Accidents at Work

Employers have a duty of care to their employees and should assess risks in the workplace to keep the risk of injury to an absolute minimum. Any equipment provided to workers to carry out their job should be fit for purpose and employers should ensure that they have provided the correct training so that their work can be carried out safely.
If you have been injured as a result of your employers’ negligence, you may be able to claim compensation and get all the support you need for your recovery.
Claiming compensation for an accident at work can be complicated, so having the advice of our accidents at work solicitors can make all the difference, helping you to get fair compensation faster and with less stress.
We can ensure you take the right steps to help your claim progresses swiftly and smoothly. In most cases we are able to secure compensation for workplace injuries without the need for a court hearing, saving you time and the uncertainty of court proceedings.
Our accident at work solicitors have decades of experience helping clients to get compensation under even the most challenging circumstances. To find out more about our track record with workplace injury claims, see our client success stories and testimonials.
We offer a free initial consultation to all workplace injury claimants, so please get in touch to find out more about how we can help you with your claim.
Top tip: If you have had an accident at work, make sure your employer records it in their accident book. This can provide important evidence if you later wish to make a claim for compensation.
Wolferstans Partner, Linda Woollams, has over 30 years’ legal experience and specialises in all types of personal injury claims, including high value claims for serious workplace accidents and injuries including claims for those serving in the armed forces. Linda is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) reflecting her high level of expertise in this complex area of law.
Chartered Legal Executive, Tracey Barton, has more than 10 years’ experience handling personal injury claims for a wide range of clients who have been injured at work,.
Our workplace injury lawyers have particular experience with many types of claims, including:
- Industrial injury claims
- Military injury claims
- Factory accident claims
- Construction site accident claims
- Warehouse accident claims
- Fall at work claims
- Manual handling claims
- Defective work equipment claims
To be eligible for accident at work compensation, you need to be able to show that your employer failed in their duty of care to provide a safe working environment. You will also need to show that your injuries were caused by the accident
Our approachable, expert accident at work lawyers can guide you through the entire claims process. We will ensure all of the appropriate evidence is gathered to build an effective case and that your case is presented in the best possible way. We will then represent you in negotiations with your employer and during court proceedings where required, giving you the strongest chance of securing fair compensation.
What will happen when I first contact Wolferstans?
When you first contact us about your personal injury claim, we will take a few initial details, such as:
- The date and location of the accident;
- How the accident happened;
- Who else was involved;
- The injuries you suffered and how they have affected you;
- Whether there were any witnesses.
When we have this information, we will be able to consider whether we believe you have good prospects of winning your case. This advice will be part of your free initial consultation.
We will then help you to consider potential sources of funding, such as existing protection under your insurance, conditional fee agreements (that are sometimes known as “no win no fee” agreements), or even private funding if you would prefer.
Out-of-court settlements for workplace injury claims
Our accident at work lawyers have strong expertise with negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). This means we can almost always secure compensation for workplace injuries with an out-of-court settlement, allowing you to avoid the need for a court hearing in most cases.
Resolving your claim with an out-of-court settlement usually allows you to get compensation faster and avoid the stress and uncertainty of court proceedings,
Where court proceedings are required, we can offer the robust legal representation and compassionate personal support needed to help you navigate the process successfully and give you the best chance of receiving a fair outcome.
Personal injury claims must normally be made within 3 years of the date of an accident. However, in some circumstances we can apply on your behalf to get the deadline extended.
If you were not aware of your injuries immediately the relevant date for the purposes of making a claim is the date of knowledge (the date that you knew that you were injured).
If you are claiming for someone who has been left without the mental capacity to make a claim due to their injuries, there is usually no time limit for making a claim.
Finding the right option for you
It will not cost you anything to contact us for initial advice. We are happy to have a confidential discussion with you to advise you whether you have a claim.
If we advise you to make a claim, and you wish to instruct us, we will review all the funding options with you and tell you which one is most appropriate.
Options for funding your workplace injury claim
There are various ways of funding your claim. You can be confident that if we believe you have a good claim, we will find a way of funding it.
The most common options for covering the cost of an accident at work claim are:
Conditional Fee Agreement-
Known as a “No Win, No Fee” agreement. With a no win, no fee accident at work claim you do not need to pay anything to start a claim and will only be liable for our fees if we secure compensation for you. This takes the financial risk out of pursuing compensation and ensures your personal financial circumstances should be no barrier to starting a claim. If the “No Win, No Fee” option is available, it may be the best option for you.
Legal Expenses Insurance-
Many people have what is known as “Before the Event (BTE)” insurance as part of their motor, home contents or other policy. This may be described as Legal Expenses Insurance or Family Legal Protection or similar. We will check with you whether you have any such cover and, if you do so, will contact the Insurance Company on your behalf, to see whether there is any advantage to you in using that insurance to fund the cost of your case.
Trade Union Funding-
If you are a member of a Trade Union, they may provide some help with legal issues such as making a workplace injury compensation claim.
How much compensation can I get for an accident at work?
Exactly how much you can claim for a workplace accident will depend on the circumstances, including how serious your injuries are and the impact this has on your life.
In general, you may be able to claim for things such as:
- Lost earnings due to time taken off work
- Reduction in your future earning potential
- Treatment costs
- Care support
- Adaptions to your home or vehicle
- Pain and suffering
- Lifestyle changes
We aim to provide a realistic estimate of your claims value at the earliest opportunity, giving you a clear indication of how much compensation you may be entitled to. You will then be able to make an informed decision about moving forward with your accident at work claim.
How long will my workplace injury claim take to settle?
Each individual claim is different and will vary in length depending on the individual circumstances.
If the other party admits they were at fault, you could receive compensation within as little as 6 months. On the other hand, if liability is in dispute, or you are suffering from ongoing problems, your claim may take longer to resolve. In some cases, we can obtain interim payments from the other side to make sure you are not out of pocket.
My employer is no longer trading. Can I still make a claim?
This is not necessarily an issue. We have means of tracing former employers and directors. We generally deal with the employer’s insurance company even if the employer is not trading.
Book a free no obligation consultation with our accidents at work solicitors:
If you have been injured at work and would like advice and a free consultation
Please contact:
Tracey Barton
Associate, Chartered Legal Executive
If you or a family member has sustained life changing injuries as a result of an accident at work our specialist Serious Injuries Team will be able to advise you
Please contact:
Linda Woollams
Partner, Solicitor