29/05/2025
Every employer in the UK has a legal obligation to ensure a safe working environment for their employees.
However, workplace accidents can still happen.
Accidents that happen at work can be extremely distressing and have a significant impact on your life.
Apart from having to deal with the pain of your injury and any subsequent rehabilitation, not being able to work can lead to financial consequences for you and your loved ones.
In this blog, our experienced Personal Injury lawyers answer some frequently asked questions about workplace accidents and consider the steps to take if you are injured at work.
What does my employer have to do to prevent accidents at work?
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers in England and Wales must take various steps to protect the health and safety of their staff by preventing workplace accidents and illnesses.
It is an employer’s responsibility to determine precisely what health and safety measures they should introduce.
This depends on various factors, including the industry sector, the nature of the business, and the perceived level of risk.
However, as a minimum, employers must:
- Provide a safe system of work.
- Provide a safe place of work.
- Provide safe equipment, plant, and machinery to perform the work.
- Ensure work colleagues are competent in their roles.
To ensure this, employers must first undertake a risk assessment to establish the level of risk and identify and address potential hazards.
They must then provide employees with the proper workplace facilities, information and training, and implement a health and safety policy that sets out the company’s approach to health and safety, how it is managed, and documents who is responsible for what, when and how.
Can I claim compensation for a workplace accident?
If your employer has failed to protect you as an employee, you have a right to seek compensation. Making a personal injury claim for an accident at work is possible, even if your employer was only partly to blame.
Employers should have workplace insurance which will cover them for any accidents that happen in the workplace.
What type of workplace accidents can I claim for?
Claims for compensation can be made for any accident that happens in the workplace. This could include:
- Falls.
- Slips and trips.
- Back injuries.
- Neck injuries.
- Head injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Falling objects.
- Burns and scars.
- Inadequate protective equipment.
- Inadequate training.
- Illness and disease.
Can I be fired if I have an accident at work?
No. Your employer cannot discriminate against you or dismiss you because of an accident at work if you were not at fault.
If you have been dismissed as a result of an accident at work that was not your fault, you may be able to take additional legal action against your employer.
However, if you suffer an accident at work that was your fault, your employer could dismiss you on the grounds of negligence.
If you are uncertain about who is responsible for your accident at work, or know you are partly to blame but want clarity on your rights, call our workplace accident solicitors on 0800 103 2600 or fill in our online contact form.
What should I do if I have an accident at work?
If you have an accident at work, it can help to do the following:
- Seek medical attention. If you are hurt, you must always seek appropriate medical advice as soon as possible. This could include using first aid, seeing a doctor or visiting the hospital, depending on the nature of your injury.
- Report the incident to your employer. Telling your manager or supervisor about the accident is crucial so it can be officially documented and properly investigated.
- Gather evidence. If possible, you should take photos or video footage of anything that contributed to your accident and any resulting injuries. This will be extremely useful if you decide to make a compensation claim.
- Seek legal advice. If you believe you have been injured at work because of your employer’s negligence, a solicitor specialising in workplace accidents can advise on the most appropriate next steps and the merits of your claim.
Accident at Work Solicitor
At Russell & Russell, we understand that making a claim against your employer can be a daunting prospect.
Our workplace accident lawyers have many decades of experience and are recognised in their field for their expertise in employer’s liability.
For more information, or to speak to one of our experienced workplace accident solicitors, get in touch with Russell & Russell today.
We have offices across the North West, including Bolton, Chester and Manchester, and help people from the wider UK with personal injury claims.
To speak to one of our specialist accident at work solicitors, please call 0800 103 2600 or fill in our online contact form.
Please note that this article is meant as general guidance and not intended as legal or professional advice. Updates to the law may have changed since this article was published.