Injury at Work Claims: Your Rights and Your Employer’s Duties

Injuries at work can be life-changing not just physically but financially and emotionally too. Whether it’s a slip on a wet floor, a fall from height, repetitive strain from lifting heavy objects, or an industrial disease that develops over time, you could be entitled to compensation if your employer failed to protect you.

At Aston Knight Solicitors, we specialise in helping individuals navigate the legal process for injury at work claims, ensuring they receive the financial recovery and support to which they may be entitled, while they focus on rehabilitation and moving forward.

What Is an Injury at Work Claim?

If you’ve been injured while carrying out your employment duties, you may be able to claim compensation, particularly where your employer or someone acting on their behalf was negligent or failed to meet statutory obligations. A claim is usually made against your employer’s liability insurer, not the employer directly, and the compensation can cover:

• Pain and suffering caused by the injury
• Loss of earnings or future income
• Treatment or rehabilitation costs
• Other financial losses linked to the injury

Every case is different, which is why expert legal guidance is crucial from the outset.

Understanding Your Employer’s Legal Duties

Employers in the UK are bound by law to protect their employees’ health, safety, and welfare “so far as is reasonably practicable”. This includes:

1. Duty of Care and Risk Assessments

Employers must assess the workplace for hazards and risks that could potentially cause injury. This process isn’t merely a requirement on paper, it should identify foreseeable dangers and set out practical controls or changes to reduce harm. Risk assessments are a legal obligation under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and form the foundation of safe working practices.

2. Safe Systems of Work & Training

Adequate training, supervision, and safe systems of work are essential. Workers must be given proper instruction on how to carry out their tasks safely, from operating machinery to handling hazardous substances, and employers should ensure that this training is kept up to date.

3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Where risks cannot be completely eliminated, employers must provide appropriate PPE to protect staff. Employers should for example provide gloves, helmets, eye protection or high-visibility clothing and make sure employees are trained to use this equipment effectively.

4. Reporting and Record Keeping

Certain workplace accidents, occupational diseases and dangerous occurrences must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR). Failure to do this not only breaches statutory duties but can weaken their position if a compensation claim is made.

Reportable incidents under RIDDOR include:

• Work-related deaths
• Specified serious injuries (such as fractures other than fingers, thumbs or toes, amputations, serious burns, or loss of sight)
• Injuries that result in an employee being unable to work for more than seven consecutive days
• Diagnosed occupational diseases, such as industrial dermatitis, carpal tunnel syndrome or certain respiratory conditions linked to workplace exposure
• Dangerous occurrences, meaning serious “near miss” events (for example, structural collapses, equipment failures, or accidental releases of hazardous substances)

The purpose of RIDDOR is not simply administrative. It enables the HSE to monitor workplace safety trends, investigate serious incidents where necessary, and take enforcement action where standards fall below legal requirements.

In addition to reporting obligations, employers must maintain accurate internal accident records, typically within an accident book, documenting how and when an incident occurred, who was involved, and what immediate steps were taken. Proper record keeping is essential for transparency and for identifying recurring risks within a workplace.

Failure to comply with RIDDOR or to maintain adequate records may amount to a breach of statutory duty. In the context of an injury at work claim, incomplete reporting or missing documentation can raise important questions about whether appropriate health and safety systems were in place at the time of the incident.

Why Risk Assessments Matter

A thorough risk assessment can be the difference between a safe workplace and a workplace where accidents are more likely to occur. It allows employers to:

• Identify hazards before they cause harm
• Determine who might be at risk
• Decide what steps are reasonable to reduce risks
• Monitor and review safety measures

If an employer fails to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment, this may be strong evidence of negligence in injury at work claims.

Real Case Outcomes

At Aston Knight Solicitors we have helped many clients secure substantial settlements due to employer negligence. For example, we recently helped a client secure a settlement of £20,000 following repetitive strain injuries where risk assessments and appropriate safety steps were lacking.

These outcomes show that holding employers accountable is not only possible, it’s essential for safer workplaces.

A Word From Our Managing Director

“No one should suffer injury at work where reasonable steps could have prevented it. Employers have both a legal and professional responsibility to maintain safe working environments – from conducting thorough risk assessments to ensuring appropriate training, supervision and safety systems are in place.

Where those standards are not met, it is important that individuals have access to clear advice about their legal position and the options available to them. At Aston Knight Solicitors, we have a dedicated team of specialist personal injury solicitors with extensive experience in workplace accident claims. Our focus is on providing careful, practical guidance and supporting clients through what can often be a difficult and uncertain time.”
– Ayoub Khan, Managing Director

Next Steps if You’ve Been Injured at Work

If you’ve suffered an injury at work, here are important steps to take:

1. Seek prompt medical attention – your health comes first.

2. Report the accident to your employer immediately and ensure it’s documented formally.

3. Preserve evidence – photos, witness names, and incident details can be vital.

4. Get legal advice early – mistakes in claims can jeopardise your case.

If you or a loved one has been injured at work, don’t delay. Contact Aston Knight Solicitors for a free, no-obligation consultation and expert legal support.