Do I Get Full Pay If Injured At Work In The UK?

Last Updated 24th September 2025. Suffering an accident at work can be a distressing experience, not just physically and emotionally, but also financially. One of the first questions injured employees ask is: ‘Do I get full pay if injured at work in the UK?’ The answer depends on a variety of factors, including your employment contract, statutory rights, and whether your injury was caused by your employer’s negligence.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what your legal entitlements are if you’re injured at work, including whether you’re entitled to full pay, how Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) works, and what rights you have following a workplace accident. We’ll explain the process of making a personal injury claim, how compensation can help recover both physical and financial losses, and how to begin a workplace accident claim on with a  No Win No Fee solicitor. Whether you’re a full-time employee, a temp, or even self-employed, this guide will clarify your options, rights, and next steps.

If you’ve been injured at work, suffered financial losses, and want to know how to claim compensation, our team of advisors at UK Law is here to help. We offer free advice, and our panel of solicitors can assess your situation in a confidential chat.

Contact Us

Get in touch with a member of our advisory team today by:

• Calling us on 020 3870 4868
• Using the live chat feature
• Contact us online

Select A Section

1. Do I Get Full Pay If I’m Injured At Work?
2. Is There A Time Limit To Make An Accident At Work Claim?
3. What Are Employee Rights After An Accident At Work?
4. How Can Compensation Help Me After A Workplace Injury?
5. The Most Common Reasons For Workplace Injuries
6. How Can I Prove Negligence Caused An Accident At Work?
7. Can I Claim Compensation On A No Win No Fee Basis?
8. More Information

Do I Get Full Pay If I’m Injured At Work?

Whether you receive full pay if injured at work in the UK largely depends on what is written in your employment contract. Your employer may offer a contractual sick pay scheme, which entitles you to more than the minimum amount set out by Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). However, there is no legal requirement for your employer to provide full pay unless it’s explicitly stated in your contract.

Many employers implement their own sick pay scheme, which may provide full or partial wages for a set period. It’s essential to review your employment contract or staff handbook to determine your entitlements. If you’re an agency worker or on a zero-hours contract, different rules may apply, and you may only be entitled to SSP.

Regardless of your pay status, if the accident was caused by your employer’s negligence, you may be eligible to claim compensation. This can help cover any lost earnings, medical costs, or other financial losses you’ve experienced.

What Is Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)?

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the minimum amount of sick pay your employer is legally obligated to pay you if you’re too ill or injured to work. As of 2025, SSP is £118.75 per week and can be paid for up to 28 weeks. To qualify, you must:

• Be classed as an employee (including some agency workers)

• Have been unwell for at least 3 days in a row (this does include non-working days)

• Earn at least £123 per week (before tax)

• Provide a valid sick note from a medical professional after 7 days (including non-working days)

Although SSP offers a basic level of income protection, it may not be enough to cover your usual expenses, especially if you’re dealing with serious injuries or if your future earnings are impacted.

This is why many injured workers explore the option to seek compensation through a workplace accident claim.

Is There A Time Limit To Make An Accident At Work Claim?

Yes, there is typically a time limit of 3 years to make an accident at work claim, set down by the Limitation Act 1980. Having answered the question, “Do I get full pay if injured at work in the UK?” We need to examine the time restrictions on starting legal action.

Certain exceptions to the general limitation can apply in certain circumstances. These are:

• Children: an injured minor cannot claim on their own behalf. The 3 years are therefore counted from their 18th birthday, giving them until their 21st birthday to start their claim.
• Persons without sufficient mental capacity: any injured person who does not have the mental capacity to claim for themselves will have the 3-year period paused indefinitely.

In order to get any potential claim up and running as soon as possible, a litigation friend may be appointed. Any suitable adult can act as a litigation friend, although it is quite common to see a parent or legal guardian take on the role.

Litigation friends have the power to make decisions about the claim on behalf of the injured person and must act in their best interests. If you are looking to claim on behalf of another, our advisors can answer any questions you might have and assess the potential claim’s validity for free. 

A solicitor from our panel can then talk you through the process of claiming for someone else and support you every step of the way. Contact us today using the information below.

What Are Employee Rights After An Accident At Work?

Employees have the right to work in a safe environment. Your employer is under a legal obligation, as set out in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, to take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent injury. This is also known as their duty of care, and it includes carrying out risk assessments, providing personal protective equipment (PPE), and ensuring employees receive appropriate training.

To make a personal injury claim for an accident at work, the following eligibility criteria must be met:

1. Your employer owed you a duty of care

2. That duty was breached

3. You suffered injuries as a result

When these three factors come together, they form negligence. And if you can prove that negligence occurred, this means that you could make an accident at work claim.

This applies not only to permanent employees but also to agency workers, temps, and the self-employed, provided you were working under someone else’s control or on their premises.

If you’re still unsure on whether or not you can make a claim, contact our team of advisors today.

How Can Compensation Help Me After A Workplace Injury?

If your workplace injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, a successful claim can provide financial and emotional relief. Compensation is typically split into two heads of claim, starting with general damages.

General damages are awarded for the pain, suffering, and loss of amenity you’ve endured. For example, if you sustained a spinal injury, compensation would reflect the long-term pain, mobility issues, and loss of quality of life associated with your condition.

The Judicial College Guidelines are often used to calculate general damages, but every claim is assessed individually. Factors such as the severity of your injury, your recovery time, and the impact on your daily life are all taken into consideration. Below, you can find a table that outlines some of these guidelines, but please note that these are not guaranteed, and the top row is not from the JCG.

Injuries	Compensation Guideline
More than one severe injury and related costs, including lost earnings and the cost of home adjustments	Up to £1,000,000+
Very Severe Brain Damage	£344,150 to £493,000
Less Severe Brain Damage	£18,700 to £52,550
Chest Injuries (b)	£80,240 to £122,850
Severe Back Injuries (ii)	£90,510 to £107,910
Minor Back Injuries (i)	£9,630 to £15,260
Severe Foot Injuries	£51,220 to £85,460
Severe (iii) Neck Injuries	£55,500 to £68,330
Hernia (a)	£18,180 to £29,490
Less Serious Leg Injuries (iii) Simple Fractures to Tibia or Fibula or Soft Tissue Injuries	Up to £14,450

Can I Claim Back Financial Losses With My Compensation?

The second of the two heads of claim is known as special damages. These cover the financial losses you’ve suffered as a result of the accident, including:

• Lost earnings, including future income

• Medical costs, such as physiotherapy or counselling

• Travel expenses to and from medical appointments

• Care costs for help at home

• Adjustments to your home or vehicle

In more severe cases, such as those involving spinal injuries, compensation may account for future earnings lost due to long-term disability or reduced working hours.

For more information on the question, “Do I get full pay if I’m injured at work in the UK?” Contact our team of advisors today.

The Most Common Reasons For Workplace Injuries

Understanding the most frequent causes of workplace accidents can help demonstrate your employer’s negligence. Some common examples include:

Slips, Trips And Falls

Uneven flooring, wet floors without warning signs, or cluttered walkways can cause slips and falls. Employers must conduct risk assessments and maintain safe walkways to avoid slip and fall injuries, such as soft tissue injuries and broken bones.

Defective Equipment

Machinery or tools that are not maintained can pose a serious danger. Faulty equipment can lead to crush injuries, electrocution, or amputations.

Lack Of Or Inappropriate PPE

If employers fail to provide adequate personal protective equipment, they may be held liable for any injuries sustained, particularly in construction or manufacturing environments. For example, failing to provide something like a hard hat can cause severe head injuries.

Lack Of Training

Insufficient or no training leaves workers unaware of potential hazards, like being unable to use equipment properly. If you’ve been injured due to not being properly trained, your employer may be found negligent.

These are only a few examples of how workplace negligence can occur. Keep reading to find out how you can prove your claim, or contact us today to get started.

How Can I Prove Negligence Caused An Accident At Work?

Proving that your employer’s breach of duty led to your injury is a key part of the claims process. Strong evidence can significantly increase your chances of a successful claim, including:

• Medical records and a sick note from a medical professional

• Photos of the scene or your injuries (photo evidence)

• The contact details of potential witnesses

• Workplace accident book reports

• CCTV footage (if available)

• Proof of lost earnings and financial losses

For more information on how to prove a work-related accident claim, we recommend speaking with a member of our advisory team.

Can I Claim Compensation On A No Win No Fee Basis?

Yes. At UK Law, we believe that everyone should have access to justice, regardless of their financial circumstances. That’s why our panel of solicitors may offer to handle your case on a No Win No Fee basis, using a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This means you can pursue a workplace injury claim without the stress of paying any upfront fees to your solicitor for their work or worrying about ongoing solicitor’s costs.

With a No Win No Fee agreement, you only pay a fee to your solicitor if your claim is successful. This fee, known as a success fee, is taken as a legally capped percentage of your compensation. Utilising a CFA is a more accessible way to seek legal advice and take action if your employer has breached their legal obligation to keep you safe at work.

Get Free Advice From UK Law

At UK Law, we understand how overwhelming it can be to deal with the immediate aftermath of a workplace accident. That’s why our friendly advisors are on hand to offer free advice, answer the question “Do I get full pay if injured at work in the UK?” and help you understand your rights. Contact us today by:

• Calling us on 020 3870 4868
• Using the live chat feature
• Contact us online

More Information

To get more information on making a personal injury claim:

• Learn about your rights after an accident at work
• Get help with making a crane accident claim
• You may still be eligible to claim after employer closure even if your workplace no longer operates.

Or, for more resources:

• Get health and safety basics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
• Information on when to call 999 from the NHS
• Find out how to request CCTV footage of yourself

Thank you for reading our guide. We hope we’ve answered the question, “Do I get full pay if injured at work in the UK?”