How much compensation can I claim for a work accident?

If you have been injured at work, you may be able to claim financial compensation. The following article explains how compensation is calculated for a work injury claim, and what losses you can claim for.

In the UK, work injury compensation is divided into two parts:

General damages

General damages is the legal term for compensation awarded for ‘Pain, Suffering and Loss of Amenity’ (PSLA).

PSLA refers to the pain and discomfort your injuries have caused and the broader impact your injuries have had on your life.

General damages are calculated with reference to a set of tables published by the Judicial College called the ‘Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, Fifteenth Edition’ .

These guidelines include example awards for a wide range of injuries, illnesses and health conditions.

Awards are categorised based on the type and severity of the injury. General damages are 'general' in the sense that similar injuries will receive similar compensation amounts, regardless of the circumstances of the accident.

Injuries with long-term or permanent symptoms will generally result in larger compensation pay-outs.

Special damages

You can claim for any financial losses you incur as a direct consequence of your accident.

Special damages is the term for compensation awarded for any financial losses you incur as a direct consequence of your accident.

Financial losses you could claim for after a work accident include:

  • Loss of earnings (including overtime, bonuses and pension contributions)
  • Future loss of earnings (if you are still unable to return to work when you claim)
  • Medical treatment costs
  • Professional care costs
  • Care provided by family and friends
  • Prescription costs
  • Travel expenses
  • Housing modification costs (such as ramps or walk-in baths)

When making a claim, you must make reasonable endeavours to 'mitigate expenses and losses', however. When assessing special damages awards, the courts will assess whether or your financial losses and expenses were reasonably incurred.

You should retain any payslips, tickets, invoices and receipts as evidence to support your compensation claim.

How much can I claim for an occupational illness or health condition?

If you have been diagnosed with an occupational illness, you can claim compensation for the pain, loss of amenity, as well as any other negative effects the condition has on your life.

There are several illnesses and health conditions that are commonly associated with work accidents and working conditions. These include:

  • Upper-limb disorders like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), Hand-arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), and Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
  • Mesothelioma and Asbestosis
  • Silicosis and other lung diseases
  • Noise-induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), acoustic shock and tinnitus

The amount you can claim for an illness or condition caused by your working conditions will depend on:

  • The impact on your daily life
  • The impact on your ability to work
  • Whether symptoms are temporary or permanent
  • Whether symptoms are likely to get worse over time

The Judicial College guidelines do not set out specific awards for many occupational illnesses. However, our work injury calculator will give an estimate for these conditions.

Work injury tables

The Work Accident Advice Centre injury calculator refers to the latest published tables when calculating your compensation.

The following is an excerpt of the tables:

Category Injury Amount
Paralysis Tetraplegia/Quadriplegia £360,130 to £448,180
Paralysis Paraplegia £243,040 to £315,350
Brain damage Very severe £312,860 to £448,180
Brain damage Severe £243,040 to £312,860
Brain damage Moderate - level 4 £166,540 to £243,040
Brain damage Moderate - level 3 £100,650 to £166,540
Brain damage Moderate - level 2 £47,770 to £100,650
Brain damage Moderate - level 1 £17,000 to £47,770
Brain damage Minor (relatively) £2,450 to £14,160
Epilepsy Epilepsy - Grand Mal £113,150 to £166,540
Epilepsy Epilepsy - Petit Mal £60,840 to £145,780
Epilepsy Epilepsy - other £11,810 to £29,170
General Psychiatric damage Severe £60,840 to £128,400
General Psychiatric damage Serious £21,150 to £60,840
General Psychiatric damage Moderate £6,500 to £21,150
General Psychiatric damage Lesser £1,710 to £6,500
Post-traumatic stress Severe £66,410 to £111,680
Post-traumatic stress Serious £25,680 to £66,410
Post-traumatic stress Moderate £9,070 to £25,680
Post-traumatic stress Minor (relatively) £4,380 to £9,070
Injuries affecting sight Total blindness and deafness Around £448,180
Injuries affecting sight Total blindness Around £298,130
Injuries affecting sight Loss of sight in one eye & reduced vision in the other £70,950 to £199,450
Injuries affecting sight Loss of one eye £60,840 to £72,920
Injuries affecting sight Loss of sight in one eye £54,660 to £60,840
Injuries affecting sight Moderate loss of some vision in one or eye £26,270 to £43,670
Injuries affecting sight Minor but permanent loss of some vision in one or both eyes £10,110 to £23,270
Injuries affecting sight Minor eye injury £4,380 to £9,690
Injuries affecting sight Transient eye injury £2,450 to £4,380
Injuries affecting hearing and speech Total deafness and blindness Around £448,180
Injuries affecting hearing and speech Total deafness and loss of speech £121,650 to £156,070
Injuries affecting hearing and speech Total deafness £100,680 to £121,650
Injuries affecting hearing and speech Loss of hearing in one ear £34,740 to £50,520
Tinnitus Severe tinnitus and NIHL £32,960 to £50,520
Tinnitus Moderate tinnitus and NIHL £16,530 to £32,960
Tinnitus Mild tinnitus and NIHL £13,970 to £16,530
Tinnitus Mild tinnitus or mild NIHL Around £13,000
Tinnitus Slight or occasional tinnitus with slight NIHL £8,080 to £13,970
Tinnitus Slight tinnitus or slight NIHL Up to £7,780
Impairment of taste and smell Total loss of taste & smell Around £43,460
Impairment of taste and smell Total loss of smell & significant loss of taste £36,500 to £43,460
Impairment of taste and smell Loss of smell £27,730 to £36,500
Impairment of taste and smell Loss of taste £21,300 to £27,730
Asbestos-related disease Mesothelioma £70,620 to £126,980
Asbestos-related disease Lung cancer £77,690 to £107,990
Asbestos-related disease Asbestosis and pleural thickening with significant respiratory disability £39,380 to £117,430
Asbestos-related disease Asbestosis and pleural thickening with low respiratory disability £16,750 to £39,380
Asthma Severe £47,770 to £72,950
Asthma Chronic £29,170 to £47,720
Asthma Bronchitis/Wheezing £21,300 to £29,170
Asthma Modest £11,810 to £21,300
Asthma Mild Up to £5,710
Bladder Loss of bladder function & control (with other medical complications) Up to £204,350
Bladder Loss of bladder function & control Up to £156,070
Bladder Impaired bladder function and control £70,980 to £88,670
Bladder Near full recovery with minor long term effects £25,970 to £34,740
Bowels Loss of bladder and bowel function Up to £204,350
Bowels Total loss of bowel function Up to £166,540
Bowels Faecal urgency and passive incontinence Around £88,660
Bowels Impairment of function from abdominal injury £49,470 to £77,360
Bowels Some permanent damage - returning to natural function/control £13,970 to £27,150
Chest injuries Removal of one lung £111,680 to £166,540
Chest injuries Traumatic lung injury £72,950 to £111,680
Chest injuries Damage to chest or lung £34,740 to £60,840
Chest injuries Chest injury (no damage to lung) £13,970 to £19,930
Chest injuries Toxic fume/smoke inhalation £5,910 to £13,970
Chest injuries Collapsed lung £2,440 to £5,910
Chest injuries Rib fracture/soft tissue injury Up to £4,380
Traumatic injury Severe damage £47,720 to £68,680
Traumatic injury Serious non-penetrating injury £18,630 to £30,800
Non-traumatic injury Non-traumatic - serious £42,640 to £58,250
Non-traumatic injury Non-traumatic - moderate £4,380 to £10,580
Non-traumatic injury Non-traumatic - minor £1,010 to £4,380
Hernia Serious £16,530 to £26,810
Hernia Moderate £7,780 to £10,110
Hernia Lesser £3,760 to £8,030
Kidney Loss of both kidneys £187,940 to £233,440
Kidney Risk of loss of kidney function Up to £70,980
Kidney Loss of one kidney £34,140 to £49,780
Lung disease Severe lung disease £111,680 to £150,780
Lung disease Lung cancer £77,690 to £107,990
Lung disease Lung disease £60,810 to £77,690
Lung disease Breathing difficulties £34,740 to £60,840
Lung disease Bronchitis and wheezing £23,070 to £34,740
Lung disease Slight breathlessness £11,810 to £23,070
Lung disease Temporary aggravation of bronchitis £2,450 to £5,910
Male reproductive injury Total loss of reproductive organs Over £170,720
Male reproductive injury Orchidectomy £22,260 to £25,050
Impotence Impotence - young man £127,470 to £164,560
Impotence Impotence - middle aged man £47,720 to £98,460
Sterility Sterility - young man £62,210 to £79,160
Sterility Sterility - older man £7,340 to £20,730
Sterility Sterility - young man (uncomplicated) £62,210 to £79,160
Sterility Sterility - man who may have wanted more children £19,930 to £40,760
Sterility Sterility - no intention of having children £7,340 to £20,730
Female reproductive injury Infertility - severe psychological impact £127,460 to £188,420
Female reproductive injury Infertility - failure to diagnose ectopic pregnancy with medical complications £47,720 to £113,290
Female reproductive injury Infertility - no medical complications £19,930 to £40,760
Female reproductive injury Infertility - where no plan to have children £7,330 to £20,730
Female reproductive injury Failed sterilisation and unwanted pregnancy Around £11,320
Female reproductive injury Delayed diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy £3,760 to £22,660
Spleen Loss of spleen - continuing risk of disorder or infection £23,070 to £29,170
Spleen Loss of spleen - no risk of disorder or infection £4,830 to £9,590
Other neck injuries Very Severe Around £164,560
Other neck injuries Severe £72,950 to £145,250
Other neck injuries Serious £50,450 to £62,120
Other neck injuries Moderate £27,730 to £42,700
Other neck injuries Minor (relatively) £2,720 to £8,750
Whiplash Recovery in 1 to 2 years £1,200 to £3,830
Whiplash Recovery in 3 to 12 months £220 to £1,200
Whiplash Recovery in under 3 months Up to £220
Other back injury Severe £43,020 to £178,590
Other back injury Moderate £13,870 to £30,800
Other back injury Minor (relatively) £2,720 to £13,870
Other shoulder injuries Severe £21,300 to £53,280
Other shoulder injuries Serious £14,160 to £21,300
Other shoulder injuries Moderate £8,750 to £14,160
Other shoulder injuries Soft tissue injury £2,720 to £8,750
Other shoulder injuries Clavicle fracture £5,710 to £13,580
Pelvis and hips Very severe £86,980 to £145,250
Pelvis and hips Severe £68,680 to £86,980
Pelvis and hips Serious £43,460 to £58,250
Pelvis and hips Moderate £13,970 to £43,460
Pelvis and hips Minor (relatively) £4,380 to £13,970
Arm amputation Loss of both arms £267,140 to £332,820
Arm amputation Loss of one arm at shoulder Over £152,160
Arm amputation Loss of one arm above elbow £121,650 to £145,250
Arm amputation Loss of one arm below elbow £106,690 to £121,650
Other arm injuries Severe £106,690 to £145,250
Other arm injuries Serious £43,460 to £66,410
Other arm injuries Less severe - some recovery £21,300 to £43,460
Other arm injuries Less severe - forearm fracture £7,330 to £21,300
Elbow injury Permanent - disabling £43,460 to £60,840
Elbow injury Permanent - impairement of function £17,360 to £35,520
Elbow injury Recovery within 18 months Up to £3,920
Elbow injury Recovery between 18 to 36 months Up to £7,210
Elbow injury Recovery after 36 months Up to £13,970
Wrist injury Very Severe - Complete loss of function £52,830 to £66,410
Wrist injury Severe - Some useful movement retained £27,180 to £43,460
Wrist injury Serious £13,970 to £27,180
Wrist injury Moderate - complete recovery £6,750 to £11,480
Wrist injury Moderate - Uncomplicated Colles' fracture Around £8,250
Wrist injury Lesser £3,920 to £5,260
Other hand injuries Total or effective loss of both hands £156,070 to £223,550
Other hand injuries Serious damage to both hands £61,880 to £93,820
Other hand injuries Total or effective loss of one hand £106,690 to £121,650
Other hand injuries Serious injuries to one hand £32,170 to £68,680
Other hand injuries Moderate/serious injuries to one or both hands £16,040 to £32,170
Other hand injuries Moderate injuries to one or both hands £6,280 to £14,730
Other hand injuries Minor (relatively) injuries to one or both hands Up to £5,270
Finger amputation Amputation of finger/s £68,680 to £100,680
Finger injury Fractured finger/s Up to £40,760
Finger loss Loss of index finger £13,500 to £20,790
Finger injury Fracture of index finger £10,110 to £13,570
Finger injury Serious injury to ring or middle finger £11,450 to £18,130
Finger loss Loss of terminal phalanx of ring or middle finger £4,380 to £8,740
Finger amputation Amputation - little finger £9,590 to £13,580
Finger loss Loss of part of little finger £4,380 to £6,500
Finger amputation Amputation - ring or index finger Around £27,730
Finger amputation Amputation - terminal phalanx of index or middle finger Around £24,200
Finger injury Relatively minor finger injury Up to £5,270
Thumb injury Loss of thumb £39,410 to £60,840
Thumb injury Very serious £21,750 to £38,840
Thumb injury Serious £13,970 to £18,600
Thumb injury Moderate £10,730 to £13,970
Thumb injury Dislocation £7,040 to £8,630
Thumb injury Minor (relatively) Up to £5,270
VWF Severe £35,100 to £42,640
VWF Serious £18,600 to £35,100
VWF Moderate £9,590 to £18,600
VWF Lesser £3,320 to £9,590
WRULDS Severe £24,310 to £25,650
WRULDS Serious £16,530 to £18,130
WRULDS Moderate £9,590 to £11,930
WRULDS Minor (relatively) £2,450 to £3,920
Leg amputation Loss of both legs £267,140 to £312,860
Leg amputation Below-knee Amputation of Both Legs £223,550 to £299,650
Leg amputation Above-knee amputation of one leg £116,300 to £143,420
Leg amputation Below-knee amputation of one leg £108,700 to £150,780
Other leg injury Severe £106,780 to £150,780
Other leg injury Very Serious £60,840 to £99,350
Other leg injury Serious £43,490 to £60,840
Other leg injury Moderate £30,800 to £43,490
Other leg injury Less serious £10,110 to £15,620
Other leg injury Minor (relatively) Up to £13,140
Knee injury Very severe £77,360 to £106,740
Knee injury Severe £57,830 to £77,360
Knee injury Serious £29,050 to £48,210
Knee injury Moderate £16,460 to £29,050
Knee injury Minor (relatively) Up to £15,250
Ankle injury Very severe £55,540 to £77,340
Ankle injury Severe £34,740 to £55,540
Ankle injury Moderate £15,250 to £29,500
Ankle injury Minor (relatively) Up to £15,250
Achilles tendon injury Severe Around £42,640
Achilles tendon injury Serious £27,730 to £33,380
Achilles tendon injury Moderate £13,970 to £23,370
Achilles tendon injury Minor (relatively) £8,060 to £13,970
Foot amputation Amputation of both feet £187,940 to £223,550
Foot amputation Amputation of one foot £93,150 to £121,650
Other foot injuries Very Severe £93,150 to £121,650
Other foot injuries Severe £46,560 to £77,690
Other foot injuries Serious £27,730 to £43,490
Other foot injuries Moderate £15,250 to £27,730
Other foot injuries Modest Up to £15,250
Toe injury Amputation of all toes £40,520 to £62,210
Toe injury Amputation of the big toe Around £34,740
Toe injury Severe toe injuries £15,250 to £23,370
Toe injury Serious toe injuries £10,650 to £15,250
Toe injury Moderate toe injuries Up to £10,650
CRPS Severe £58,250 to £93,200
CRPS Moderate £31,090 to £58,250
Other pain disorders Severe £46,740 to £69,880
Other pain disorders Moderate £23,370 to £42,700
Skeletal injury Skeletal injuries £26,420 to £40,760
Skeletal injury Multiple fractures £16,530 to £26,560
Nose fracture Serious/multiple fractures £11,810 to £25,650
Nose fracture Displaced fracture recovery after surgery £4,380 to £5,660
Nose fracture Displaced fracture £2,800 to £3,500
Nose fracture Undisplaced fracture £1,890 to £2,800
Cheekbone fracture Serious fractures £11,320 to £17,510
Cheekbone fracture Simple fractures with surgery £4,830 to £7,160
Cheekbone fracture Simple fractures without surgery £2,570 to £3,320
Jaw fracture Very serious £33,830 to £50,520
Jaw fracture Serious £19,930 to £33,830
Jaw fracture Minor/moderate £7,160 to £9,690
Teeth loss or damage Chronic tooth pain Up to £42,310
Teeth loss or damage Several front teeth £9,690 to £12,660
Teeth loss or damage Two front teeth £4,830 to £8,460
Teeth loss or damage One front tooth £2,450 to £4,380
Teeth loss or damage Back teeth £1,210 to £1,890
Facial scars Severe £33,040 to £107,990
Facial scars Serious £19,930 to £53,720
Facial scars Significant £10,110 to £33,380
Facial scars Moderate £4,380 to £15,250
Facial scars Minor (relatively) £1,890 to £3,920
Other parts of the body Serious (excluding facial) £8,690 to £25,220
Other parts of the body Moderate (excluding facial) Around £9,590
Other parts of the body Minor (excluding facial) £2,630 to £8,690
Other parts of the body Severe (excluding facial) Up to £116,300
Facial scarring Severe £33,040 to £107,990
Facial scarring Serious £19,930 to £53,720
Facial scarring Significant £10,110 to £33,380
Facial scarring Moderate £4,380 to £15,250
Facial scarring Minor (relatively) £1,890 to £3,920
Hair damage Serious £8,150 to £12,230
Hair damage Moderate £8,150 to £12,230
Hair damage Lesser £4,380 to £8,150
Dermatitis Dermatitis lasting years or indefinitely £15,250 to £21,300
Dermatitis Longer-term dermatitis £9,590 to £12,660
Dermatitis Short-term dermatitis £1,890 to £4,380
HAVS Severe £35,100 to £42,640
HAVS Serious £18,600 to £35,100
HAVS Moderate £9,590 to £18,600
HAVS Minor (relatively) £3,320 to £9,590
Leg fractures More serious fractures £19,930 to £30,800
Leg fractures Simple femur fracture £10,110 to £15,620
Leg fractures Simple tibia or fibula fracture Up to £13,140
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) Severe £24,310 to £25,650
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) Serious £16,530 to £18,130
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) Moderate £9,590 to £11,930
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) Minor (relatively) £2,450 to £3,920
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) Severe £24,310 to £25,650
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) Serious £16,530 to £18,130
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) Moderate £9,590 to £11,930
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) Minor (relatively) £2,450 to £3,920
Cold injury Less serious Around £16,650
Cold injury More serious Around £36,050

How does the work injury calculator work?

Our easy to use compensation calculator uses the following steps to work out how much compensation you could receive for your injury:

Step1 - Calculate general damages

The work injury calculator helps you identify the correct injury category and injury severity, as set out in the Judicial College guidelines) to calculate your general damages.

The calculator also considers the impact of multiple injuries on your total compensation award.

Step2 - Calculate special damages

The calculator also provides valuable insights into what financial losses you will be able to claim for.

Any expenses and losses you have incurred are then included in the special damages calculation.

Step3 - Check claim eligibility

Finally, the calculator asks you a few questions about the circumstances of your accident and checks whether you are eligible to claim compensation.

Calculator results

Once you have answered all of the questions on the calculator, you will be provided with a detailed estimate of how much compensation you could receive.

The calculator will also confirm whether you meet the basic criteria to start a no win, no fee claim.

Is the work injury calculator accurate?

The way the Judicial College guidelines are applied in practice makes it difficult to factor in all of the considerations needed to calculate an exact compensation figure.

The compensation scales in the guidelines can be wide. When making a claim, your solicitor will refer to a medical report to help determine where on the scale your injuries are.

The majority of claims are settled out of court in a negotiation between your solicitor and the defendant’s insurance company. You may, for example, decide to accept a lower early offer to secure a quick pay-out from the insurer.

However, our calculator has been designed to take into account as many of the knowable factors as possible, to produce an estimate that is more accurate than simply referring to the guideline tables.

No win, no fee compensation

Most work injury compensation claims will be made on a no win, no fee basis.

If you have been injured at work, no win, no fee means you can start a compensation claim without the risk of having to pay any legal fees if your claim is not successful.

If your claim is successful, your solicitor will receive a success fee. The success fee will be deducted from the total compensation award. Under a no win, no fee agreement, a solicitor will receive a success fee of up to 25% of a claimant's compensation.

Find out more: about how No Win, No Fee works.

FAQ’s

Is the compensation amount reduced if I was partly to blame?

It depends. In other circumstances, such as a road accident, your compensation could be reduced if you were partly responsible for an accident.

For a work accident, however, the principle of 'vicarious liability' applies, making your employer liable for foreseeable actions or errors of its employees. If you make a mistake and are injured at work, your employer may still be held liable for your injuries.

Who would have to pay my compensation?

In almost all cases, your employer will not pay compensation from their own pocket.

By law, companies must have employers' liability insurance in place. Compensation is paid by the insurer.

Will I have to pay tax on my compensation?

Personal injury compensation is exempt from taxation in the UK. No tax is payable even if the amount is paid in instalments.

However, you may earn a small amount of interest between the date that your claim is settled and the date you receive your compensation. Technically, this interest may be taxable.

Will my work accident compensation affect my benefits?

Maybe. When you receive your compensation award, certain means-tested benefits could be affected. Whether any benefits you receive will be affected will also depend on how much compensation you are awarded.

Some benefits, including incapacity benefit and Working Tax Credit are not affected.

Can I get a more accurate estimate?

The calculator is designed to give you a good idea of a potential compensation award or settlement by asking you a few simple questions. The more information we have, however, the more we can tell you about how your claim might pan out. The best place to start is to contact us on 0800 218 2227 and speak to one of our legally trained advisors.

A FREE consultation gives you a clear understanding of your claim prospects and options.

Is there a time limit for making a claim?

Yes. If you were over 18 when you were injured, you must start a claim within 3 years of the date of diagnosis. If you were under 18, you have until your 21st birthday. There are exceptions, however.

For more information call us now for a FREE consultation.

Will my employment status affect the compensation award?

Compensation calculations do not take your employment status into account. Whether you are employed, self-employed, on a zero-hours contract or a volunteer, your injury compensation award will be the same.

There are, however, differences in the claims process, depending on your employment status.

How much can I claim for multiple injuries after a work accident?

It is more difficult to predict how much compensation you might receive if you have suffered multiple injuries.

Calculating special damages for a multiple injury claim is still just a matter of adding up any costs or losses resulting from your accident.

Calculating general damages for multiple injuries is more complex, however, as you cannot simply add two guideline injury awards together.

In most cases, you would receive less compensation for multiple injuries than you would get if you added several single awards together.

Pain might be spread across multiple injuries and no greater than the pain from a single injury. With loss of amenity, whether you have broken two fingers or three doesn’t materially change what you can do.

In some cases, however, you could receive more compensation for certain multiple injuries than you would by adding the single amounts together. For example, having broken both legs will mean you are much less mobile than if you had broken only one leg.

Which principle applies will depend on the medical evidence. This complexity means that solicitors, courts and insurers will consider the appropriate level of compensation for a multiple injury claim on a case by case basis.

Our compensation calculator uses a basic algorithm to give you a rough idea of how much compensation you could receive for a multiple injuries compensation claim.