How long do I have to claim for a work accident?

The limitation period for personal injury claims in England and Wales is generally 3 years from the date of the accident, or 3 years from when you knew (or should have known) your injury was caused by the accident. For industrial disease claims the 3 years runs from the date of knowledge. Claims involving children can be brought until 3 years after the child's 18th birthday. Always seek legal advice promptly.

Can I claim if the accident was partly my fault?

Yes. Under contributory negligence rules, you can still claim even if you were partly at fault. Your compensation is reduced by the percentage you were to blame. For example, if found 25% at fault, you receive 75% of the assessed damages. Employers have a duty of care regardless of employee actions if they failed to provide adequate safety measures or training.

What are Judicial College Guidelines?

The Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), now in their 17th edition, are published by the judiciary to guide courts and solicitors when assessing general damages for personal injury. They set out compensation ranges for different types and severities of injury. This calculator uses JCG ranges to produce estimates. Actual awards depend on the specific facts, medical evidence, and the judge.

Do I need a solicitor to claim for a work accident?

Most accident at work claims are handled by solicitors on a no win, no fee (conditional fee agreement) basis. This means you pay nothing upfront and only pay a success fee (capped at 25% of your general and past special damages) if you win. You can self-represent in the small claims track (claims up to £1,500 for non-RTA personal injury), but legal representation is strongly advisable for larger or more complex claims.

What if my employer does not have employers' liability insurance?

All UK employers are legally required to have employers' liability insurance (minimum £5 million). If your employer is uninsured or no longer exists, you may be able to claim through the Employers' Liability Tracing Office (ELTO) or, for certain diseases, the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme. Seek specialist legal advice in these situations.

Updated 1 May 2026

Accident at Work Calculator · Free UK Compensation Guide 2026

Estimate your workplace injury compensation using Judicial College Guidelines, general damages plus special damages for lost earnings and expenses.

✓ Free to use✓ JCG 17th edition ranges✓ General + special damages✓ Instant estimate

Accident at Work Calculator

Select injury type and enter financial losses, estimate appears instantly

Injury type and severity

Lost earnings (£)

Medical costs (£)

Other expenses (£)

Estimated total compensation

£2,450.00 – £11,730.00

General damages: £2,450.00–£11,730.00 + Special damages: £0.00

Injury selected

Back injury (minor)

General damages (JCG low)

£2,450.00

General damages (JCG high)

£11,730.00

Lost earnings

£0.00

Medical costs

£0.00

Other expenses

£0.00

Total special damages

£0.00

Estimated total (low–high)

£2,450.00 – £11,730.00

Estimates based on Judicial College Guidelines 17th edition. Actual awards depend on medical evidence, contributory negligence, and judicial discretion. Not legal advice, consult a solicitor.

How Accident at Work Compensation is Calculated

Quick Answer: Accident at work compensation has two parts: (1) general damages for pain and suffering, based on Judicial College Guidelines, ranging from £240 for minor soft tissue injuries to £400,000+ for catastrophic injuries; and (2) special damages for actual financial losses including lost wages, treatment costs, and care. Add both for your total claim estimate.

General Damages: JCG Ranges

Injury type	Severity	JCG range
Whiplash / soft tissue	Minor	£240–£4,350
Whiplash / soft tissue	Moderate	£4,350–£7,410
Back injury	Minor	£2,450–£11,730
Back injury	Moderate	£11,730–£38,780
Back injury	Severe	£38,780–£160,980
Hand / finger	Moderate	£5,680–£12,590
Knee	Moderate	£14,840–£26,190
Psychiatric / PTSD	Moderate	£5,860–£19,070

Judicial College Guidelines 17th edition. Ranges are indicative, actual awards depend on medical evidence and specific circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Workplace injury compensation has two parts: general damages (pain, suffering, and loss of amenity, based on Judicial College Guidelines) and special damages (actual financial losses such as lost earnings, medical expenses, and care costs). General damages alone can range from a few hundred pounds for minor soft tissue injuries to over £400,000 for the most serious injuries such as severe brain damage or tetraplegia.