Can I Claim For Assaulted At Work Compensation?
If you would like to claim asaulted at work compensation, read this guide for the key information you will need.
£85 million in compensation
Can I Claim For Assaulted At Work Compensation?
If you would like to claim asaulted at work compensation, read this guide for the key information you will need.
We expect our places of work to be safe environments, free from the threat of assault and violence. However, that is not always the case. If you have been injured in a violent incident, you may be entitled to assaulted at work compensation.
Our guide aims to answer questions such as, ‘How do I claim compensation, and who is liable for my injuries?’ We outline when your employer might be responsible for an incident at work, with a look at what compensation can potentially cover.
In some cases, claims may need to be made through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Association (CICA). This government-funded agency helps certain eligible individuals pursue compensation for injuries sustained in a violent crime.
You can also read about common causes of workplace assault and how your employer may fail to take measures to prevent them. Furthermore, we explain whether workplace assaults happen more often in certain industries and what you need to do in order to start a compensation claim.
Finally, you can find out about the services offered by our solicitors on a No Win No Fee basis. This is an excellent fee agreement that gives many people access to legal representation without spiralling solicitor fees.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this guide, please reach out to our team of advisors. You can get answers to your queries 24/7 and get a free eligibility assessment to see if you can claim:
- Call us on 0151 375 9916
- Submit an online contact form
Can I Claim Compensation For Being Assaulted At Work?
You can claim compensation for being assaulted at work if you can show that:
- You were owed a duty of care
- That duty was breached in some way
- As a result, you suffered injuries in an assault
Your employer owes a duty of care to you under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. This legislation requires them to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and health of employees. Say your job means you might come into contact with violent individuals. In such a scenario, your employer may be liable if you are injured in an assault because they didn’t provide adequate training on how to handle dangerous situations.
Employers are not always at fault for workplace assaults. In some circumstances, you may need to claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). We explain this in greater detail, together with more examples of potentially valid claims, later in our guide.
Am I Able To Claim For Sexual Assault At Work Compensation?
You may also be able to make a claim for sexual assault at work compensation. For example, if you tell your employer that a colleague has been making threats to assault you, they have a responsibility to take reasonable measures to address your concerns. If they ignore your report or fail to take such steps, resulting in you suffering harm, you may have a valid claim.
Our team of advisors understand that you might have many questions following a workplace assault. That is why they are available 24/7 to quickly respond to any queries you might have.
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What Is The Average Assaulted At Work Compensation Payout?
Each claim is individually assessed, so any average assaulted at work compensation payout might not be applicable to your case. Your claim may consist of general damages for your injuries and special damages for the associated financial loss.
Legal professionals may use the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) when assessing general damages. This document matches suggested compensation brackets with different types and severities of injury. In the table below, we have provided some of these brackets.
It is important that you do not view these brackets as a guarantee of compensation. They are simply provided as a guide. Please also note that the first figure in the table below was not taken from the JCG.
Type of Injury Severity Compensation Guideline Bracket Notes
Multiple very severe injuries with special damages Very severe Up to £1,000,000+ Multiple injuries that are very severe with financial impact, such as lost income
Brain/head Very severe £344,150 to £493,000 Compensation in this bracket may be influenced by factors like what level of insight there is, degree of physical limitation, and sensory impairment
Back Severe (i) £111,150 to £196,450 Cases involving spinal cord/nerve root damage. Claimant will experience severe pain and have disability, combining incomplete paralysis and a significant impairment of bowel, bladder, and sexual function
Post-traumatic stress disorder Severe £73,050 to £122,850 PTSD with permanent effects that prevent the claimant from being able to work or function anywhere close to pre-trauma levels. The PTSD will badly impact all areas of their life
Arm Injuries resulting in permanent, substantial disablement £47,810 to £73,050 Either 1 or both forearms will be seriously fractured. The residual disability will be significant and permanent, with cosmetic or functional impact
Neck Severe (iii) £55,500 to £68,330 Fractures, dislocations, or soft tissue damage and/or a ruptured tendon that results in claimant having chronic conditions and a significant permanent disability
Elbow Less severe injuries £19,100 to £39,070 Features injuries that lead to function impairment without a significant disability or major surgery
Shoulder Serious £15,580 to £23,430 Dislocated shoulder with damage to the lower area of the brachial plexus. This will result in symptoms like shoulder/neck pain, elbow aching, and sensory issues affecting the hand and forearm
Leg Less serious (ii) simple fracture of a femur with no damage to articular surfaces £11,120 to £17,180 There will be a simple fracture of a femur without any damage impacting articular surfaces
What Determines How Much Compensation For Assault At Work I’ll Get?
Various factors may determine how much compensation for an assault at work you might receive. For instance, the general damages mentioned above may consider whether your injuries have led to permanent disability or affected your quality of life (termed a loss of amenity).
If you claim for special damages, you may be compensated for financial losses such as:
- Expenses related to private medical treatment, prescriptions, and mental health services
- The cost of rehabilitative care if the injuries you sustained in an assault mean you need physiotherapy or occupational therapy
- Travel to and from medical appointments
- Payments for adjustments to your home and vehicle, including stairlifts and handrails
- Loss of income from being unable to work. You may also be able to claim for a future loss of earnings
- Professional care or assistance from family members with tasks like bathing and preparing meals
No matter what expense you claim for, you will need to have proof. So, try to keep hold of documentation like receipts and invoices.
You can speak with our team at any time if you have questions about assaulted at work compensation. They can discuss the specifics of your case and provide a free tailored assessment.
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We pride ourselves on providing the best service possible for our clients.
Will I Need To Make A CICA Claim?
You will only need to make a CICA claim if you cannot pursue compensation against an individual or a vicariously liable party (your employer). To claim through the CICA, you’ll need to meet certain eligibility criteria:
- There was a crime of violence (the CICA extends the definition to threats creating a fear of imminent violence)
- The assault happened in England, Scotland, Wales, or another applicable place (such as a boat that is registered in Britain)
- The crime was reported to the police (CICA claims are only possible if there is a crime reference number)
- Your claim is being made within 2 years of the assault (though exceptional circumstances may be considered)
So long as you meet the CICA’s criteria, you may be able to make a claim. With this route, you can seek compensation even if the perpetrator of the assault hasn’t been prosecuted.
The CICA Compensation Tariffs
CICA compensation is paid out using a fixed tariff established under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. In a successful claim, that means the amount of compensation you receive for an injury will never go above or below the sum set by the tariff.
The CICA pays compensation for upwards of 3 injuries. These are valued in line with the following multiple injuries formula:
- 100% of the compensation for the highest-valued injury
- 30% for the second-highest-valued injury
- 15% for the third-highest injury
However, you may also be eligible for additional payments that are exempt from this formula. That applies in cases where an assault has resulted in pregnancy, a sexually transmitted infection (STI), or foetus loss.
If you have any questions concerning CICA claims, our advisory team is here to answer them. They can explain the process and see if you may be eligible to start a criminal injury claim.
The Most Common Forms Of Workplace Assault
Below, you will see some scenarios illustrating some of the most common forms of workplace assault:
- You work at a jewellery store that has experienced several robberies. Despite this, your employer fails to install adequate security systems or hire guards. Subsequently, you are attacked by a robber armed with a knife. They break your arm and leave you with severe anxiety
- While working as a bartender, you are told that there will be no security staff working during your shift. That leaves you vulnerable at work, resulting in you being assaulted by a drunk patron. You suffer a broken wrist and a minor head injury
- When your colleague threatens you with physical violence, you immediately report the incident to your manager. However, they ignore your concerns and decide against investigating the matter or taking any precautionary measures. The next day, your colleague violently pushes you down a flight of stairs, causing you to break your leg
This list does not cover all instances for which you could claim assaulted at work compensation, so get in touch today to find out if you could start a personal injury claim.
Are Some Occupations At A Higher Risk Of Experiencing Workplace Assault?
Some occupations are at a higher risk of experiencing workplace assaults. There were an estimated 642,000 violent incidents between 2023 and 2024, with assaults accounting for 290,000. These figures are according to the Crime Survey of England and Wales.
The sectors with the most reports of workplace violence include:
- Protective service occupations, like police officers, firefighters, and security guards. According to the survey, 8.8% of respondents in such occupations had experienced assault or threats, compared to an average of 1.1%
- Health and social care, such as nurses and care workers
- Sales, including retail workers
- Other managers/proprietors
Although some sectors may involve more risk, workplace violence can happen in any occupation. Please do not hesitate to reach out to share your experience for free and confidential advice.
What Do I Need To Do After Being Assaulted At Work?
After being assaulted at work, you must consider the evidence that you might need and whether you could benefit from consulting with a solicitor.
To pursue assaulted at work compensation, you need evidence that can show you have a valid case and prove the injuries you sustained. You can do this by providing:
- A copy of your medical records showing the injuries you suffered, their overall impact, and the prognosis for recovery
- Pictures of your injuries or videos of the assault, such as CCTV recordings
- An accident report (some workplace incidents and injuries need to be reported under The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013)
- A police report, if applicable
- Receipts, bank statements, and pay slips to prove financial losses
- Contact details of someone who witnessed the incident occur, such as a colleague (they may be called on by your solicitor to give a witness statement in support of your case)
If you work with one of our solicitors, you’ll get all the help you might need to build a strong case. Their decades of experience mean they know exactly how to obtain and piece together evidence on behalf of clients just like you.
Is There A Time Limit For Claiming Assaulted At Work Compensation?
Yes, there is a 3-year time limit for claiming assaulted at work compensation, per the Limitation Act 1980. This limitation period for personal injury claims is usually dated to when the assault happened.
However, there may be exceptions in cases involving children and mentally incapacitated individuals. Since neither can claim on their own, time limits are frozen until:
- A child’s 18th birthday. At this point, they have 3 years in which to begin a claim
- Mental capacity is restored. The 3-year time limit will run down from the date of this recovery. If there is no recovery, then time limits are indefinitely paused
While there is a pause on the time limit, eligible adults can help claim on behalf of someone from the above groups. These litigation friends are often loved ones like parents but can also be solicitors and professional advocates. As part of their duties, litigation friends must communicate with the solicitor and act in the best interests of the person being represented.
From understanding time limits to gathering supporting evidence, it can be beneficial to consult with a solicitor experienced in workplace assault claims. While you have no obligation to do so, pursuing compensation through experts like our specialist solicitors can be invaluable. They have a deep understanding of the claims process and know exactly what it takes to build a strong case.
If you would like to learn more about claiming for assaulted at work compensation, please contact our advisors. They are available 24/7 and can provide tailored guidance on your options.
No Win No Fee Assaulted At Work Compensation Claims
Our solicitors handle No Win No Fee assaulted at work compensation claims under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This agreement means you will not be required to pay solicitor fees for their work:
- Before your claim begins
- While the case is ongoing
- In the event that you don’t receive compensation
However, if you do win, you will pay a success fee from your compensation for the solicitor’s work. Since there is a legal cap in place on the maximum percentage that can be taken, you’ll get the biggest share of the compensation.
You may have questions about the services our solicitors offer. They have decades of combined experience, handling claims across the country and already securing over £80 million in compensation. Here’s how they can help you navigate the claims process:
- Ensuring that you have the evidence required to claim
- Explaining key legal terms and jargon
- Maintaining excellent communication so you never feel uncertain about the status of your case
- Filing paperwork and handling correspondence when required
- Expertly negotiating on your behalf to secure a fair settlement for you
Contact JF Law’s Solicitors
If you’re ready to get started or want further guidance, please contact our advisory team today. They have handled many similar enquiries and can give you the information you need to proceed. There is no requirement to follow up with JF Law after enquiring, so why not get in touch for free advice and guidance?
- Call us on 0151 375 9916
- Submit an online contact form
Learn More
You can read our other workplace injury guides below:
- Get information on what to do after an accident at work
- Visit our guide on manual handling claims
- Learn about faulty machinery claims
External resources:
- Read the government’s advice on how to claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
- See how employers can protect employees from violence in the workplace, as provided by the HSE
- Visit the government’s page on workplace bullying and harassment
Thank you for reading this guide on how to claim assaulted at work compensation.
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