Leg injury at work
By Stephen Anderson. Last Updated 30th June 2022. Do you need to know more about a leg injury at work claim for compensation? Were you injured because of insufficient health and safety standards in your place of work? Did it directly cause you to hurt your leg in some way? This article explains how you could have your injuries properly valued by a personal injury lawyer and what steps you can take to start a claim for compensation today.
Leg injuries can cause severe disruption and impact every area of your life. Perhaps you cannot walk properly, go to work, or function as normal at home? You may be owed an amount for the pain and suffering caused.
Furthermore, all the associated expenses and costs of these problems could be owed to you if your employer was negligent in their legal duty to safeguard you at work. Find out now how we could help you present an eligible claim by:
- Calling our expert team of advisors on 0800 408 7825
- Submitting a request at Public Interest Lawyers for us to contact you
- Or use the ‘live support’ option to the bottom right for immediate help
The highlighted text in this article takes you to more information but please feel free to speak with our advisors at any point.
Select A Section
- Can I Make A Leg Injury At Work Claim?
- What Types Of Leg Injury At Work Could You Claim For?
- Causes Of Leg Injuries In The Workplace
- What Steps Can I Take To Prove My Injury At Work Claim?
- Leg Injury At Work Claims Calculator
- Contact An Expert About No Win No Fee Leg Injury At Work Claims
Can I Make A Leg Injury At Work Claim?
You may be wondering on what grounds you could start a leg injury at work claim? Firstly, it’s important to note that all UK employers have a legal duty under Section 2 of the Health and Safety At Work, etc Act 1974 to protect employee safety and maintain a work environment that is as safe for employees as reasonably practical.
To provide a safe workplace employers could conduct risk assessments, maintain machinery, provide training or supervision and respond to concerns from employees in order to safeguard against accidents or unnecessary hazards. This is known as ‘duty of care’.
Should an employer fail to apply these principles and you directly suffer a leg or knee injury as a result, they could be liable to compensate you. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) explains what employers need to do to comply with these laws to keep the application of them as clear as possible.
A useful way to instantly assess your eligibility to make a claim is to ask these three questions:
- Did my employer actually have a legal duty of care to me at the time of the accident?
- How did they breach that duty of care?
- Are my injuries a direct consequence of that?
What Types Of Leg Injury At Work Could You Claim For?
Leg injuries at work could range from a minor sprain or strain from a simple trip to something far more significant like a crushed or amputated limb. Each workplace differs and can present its own particular type of hazards.
Furthermore, a leg injury at work claim could relate to any part of the leg from hip to foot. Some injuries can include several parts of the leg as well. With this in mind, leg injuries could include:
- The complete loss or amputation of the leg
- Above or below-knee amputations
- Loss of the foot
- Hip or pelvis fractures (requiring replacement surgery)
- Fractures of any kind to the leg bones and joints (hip, knee, and ankle)
- Muscle or tendon tears
- Knee cap dislocations
- Sprains, strains, and minor injuries
Whatever the extent or severity of the leg injury, the fundamental part of a leg injury at work claim is being able to prove that the accident occurred because your employer failed in their responsibilities.
Causes Of Leg Injuries In The Workplace
What could be the causes of a leg injury in the workplace?
- Faulty or unsafe machinery could sever or crush the leg
- Vehicles in the workplace could cause a collision if operated without care and attention
- Falls from any height can shatter femur or ankle bones
- Slipping on a wet floor could cause fractures or lacerations
Under Section 7 of the Health and Safety At Work Act 1974, employees also have a duty to comply with directives around safety and do all they can to avoid injuring themselves or others. However, if you have proof to uphold a claim of employer negligence as the cause of your injuries, get in touch today to see how you can start a leg injury at work claim.
What Steps Can I Take To Prove My Injury At Work Claim?
In the immediate aftermath of a leg injury at work, the most important thing to do is seek medical attention. Then the accident should be reported either in the accident log or as part of RIDDOR legislation (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) which is used for workplace incidents that are serious and qualify as ‘reportable injuries‘. If you choose to start a claim for compensation, you should:
- Request CCTV footage
- Report the accident to a safety representative
- Log the accident officially
- Access your medical records
- Take photos of the scene
- Ask for contact details for witness statements to be given at a later date
It’s not a legal requirement to have a personal injury solicitor represent you in a leg injury at work claim. However, their expertise and knowledge can greatly assist claimants as they start to construct their case. If you are considering legal representation, please contact our team for guidance.
Compensation Payouts For A Leg Injury At Work
If you make a successful claim for a leg injury at work, then you may be able to claim compensation under two heads. These are known as general damages and special damages. Although it will only be possible to claim for the latter when you’re eligible to claim under general damages. Compensation under general damages is meant to cover the pain and suffering that you have experienced as a result of both physical and psychological injuries. Evidence that can help you to claim under general damages may include the findings of an independent medical appointment and assessment (which a solicitor may help arrange).
In the table below, we’ve included compensation brackets for various injuries that may be covered under general damages. These brackets come from the 2022 edition of the Judicial College Guidelines. Though they can’t guarantee how much you may receive, they can provide some insight into potential compensation payouts for leg injury at work claims.
| Injury | Severity | Notes | Compensation Bracket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leg Injury | Loss of Both Legs | Major trauma and risk of future hip and spinal issues. | £240,790 to £282,010 |
| Leg Injury | Very Serious (ii) | Permanent mobility issues, extensive treatment with deformity issues. | £54,830 to £87,890 |
| Hip and Pelvis Injuries | Severe (i) | Fractures that need surgery, leaving residual disability. | £78,400 to £130,930 |
| Hip and Pelvis Injuries | Moderate (i) | Serious but no permanent disability. | £26,590 to £39,170 |
| Knee Injury | Severe (i) | Ligament damage, disrupted joint and loss of function. | £69,730 to £96,210 |
| Knee Injury | Moderate (i) | Dislocation, torn cartilage resulting in instability or wasting. | £14,840 to £26,190 |
| Knee Injury | Moderate (ii) | Continual aching or pain, includes lacerations or twisting injuries. | Up to £13,740 |
| Ankle Injury | Severe | Long period in plaster or need for steel pins. | £31,310 to £50,060 |
| Ankle Injury | Moderate | Trouble standing or walking for long periods after. | £13,740 to £26,590 |
| Ankle Injury | Modest | Sprains, fractures, ligament tears and other modest injuries that may or may not heal completely. | Up to £13,740 |
In addition to general damages, you may be able to claim for certain special damages, which cover you for financial losses directly related to your accident and injuries. Evidence of financial losses and how they are linked to your injuries will need to be provided to claim under special damages. Examples may include receipts, wage slips, or statements to that effect. Documentation would be needed to claim back any of the following:
- Loss of earnings
- Medical expenses for treatments not available on the NHS
- Help around the home from family, friends, or paid professionals
- Travel, parking and petrol costs for essential journeys
There may be other expenses you could prove. Speak with our advisors to see what else you might qualify for, or use our compensation calculator.
Contact An Expert About No Win No Fee Leg Injury At Work Claims
If you chose to work with a personal injury specialist after your leg injury at work, one offering a No Win No Fee agreement could be the answer. Legal arrangements such as this have many benefits, such as:
- No fees are required to start your claim
- There are no fees to pay a No Win No Fee solicitor if for some reason the case does not win
- A maximum fee of 25% is due to cover the solicitor’s costs if the case does win
- The legal jargon is fully explained and you receive advice on the best time or amount on which to accept.
Simply:
- Call our expert team of advisors on 0800 408 7825
- Submit a request at Public Interest Lawyers for us to contact you
- Or use the ‘live support’ option for immediate help with your leg injury at work claim.
Related Lower Body Accident And Injury Claims
- Find out how you can claim for a fall at work
- As well as this, read more if you suffered injury after a collision with a forklift
- With this in mind, read more information about accidents at work
- Would you like to read more about workplace accident statistics?
- NHS advice such as the potential cost of paying for your own care
- Lastly, advice on Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
If you still have any questions about leg injury claims, then you are more than welcome to get in touch with Public Interest Lawyers for help. You can ask our advisors questions by either calling us or by getting in touch with us online. You can reach us using the contact details found further up in this guide.