There is a common misconception that making a compensation claim for an accident at work will impact the business you work for, as the compensation will come directly from your employer. However, this isn’t the case. Employers are legally required to take out an insurance policy to protect their employees, and if an employee suffers an injury at work, it is the insurer that will compensate you - not your employer.

As experts in claiming compensation for individuals who have been involved in an accident at work through no fault of their own, we are dedicated to making sure employees are aware of their rights as any workplace injury can have a detrimental impact on a worker’s life. To understand whether there is a stigma around reporting accidents at work and making a compensation claim, we ran a survey to find out employees’ opinions on this issue.

One-quarter of injured workers do not report accidents

Results from the survey revealed that, of the respondents who had suffered an injury in the workplace, more than a quarter (28%) said they did not report it to their employer. When asked about the severity of the injuries they had sustained, 52% of respondents said their injury was either ‘very severe’, ‘severe’ or ‘moderate’. However, the survey data showed that 97% of those who had sustained an injury did not make a compensation claim.

Richard Powell, Head of Personal Injury, said: “It is worrying that the majority of employees who have sustained an injury did not claim compensation. With a lot of workers claiming to have had ‘severe’ and ‘very severe’ injuries, this could have a significant impact on their lives as they may have had to take time off work and pay for adaptations to their home. 

“Furthermore, seeking compensation for injuries sustained through an accident that was caused by somebody else’s negligence gives injured parties access to the best medical treatment, rehabilitation and support, so they can make as full a recovery as possible.”

Why are workers reluctant to make claims?

The survey of more than 1,200 workers revealed that most employees (39%) would be worried about their job security if they reported an accident caused by their employer’s negligence, citing that they either ‘strongly agreed’ or ‘agreed’ with this statement. 

Workers also feel reluctant to make a claim for a workplace accident due to the financial implications for their employers, with more than a quarter (28%) either ‘strongly agreeing’ or ‘agreeing’ with this.

In addition, one-fifth of survey respondents said they ‘strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ that they would be viewed negatively by their employer if they reported an injury they had sustained in the workplace.

If you are thinking of making a claim for an accident at work, it’s important to remember that while your employer will be notified, your claim will be dealt with by your employer’s insurance company and/or solicitor. Any dialogue about the claim should be held between your employer’s insurer and your solicitor, allowing you to maintain an amicable relationship with your employer throughout the course of your claim.

The full survey results

Have you ever suffered an injury in your place of work?

How severe was the injury you sustained at work?

Did you report the incident to your employer?

Why did you choose not to report the incident?

Are you aware of your employer's accident reporting procedure for if an incident takes place? 

To what extent do you agree with the following statement: "I would report the incident if I suffered an injury in the workplace."

To what extent do you agree with the following statement: "I would be judged negatively by my employer if I reported an injury I had suffered in the workplace." 

To what extent do you agree with the following statement: "I would be judged negatively by my colleagues if I reported an injury I had suffered in the workplace."

To what extent do you agree with the following statement: "I would make a compensation claim if I was injured at work due to the negligence of another party."