Recovery & Rehabilitation After a Work Accident

Updated: 7 Oct, 2025
By Chris Salmon

Recovering from an injury at work is about more than medical treatment. It can affect your income, mental health, confidence, and ability to return to work. Understanding the support available, from NHS treatment and rehabilitation to workplace adjustments, will help you plan your recovery and protect your rights.

This page gives an overview of the key steps and signposts to detailed guides in our recovery and rehabilitation section.

  • Insurers often provide rehabilitation under the IUA Rehabilitation Code 2015 to aid early recovery (Source: IUA Rehabilitation Code)
  • Always get medical attention promptly and keep detailed records of treatment.
  • You may be entitled to funded rehabilitation or early intervention support from insurers.
  • Employers should support your safe return, including reasonable adjustments if required.
  • Mental health support is just as important as physical recovery.
  • Keeping receipts, prescriptions and treatment notes helps with both recovery and compensation claims.

Medical treatment after a work accident

Your GP should be your first point of contact for most work injuries. They can issue fit notes, refer you to specialists, and record your condition for evidence. More serious accidents may require emergency care and hospital treatment. The NHS offers physiotherapy, pain management, and mental health support, though waiting times vary.

Some insurers and employers fund private treatment to help employees recover sooner. This is known as early intervention rehabilitation.

See: NHS hospital services.

Follow your rehab plan, keep appointments and jot down any progress and setbacks. It helps you recover and gives solid evidence for your claim.

Chris Salmon

Commercial Director
Work Accident Advice Centre

Why keeping medical records matters

Accurate records support both your recovery and any future claim. Keep:

  • GP notes and hospital discharge summaries
  • Physiotherapy and specialist reports
  • Receipts for prescriptions, travel, equipment and care costs
  • A personal diary of symptoms, pain levels and limitations

Related reading: Keeping medical records and treatment notes

Mental health and recovery

Psychological recovery is often overlooked. Injuries can cause stress, anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Employers should signpost support and make adjustments. Claimants may be able to access counselling through rehabilitation schemes or interim payments.

See: NHS mental health support.

Phased return to work

Returning to work too early can worsen injuries. Many employees benefit from a phased return to work, agreed between you, your GP and your employer. Options include:

  • Reduced hours at first
  • Light duties or modified tasks
  • Gradual increase in workload
  • Ongoing occupational health support

If your condition is long-term, you may have rights under the Equality Act 2010 to reasonable adjustments.

Rehabilitation support and funding

Rehabilitation may be funded in several ways:

  • NHS rehabilitation services: physiotherapy, pain management and occupational therapy.
  • Insurer-funded rehab: often available if you start a compensation claim and treatment helps you return to work sooner.
  • Access to Work: a government scheme providing grants for workplace adjustments, travel or equipment. GOV.UK: Access to Work
  • Charities: many charities provide peer support, grants or therapy (see our charities directory).

FAQs

New to claims? Start with our work injury claim guide, or see the full work injury claim FAQs.

Can I get private rehabilitation if I am making a claim?

Yes. Insurers often agree to fund early physiotherapy or counselling if it aids recovery and reduces loss of earnings.

Do I have to follow my GP’s advice?

Following medical advice is important both for your health and your claim. Ignoring advice may affect recovery and how your compensation is valued.

What if I cannot return to my old job?

You may be entitled to retraining, redeployment or reasonable adjustments. If your injury amounts to a disability, your employer must make changes to support you.

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.

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Work Accident Advice Centre (WAAC) 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/. Calls are confidential and are handled by our partners at National Accident Helpline. Our privacy policy explains how we protect your data.

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.

More about Chris and WAAC

Last reviewed October 2025 by Chris Salmon