Home Personal Injury Road Traffic Accidents Serious Injury Workplace Accidents Start Your Claim Conveyancing Get a Fixed Fee Quote Criminal Law Landlord & Tenant About Contact 0161 537 3777

SRA Regulated · Manchester

Free Consultation
0161 537 3777 Free Consultation
Workplace Accident Solicitors

Your Employer Had a Duty to Keep You Safe.
They Failed.

Most workplace injury victims never claim what they’re actually owed. Harris & Co. pursue full compensation — lost earnings, medical costs, future losses — No Win, No Fee.

Call for Free Advice Request a Callback
No Win, No Fee
Employer Liability Experts
SRA Regulated
5.0 Google Rating
Free Case Review
Injured at Work? Talk to Us.
A solicitor will respond within 2 hours, Mon–Fri.

By submitting you agree to be contacted about your claim. Strict confidentiality maintained. Harris & Co. Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

£2M+
Secured in Compensation
5.0
Google Rating
650+
Cases Handled
20+
Yrs Combined Expertise
Workplace Accident Claims

When does a workplace
injury become a claim?

Every employer in the UK has a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to provide a safe working environment. When they fail in that duty — through inadequate training, defective equipment, poor maintenance, understaffing, or a lack of proper safety procedures — and you are injured as a result, you have a right to claim compensation.

Workplace accident claims cover a wide range of industries and scenarios: construction site falls, factory machinery injuries, warehouse manual handling injuries, office slips, exposure to hazardous substances, and more. The common thread is employer negligence.

At Harris & Co. Solicitors we pursue workplace injury claims aggressively. Your employer’s liability insurer pays the compensation — not your employer directly — and it is unlawful for your employer to treat you unfavourably for making a claim.

Report it immediately

Make sure your accident is recorded in your employer’s accident book as soon as possible. This creates a contemporaneous written record that is difficult to dispute later. If your employer fails to report a RIDDOR-qualifying injury to the HSE, that failure itself strengthens your claim.

Employer breached their duty of care. Failed risk assessments, missing safety equipment, inadequate training, or poor supervision — any breach that caused or contributed to your injury.
You were injured as a direct result. Physical injuries, psychological harm, or occupational diseases arising from unsafe working conditions or negligent practices.
You suffered financial losses. Lost wages, medical expenses, travel costs, care costs, and the ongoing impact on your ability to earn — all recoverable through your claim.
Contributory negligence does not bar your claim. Even if you were partly at fault, you can still claim — your compensation is simply reduced by the percentage of your responsibility.
Falls from Height
Scaffolding collapses, ladder falls, roof edge failures, and unprotected drops. Common in construction, maintenance, and warehousing. Often result in fractures, spinal injuries, or head trauma.
Machinery & Equipment
Unguarded machinery, defective power tools, missing safety stops, and poorly maintained industrial equipment. Injuries include crush injuries, amputations, lacerations, and burns.
Manual Handling
Back injuries, herniated discs, shoulder damage, and musculoskeletal disorders caused by lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling loads without proper training, equipment, or risk assessment.
Construction Site Accidents
The most dangerous industry in the UK. Claims involving falling objects, trench collapses, crane incidents, structural failures, electrocution, and contact with moving plant or vehicles.
Slips, Trips & Falls at Work
Wet floors without signage, uneven surfaces, poor lighting, trailing cables, and obstructed walkways. Common across retail, hospitality, offices, and industrial premises.
Hazardous Substances & Industrial Disease
Exposure to asbestos, chemicals, dust, fumes, or excessive noise. Claims include asbestosis, occupational asthma, noise-induced hearing loss, dermatitis, and vibration white finger.
Compensation

Everything your
claim can recover.

Workplace accident compensation covers two elements — general damages for the pain and suffering caused by your injury, and special damages for every financial loss you have incurred or will incur as a result. In serious workplace injuries, special damages often significantly exceed the general damages award.

General Damages
Compensation for the injury itself
  • Pain and suffering caused by the injury
  • Loss of amenity — the impact on your quality of life
  • Physical disability and loss of function
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Psychological injury — PTSD, anxiety, depression
  • Loss of confidence returning to the workplace
  • Impact on relationships and daily activities
Special Damages
All financial losses — past and future
  • Past and future loss of earnings — including overtime and bonuses lost
  • Loss of earning capacity if you cannot return to the same role
  • Medical treatment, surgery, and rehabilitation costs
  • Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and counselling
  • Travel expenses to medical appointments
  • Care and assistance costs — professional and family-provided
  • Prescription costs and medical aids
  • Home and vehicle adaptations where injuries are severe
  • Pension loss resulting from time off work or reduced earning capacity
Employer Liability

Your employer’s
legal obligations.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers have a non-delegable duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of their employees. Associated regulations — including the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations, and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations — impose specific obligations that cannot be contracted away.

A breach of any of these duties that results in injury gives rise to a valid compensation claim. Your employer cannot defend a claim simply by saying you should have been more careful — the duty is on them to provide a safe system of work.

Risk assessments
Employers must identify hazards and assess risks before work begins — and review them regularly. A failure to do so is a common basis for workplace injury claims.
Training and supervision
Adequate training for the tasks you perform, and proper supervision — particularly for new, young, or inexperienced workers and high-risk activities.
Safe equipment and PPE
All work equipment must be properly maintained, inspected, and fit for purpose. Appropriate personal protective equipment must be provided free of charge.
Key health & safety legislation
Your employer’s duties arise from a framework of statutes and regulations, including:
  • Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 — the primary duty of care
  • Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 — risk assessments
  • Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 — safe premises
  • Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 — safe equipment
  • Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 — lifting and carrying
  • Work at Height Regulations 2005 — falls prevention
  • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
  • Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
  • RIDDOR 2013 — reporting duties for serious workplace injuries
Start Your Free Assessment

No Win, No Fee. No upfront costs. A solicitor will respond within 2 hours.

Call Free: 0161 537 3777 Request Callback
Our Approach

How we handle your
workplace accident claim.

Workplace accident claims require a thorough understanding of health and safety law, employer liability, and the specific regulations governing your industry. We investigate your accident in detail, gather evidence early, and build a case designed to achieve the maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.

Step 01
Free Case Assessment
A solicitor will review your accident in detail, assess your employer’s breach of duty, and advise on the strength of your claim and likely compensation range — all at no cost and with no obligation.
Step 02
No Win No Fee Agreement
We enter into a Conditional Fee Agreement. You pay nothing upfront and nothing if your claim is unsuccessful. After the Event insurance covers all disbursements — including expert report fees — from day one.
Step 03
Investigation & Evidence
We gather accident book entries, RIDDOR reports, risk assessments, CCTV footage, witness statements, and HSE records. Independent medical evidence is obtained to document the full extent of your injuries and prognosis.
Step 04
Settlement or Trial
We negotiate directly with your employer’s insurer to achieve the maximum settlement. If they refuse a fair offer, we are prepared to issue court proceedings and take your case to trial. Most workplace claims settle without a hearing.
No Win No Fee

Zero financial risk.
Your employer’s insurer pays.

We understand that being injured at work often means lost income at the worst possible time. That is why we handle all workplace accident claims on a strict No Win, No Fee basis. You will never receive a bill from us if your claim does not succeed.

After the Event (ATE) insurance is arranged at no cost to you and covers all disbursements — including medical reports, expert evidence, and court fees — in the event your claim is unsuccessful. Every cost is protected from day one.

Nothing to pay upfront
No retainer, no hourly billing, no disbursements to fund yourself. We bear all the financial risk throughout your claim.
Nothing to pay if you lose
If your claim is unsuccessful for any reason, you will not be charged. ATE insurance covers all disbursements incurred during the claim.
Success fee typically from 25%
If we win, our success fee is deducted from your compensation. The fee is agreed upfront in your CFA and regulated by the SRA.
  • Upfront cost to you£0.00
  • Cost if claim unsuccessful£0.00
  • Agreement typeConditional Fee Agreement (CFA)
  • Disbursement coverAfter the Event (ATE) Insurance
  • Success feeTypically from 25% (SRA regulated)
  • Regulated bySolicitors Regulation Authority
Injured at work? Get free advice now.
Free advice, no obligation, no financial risk. A solicitor will respond within 2 hours.
Call 0161 537 3777
Compensation Guide

What could your
claim be worth?

Workplace accident compensation is calculated in two parts. General damages cover the pain, suffering, and loss of amenity caused by the injury itself — those are the figures shown below. Special damages cover the financial consequences: lost earnings, medical costs, travel expenses, care needs, and future losses. In serious workplace injuries, the total compensation package is often significantly higher than the general damages figure alone.

Figures shown are for general damages only. They are drawn from the Judicial College Guidelines and represent typical award brackets — not guaranteed outcomes. Your total compensation will also include special damages calculated separately. Only a solicitor can provide a reliable estimate of your claim’s full value after reviewing your circumstances.

Filter by body part
Part of Body Severity Compensation Range Types of Injuries
Head Minor £1,880 – £9,260 Head injury with recovery within weeks. Higher awards where headaches persist.
Head Moderate £13,430 – £95,310 Poor concentration, epilepsy risk, personality changes, depression, intellectual impairment, or injuries approaching a vegetative state.
Head Serious £186,890 – £204,500 Reduced life expectancy, serious physical symptoms, significant personality or cognitive changes, substantial dependence on others.
Head Severe £240,590 – £292,940 Minimally conscious state, severe brain damage with little or no response, vegetative states requiring full-time nursing care.
Eye Severe £56,080 – £194,870 Complete blindness in one or both eyes, or severe visual impairment.
Face Minor £1,460 – £6,340 Light or no scarring, no fractures, loss or damage of front teeth, simple jaw or nose fractures with possibility of full recovery.
Face Serious £15,320 – £22,110 More serious fractures including broken jaw or nose, breaking, damage, or loss of several teeth.
Face Severe £26,010 – £33,020 Severe facial disfigurement, multiple jaw fractures, chronic tooth pain, scarring. May lead to eating restrictions or higher risk of joint arthritis.
Ear Minor Up to £5,080 Possible noise-induced hearing loss, slight or occasional tinnitus.
Ear Moderate £12,700 – £21,550 Partial hearing loss or mild to severe tinnitus.
Ear Serious £25,350 – £33,020 Complete deafness in one ear. Severity varies with additional symptoms such as dizziness or tinnitus.
Ear Severe £77,430 – £102,030 Complete deafness in both ears. Higher awards for child injuries also resulting in loss of speech.
Neck Minor Up to £5,680 Soft tissue injuries or whiplash with recovery within 3 to 24 months.
Neck Moderate £7,410 – £40,600 Injuries accelerating a pre-existing condition, disc lesions, cervical spondylosis, serious limitation of movement, permanent or recurring pain.
Neck Severe £56,100 – £118,330 Serious fractures, severe soft tissue damage, chronic pain, disc damage, partial paraplegia, or significant permanent disability.
Back Minor £2,090 – £9,070 Strains, sprains, disc prolapses, soft tissue injuries. Recovery between 3 months and 5 years.
Back Moderate £11,730 – £22,140 Spinal fusion, compressed or fractured lumbar spine, prolapsed discs, injuries that may require surgery.
Back Severe £36,390 – £128,410 Typically requires surgery. Damaged spinal cord, partial paralysis, loss of bladder or bowel function, disc lesions, impaired movement.
Shoulder Minor Up to £5,720 Soft tissue injury with full recovery between 3 and 24 months.
Shoulder Serious £10,890 – £13,920 Fractured humerus, clavicle, or rotator cuff requiring surgery.
Shoulder Severe £16,380 – £34,820 Significant disability from severe damage to the neck or brachial plexus.
Pelvis & Hips Minor £3,370 – £9,140 Complete recovery after minor soft tissue injuries. Little or no disability within 2 years.
Pelvis & Hips Moderate £10,750 – £28,420 No serious disability, but injuries requiring hip operations or replacement.
Pelvis & Hips Severe £33,430 – £94,940 Severe hip or pelvis fractures resulting in bowel damage, spinal fusion, childbirth complications, or hip replacement.
Scarring Minor £2,020 – £6,270 One noticeable scar or several superficial scars on legs, arms, or hands.
Scarring Moderate Up to £6,270 Full recovery within 2 years, partial recovery with symptoms that are not largely debilitating.
Scarring Severe £6,680 – £16,480 Several noticeable laceration scars or a single disfiguring scar.
Arm Minor £5,630 – £13,920 Fractured forearm.
Arm Moderate £16,380 – £28,420 Serious arm injury with long-lasting symptoms.
Arm Serious £33,430 – £94,940 Serious injury resulting in inability to use the arm to some extent. No amputation.
Arm Severe £82,040 – £217,540 Amputation of one or both arms. Amount depends on amputated area, phantom pain, and quality of life effects.
Elbow Moderate Up to £9,140 Tennis elbow, deep cuts, simple fractures, no permanent damage.
Elbow Serious £13,360 – £23,220 Restricted movement but no surgery or disability required.
Elbow Severe £33,430 – £39,760 Severe disability or requires surgery.
Wrist Moderate Up to £7,430 Uncomplicated Colles fracture or minor fractures with recovery between 1 and 2 years.
Wrist Serious £10,750 – £17,770 Soft tissue damage or broken wrist causing some permanent disability.
Wrist Severe £20,900 – £43,410 Significant permanent disability or complete loss of wrist function.
Hand Minor Up to £3,440 Lacerations, crush injuries, soft tissue injuries with recovery within 6 months.
Hand Moderate £4,780 – £9,630 Penetrating wounds and crush injuries with permanent but non-intrusive symptoms.
Hand Severe £24,740 – £146,130 Amputation and rejoining of fingers, clawed or impaired hand, amputation of one or both hands.
Finger Minor Up to £3,450 Fully healed fractured finger bones within 1 year, with or without minor scarring.
Finger Moderate £3,370 – £4,250 Complete or near-complete recovery after broken finger, amputation of part of the little finger.
Finger Severe £10,380 – £26,650 Complete amputation of one or more fingers, fractures of the index finger.
Thumb Minor Up to £3,450 Short-term severe pain resolved within 3 months.
Thumb Moderate £3,370 – £9,140 Fractures with recovery within 6 months, nerve or tendon damage with partial loss of sensation.
Thumb Severe £10,750 – £39,760 Partial or complete amputation, surgical wire insertions, nerve damage, inability to grip.
Leg Minor £7,780 – £10,210 Minor injuries with recovery within months. Simple fractures of femur, tibia, or fibula.
Leg Moderate £15,320 – £39,760 Minor fractures with partial recovery, serious soft tissue injury, compound fractures leading to arthritis risk.
Leg Severe £46,780 – £204,500 Extensive degloving, bone grafting, permanently reduced mobility, or amputation of one or both legs.
Knee Minor Up to £9,970 Soft tissue injuries, twisted knee, lacerations, bruising with discomfort or pain.
Knee Moderate £22,340 – £31,510 Seriously damaged kneecaps, ligaments, or muscles, dislocation, torn meniscus.
Knee Severe £44,470 – £69,770 Constant pain, severe disability, or muscle wastage. Higher awards if surgery needed.
Ankle Minor Up to £9,970 Smaller fractures without displacement. Sprains, injured ligaments. Full recovery possible within a year.
Ankle Moderate £11,730 – £36,300 Ligament tears, fractures with smaller disabilities. Increased osteoarthritis risk.
Ankle Severe £42,710 – £50,560 Severe injury resulting in deformities, disabilities, or potential amputation.
Achilles Minor £6,200 – £9,140 Minor instability from tendon damage. Some cases may involve scarring.
Achilles Moderate £10,750 – £15,270 More serious injury with partially ruptured tendon. May involve disability or permanent scarring.
Achilles Severe £21,320 – £27,860 Restricted ankle movement from severed muscle tissue. Residual scarring, limited improvement likely.
Foot Minor Up to £9,970 Minor fractures, lacerations with complete recovery within 2 years, or ruptured ligaments resulting in chronic pain.
Foot Moderate £11,730 – £50,770 Metatarsal fractures with permanent deformity, fractured heels, restricted mobility, heel fusion.
Foot Severe £71,640 – £146,130 Amputation of one or both feet, or traumatic amputation of forefoot.
Toe Minor Up to £6,960 One or more broken toes with varying recovery period.
Toe Moderate £8,190 – £9,970 Multiple fractures, crush injuries to two or more toes, permanent disability.
Toe Severe £11,730 – £40,660 Severe crush injuries, surgical amputation of one or two toes, or amputation of all toes or big toe.
Find out what your workplace injury claim is actually worth

The figures above cover general damages alone. Your total compensation will also include special damages for lost earnings, medical costs, travel, care, and any other financial losses caused by the accident. Contact us for an honest, no-obligation assessment.

Call 0161 537 3777
Time Limits

Act promptly.
Do not let time limits cost you.

Standard
3 Years from Date of Accident
Workplace accident claims must be issued at court within three years of the date of the accident. Once this deadline passes, your right to claim is permanently barred. Do not assume you have plenty of time — early investigation and evidence preservation make a significant difference to outcomes.
Industrial Disease
3 Years from Date of Knowledge
For occupational diseases and conditions that develop gradually — such as noise-induced hearing loss, asbestosis, or repetitive strain injury — the three-year period runs from the date you first became aware (or should reasonably have become aware) that your condition was caused by your work.
Act Now
Early Instruction Strengthens Your Claim
Critical evidence — CCTV footage, accident book entries, witness recollections, and site conditions — degrades or disappears over time. Instructing solicitors early ensures evidence is preserved, RIDDOR compliance is checked, and your employer’s insurer is put on notice promptly.
FAQs

Your questions
answered.

Answers to the most common questions we receive about workplace accident claims. For specific advice on your situation, call us on 0161 537 3777 — free, confidential, and no obligation.

Call for Free Advice
Yes. If you were injured at work because your employer failed in their legal duty to keep you safe — whether through inadequate training, unsafe equipment, poor maintenance, or a lack of proper safety procedures — you are entitled to claim compensation. Your employer has a legal obligation under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to provide a safe working environment. If they breached that duty and you were injured as a result, you have a valid claim.
No. It is unlawful for your employer to dismiss you, demote you, or treat you unfavourably for making a personal injury claim. If they do, you would have a separate claim for unfair dismissal or victimisation. In practice, your employer’s liability insurer handles the claim — your employer is rarely involved directly in the process. We handle workplace claims with complete discretion and will advise you on your employment rights throughout.
Compensation depends on the nature and severity of your injury, how long your recovery takes, and the financial losses you have suffered. It is made up of general damages (for pain, suffering and loss of amenity) and special damages (for all financial losses including lost earnings, medical costs, travel expenses, and care costs). Minor injuries may attract awards of a few thousand pounds, while serious workplace injuries involving permanent disability can result in compensation well into six or seven figures.
Key evidence includes the entry in your employer’s accident book, any incident report forms, photographs of the accident scene and your injuries, witness statements from colleagues, medical records documenting your injuries and treatment, and records of any lost earnings. Your employer is legally required to report certain injuries to the Health and Safety Executive under RIDDOR. If they have not done so, this itself can support your claim. We will guide you through evidence gathering from day one.
RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. It requires employers to report certain workplace injuries, occupational diseases, and dangerous incidents to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Reportable injuries include fractures (other than fingers, thumbs and toes), amputations, injuries causing loss of consciousness, and any injury preventing the employee from working for more than seven consecutive days. A RIDDOR report — or the absence of one when it should have been made — can be powerful evidence in your claim.
Yes. Even if you were partly responsible for the accident, you can still claim compensation. This is known as contributory negligence. The court will assess the degree to which each party was at fault and reduce your compensation accordingly. For example, if you were found 20% responsible, your compensation would be reduced by 20%. Importantly, your employer’s duty of care is non-delegable — they cannot simply blame you for failing to follow procedures if they did not adequately train, supervise, or equip you.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and associated regulations, your employer has a legal duty to provide a safe working environment. This includes conducting risk assessments, providing adequate training and supervision, supplying and maintaining safe equipment, ensuring safe systems of work, providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and maintaining the workplace to a safe standard. A breach of any of these duties that results in injury gives rise to a valid compensation claim.
You generally have three years from the date of the accident to issue court proceedings. For industrial diseases or conditions that develop gradually (such as hearing loss or repetitive strain injury), the three-year period runs from the date you first became aware that your condition was linked to your work — known as the date of knowledge. We strongly recommend seeking legal advice as soon as possible after an accident, as early investigation and evidence preservation significantly strengthens your claim.
Yes. Workplace safety duties extend beyond direct employees. If you work on a site controlled by another party — as an agency worker, subcontractor, or self-employed person — the party controlling the premises and the work activity may still owe you a duty of care. The key question is who had control over the working conditions that caused your injury. We regularly act for agency workers, subcontractors, and self-employed individuals injured on sites controlled by others.
We’d strongly recommend getting in touch with Harris & Co. Solicitors. Workplace accident claims require solicitors who understand employer liability, health and safety legislation, and the specific regulations governing your industry. Our team has extensive experience across construction, manufacturing, warehousing, retail, office, and public sector workplace injuries. We hold a 5.0 Google rating and operate on a No Win, No Fee basis. That said, the choice of solicitor is important — we’d encourage you to read reviews, check track records, and speak to a firm before instructing them. Call us on 0161 537 3777 for a free, confidential consultation with no obligation.

Rated 5 Stars
by Our Clients on Google.

Don’t take our word for it — see what our clients say about their experience with Harris & Co. Solicitors directly on Google.

Read Our Google Reviews
Free Consultation

Injured at work?
Talk to us today.

Your employer had a legal duty to keep you safe. If they failed, you are entitled to compensation. Contact Harris & Co. Solicitors for a free, confidential consultation — we will assess your claim honestly and tell you exactly how we can help.

Call 0161 537 3777 Request a Callback
No Win, No Fee
Employer Liability Experts
SRA Regulated
5.0 Google Rating