Stress At Work Compensation Claims Solicitors
Work shouldn’t make you unwell – but for many people, prolonged pressure, unrealistic demands, or a toxic workplace environment can have a serious impact on their mental health. If you’re struggling with stress, anxiety, or burnout because of the way you’ve been treated at work, you’re not alone.
At Wolferstans, we help people who’ve suffered from work-related stress to understand their rights, explore what went wrong, and take steps towards justice. Our experienced team will listen to your story and support you in a way that’s calm, respectful, and focused on finding the best outcome for you.
Can I claim compensation for work-related stress?
Yes, you can make a stress at work compensation claim if your employer hasn’t protected you from the harmful effects of excessive stress. Too much stress can be damaging to your physical and psychological health, and your employer has a duty of care to make sure that this doesn’t happen.
A 2023 survey published by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) found that more than 76% of employees reported stress as the main reason for long-term absence.
Stress at work compensation claims can be complex, particularly when it comes to collecting the evidence needed to show that the stress levels you experienced were excessive. You may be entitled to make a compensation claim for stress at work if you feel that your employer was negligent when causing the stress, or failed to take proper action when you informed them of your stress.
The general law which applies to your working conditions is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.Under this legislation your employer has a duty of care to take reasonable steps to provide a safe and healthy working environment.
An employer could have placed you under excessive stress in the following ways:
- Asking you to work too many hours
- Asking you to perform tasks for which you haven’t been trained
- Turning a blind eye to harassment and bullying
- Micro-managing the work you do
If you inform your employer that you are experiencing excessive stress then they have a legal duty to take this on board and take steps to reduce your stress. This is particularly true if your stress has been diagnosed by a GP or occupational health specialist.
Experience In All Sectors
We’ve helped hundreds of people claim compensation after workplace accidents in factories, offices, warehouses, construction sites, and elsewhere across the UK.
Our experienced team understands how to deal with employers and insurers effectively, ensuring your case receives the serious attention it deserves from day one. We’ll guide you through every step of the process.
What are the symptoms and causes of work-related stress?
There are common symptoms and causes of work-related stress and amongst those which most often feature in stress at work compensation claims are the following:
- Your employer expecting you to complete more work than is reasonably possible within your allotted working hours
- Your employer setting targets which are impossible to meet
- Your employer monitoring and watching you constantly
- Not been given sufficient training – or any training at all – for the tasks which your employer is asking you to complete
- Being the victim of harassment or bullying in the workplace
- Being refused basic working rights, such as days off, toilet breaks and paid leave
- Experiencing constant worry that your job is insecure
- Mentioning mental health issues such as stress to your employer and being ignored
Stress can sometimes occur in the workplace through no fault of your employer, but if you mention the stress you’re under to them and they take no steps to help, then you may be in a position to make a stress at work compensation claim.
If you’re working under excessive levels of stress then the symptoms this causes could include the following:
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Becoming more forgetful
- Feelings of anxiety or being overwhelmed
- Finding yourself worrying constantly
The symptoms listed so far are psychological in nature, but stress in the workplace can also have a genuine physical impact. Physical symptoms might include the following:
- Aches and pains caused by tension in muscles around the body
- Chest pains or an accelerated heartbeat
- Issues with your stomach, such as digestive problems, nausea, aches and pains
- Headaches or feelings of dizziness and light-headedness
- Problems with sexual dysfunction
- Weight loss caused by a decline in your appetite
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms then you may be under excess stress levels at work. If you think that your employer has been negligent in letting this happen, or failed to take steps to improve things, then contact us today.
If we think you’re entitled to stress at work compensation then we’ll work on a no win no fee basis to make it happen.
How to start a stress at work compensation claim
Making a stress at work compensation claim may seem like a daunting prospect, but the team at Wolferstans break it down into manageable steps. If you think that you’ve been placed under excess stress at work then you should do the following:
Seek medical help for the stress you’re experiencing. As well as offering the chance of treatment of some kind, an official diagnosis of stress will help to build a strong claim for negligence, particularly if your employer refuses to acknowledge how you are feeling.
As soon as you realise you’re suffering from stress at work start to keep a diary. Note down the things which happen in the workplace to add to your stress levels, and any responses given by your employer when you bring the situation to their attention
If you feel that your employer has been negligent, then contact Wolferstans to start the process of making a stress at work compensation claim. After a initial consultation we’ll decide whether you have the grounds to make a stress at work compensation claim.
If we think you have then we’ll work on a no win no fee basis to get you the compensation you’re entitled to. We’ll start by taking your personal statement, which will include your account of the working conditions which caused your stress, the physical and psychological impact of that stress and the negative impact it has had on your life as a whole.
With your permission we’ll access your medical records, including any diagnosis of stress and any other conditions or symptoms which could be stress related
We’ll also arrange an independent medical evaluation to get the fullest possible picture of the stress you’ve been under and the ways in which it has impacted your health and quality of life
We’ll contact any colleagues who might be able to give statements confirming the working conditions which caused your stress, and the treatment you received from your employer
If relevant – if the physical working environment you experienced led to your excess stress levels for example – then we might ask for photographic evidence of that environment
We’ll ask for any copies of correspondence with your employer which can demonstrate that they have been made aware of the problems you’re having at work
We’ll advise you to keep records of any spending which is directly related to your stress
We’ll contact your employer to inform them of your intention to claim stress at work compensation. In most cases the claim will be passed to their insurers.
Most compensation claims of this kind are settled out of court, when the employer admits liability and makes an offer of compensation. We’ll use our experience to gauge whether the offer is fair and should be accepted, or whether we should carry on negotiating.
If your employer denies liability or refuses to make a settlement offer then the case will go to court. If this happens we’ll use our legal expertise to represent you in court and seek the compensation you deserve.
How much compensation could I receive?
The compensation you receive for a stress at work compensation claim could amount to tens of thousands of pounds, particularly if the psychological impact is felt to have had a long-term impact on your ability to earn a living. Compensation of this kind is divided between general damages and special damages.
General damages are intended to reflect the pain and distress caused by your stress at work. They also take into account any ‘loss of amenity’, which means any impact on your ability to enjoy things like hobbies, leisure pursuits and everyday activities.
A publication called the Judicial College Guidelines sets out recommended ranges for general damages across all types of personal injury claims.
In the latest edition of the JCG the following payment ranges are given:
- A moderate case of stress at work which causes some problems in coping with life but should improve over time – £7,150 to £23,270
- A severe case of stress at work which impacts relationships, leaves the suffer struggling to cope with life and has a poor prognosis for recovery – £66,920 to £141,240
- A moderately severe case of stress at work which has a significant impact but a more positive prognosis for recovery – £23,270 to £66,920
- Milder cases of stress at work – £1,880 to £7,150
In addition to the general damages, any stress at work compensation amount will include special damages. This is an amount intended to reimburse any expenses which are directly related to the impact of your stress at work.
Examples of spending which might be included in special damages:
- Any earnings lost because your stress caused you to take time off work, work fewer hours or even switch to another job
- Any costs related to care required because of your stress. This could include money spent buying in professional care, or the time spent caring for you by friends or family.
- The cost of any medical expenses related to your stress, such as medical bills, private talking therapies and prescription charges
- Travel expenses related to your stress, such as those for attending medical appointments
- Any projected loss in future earnings because your stress levels have impacted on the kind of job you can do or the number of hours you can work
Throughout the stress at work compensation process we’ll keep you fully informed of the amount we estimate you should receive in compensation, based on our wide ranging experience of winning claims for our clients, and our clear understanding of the applicable law.
Employer responsibilities and negligence explained
The responsibilities of your employer when it comes to minimising the risk of excessive stress in the workplace are covered by various pieces of legislation. These include the following:
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 – this legislation states that your employer should carry out risk assessments, provide adequate training for the work you are expected to do, provide personal protective equipment (PPE) which is fit for purpose, inspect and maintain all equipment and take reasonable steps to ensure that your workplace is safe.
The Working Times Regulations 1998 – this legislation could apply if your employer has caused stress by asking you to work excessive hours.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 – these regulations include guidance on regular assessments to identify risks to employees health and safety.
The Equality Act 2010 – this legislation could be relevant in a stress at work compensation claim if you feel you have been bullied or harassed on the basis of gender, age, ethnicity or disability.
If you inform your employer that you have been diagnosed as suffering from stress then your employer should take steps to recognise this fact and improve the working conditions responsible for your stress. The steps an employer should take could include:
- Reducing your working hours
- Providing extra supervision or support
- Addressing any bullying or harassment you are experiencing
If an employer doesn’t take steps to minimise your workplace stress after it has been called to their attention then they have failed in their duty of care to you, and you may be entitled to compensation.
Common workplace scenarios that lead to claims
Among the more common scenarios that lead to employers suffering excess stress are the following:
- An employee being given too much work to do in the time available to them, or being asked to work an excessive number of hours
- An employee being set targets for their work which are impossible to achieve, therefore setting them up to fail and to become overly-stressed
- A supervisor who engages in micro-management, monitoring and tracking the work being done to an excessive and stressful degree
- An employee being asked to complete tasks or use specific equipment without the right training being given, or, in some cases any training at all
- An employee being harassed and bullied in the workplace, with the employer failing to deal with the problem when it is brought to their attention
- An employee being denied basic rights in the workplace, such as time off, paid leave and even toilet breaks
- An employee feeling that they are permanently at risk of losing their job without the employer offering any reassurance, or even using the threat as a form of ‘motivation’
- An employee being asked to work from home despite the fact that they don’t have sufficient space to do so, or without the proper equipment – i.e. desk, chair, laptop – being provided
Clear Legal Guidance
You don’t need to know the law — that’s our job. We’ll tell you if we think you have a case, explain what happens next, and handle all the paperwork and negotiations with insurers for you.
Our experienced team will keep you informed throughout the process and fight for the compensation you deserve. There’s no cost to find out where you stand, and you won’t pay a penny unless we win your case.
Can I be dismissed or treated unfairly for making a claim?
No, you can’t be dismissed or treated unfairly for making a claim for stress at work compensation. Retaliation of this kind is illegal.
If an employer were to sack you following a claim being made then you would be able to sue them for unfair dismissal on the basis of the Employment Rights Act 1996. The same would apply if your employer makes your working life so unpleasant that you feel you have no choice but to leave.
This is known as constructive dismissal, and is something which is also against the law. If this happens, you would be within your rights in most cases to take your employer to an employment tribunal.
Why choose our firm for your stress at work claim?
Our expertise and hands-on experience mean that we understand exactly the kind of evidence we’ll need to prove that you suffered undue stress at work as a result of your employer’s negligence. We also understand the emotional impact of cases of this kind, and work in an empathetic and supportive manner.
We’ll guide you through the process one simple step at a time, explaining what’s happening in clear, jargon-free language. We’ll estimate the kind of compensation you’re likely to receive on the basis of your experience, and will negotiate to achieve a fair result as quickly as possible.
Our expertise in dispute resolution means that we’re able to settle the majority of compensation claims out of court. If a claim goes to court, however, we’ll be by your side throughout, representing you to get the compensation you deserve.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim if I haven’t been signed off work?
Yes, you can claim if you haven’t been signed off work. It’s perfectly possible to suffer excess stress but still feel able to work, or worry that you can’t afford the time off. As long as your stress was caused by a negligent employer, you have every right to start a compensation claim.
What if my employer offered help but it didn’t work?
You may still be able to make a stress at work compensation claim if your employer offered help but the help didn’t work. If it can be shown that the help offered by your employer was inadequate, or came too late to make a difference to your condition, then you may still be eligible for compensation. If you’re not sure whether this applies in your case, please contact us for a free consultation.
Is there a time limit to claim for stress at work?
Yes, there is a time limit to claim for stress. In the majority of cases, this limit is set at 3 years, running from the date on which you were diagnosed with stress, or became aware that the stress was caused by the negligence of your employer. Despite the 3 year limit, we would still recommend acting as quickly as possible once you realise that you have been experiencing excess stress at work.
Can I claim stress at work compensation while still employed?
Yes, you can make a stress at work compensation claim against an employer while still working for them. Your rights to stay in work after making a claim are protected by law, and our experience of handling compensation claims means that we’ll always treat your employer with sensitivity, respect and tact.
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