Can I claim compensation if I was injured when working as a volunteer?

Updated: 16 Oct, 2025
By Chris Salmon

Around 14 million people in the UK volunteer formally at least once a month (Source: NCVO Volunteering statistics, 2023)

Volunteers are still protected by health and safety law. If you were injured while volunteering, you may be able to make a work injury claim against the organisation responsible. Compensation can cover your pain and suffering, medical costs, and any loss of earnings if the injury also affects your regular employment.

Who is classed as a volunteer?

You are usually considered a volunteer if you are not paid for your work. However, the line between employee and volunteer status can sometimes blur. Examples include:

• Volunteering for a charity or shelter where room and board are provided
• Working as a live-in carer or in international development projects
• Regular volunteering for groups such as scouts, guides, or religious organisations

Regardless of the distinction, what matters is whether the organisation owed you a duty of care.

Duty of care to volunteers

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, organisations must take reasonable steps to keep volunteers safe. This includes:

• Providing appropriate training and supervision
• Supplying safe equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Minimising exposure to unnecessary risks

Whether you were volunteering in the UK or overseas, organisations have a duty to protect your health and safety.

Volunteers are legally entitled to a safe workplace too. Report what happened, get medical help and keep photos and witness names. Simple evidence can support a claim against the organiser's insurer.

John Kushnick

Legal Operations Director
National Accident Law

Who would I claim against?

Usually, you would claim against the organisation you were volunteering for. If you were placed through an agency, the claim will often be against the company in control of the workplace, under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.

What to do after an accident as a volunteer

• Report the accident: Ensure the details are entered in the organisation’s accident book or incident log.
• Seek medical help: Even minor injuries should be checked by a doctor, both for treatment and for medical records.
• Keep your own records: Take notes in your own words, gather witness details, keep photos of the scene and your injuries, and retain a copy of the accident report if possible.

Financial support for volunteers

Volunteers are not usually entitled to benefits such as Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) or Employment Support Allowance (ESA). For many, making a compensation claim is the only way to secure financial support after an accident.

If your injury also prevents you from doing your regular paid job, you may be able to claim for loss of earnings in addition to medical costs and living expenses.

How much compensation can I claim?

Compensation is divided into two parts:

• General damages – awarded for the pain, suffering, and impact of your injury
• Special damages – awarded for financial losses such as lost wages, medical bills, and travel costs

To see how much you could claim, use our online injury compensation calculator.

Find out how much
you could claim

• Instant accurate calculation
• Shows true cost of making a claim
• Confirms your right to claim

Calculate my compensation

No win, no fee volunteer injury claims

Most volunteer injury claims are pursued on a No Win No Fee basis. This means you will only pay your solicitor’s fee if your claim is successful. If your claim is not successful, you will not have to pay any legal costs.

Read more about no win, no fee.

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

External references

• HSE: Health and safety for volunteers - explains how the law protects people volunteering in organisations.
• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 - sets out duties employers owe to employees and others, including volunteers.
• Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 - requires organisations to hold insurance that can cover volunteers injured at work.