In this guide, we’ll look at when injuries from slips, trips and falls at work could form the basis of a claim. Employers owe their employees a duty of care. If they do not fulfil this, and you are injured as a result, this amounts to negligence, and you could be owed compensation.
This guide will cover key information that you should know about the personal injury claims process. For example, we’ll look at the scenarios that may lead to a claim and how long you have to start the process. In addition to this, we’ll address how much compensation you could be owed and the benefits of seeking representation on a No Win No Fee basis.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with an advisor from our team. To do so:
- Call us on 0208 050 2736
- Contact us online
- Use the live chat
Slips, trips and falls at work claims guide
Choose A Section
- When Are You Eligible To Claim For Slips, Trips And Falls At Work?
- What Compensation Could You Receive For Slips, Trips And Falls At Work?
- Is There A Work Injury Claim Time Limit?
- Why Claim For An Accident At Work On A No Win No Fee Basis?
- Read More About Slips Trips And Falls In The Workplace
When Are You Eligible To Claim For Slips, Trips And Falls At Work?
The responsibility that employers have for their employees is outlined in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. This piece of legislation states that they must take all reasonable steps to prevent employees from being injured.
There are many ways that slips, trips and falls at work could be caused by negligence, regardless of what industry you work in. For example:
- Your employer does not clear a spillage within a reasonable amount of time. Subsequently, you slip on the wet floor and sustain a back injury and a nose injury.
- Wires are left trailing across a walkway as they were not covered properly by your employer. As a result, you trip on them and suffer an elbow injury.
If you would like to know whether you have a valid claim for an accident at work, please get in touch. If so, you could be connected with a No Win No Fee lawyer from our panel.
What Compensation Could You Receive For Slips, Trips And Falls At Work?
The compensation that you could be owed for a successful claim may be made up of two heads. These are called general and special damages. Firstly, general damages look to compensate you for any pain and suffering caused by your injuries. This accounts for both physical and psychological harm.
We have drafted a table of compensation amounts using figures that have been taken from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This is a document that is used by legal professionals to assist them when valuing claims.
However, these figures should only be used as guidance due to each claim being different.
| Body Part | Severity | Compensation Bracket | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back | Severe (i) | £91,090 to £160,980 | Involves damage to the spinal cord and nerve roots resulting in a number of very serious consequences not commonly found in back injuries. |
| Foot | Very severe | £83,960 to £109,650 | Symptoms, such as continuing and severe pain or a very serious disability. |
| Knee | Severe (i) | £69,730 to £96,210 | A serious injury that causes significant pain and loss of function and requires lengthy treatment. |
| Elbow | Severely disabling | £39,170 to £54,830 | A severely disabling injury. |
| Leg | Very serious | £54,830 to £87,890 | An injury that leads to permanent issues with mobility and the need for aids, such as crutches. |
| Wrist | Loss of function | £47,620 to £59,860 | An injury that leads to the total loss of functionality in the wrist. |
Could Special Damages Make Up Part Of My Accident At Work Compensation?
Secondly, you could be awarded special damages for any financial losses you have incurred because of your injuries. This could account for:
- Loss of earnings
- Home adaptations
- Care costs
- Medical expenses
- Travel expenses
It is important to gather evidence to strengthen your claim. This can be done through:
- Receipts
- Invoices
- Bank statements
If you would like a personalised insight as to how much compensation you could be owed, please get in touch with our team.
Is There A Work Injury Claim Time Limit?
Generally, you have 3 years to start the claims process after an accident at work. This could begin from the date of the accident or from when you connected your injuries with a breach of duty of care.
There are some scenarios which could see this time limit vary, for example, if the claimant is under 18 or they lack the mental capacity to claim.
If this is the case, their 3-year time limit would run from their 18th birthday or from when they become mentally capable of claiming, if this happens. They could also have a litigation friend claim on their behalf while they cannot do so themselves.
If you would like to know more about the role of a litigation friend, please get in touch with our advisors.
Why Claim For An Accident At Work On A No Win No Fee Basis?
If you claim with a solicitor from our panel, they might offer you a version of a No Win No Fee agreement called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This means that there are generally no legal fees to be paid upfront or while your claim is ongoing.
Furthermore, this means that payment for your solicitor’s services is typically only required if your claim is won. If your claim is lost, you won’t pay them for the work they’ve done.
In the event of a successful claim, a capped-by-law success fee will be deducted from your payout by your solicitor.
If you would like to know whether you are eligible to be represented on a No Win No Fee basis, please get in touch. They can also offer general guidance on claims for slips, trips and falls at work.
Want To Know If You Can Claim For An Accident At The Workplace? Contact Us Today For Free
Our advisors can provide you with a free consultation to determine whether you have a valid claim. If you do, they could connect with a solicitor from our panel who may be able to assist you with your case. To get in touch:
- Call us on 0208 050 2736
- Contact us online for further help
- Use the live support option opposite.
Read More About Slips Trips And Falls In The Workplace
Here we have included some links to more of our own guides that may be able to help you:
- I had a trip and fall at work – can I claim?
- Self-employed injury at work claims
- Most common causes of injuries at work
Furthermore, we have provided you with additional guides relevant to this topic:
- NHS – First Aid
- GOV – Statutory Sick Pay
- Health and Safety Executive – Reportable Incidents
Thank you for reading this guide on how to claim for slips, trips and falls at work caused by employer negligence.
Written by Pas
Published by Sto