Workplace injuries are incredibly common – in fact, the stats show that over half a million British people sustained an injury in the workplace between 2022 and 2023. A workplace accident can be defined as an adverse event that resulted in the injury or ill health of an employee. This definition covers a multitude of scenarios.

Here are 10 of the most common ways injuries arise in UK workplaces:

• Slips, trips & falls
• Falling objects
• Acts of violence
• Road traffic accidents
• Cuts & lacerations
• Repetitive strain injury
• Lifting heavy objects
• Exposure to toxic fumes
• Exposure to loud noises
• Burns and scolds

Of the half a million people predicted to have a workplace injury each year; 32% incurred from same level slips and falls, 17% were caused by handling and lifting, 11% were struck by a moving object, 8% were falls from height, and 8% were acts of violence.

Can I make a claim for compensation if I sustain an injury in the workplace?

Yes, if you have been involved in a workplace accident that was not your fault, you may be able to claim compensation through your Employers’ Liability Insurance. The key to having a successful claim is being able to prove that your employer or workplace is at fault, and their negligence or mistake caused the accident to happen.

How long do I have to make a claim for an injury in the workplace?

Symptoms and injuries don’t always appear on the day of your accident. Sometimes when an employee suffers and injury in the workplace, the injuries appear some time later. This is especially true of industrial disease and psychological injuries.

It’s important to know that you have 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 from when you 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐲, not when the accident occurred to make a claim.

For example, you may have a claim for deafness if you have previously worked in a loud workplace that could have contributed to your hearing loss. At the time of working, you may not have known you had a claim, or may not have even noticed any significant hearing loss.

As time passes by, your hearing may worsen. In this case, your 3-year time period to submit a compensation claim only starts from the date when you knew about your hearing loss and a medical professional rules that your work history may have been a contributing factor.

So, if you think a “new” symptom, disease or injury could be related to a previous personal injury or workplace accident, it may be worth speaking to our team to find out how we can help you with your compensation claim.

Get in touch

We invite you to have a confidential chat with one of our Specialist Personal Injury Solicitors to discuss the potential of your claim. Our team have the experience and skills to help you to navigate through the legal process. Our aim is always to achieve the best results for our clients. We handle all personal injury claims on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis so there is no risk of a financial loss.

Get in touch via our online contact form or call 0161 402 0213 to arrange a convenient time to have a discussion with a fully qualified and experienced Personal Injury Solicitor.