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Office Accident Claims

If you’ve suffered an injury in an office accident, we can help you claim compensation

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£90 million in compensation

Won for our clients by JF Law Solicitors

Office Accident Claims

If you’ve suffered an injury in an office accident, we can help you claim compensation

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four and a half stars TrustPilot score
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If you are looking for guidance on starting an office accident claim, you’ve come to the right place. While office spaces are generally considered low-risk environments, hazards still exist, ranging from faulty seating and poor lighting to wet floors and tripping hazards in corridors.

These incidents, which can happen in any office setting—from small hot-desking spaces to large corporate floors—can result in serious injuries.

The essential first step to pursuing an office accident claim is to report the incident immediately and gather evidence like photos and witness details. Since your employer has a duty of care to provide a safe workplace, you can claim compensation if your employer’s negligence caused your injury.

At JF Law, we understand that pursuing a claim can be overwhelming. To ensure your claim is successful, you must seek medical attention to document your injuries and record all associated expenses. Remember that the claim generally must be filed within three years of the accident or the diagnosis of your injury.

Our experienced solicitors specialise in securing compensation for those injured due to employer negligence. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation assessment of your case and let us take the stress out of the claims process.

Office Accident Hazards: Where Injuries Can Happen

Manual Handling and Training

You may have injured your back after moving heavy boxes or files because you were not given any manual handling training, or you were asked to do this job and it was not part of your usual duties.

Trailing Cables and Wiring

You may have suffered an ankle injury in a fall at work because a cable laid across your office floor was not taped down or highlighted by warning signs. Wires that have not been properly secured or tucked away can also create trip hazards.

Loose or Upturned Flooring

Carpets, tiles, or other types of flooring like vinyl could be loose or upturned, creating a significant trip hazard in walkways or beneath desks.

Poor Lighting on Stairwells

Poor lighting on stairwells where there are no windows can create a serious risk of people falling. Adequate lighting is essential for visibility and safety.

Car Park and External Trip Hazards

Potholes and other trip hazards in car parks and external areas controlled by the employer can lead to people tripping and falling over, extending the risk beyond the office walls.

Faulty Electrical Equipment

Faulty sockets and electrical wiring can see people suffer nasty electric shocks. By law, electrical equipment should be tested each year to certify it is safe, for example with a PAT test.

Falling Items from Storage

Heavy items falling from shelves or cabinets could hit people and cause injury. This risk increases if shelving is improperly installed or overloaded.

Spillages in Communal Areas

Spillages that have not been cleared up in kitchen areas or near water coolers could cause people to slip and fall, leading to sprains or fractures.

Boxes and Clutter Obstructions

Boxes causing trip hazards are a common issue. Storing files or deliveries temporarily in walkways or near exits constitutes a clear breach of safety protocols.

Not all accidents in the office at work will form the basis of a valid office accident claim.

If you would like to check whether you might be eligible to claim compensation for an accident at work, why not call an advisor today?

Start Your Free Claim Assessment

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Can I Make An Office Accident Claim?

To make an office accident claim, you must meet certain criteria. They are:

  • Your employer owed you a duty of care at the time of the accident.
  • They breached that duty, such as not ensuring wires were properly secured away
  • As a consequence of the breach, you were left injured.

This is the criteria for all personal injury claims.

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 is the central piece of workplace health and safety legislation covering offices. It establishes the duty of care your employer owes to prevent you from becoming injured at work. This duty requires them to take reasonable and practicable steps, including carrying out regular risk assessments and addressing any hazards that pose a risk of injury, as well as providing adequate training, and ensuring employees are given necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

If there has been a breach of this duty which has led to you experiencing harm in an office accident, a claim could potentially be made.

There is also another thing you must comply with, and that’s the time limit, which we discuss below. 

What Time Limits Apply To Office Accident Claims?

According to the Limitation Act 1980, all personal injury claims have a 3-year time limit. This means you must start legal proceedings within three years from the office accident date.

There are a few other exceptions to the 3-year limitation period, however, so please get in touch if you’d like to check how long you have left to claim. An advisor can also help you understand whether you’re eligible to begin an office accident claim.

An old man falling at work to represent our article on making an office accident claim.

Compensation Payouts And Settlement Amounts In Office Accident Claims

Each office accident claim is unique which means compensation levels can vary from case to case. Generally though, a settlement awarded following a successful case can comprise up to two heads of loss. The primary head is known as general damages, compensating for the suffering and pain caused by your injuries.

The Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) lists a set of guideline compensation brackets that correspond to different injuries. Solicitors can use these, alongside medical evidence, to help them value general damages.

You can find some of the JCG figures in the table below. However, the figures displayed here are for guidance only. They come from the 17th edition of the JCG, published in 2024

Type Of InjurySeverityCompensation Guidelines
Multiple severe injuries and financial lossesSevereUp to £500,000 plus
Head Very Severe£344,150 to £493,000
HeadModerately Severe£267,340 to £344,150
Back Severe£111,150 to £196,450
NeckSevereIn the region of £181,020
ArmSevere£117,360 to £159,770
LegSevere (ii) Very Serious£66,920 to £109,290
Wrist Loss of function£58,110 to £73,050
ShoulderSevere£23,430 to £58,610
ElbowSeverely Disabling£47,810 to £66,920
HipModerate£32,450 to £47,810

Can I Claim Back Financial Losses?

The second head of loss, called special damages, compensates for the financial losses linked to your injuries. For example:

  • Care costs if you need support at home from someone else
  • The cost of medical treatment, such as physiotherapy, as well as any private medical treatment you could receive, such as surgery. 
  • Travel costs relating to appointments to do with your injuries.
  • Lost income (including future lost earnings).
  • The cost of adapting your home if your injuries are serious enough to warrant a change.

To find out how much compensation you could receive in a successful office accident claim, why not speak to us today? We can offer you a free valuation of your potential payout.

We pride ourselves
on providing the best service
possible for our clients.

We pride ourselves on providing the best service possible for our clients.

How Can I Prove My Office Accident Claim?

You should provide as much evidence as possible to demonstrate that your employer was at fault for the office accident, and that this caused you to sustain an injury. The types of evidence that could be collected to support an office accident claim include:

  • A copy of your accident report form to confirm the date, location and time of your accident.
  • The contact details of anybody who saw your accident so witness statements can be collected at a later date.
  • Details of any medical appointments or treatment you received as a result of your injuries.
  • Photographs of the injuries and your accident.
  • Video recordings such as CCTV footage if the accident was caught on camera.

If your case is handled by one of our accident at work solicitors, they’ll use any evidence you’ve supplied to build a strong case and will help to obtain anything else that could substantiate your claim.

For more information on what to do after an accident at work please call an advisor on the number above.

How Long Will It Take To Settle My Case?

Depending on the unique circumstances of your case, it could take anywhere between a few months and a few years to settle an office accident claim. However, there are a number of factors which could impact when you receive your settlement amount:

  • Liability: If your employer accepts liability for your office injury, you won’t have to devote much time collecting evidence. However, if they refuse liability, you may have to consult a solicitor and start collecting evidence. Your case may also need to go to court.
  • Evidence: If you have strong evidence, you won’t have to spend more time compiling additional documents.
  • Complexity of Injuries: It may take some time to determine the true nature of your injuries if they are very complex.
  • Negotiations: If your employer admits liability, they may offer you compensation that you don’t agree with. This could lead to a series of lengthy negotiations.
  • Litigation: If your office injury claim goes to court, it may lead to some procedural delay.

If you want hands-on guidance from the beginning to the end, reach out to our advisors now. They will simplify the entire process for you and help to lighten the burden.

How JF Law Can Help You

Here at JF Law, we pride ourselves on securing the best results possible for our clients.

Our solicitors work on a No Win No Fee basis, which allows you to access a quality service without having to pay any upfront fees. Having this representation also sees you get help and support with:

  • Ensuring the claim is filed within the allowed time limits.
  • Collecting any evidence required to support your case.
  • Sending you regular updates about how the case is progressing.
  • Aim to secure a fair settlement amount.

When working on a No Win No Fee basis, they can offer you a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This typically means no fees are required for the solicitor’s work when your case begins, as it proceeds, or if it is unsuccessful.

Should the claim have a positive outcome, a success fee will be deducted from your compensation as a legally capped percentage.

Why not contact us today to see if you could make an office accident claim on this basis? To get in touch, you can:

  • Phone 0151 375 9916 to speak to a specialist advisor.
  • Chat online with one of our specialists.
  • Complete the form on our “Contact Us” page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Below, you can find answers to some common questions on office accident claims:

What is my employer’s legal duty of care in an office environment?

Your employer has a legal duty of care to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure your health and safety. This includes maintaining a safe workspace free from trip hazards, providing safe equipment (e.g., ergonomic chairs), conducting risk assessments, and ensuring adequate training (e.g., manual handling).

Will I be claiming against my employer directly or their insurance?

You will be claiming against your employer’s Employers’ Liability Insurance policy, not the employer directly. UK law requires all employers to hold this insurance, which covers the cost of compensation and legal fees resulting from employee injuries.

Can I still claim if the accident was partially my fault?

Yes, you can still claim. If you are found to share some responsibility, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault (this is known as contributory negligence). For example, if you are 25% at fault, you still receive 75% of the compensation value.

Can I claim for injuries like RSI or carpal tunnel syndrome?

Yes. You can claim for work-related illnesses and conditions such as Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) or carpal tunnel syndrome. These claims focus on employer negligence in failing to provide ergonomic equipment, sufficient rest breaks, or proper risk assessments for repetitive tasks.

Can I claim if the accident happened outside the office like a car park or communal area?

Yes, you can. The employer’s duty of care extends to common areas necessary for your work, such as internal stairs, communal kitchens, or car parks, provided those areas are under the control or maintenance of your employer or the building’s occupier.

Can I claim if I no longer work for the employer who was responsible?

Yes. Leaving your job does not affect your legal right to claim. The claim is made against the employer’s liability insurance policy that was valid at the time of the accident. Your solicitor can trace the necessary insurance provider, even if the company has ceased trading.

What if there were no witnesses — can I still claim?

Yes. While witnesses help, your claim is not dependent on them. Personal injury claims are decided on the balance of probabilities. Your solicitor can prove negligence using evidence like CCTV footage, accident book entries, medical records that link the injury to the workplace, and photographs of the hazard.

Contact Us

Our helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.

All calls are free and there’s no pressure whatsoever to proceed with a compensation claim. 

If you write to us, we aim to respond within an hour or two, and no more than a few hours. 

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