Introduction
Arm injuries at work can range from minor cuts and bruises to fractures, crush injuries and even permanent disability. Such injuries may limit your ability to work, drive, or carry out daily activities. If your accident was caused by employer failings, you may be entitled to compensation.
This page explains what arm injuries involve, when you can claim, what evidence you need and how much compensation you may receive.
At a glance
- Around 3,556 workplace fractures (excluding fingers and thumbs) were reported under RIDDOR in 2022/23 (Source: WAAC analysis of the HSE RIDDOR data published 2024)
- Arm injuries include fractures, crush injuries, tendon or muscle tears and nerve damage.
- Employers must provide safe equipment, training and risk assessments.
- Compensation can cover pain, suffering, treatment costs and loss of earnings.
- You normally have three years from the accident or diagnosis to start a claim.
Get same day treatment if you can, Report your injury and take dated photographs of it. Note your dominant hand and how grip, lifting and daily tasks are affected. This will help your claim.
John Kushnick
Legal Operations Director
National Accident Law
What is an arm injury at work?
Arm injuries are among the most common workplace injuries, often caused by accidents with machinery, falls, or heavy lifting. They range from simple sprains to complex fractures and nerve damage. Examples include:
- Fractures – broken bones caused by falls or heavy impacts.
- Crush injuries – trapped arms in machinery or between objects.
- Soft tissue injuries – torn muscles, tendons or ligaments.
- Nerve damage – including brachial plexus injuries affecting mobility.
- Amputations – in severe cases where the limb cannot be saved.
See NHS: Broken arm for medical guidance.
Examples of arm injuries and causes
| Type of injury | Possible causes at work | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Fractures | Falls from height, slips, being struck by objects | Pain, immobility, long recovery time |
| Crush injuries | Machinery accidents, trapped between vehicles or objects | Severe pain, nerve or muscle damage, possible amputation |
| Soft tissue injuries | Lifting heavy loads, repetitive strain, sudden twists | Reduced strength, ongoing pain, restricted movement |
| Nerve damage | Crush accidents, severe fractures, lacerations | Weakness, numbness, long-term disability |
| Amputation | Severe machinery or industrial accidents | Permanent disability, prosthetics and lifelong adjustment |
Am I eligible to claim?
You may be eligible if:
- Your arm injury was caused by a workplace accident within the last three years, and
- Employer negligence such as poor training, unsafe equipment or lack of PPE contributed, and
- Medical evidence confirms your injury and its link to your accident.
See also: Do I have a claim and The claim process.
How much compensation can I claim?
Compensation includes:
- General damages: for pain, suffering and impact on daily life. Awards vary widely – minor fractures attract lower awards, while permanent disability or amputation attracts higher levels.
- Special damages: financial losses including surgery, physiotherapy, prosthetics, travel expenses, lost earnings and long-term care.
Keep payslips, invoices and medical notes to support your claim.
When is my employer responsible?
Employers have duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act and Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations. They must:
- Carry out risk assessments for machinery, lifting tasks and falls.
- Maintain and guard machinery properly.
- Provide training in manual handling and safe systems of work.
- Ensure PPE such as gloves, guards or arm protection is available and used.
Failure to meet these duties may make them liable. See also Inadequate PPE injury claims.
Employment status and arm injury claims
Arm injuries occur across trades and workplaces, from scaffolding and warehousing to manufacturing. If someone else was negligent, you can usually claim regardless of your contract type. See how employment status affects your claim:
Evidence that strengthens an arm injury claim
- Accident book entries and workplace incident reports.
- Medical records and x-rays confirming the injury.
- Photographs of the accident scene or equipment involved.
- Witness statements from colleagues.
- Records of training and safety measures provided.
See How to gather evidence after a work accident for advice.
Time limits for arm injury claims
You usually have three years from the accident date or the date you realised the injury was work related (the “date of knowledge”). Exceptions apply for those under 18 or who lack capacity.
FAQs
New to claims? Start with our work injury claim guide, or see the full work injury claim FAQs.
Can I claim if I already had a pre-existing arm condition?
Yes. If work materially worsened the condition, you may still be able to claim. See claims involving pre-existing conditions.
What if I was partly responsible for the accident?
You may still claim, but compensation could be reduced under contributory negligence. See What is contributory negligence?.
Do I need a medical assessment?
Yes. An independent medical expert will assess your injury and long-term impact. See What happens at a medical appointment.
Call now for free, specialist advice
We'll put you straight through to an experienced work injury advisor:
- Advice that's right for your case
- Check if you can claim
- No Win, No Fee explained clearly
If you decide to make a compensation claim, we'll connect you with the right solicitor.
Calls are confidential and are handled by our partners at National Accident Helpline. Work Accident Advice Centre (WAAC) is a Claims Management Company regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Ref number: 835858). Registration is recorded on the FCA website https://register.fca.org.uk/.
About the author
Chris Salmon is a legal commentator and co-founder of Quittance Legal Services. He has written extensively about workplace accidents, employment rights and the claims process. Chris's work has been cited in national media and he regularly contributes practical guidance to help injured workers understand their options.
Last reviewed October 2025 by Chris Salmon
External references
- NHS: Broken arm - symptoms, treatment and recovery advice for fractures.
- NHS: Repetitive strain injury (RSI) - causes, prevention and treatment of overuse arm injuries.
- HSE: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) - employer duties to prevent upper limb and arm injuries at work.
- NHS: Sprains and strains - diagnosis, self-care and when to seek help.
- NHS: Physiotherapy - how therapy supports rehabilitation after an arm injury.