FAQ

Gathering evidence is key to a successful compensation claim. You may need:

• An entry in the Accident Book;
• Medical reports from your GP or hospital;
• Photos and videos from the scene;
• Witness statements;
• Documents proving financial losses (payslips, receipts for medication, travel, etc.);
• Any correspondence with the employer regarding the incident.

The employer must not only provide first aid and call an ambulance if necessary, but also report the incident to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

This must be done in accordance with RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations).
Reporting is mandatory in the case of serious injuries, occupational diseases and dangerous incidents.

Medical care under the NHS in the UK is free of charge.
However, if you seek private medical services — for example, physiotherapy for faster recovery — these costs may be included in your claim and reimbursed as part of Special Damages.

The employer is obliged to:

• Pay you Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) — or contractual sick pay if provided in your employment contract.

If you file a compensation claim and it is successful, the compensation is paid through the employer’s insurance (Employer’s Liability Insurance), not from their personal funds.

Yes, you can claim compensation if your injury occurred due to your employer’s fault — for example, due to a failure to ensure safe working conditions.

The amount is not fixed and depends on many factors: the nature of the injury, recovery time, impact on daily life and incurred expenses. Compensation consists of two parts:

1. General Damages

Compensation for the injury itself — pain, suffering and loss of amenity. The amount is based on medical reports and official judicial guidelines. The more serious the injury and longer the recovery, the higher the amount.

2. Special Damages

Compensation for direct financial losses, including:

• Loss of income (including future loss);
• Medical, rehabilitation, and medication expenses;
• Travel costs to medical facilities;
• Cost of care (by relatives or hired carers);
• Expenses for adapting your home or transport to your needs.

There are three main types of financial support:

1. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) — mandatory payment from the employer during temporary incapacity.
2. Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) — a government benefit if the injury or illness at work leads to long-term disability. It is awarded after a medical assessment and does not depend on employer fault.
3. Work injury compensation (Personal Injury Claim) — a financial payment if it is proven the injury was caused by the employer’s fault. The compensation is paid as a lump sum after case review. This is the type of payment the it happens team assists with.

If you are unable to work for more than 4 consecutive days due to a workplace injury, you are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).

• Who pays? SSP is paid by your employer through the usual payroll system.
• How much? The SSP rate from April 2025 is £116.75 per week. It can be paid for up to 28 weeks. SSP is subject to income tax but not National Insurance contributions.
• Important: Some employers offer more favourable conditions — contractual sick pay, which may be higher than SSP or last longer. Check your employment contract or speak to the HR department.

The main criterion is whether the injury was related to the working conditions and your employer’s duty of care.

The injury may be considered work-related if, for example, the employer:

• Did not carry out a risk assessment;
• Did not provide personal protective equipment (PPE);
• Did not ensure a safe working environment;
• Did not provide necessary training.

If you are not sure whether your situation qualifies as a work-related injury, it happens specialists can analyse the circumstances and offer a free consultation.

A workplace injury is any injury sustained by an employee in the course of and arising out of their employment. This means the incident must be directly related to your job.

Examples include:

• Falls due to wet floors, obstacles or faulty ladders.
• Lifting injuries caused by lack of proper training or equipment.
• Burns from chemicals or hot liquids.
  Injuries caused by faulty or unsafe work equipment.
• Occupational diseases caused by exposure to harmful substances (e.g. dust, chemicals, asbestos).
• Physical or psychological harm resulting from aggression by clients, colleagues or others in the workplace.

Your health and safety are the top priority. You need to act quickly and correctly:

1. Get first aid.
   If the injury is serious, immediately call an ambulance (999 or 112). For less serious injuries, contact the employee responsible for providing first aid at your workplace.
2. Report the incident.
   Inform your supervisor or manager immediately about what happened. Do this even if the injury seems minor — the consequences may appear later.
3. Record the incident.
   Make sure the accident is recorded in the Accident Book. This is an official document and important evidence. If there is no Accident Book, send written notice to your employer (for example, by email), stating the date, time, place, and circumstances of the incident.
4. Collect evidence.
   If possible and safe, take photos of the scene, the cause of the injury (e.g. wet floor with no warning sign, faulty equipment), and the injury itself. Record names and contact details of witnesses.
5. See a doctor.
   Even if you have already received first aid at work, it is strongly recommended to be examined by a medical professional. An official medical report can be crucial in any further investigation or compensation claim.