No Win No Fee: The law limits our success fee to 25% of the compensation for pain, suffering and loss of amenity and for past financial losses, after any state benefits are repaid. Compensation for future losses is not counted. If you win, our success fee is deducted from your compensation. It is a percentage of our basic charges, and the law limits it as set out above. Any After the Event insurance premium is payable only if you win, and is never charged upfront. Your letter of engagement sets out exactly what you will pay for your type of claim, and we explain it before you sign. If you lose, you pay us nothing. This applies as long as you keep to your responsibilities under the agreement. You may have to pay costs if you end your claim early, fail to beat an offer the other side made, or a court finds your claim dishonest or exaggerated; where we have arranged After the Event insurance, it covers some of these costs if you keep to the policy's terms. See exactly what you pay.
Slips, trips, and falls on the same level are the most common type of workplace accident in England and Wales, accounting for a significant proportion of all non-fatal injuries reported to the HSE each year. Yet many of them are entirely preventable. Employers are required by law to maintain safe floors, walkways, and working areas — and when they fail, and you are injured as a result, you are entitled to claim compensation.
NJS Law’s specialist team handles workplace slip, trip, and fall claims across England and Wales on a No Win No Fee basis. This page is part of our Accident at Work Claims service.
If we do not win your case, you pay nothing.
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Injured in a slip, trip, or fall at work? Find out if you have a claim.
Slips and trips are the most common workplace accident — and most are preventable.
If your employer failed to maintain a safe environment, NJS Law will help you claim.
Check If You're Eligible With
Our Slip and Trip Claims Solicitors
Discover today if you’re eligible to make a claim. Tell us what happened using the enquiry form on this page.
What Is a Workplace Slip, Trip, or Fall Claim?
A workplace slip, trip, or fall claim is a legal claim for compensation against your employer — or the occupier of the premises where you were working — when a failure to maintain safe floors, walkways, or working areas causes you to slip, trip, or fall and suffer injury.
This type of claim is distinct from a fall from height claim: it covers falls on the same level — ground-level accidents caused by floor conditions, obstructions, or poor environmental conditions.
Common causes of workplace slips, trips, and falls:
- Wet or slippery floors — spilled liquids not cleaned up promptly, wet mopped floors without warning signage or barriers, polished or newly waxed floors without non-slip treatment
- Contaminated floors — oil, grease, food waste, or other substances on walkway surfaces in kitchens, factories, or workshops
- Uneven or damaged flooring — raised floor edges, cracked tiles, broken floorboards, potholes in external areas or car parks
- Obstructed walkways and aisles — boxes, cables, pallets, or equipment left in circulation routes
- Trailing cables — electrical leads or hoses crossing pedestrian routes without cable management
- Poor or inadequate lighting — insufficient lighting in stairwells, corridors, external areas, or storage areas
- Icy or wet external areas — untreated car parks, steps, entrances, or delivery yards in winter
- Inadequate floor coverings — torn carpet, loose mats, or the absence of slip-resistant flooring in high-risk areas
The claim is made against your employer’s or the occupier’s liability insurance. You are not claiming directly from anyone’s personal funds.
What Law Protects You If You Slip or Trip at Work?
Health and Safety at Work
Act 1974
Places a general duty on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of all employees — including the maintenance of a safe place of work and safe means of access and egress.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Requires employers to carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments of all workplace hazards — including floor conditions, spillage risks, and pedestrian routes. Failure to identify and address a foreseeable slip or trip risk is a breach of these Regulations.
Occupiers' Liability
Act 1957
Where the claimant is a visitor to premises (rather than an employee), the occupier owes a common duty of care to ensure the premises are reasonably safe. This is relevant for contractors, visitors, and self-employed workers who are not the direct employee of the occupier.
Who Can Make a Workplace Slip, Trip, or Fall Claim?
You may be able to make a slip, trip, or fall claim if you are:
- An employee — full-time, part-time, or on a fixed-term contract
- A worker or agency worker — including zero-hours and temporary staff
- Self-employed — working on another party’s premises where they had control over the condition of the floors and walkways
- A contractor — where the site owner or occupier failed in their duty to maintain safe floors and pedestrian routes
- A visitor to business premises — including customers, delivery drivers, and members of the public admitted to the premises
- A child or young person — whose parent or guardian can bring a claim on their behalf
You may still be entitled to claim even if you were partly responsible — for example, if you were distracted, running, or wearing inappropriate footwear. Where both you and your employer share responsibility, your compensation is reduced proportionally under the Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945, but you do not lose the right to claim altogether. See: Can I Claim If the Accident Was Partly My Fault?
How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Workplace Slip or Trip?
General Damages — Compensation for Your Injury
Solicitors use the Judicial College Guidelines, 18th edition (2026) to estimate the value of your injury. Common injuries from workplace slips, trips, and falls include:
|
Injury Type |
Severity |
Approximate Range |
|
Wrist fracture (reaching out to break fall) |
Minor to moderate |
£4,670 to £32,370 |
|
Elbow injury |
Minor to severe |
Up to £72,440 |
|
Shoulder injury (rotator cuff / dislocation) |
Moderate to serious |
£10,420 to £25,370 |
|
Knee injury (ligament damage / fracture) |
Moderate to serious |
£19,610 to £57,410 |
|
Ankle fracture |
Moderate to severe |
£18,150 to £66,140 |
|
Hip fracture |
Moderate to serious |
£16,640 to £69,360 |
|
Back injury (disc damage / soft tissue) |
Minor to moderate |
Up to £51,230 |
|
Head / brain injury (from striking ground) |
Minor to severe |
£2,920 to £533,720 |
|
Facial injuries (striking floor or fixture) |
Moderate to severe |
Depends on severity: ask us for an estimate |
Special Damages — Compensation for Your Financial Losses
You can also claim all financial losses caused by the accident: lost earnings (time off work taken and future loss if the injury affects your ability to work), medical treatment costs, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, care costs provided by family, and travel to medical appointments. See: General Damages vs Special Damages and Average Compensation Payouts.
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Figures are compensation before any deductions.
How Do You Make a Slip, Trip, or Fall Claim? (Step by Step)
1. Report Your Accident
Report the accident to your employer as soon as possible and ensure it is recorded in the workplace accident book. Ask for a copy of the entry. This creates an official record of the incident date, location, and circumstances.
2. Seek Medical Attention
Visit your GP or A&E immediately after the accident — even if injuries seem minor. Describe exactly how the accident happened. Medical records are one of the most important pieces of evidence in any workplace injury claim.
3. Gather Evidence
Photograph the accident scene, the hazard that caused the injury, and your injuries. Collect witness names and contact details. Request CCTV footage immediately — most employers overwrite recordings within 30 days.
4. Contact NJS Law for a Free Assessment
Speak to one of our specialist accident at work solicitors for a free, no-obligation assessment of your claim. We will tell you clearly whether you have a valid claim and what it is likely to be worth.
5. We Investigate and Issue a Letter of Claim
If we take on your case, we gather all available evidence and issue a formal Letter of Claim to your employer’s insurer. They have 21 days to acknowledge receipt and a further period to investigate and respond.
6. Independent Medical Assessment
You will be referred to an independent medical expert who will examine you and produce a report on your injuries, prognosis, and any ongoing treatment you need. This report is central to valuing your claim.
7. Negotiation and Settlement
We present a full Schedule of Loss to the defendant’s insurer and negotiate a settlement on your behalf. Most claims settle at this stage, without going to court.
8. You Receive Your Compensation
Once a settlement is agreed or judgment awarded, your compensation is paid. Your solicitor’s success fee is deducted at this stage — the amount is agreed with you before you sign anything.
What Are the Time Limits for Accident at Work Claims?
Under the Limitation Act 1980, there are strict time limits for bringing a personal injury claim. Act within these limits — missing the deadline is the most common reason valid claims cannot be pursued.
|
Claim Type |
Time Limit |
Notes |
|
Standard workplace accident |
3 years from date of accident |
The most common scenario |
|
Industrial disease or occupational illness |
3 years from date of diagnosis (or “date of knowledge”) |
Applies where symptoms developed gradually over time |
|
Child injured at work (or as a visitor) |
3 years from their 18th birthday |
A parent or guardian can bring a claim at any time before the child turns 18 |
|
Person lacking mental capacity |
If someone lacked mental capacity when the injury happened, the three years do not start until they regain it. If they lose capacity later, the time limit keeps running, so act quickly. |
A litigation friend manages the claim |
|
Fatal workplace accident |
three years from the death, or from when the family learned the facts if later |
Dependants may claim under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 |
For a full explanation of all time limit exceptions and what to do if you are approaching your deadline, see our guide: Personal Injury Claim Time Limits in England and Wales.
For guidance on how long the claim process itself takes once you have started: How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Take?
Case highlight
£3.7m - A life rebuilt after a devastating workplace accident
Forklift accident · Spinal injury · Employer negligence
Our client was seriously injured in a forklift accident at work. What followed was four years of rehabilitation, specialist hospitals, and legal complexity — with NJS Law by his side throughout.
“Nichola, my solicitor, took on two professional barristers who got my claim going. Without NJS Law, I wouldn’t have gotten this far. They helped me far beyond things I wouldn’t have known about.”
— NJS Law client, £3.7 million settlement
Nichola JohnsonSpecialist Solicitor · Employer & Serious Injury · Qualified 2014
Ready to find out what your claim could be worth?
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No Win No Fee Accident at Work Claims — Explained Clearly
All accident at work claims at NJS Law are handled under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) — what most people call No Win No Fee. Here is exactly what that means for you:
- No upfront cost: You pay nothing to start your claim. There are no consultation fees, no retainer, and no disbursements charged upfront.
- No cost if you lose: You pay nothing upfront, and if you lose you pay us nothing.
- A success fee if you win: If your claim succeeds, we deduct a success fee from your compensation. We explain every deduction in writing before you sign.
- ATE insurance: Where we arrange After the Event insurance, it covers the other side's costs and your disbursements if you lose, on the policy's terms.
You can read a full plain-English explanation of how No Win No Fee agreements work at No Win No Fee Claims Page.
Meet Your Accident at Work Legal Team
Our dedicated solicitors specialise in slip and trip claims and have more than 200 years of combined legal experience securing fair compensation. We understand how stressful an accident can be and provide clear, supportive guidance throughout the process.
Contact us today for a free consultation and move forward with confidence under our No Win No Fee promise. Taking early legal advice can strengthen your claim and protect your rights.
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Injured at work? Find out if you have a claim.
680,000 workers were injured in the workplace in 2024–25. You may be entitled to compensation.
Why Choose NJS Law as Your Accident at Work Solicitors
Being injured at work can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure of your rights or worried about your job. Our solicitors provide clear, honest advice and manage every aspect of your claim, so you can focus on recovery. We gather the evidence, value your claim and negotiate with the insurer.
Slip, Trip, or Fall Claim at Work Claims – Frequently Asked Questions
Making an accident at work claim can feel overwhelming. Below we’ve answered themost common questions our clients ask. These cover eligibility, time limits, compensation, and what happens if your case goes to court.
How long do I have to make an accident at work claim?
In most cases, you have three years from the date of your accident to issue court proceedings under the Limitation Act 1980. If your injury resulted from a gradually developing condition (such as an industrial disease), the three-year clock may run from when you first knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that the condition was linked to your work. For children, the three years starts on their 18th birthday. For full details, see our guide: Personal Injury Claim Time Limits
How much compensation can I get for an accident at work?
Compensation depends on the nature and severity of your injury, your recovery time, and the financial losses you have suffered. Minor injuries can attract a few thousand pounds. Serious or life-changing injuries can result in six or seven-figure awards. NJS Law will give you a realistic estimate at your free initial assessment. See the compensation table on this page for guidance on typical ranges by injury type.
Will my accident at work claim go to court?
The vast majority of accident at work claims settle before a court hearing. Court proceedings may be issued to protect the time limit or to accelerate negotiations, but in most cases a hearing is not required. If your case does go to trial, your solicitor will prepare you thoroughly for what to expect.
What evidence do I need for an accident at work claim?
No. It is automatically unfair dismissal under the Employment Rights Act 1996 to dismiss an employee for asserting a statutory right, which includes the right to make a workplace injury claim. You also cannot legally be subject to detriment, demotion, or harassment for bringing a claim. Your employer’s liability insurer — not your employer personally — pays your compensation, which removes any financial incentive for your employer to treat you unfairly.
Can I claim if I was self-employed or a contractor?
Yes, in many circumstances. If a site owner, principal contractor, or another employer had effective control over your working conditions, they may owe you a duty of care even if you were not their direct employee. Claims involving self-employed workers are more complex, but NJS Law handles them regularly. Contact us to discuss the specific circumstances of your accident.
What evidence do I need for an accident at work claim?
The most useful evidence includes: the accident book entry, photographs of the hazard and your injuries, CCTV footage (request this immediately — most employers overwrite within 30 days), witness names and contact details, and your medical records from GP and hospital. Your solicitor will advise on any additional evidence needed once they have reviewed your case.
What if my employer denies liability for the accident?
This is very common. An initial denial of liability does not mean your claim will fail. Your solicitor will investigate, gather evidence, and present a detailed legal case to the defendant’s insurer. If the insurer continues to dispute liability, court proceedings can be issued — which usually prompts a further round of negotiation. Most claims with strong evidence settle even after an initial denial.
What if my employer has gone out of business or into administration?
You can still claim. The Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 requires all employers to hold liability insurance. The insurer remains liable even after the employer closes, goes into administration, or becomes insolvent. Your solicitor will trace the relevant insurer and pursue the claim directly against them. In some cases, insurers can be traced through the Employers’ Liability Tracing Office.
Can I claim if the accident was partly my fault?
Yes. Where both you and your employer share responsibility for the accident, your compensation is reduced by the percentage of your fault under the Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945. For example, if you are found 25% responsible and your injuries are valued at £40,000, you would recover £30,000. Contributory negligence reduces your award — it does not bar you from claiming. For more, read: Can I Claim If the Accident Was Partly My Fault?
What is RIDDOR and does it matter for my claim?
RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) requires employers to report certain serious workplace accidents to the HSE. If your accident should have been reported under RIDDOR, a copy of that report can support your claim as an independent official record. If your employer failed to file a required report, this itself is evidence of poor health and safety compliance — and it will not prevent you from claiming. See the RIDDOR section on this page for more detail.
Can I get any compensation before my claim settles?
Yes — in some circumstances. If liability has been admitted and your losses are clear, your solicitor can apply to the court for an interim payment — a sum paid on account of your final compensation to help with immediate financial needs such as lost wages, medical costs, or care. This is particularly valuable in serious injury cases. For full details, read: Interim Payments in Personal Injury Claims
Our solicitors have written a library of plain-English guides to help you understand your rights. Read the articles most relevant to your situation:
Accident at Work: What to Do Immediately -Complete UK Guide-
Injured at work? Learn the key steps to take straight away to protect your health, evidence, and legal rights.
Accident at Work Claims: How Much Compensation Could You Get?
Find out how workplace injury compensation is calculated and what factors can affect the value of your claim.
No Win No Fee Accident at Work Claims – How It Works
Learn how No Win No Fee accident at work claims work and how you can start a claim without upfront legal fees.
Personal Injury Claims: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
A simple guide to the personal injury claims process, from starting your claim to reaching a settlement.
Can My Employer Sack Me for Making a Work Injury Claim?
Understand your rights if you are worried about your job after making a workplace injury claim.
RIDDOR Explained — What Gets Reported and Why It Matters to Your Claim
Learn what RIDDOR is, which workplace accidents must be reported, and how it may support your claim.
Construction Site Accident Claims — A Complete Guide for Injured Workers
Find out your rights after a construction site accident and how to claim compensation for your injuries.
Machinery and Equipment Injury Claims — Your Rights Under PUWER 1998
Learn how PUWER 1998 protects workers injured by unsafe machinery, tools, or workplace equipment.
Falls from Height at Work Claims
Understand when you may be able to claim compensation after a fall from height at work.
How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Take in England and Wales?
Find out what affects the length of a personal injury claim and what to expect during the process.
What Is The Most Common Worksite Personal Injury Claims?
Learn how PUWER 1998 protects workers injured by unsafe machinery, tools, or workplace equipment.
What Is the Average Personal Injury Compensation Payout in the UK?
Learn how personal injury payouts are assessed and why compensation varies from case to case.
Personal Injury Claim Time Limits in England and Wales: A Complete Breakdown
Understand the key time limits for making a personal injury claim in England and Wales.
Can I Claim Personal Injury Compensation If the Accident Was Partly My Fault?
Find out how partial fault can affect your personal injury claim and compensation amount.
General Damages vs Special Damages: Personal Injury Compensation Explained
Learn the difference between compensation for pain and suffering and compensation for financial losses.
Interim Payments in Personal Injury Claims — What Are They and Can I Get One
Find out when interim payments may be available before your personal injury claim fully settles.
Thinking about a claim? Read about Personal injury claims and how No Win No Fee works, or send us your enquiry.