Work Accident Claims – No Win No Fee Lawyers | Fieldfisher
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We are one of the UK's leading personal injury law firms and are experts at pursuing work accident and illness claims.

Our specialist personal injury solicitors act on a 'no win, no fee' basis. We conduct a wide range of work accident claims, including:

  • breaches of health & safety 
  • work system failure
  • infrastructure failure
  • machinery accidents
  • serious falls
  • transport accidents at work

If you suffer an injury due to a work accident, it is important that you notify your employer as soon as possible. Your employer is legally required to keep an accident book, so keep a record of your accident.
 

Industrial disease claims

We are also one of the UK's most experienced industrial disease team, with more than 40 years' experience pursuing claims for people suffering mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis as a result of asbestos exposure at work. Further information is available in our mesothelioma and asbestos disease section.

Directories Legal 500 and Chambers recommend us as one of the top UK law firms for personal injury work. We are committed to representing claimants living and working in the UK and abroad.
 

Employer responsibility

Unfortunately, accidents at work are fairly common. Whether you work in a factory, a restaurant, a shop, a farm or an office, potential dangers always exist that might cause an accident and serious injury or worse, a fatality.

All employers have a legal responsibility to provide their employees with a safe and secure workplace.

This means providing:

  • adequate equipment and materials
  • competent co-workers
  • a safe system of work
  • appropriate training and supervision

If your employer breaches their legal responsibility and you suffer a work injury, you could be entitled to make a no win no fee work accident compensation claim.

Your employer must have Employers Liability Insurance to cover them for accidents at work. If you are successful in making a no win no fee work accident claim, the company’s insurers will settle the claim, which can include medical expenses and compensation for loss of earnings.

Accident at work claim FAQs
What are the common types of workplace injuries?
Common types of workplace injuries include injuries caused by machinery, burns to the body, and road traffic incidents.
What happens after a workplace accident?
Depending on the seriousness of the incident, the Police and the Health and Safety Executive will open an investigation. If there is a death arising from the accident, the Coroner will open an Inquest. Details of the accident should be recorded in the accident book. A report must also be sent to the HSE as soon as possible.
What is the law on accidents at work?
It is a fault based compensation system in the UK which means you must prove that your employer is responsible for the accident. Once you establish liability, i.e. blame, you must then prove your injuries and losses arise out of the wrong committed by your employer. This is called causation. You must also prove the nature and extent of your injuries and losses with factual and expert evidence.
What can I make a work accident claim for?
You can claim compensation for your personal injuries sustained (both physical and psychological), rehabilitation, and loss of earnings together with all expenses reasonably incurred as a result of the accident in the work place.
Who can make a claim?
An individual can bring a claim in his/her own right for compensation for his/her injuries and losses resulting from the accident in the work place. If he/she dies as a result of an accident at work his/her Partner, their children and any other family members who relied upon the Deceased may have a valid claim.
Can I claim for an accident at work?
Yes, provided it is not your fault and you suffered injury and losses.
Do I have grounds for a work-based compensation claim?
Yes, provided it is not your fault and you can prove the nature and extent of the injuries suffered and losses incurred as a result of the accident in the work place.
What do I need to prove in an accident at work claim?
You need to prove blame, the nature and extent of your injuries, and your losses.
Can I claim for an accident at work that was my fault?
Unfortunately not, because in the UK it is a fault based compensation system. However, our advice would be to seek initial advice before reaching this conclusion, for example it may be that the requisite training wasn’t provided.
Can I claim for occupational illness or disease?
Yes. The general rule is you have three years from the date of diagnosis or three years from the date when you knew or ought to have known you were exposed to an occupational illness or disease. This is a matter for the medical experts.
Can I claim for an accident at work if I'm a self-employed contractor?
Yes, provided you can establish liability i.e. blame. You will need to direct your claim to the main contractor in the first instance.
Can I claim for an accident at work if working on a zero-hour contract?
Yes, you are employed by the company and therefore have a right to sue.
Can I be dismissed after an accident at work?
Yes, if your employer believes you are unfit to fulfil your duties.
Is there a time limit for making a work accident claim?
The general rule is that you must bring a claim in the UK within three years from the date of the accident. If you do not issue court proceedings within three years your claim may be barred by statute and may not be entertained by the Courts. It is possible to dis-apply/waive the three year limit but it is very difficult. It is important court proceedings are issued as soon as possiblem, especially if your employer refuses to accept responsibility.
How do I pay for a work accident or illness claim?
Provided there is a strong case to answer, most firms of solicitors will offer you a conditional fee agreement which is commonly known as a "No Win No Fee" agreement. 
Can I make a no win no fee work accident claim?
Yes, provided you can establish blame, and your Solicitor is prepared to accept instructions under a no win no fee agreement.
Who pays compensation for an accident at work?
It is the employer's liability insurers who pay a Claimant's compensation and the bulk of his/her legal costs.
How long does it take to make an injury at work claim?
It really depends on how long it takes to establish liability and whether or not the medical and non-medical experts can give an opinion or prognosis on your injuries and losses into the future. The important point to note is that the general rule is you get one chance to claim. It is therefore important your claim is not rushed to an early settlement. Your claim must be run properly; it will take as long as it takes.
How much compensation can I claim for an injury at work?
It depends on the type of injury you suffered and the extent of your suffering and losses as a result of that injury. Once we have obtained all of the medical and non-medical expert evidence together with details of your losses, we will be in a position to place a value on your claim.
How do I make a claim for an accident at work?
You should instruct a solicitor as soon as possible and he/she will talk you through the process. 
What is the accident at work claims process?
A letter of claim is sent. It sets out what happened, who is responsible for the accident and describes the injuries suffered by the Claimant. Generally, a letter of claim is sent to the insurer who will investigate liability i.e. blame. Within 21 days this letter must be acknowledged by the insurer. The insurer then has three months to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident. The insurer can respond in three ways; a) it is all our fault b) it is not our fault and here are the documents (called disclosure) to support our position or c) it is partially our fault but we expect the Claimant to accept some responsibility for their actions – this is called contributory negligence.
What is contributory negligence?
This is where an insurer alleges that the Claimant caused and/or contributed to the accident because of his/her actions. If the Court accept the Claimant was contributory negligence then his/her compensation will be reduced accordingly.
What is the role of the Coroner and why does he/she need to become involved following a death arising from an accident in the work place?
Coroners investigate all deaths where the cause is unknown, where there is reason to think the death may not be due to natural causes, or which need an inquiry for some other reason. A Coroner will open an Inquest following the death and then adjourn it so he/she can a) issue an interim death certificate to allow the body to be released to the family and b) to allow time for the circumstances surrounding the accident in the work place to be investigated so he/she can determine amongst other things, how the person died at work.
When does the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigate workplace accidents or occupational illnesses?
The HSE open an investigation if the accident caused serious injury or death.
Our work accident claims experts

Our award-winning team believes in putting clients first. We are dedicated to achieving the best results possible and pride ourselves on our sensitive approach. Any of our work accident claims experts below will be pleased to discuss your case and offer free advice over the phone.

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Recognised by Chambers and Legal 500
Legal 500
Fieldfisher are the leaders in the claimant personal injury market. Their knowledge, expertise and experience is unrivalled by other firms. They have been at the forefront of many of the key legal developments in recent years and regularly handle and negotiate the most valuable claims concerning the most significant and life-changing injuries. The strength of depth in their team underpins the quality of service that is provided to all their clients.
Legal 500
The success and quality across the board is exceptional. In addition, this is a team which really cares about its clients ensuring, whenever it can, that they are rehabilitated in the finest centres sometimes within weeks of injury. Absolutely front rank.
Chambers & Partners
From the very first conversation, they demonstrated a depth of experience in serious injury cases, but more importantly, they showed empathy, clarity, and a genuine commitment to our situation.