

If your injury resulted from unsafe working conditions, such as defective equipment or a lack of training, you have the right to complain. A formal grievance alerts your employer to the danger and officially records your concerns.

Raising a grievance forces your employer to investigate the issue. This process can produce internal reports that may support your case and help prevent colleagues from suffering similar injuries.
Request your data

You have a legal right to access the personal information your employer holds about you. By submitting a Subject Access Request (SAR), you can ask for copies of emails, accident reports, and personnel files related to your incident.

Getting this information early prevents it from being lost or deleted. It often reveals internal discussions about the accident that can be very useful when proving employer negligence.
Contact a work accident solicitor

Seeking independent legal advice gives you a clear understanding of your options. An experienced accident at work solicitor can review the facts of your case and explain whether you have a valid claim for compensation.

At Nigel Askew Solicitors, we operate on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning you can access expert representation without financial risk. Speaking to us early allows us to guide you through the process and secure the evidence needed to achieve the best possible outcome.

Accident at work compensation - FAQs

Can I be sacked for having an accident at work ?

No, you cannot be sacked simply for having an accident at work or for making a legitimate claim. Dismissing an employee due to a workplace accident or for pursuing compensation is considered unfair dismissal.

Your employer cannot reduce your hours, demote you, or pressure you to leave because you’ve made a claim. Most employers’ liability claims are handled by insurance policies, so the business itself is not personally paying your compensation.

The only exception is if the accident was caused by your own gross misconduct, such as ignoring clear safety rules or being under the influence at work. In this case, any action taken by your employer would relate to your conduct, not the fact that you had an accident or made a claim.

Can I be disciplined for having an accident at work ?

Many claimants who contact us quite often ask: Can I be disciplined for having an accident at work? or can I be sacked for having an accident at work?. In most cases, you cannot be disciplined or dismissed if the accident was not your fault or was caused by unsafe conditions.

Disciplinary action is generally only permitted if:

You were directly at fault due to carelessness or ignoring safety rules.
You breached company procedures, such as refusing to follow health and safety instructions.
The accident resulted from gross misconduct, like being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

If your accident occurred due to your employer’s negligence, UK law protects you from unfair dismissal. You have the right to seek compensation without fearing for your job, and your employer cannot legally penalise you for simply making a claim.

How long can you claim after an accident at work ?

Generally, you have three years from the date of the incident to start an accident at work claim. While it is always best to seek legal advice as soon as possible, there are some specific exceptions to this under the Limitation Act 1980:

Date of Knowledge: In cases where an injury or illness is not immediately apparent, such as with industrial disease, the three-year limit begins from the “date of knowledge.” This is the date you first became aware that your condition was significant and linked to your work.
Mental Capacity: If the injured person lacks the mental capacity to make a claim themselves, perhaps due to a serious head injury, the three-year time limit is paused. A trusted person, known as a “litigation friend,” can make a claim on their behalf at any time.
Accidents Abroad: If you were injured while working overseas for a UK-based employer, the time limit for making a claim can be shorter and is often determined by the laws of that country.
Defective Equipment: If your injury was caused by faulty work equipment, the claim may fall under product liability laws, which can have different time limits. We can advise you on the specific rules that apply to your situation.

What are my rights after an accident at work ?

If you are injured at work, it is important to know that UK law provides several key rights to protect your health, finances, and ability to seek the justice you deserve.

Your key rights are set out below:

The Right to Report the Accident: You are entitled to have your accident recorded in your employer’s accident book or reported to the HSE for serious incidents.
The Right to Medical Attention: Your employer has a duty of care to ensure you receive appropriate medical attention, including first-aid care and independent medical treatment from your GP or a hospital.
The Right to Sick Pay: If you are unable to work while you recover, you have a right to statutory sick pay (SSP), provided you meet the eligibility criteria.
The Right to Claim Compensation: If your accident was caused by your employer’s negligence, you have a legal right to claim compensation for your injuries and financial losses. This may entitle you to recover medical costs, lost earnings, and other damages.

What evidence is needed for a work accident?

To build a strong work accident claim, we need to prove that your injury was caused by your employer’s negligence. Gathering solid evidence early on significantly improves your chances of success, and while we can help you collect this, having the following evidence to hand can speed up the process:

Accident Book Reports
Medical Records
Photo Evidence
Video Evidence
Witness Details

Contact our accident at work lawyers

If you have been injured in an accident at work that was not your fault, contact Nigel Askew Solicitors today. Our experienced team regularly help claimants throughout Lincolnshire, and the surrounding areas, including Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield.

Let us help you take the first step towards getting the justice, compensation and support you deserve. For a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case, call Nigel Askew Solicitors today on 01507 609027.