At National Accident Helpline, we understand that accidents happen and believe you deserve the support and compensation you're entitled to.
Recent research, commissioned by us, sheds light on the concerns British workers face when it comes to seeking compensation from employers.
Are you worried about making a work accident claim? You're not alone.
Our report found that a staggering 41% of Brits have experienced at least one of the three most common workplace accidents that could lead to compensation. But, two-thirds of those who suffered an accident that wasn't their fault chose not to make a claim.
With over £284 million* in work accident compensation unclaimed from the last 3 years, these people are missing out on potentially life-changing compensation they could be entitled to.
Common Workplace Accidents Revealed: Has this happened to you?
Injuries and work-related illnesses are often caused by employers and managers failing to follow health and safety rules, neglecting their duty of care. Our research identified three major types of accidents that workers are most likely to encounter at the fault of their employer:
- Slips, Trips, or Falls: 30% of respondents reported serious injuries resulting from workplace accidents involving slips, trips, or falls.
- Injuries While Lifting: One-third of Brits experienced serious harm while picking something up at work through manual handling.
- Hurt by Defective Machinery or Equipment: A fifth of respondents revealed they had been hurt by defective machinery or poorly maintained working equipment.
You don't deserve to feel anxious about your health, job or money after an accident at work. That's why we're here to help you make it right with a work injury claim. If you've had an accident that wasn't your fault, contact us to start your claim today.
With the cost-of-living crisis, it is clear that more people fear the consequences of their employment being affected by legitimate claims.
It should not be the case in modern Britain that people are not claiming because they fear losing their jobs. People should be reassured that when they believe they have injured themselves at work, they are entitled to the compensation that can help them get back on their feet.
Will Herbertson
Managing Director
Serious work accidents are still happening frequently
The poll of 2,000 people, conducted by Censuswide, confirmed that accidents at work continue to happen at an alarmingly high rate - causing serious injuries in some cases - despite a significant fall in claims since the pandemic. This shows that Brits are still suffering from personal injuries but are not making a claim for the compensation they deserve to help them recover.
The research also found:
- Almost half (41%) of Brits suffered at least one of the major three accidents that occurred at work and have been hurt.
- Two-thirds (68%) of people who have suffered an accident do not claim.
- 43% of those who had suffered an accident said they were worried about making a claim against their employer as it may impact their relationship or career.
- 38% of Brits also report feeling forced to work through pain because they cannot afford to take time off.
Of the 68% who decided against claiming, there were some common trends in the reasoning behind their decision. Despite these being the most common claims, 22% of respondents blamed themselves for the accident and 18% were worried it would affect their job stability.
The research echoes similar findings by APIL looking into the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics which also found a significant fall in the number of people injured at work who pursue damages from their employer. Their data suggests that of those injured or made ill because of their work in 2022-23, just 5% made an employer liability claim. This is down from 14% in 2018-19. This is despite an increase in the number of people actually injured in the workplace.
“In our society, nothing says making a claim is a good thing, and this stigma is having a direct impact on people's working lives and how they rebuild them after an injury.”
John Kushnick, Legal Operations Director
Did you know that you can't be fired for claiming work accident compensation?
43% of injured workers in our survey hesitated to claim due to concerns about the impact on their career or workplace relationships. We can help you know your rights around claiming for a workplace accident.
If you're worried about claiming because you think you'll be fired, don't be. This is clearly a common concern for many, but by law, you cannot be fired or dismissed for bringing a claim after being involved in a workplace accident. This would be what's known as unfair dismissal.
No one should worry about bringing a legitimate claim for compensation, but our research reveals that the British people are increasingly reluctant to seek compensation they may be entitled to due to a potential impact on their jobs.
It is illegal for employers to take action against employees after a legal claim. Employer liability insurance is compulsory for businesses and your claim will be handled between your lawyer and an insurer.
John Kushnick
Legal Operations DirectorWe're here for you. Start your claim today.
At National Accident Helpline, we're here to guide you through the complexities of personal injury claims and support you through what seems like a daunting claims process.
Our study revealed that 12% of respondents said the thought of claiming made them scared due to ‘fears of lawyers or the legal system'. We understand it can be worrying to claim for a work injury, but employers have Employers' Liability insurance for this very reason and you deserve to be treated fairly. If you've suffered an accident at work and are hesitant to make a claim, remember that we're here for you.
Don't leave your share of compensation unclaimed. Claim what you deserve with National Accident Helpline today. It could make all the difference to your recovery.
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*National Accident Helpline's methodology involves analysing the number of claims for Employers' Liability. The data is pulled from the year 2019 to 2020, the last year unaffected by COVID-19, and compared to the corresponding data for the year 2022 to 2023 - obtained from the government's Compensation Recovery Unit (CRU). The resulting variances indicate a decrease in Employers' Liability claims. To calculate the average compensation, the average settlement for the year up to August 2023 is used. The final calculation involved multiplying the average compensation settlement figure by the total number of reduced claims, resulting in a total of £284,256,950.00. This is a conservative estimate.