What Are The Most Common Accidents At Work?

What are the most common accidents at work? In this guide, we look at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics on the most typically encountered workplace accidents that lead to non-fatal and fatal injuries and explain what compensation you could be owed if the accident was caused by employer negligence.

Accident at work

Accident at work

Perhaps you have already experienced a slip or trip accident at work? In the sections below we discuss what is needed to uphold a claim against your employer and what proof you would need to claim for damages.

At Public Interest Lawyers we work with knowledgeable personal injury solicitors who could help with your claim. We can connect you to a No Win No Fee solicitor in minutes. Find out what the most common accidents at work are and how much your claim could be worth by:

Select A Section

  1. What Are The Most Common Accidents At Work?
  2. What Are The Most Common Non-Fatal Accidents At Work?
  3. Which Are The Most Common Fatal Accidents At Work?
  4. How Should Employers Prevent These Accidents?
  5. The Most Common Accidents At Work – What Could You Receive?
  6. Find Out If You Could Claim With A No Win No Fee Agreement

What Are The Most Common Accidents At Work?

Accidents at work could lead to various injuries that can range from something minor like a sprained ankle caused by tripping on a printer cable, to life-threatening incidents such as falling from a height or electrocution. An incident could be the result of carelessness on the part of any employer. Or it could be the result of disruption and changes to normal workplace procedures.

Not every accident is the fault of an employer. Every workplace may have its own particular types of risk depending on the nature of its business. This could include unavoidable hazards like heights, working with chemicals, or heavy machinery.

In the sections below we look at what the most common accidents at work can be. Whatever the exact circumstances, if you’re certain your injuries were caused by negligence on the part of your employer, please get in touch at any point.

What Are The Most Common Non-Fatal Accidents At Work?

Our figures below are based on HSE statistics for 2020/21. They show the most common types of accidents that cause non-fatal injuries in the workplace;

  • Slips, trips and falls at the same level 33%
  • Lifting, handling or carrying 18%
  • Struck by a moving object 10%
  • Acts of violence 8%
  • Falls from a height 8%

Any number of scenarios could create accidents at work. Failure to warn about a floor being cleaned can cause someone to slip. Poor lighting can render stairwells dangerous. Whatever the exact circumstances, its important to be clear at the start of any claim about the following:

  • Did your employer have a duty of care?
  • In what way did they breach that duty?
  • Did you suffer direct injury as a consequence?

Fundamental to any successful claim for personal injury after an accident at work is being able to demonstrate how your employer was at fault. It’s not enough to claim for just an accident, there has to be an injury.

Furthermore, it’s important to note that employees have a duty under Section 7 of the Health and Safety At Work, etc Act 1974 to take as much care of themselves as they can at work.

If you can present a solid argument that your injuries were the result of failure on the part of your employer to take appropriate steps to keep you safe, get in touch with our team.

Which Are The Most Common Fatal Accidents At Work?

The Health and Safety Executive also provides statistics for fatal accidents and injuries sustained at work. Out of 142 reported fatalities for the period 2020/21, over 50% were to workers in the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and construction sectors. The main kinds of fatal accidents for workers are recorded as follows:

  • 35 reported deaths that were the result of a fall from a height
  • 25 fatalities came from a collision with a moving vehicle
  • 17 were struck by a moving object
  • 14 died under something collapsing
  • 14 deaths were from contact with moving machinery

How Should Employers Prevent These Accidents?

The Health and Safety At Work etc Act 1974 is the law that requires all UK employers to protect the safety and well-being of their employees as far as is reasonably practical. To do this, they must conduct regular risk assessments, provide training or supervision, and clearly display health and safety advice. Employers could breach this duty by:

  • Allowing unsafe work practices on their premises
  • Requiring staff to work without proper personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Failing to supervise staff (if appropriate)
  • Not providing clear and adequate health and safety signage or training
  • Failing to conduct risk assessments or meet with safety representatives
  • Failing to respond to legitimate health and safety concerns raised by employees in a timely way.

 The Most Common Accidents At Work – What Could You Receive?

Firstly, it’s important to note that anyone is free to represent themselves in a claim for personal injury compensation. Therefore, you do not have to use legal representation but it could help. As you approach your claim, the first thing to do is assemble proof of what happened. With this in mind, the following checklist can help:

Calculating your compensation starts with general damages which are amounts that try to reflect the level of pain and suffering caused by your injuries. A medical assessment can be arranged with an independent GP or specialist and they can deliver a report that shows how badly hurt you were. Your injuries are then compared with those listed in the Judicial College Guidelines. This publication provides guideline compensation brackets as shown:

Type of injury severity JC Guideline bracket notes
head moderately severe (b) £205,580 to £264,650 cognitive issues, paralysis,
neck severe (a) (i) In the region of
£139,210
no movement despite wearing a collar
elbow less severe (b) £14,690 to £30,050 impaired function but no need for surgery
wrist An uncomplicated Colles fracture (e) In the region of
£6,970
a typical wrist injury created by a fall
leg very serious (b) (ii) £51,460 to £85,600 permanent deformity and need for mobility aids
back severe (a) (iii) £36,390 to £65,440 disc injury, soft tissue damage
back moderate (b) (ii) £11,730 to £26,050 disturbed discs, ligaments that worsen over time
back minor (c) (iii) Up to £2,300 full recovery within 12 weeks
burns very severe scarring (a) £27,940 to £91,350 acknowledging the psychological impact
psychiatric suffering moderate (c) £5,500 to £17,900 work-related stress that improves

As well as this, if you suffered financial harm because of your injuries it is possible to request these amounts back as a type of compensation called ‘special damages‘ but you will need documented proof and they must relate to the injuries. You could be owed for:

  • Loss of earnings
  • Travel costs to the hospital (including petrol or parking)
  • The cost of domestic help to wash, clean, or cook.
  • Any damage to your pension
  • The costs of medical needs outside the remit of the NHS

There may be other expenses as well as these that are a consequence of your injuries after a workplace accident? Speak with our advisors to see what else you might qualify for.

Find Out If You Could Claim With A No Win No Fee Agreement

You may have fears or concerns about the cost of seeking legal representation? A No Win No Fee agreement could help you. When you work with a personal injury solicitor under an agreement such as this there are no upfront fees required to hire their services.

As the case moves ahead there are no fees. If the case fails for some reason, there is nothing to pay a No Win No Fee solicitor at all. In addition to this, only a small amount (a maximum of 25% of the settlement amount) is deducted to cover their costs when a case wins.

There is a three-year time limit to personal injury claims. Exceptions apply to minors or people who lack the mental capacity to represent themselves. With this in mind, why not get in touch to see how an agreement like this could help you. Contact our team by:

  • Calling us on 0800 408 7825 for a free personal injury consultation.
  • Or fill out our ‘call back’ form
  • In addition, you can use the ‘live support’ option for immediate advice

What Are The Most Common Accidents At Work We Could Help You Claim For?