Have You Been Injured in an Accident at Work That Wasn’t Your Fault?

Going to work should not put your health or your future at unnecessary risk. Unfortunately, accidents at work still happen every day, and the effects can sometimes last long after the initial injury.

Around 680,000 working people in Great Britain suffered an injury at work in 2024/25, according to figures published by the Health and Safety Executive.

Some people make a relatively quick recovery. For others, a workplace injury can mean months away from work, lost earnings, ongoing pain, rehabilitation or even being unable to return to the job they did before.

If you have been injured in an accident at work that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to make an accident at work compensation claim.

At Browell Smith & Co Solicitors, we have been helping injured people for more than 30 years. We will listen to what happened, explain your options in plain English and help you understand what compensation and support may be available.

What accidents at work can you claim for?

An accident at work can happen in almost any job or workplace.

• Our accident at work solicitors can advise on claims involving:
• slips, trips and falls;
• falls from ladders, scaffolding or height;
• defective or dangerous machinery;
• lifting and manual handling injuries;
• being struck by falling or moving objects;
• forklift and workplace vehicle accidents;
• construction site accidents;
• inadequate personal protective equipment;
• unsafe working practices;
• inadequate training or supervision; and
• injuries caused by another employee.

Not sure whether your employer was at fault? You don’t need to work that out before you contact us. Tell us what happened and we can investigate it for you.

Does my employer have a duty to keep me safe at work?

Yes.

Employers have legal responsibilities to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees.

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 places general duties on employers to protect their employees. Depending on the type of work involved, this can include providing a safe workplace and safe system of work, carrying out appropriate risk assessments, providing suitable equipment and ensuring employees receive appropriate training and supervision.

An accident happening at work does not automatically mean that your employer was negligent.

Every accident at work claim is different. We will look at what happened, consider the available evidence and give you honest advice about whether you have reasonable grounds to make a claim.

How much compensation can I claim after an accident at work?

This is often one of the first questions we are asked.

An accident at work compensation claim is not simply about putting a value on your injury. We need to understand how that injury has affected your life and what it could mean for your future.

Depending on your particular circumstances, you may be able to claim compensation for:

• physical injuries;psychological injuries;
• past loss of earnings;
• future loss of earnings;
• lost overtime, bonuses and other employment benefits;
• pension losses;
• medical and treatment expenses;
• rehabilitation;
• care and assistance from family or friends;
• professional care;
• travel expenses;
• specialist aids and equipment;
• assistance at home; and
• in more serious injury claims, accommodation or adaptation costs.

We will help you identify the losses and expenses arising from your workplace accident and advise you about the evidence needed to support them.

What happens if I can’t return to my old job?

For many people who suffer a serious injury at work, this is their biggest worry.

You may recover sufficiently to work again but be unable to return to the job or career you had before your accident.

This can be particularly important if you work in construction, manufacturing, engineering, healthcare or another physically demanding occupation.

If your injuries mean you have to change career, accept a lower-paid job, reduce your hours, give up overtime, retrain or retire earlier than planned, we can investigate the financial consequences.

A serious personal injury claim may therefore include future loss of earnings, not simply the wages you have already lost.

Where appropriate, we can look at what you were likely to have earned had the accident not happened and compare that with what you are now likely to be able to earn in the future.

Could my workplace injury affect my pension?

It could.

Pension loss can easily be overlooked following an accident at work.

If your injuries leave you unable to work, force you to reduce your hours, move into lower-paid employment or retire earlier than expected, the impact on your pension can potentially continue for many years.

Where appropriate, we can investigate future pension losses as part of your compensation claim.

It is one of the reasons why you should be cautious about settling a serious accident at work claim before the longer-term consequences of your injury are properly understood.

Rehabilitation: helping you get your life back on track

Bringing a personal injury claim should not just be about compensation.

Where possible, we also want to help you recover.

Depending upon your injuries, rehabilitation could include physiotherapy, specialist medical treatment, psychological support or other therapies.

If you cannot return to your previous job, we can also consider vocational rehabilitation, retraining and support to help you return to suitable employment.

At Browell Smith & Co Solicitors, our focus is on the bigger picture: your recovery, your independence, your financial security and your future.

Can I get an interim payment before my claim settles?

Potentially, yes.

We understand how quickly financial pressures can build following an accident at work. Your earnings may have reduced or stopped altogether, but your mortgage, rent and household bills still need to be paid.

Where liability has been admitted, or the circumstances otherwise allow it, we can consider seeking an interim payment.

An interim payment is an advance payment of part of your compensation before your accident at work claim has finally settled.

It can help ease immediate financial pressure and, depending on the circumstances, can also help fund treatment, rehabilitation, care and other needs while your claim continues.

Will I have to claim against my employer personally?

This is something many people worry about, particularly if they are still working for their employer or have a good relationship with them.

Subject to limited exceptions, employers are required to have employers’ liability insurance. An accident at work claim will therefore usually be dealt with through the employer’s insurer.

Don’t let concerns about this prevent you from seeking advice. Talk to us first and we can explain what making a claim would involve before you decide what you want to do.

You are in safe and experienced hands

When you have been injured at work, choosing the right personal injury solicitor matters.

At Browell Smith & Co Solicitors, your claim will be handled by an experienced specialist team. Established in 1995, we have been representing injured people for more than 30 years and have developed a national reputation for personal injury work. The Legal 500 describes the firm as a “leading law firm” acting for clients both locally and nationally.

Our expertise is independently recognised by The Legal 500, which says that Browell Smith & Co Solicitors handles “all aspects of personal injury claims”, including complex injury work.

The independent feedback published by The Legal 500 also describes the firm as having an “impressive team” and as being “one of the leading firms in the North East” in its specialist work.

We are proud of that recognition, but for us experience is about much more than rankings.It is about understanding what an injury means to you and your family.

In personal injury cases, our focus is on representing injured people, not defendants. We are on your side.

We will look beyond your immediate injuries and consider how the accident may affect your ability to work, your future earnings, pension, treatment needs and independence.

If you need rehabilitation, we can explore what support may be available. If you are struggling financially while your claim progresses, we can consider whether an interim payment can be obtained. For serious injuries, we can work with appropriate medical and rehabilitation experts to understand your longer-term needs.

From your first conversation with us to the conclusion of your claim, we will guide you through the process, keep you informed and explain things in plain English.

Your accident at work claim will be in safe and experienced hands.

Can I make an accident at work claim on a No Win No Fee basis?

In appropriate cases, yes.

We may be able to deal with your accident at work compensation claim under a No Win No Fee agreement, subject to an assessment of your case and the terms of the funding agreement.

We will explain how the agreement works, including any deductions that may be made from your compensation, before you decide whether you want to proceed.

Injured at work? Talk to us

If you have suffered an accident at work that wasn’t your fault, you don’t need to know whether you definitely have a claim before you contact us.

Tell us what happened. We will listen.

Our experienced accident at work solicitors can advise you about whether someone may have been at fault, the evidence we need to investigate your claim and the compensation, rehabilitation and financial support that may be available.

With more than 30 years’ experience of helping injured people, you can be confident that your case will be handled with experience, care and understanding.

Speak to the Personal Injury team at Browell Smith & Co Solicitors today to find out how we can help.

This article is provided for general information and does not constitute legal advice. Every claim depends upon its individual circumstances.