Our employers can’t control the weather, but they can take steps to ensure that accidents at work caused by icy conditions are prevented as much as possible. If you slipped on ice at work that was left untreated, you could be eligible to make a personal injury compensation claim.
In the sections below, we explain personal injury claims eligibility and examine how employers should keep employees reasonably safe while at work. If they fail to do so, you could claim compensation. We also give some instances of accidents caused by slipping on ice to help illustrate when you might have a valid workplace injury claim.
Compensation could help you deal with the physical, emotional and financial consequences of an accident like this. So we explain how damages are calculated, and the types of harm you might be able to claim for.
Finally, we explain how a personal injury solicitor could assist you. You might qualify to start a claim through a type of No Win No Fee contract that the solicitors on our panel offer. To see if you can access excellent legal representation without the worry of upfront fees, talk over your claim with our advisors now. You can:
- Call for expert free guidance on 0330 0433679
- Make a claim online.
Select A Part Of Our Guide
- Can You Claim If You’ve Slipped On Ice At Work?
- How To Claim If You’ve Slipped On Ice At Work
- What Are Common Accidents Caused By Slipping On Ice At Work?
- How Much Compensation After You Slipped And Fell On Ice?
- What Are The Benefits Of Making A Slip On Ice Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis?
- Read More About Making A Personal Injury Claim
Can You Claim If You’ve Slipped On Ice At Work?
To be eligible to make a claim for a slip, trip and fall accident at work, whether it was on ice or some other hazard you need to demonstrate a breach in the duty of care. This is an obligation that all employers owe their employees as outlined by the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HASAWA).
It states that every employer must ensure, as much as is reasonably practicable, the health, welfare and safety at work of all their employees. There are a variety of ways this duty can be met. Some examples include:
- Checking the safety of work premises and ensuring risks are controlled as much as possible.
- Treating hazardous patches of ice as soon as possible.
- Placing warning signs around an icy area to alert staff and prevent injury from slipping on a wet floor.
To move ahead with a claim for personal injury compensation, it is therefore necessary to meet three criteria:
- There was a duty of care owed to you at the moment of injury.
- You can show that your employer breached this duty of care.
- You suffered actual harm as a direct consequence.
You may believe you meet all these conditions. So if you would like free guidance on eligibility and starting your claim after you slipped on ice at work, please speak to our dedicated advisors on the number at the top.
How To Claim If You’ve Slipped On Ice At Work
A claim for injuries sustained when you slipped on ice at work must be supported with evidence that shows your employer was at fault. To assist you with gathering proof, we’ve listed some actions below that can help:
- Request a copy of any workplace CCTV that caught the accident.
- Track key events and medical treatment in a diary. This helps show your mental and physical state after the accident.
- Get the contact information of any witnesses to the accident. If you choose to engage the services of a solicitor, they can collect a statement from these people to support your case.
- Get copies of all medical records from your GP or hospital that relate to the accident.
- Take photos of your injuries and the location/cause.
All evidence presented needs to underscore the fault of the employer. If you would like help understanding any aspect of collecting evidence to prove your injuries, get in touch.
How Long Do You Have To Claim For Slipping On Ice?
Under the terms of The Limitation Act 1980 there is typically a three-year time limit for starting personal injury claims. Variations may apply. For example:
- Claimants who are under the age of 18 at the time of injury can pause the time limit until they turn 18. Then the three-year period starts.
- People who do not have the mental capacity to launch a claim for themselves have a completely frozen time limit. It would re-commence from the date that their mental capacity returned (if it does).
- Both parties can have a litigation friend appointed by the courts to initiate a claim on their behalf immediately or at any point during the time limit suspension.
What Are Common Accidents Caused By Slipping On Ice At Work?
It’s important to remember that employers cannot be expected to control the impact of severe weather. However, they are expected to take reasonably practicable steps to ensure employee safety.
The following examples are based on employer negligence:
- Supermarket staff working with walk-in freezer areas were not provided or advised about correct footwear. An employee slipped as a result suffering an ankle injury.
- An employee suffered a serious leg injury at work because a patch of untreated ice inside the entrance of an office was ignored.
- Black ice formed in the car park that your employer was responsible for because it was not properly gritted. A staff member slips and suffers a substantial head injury in the fall.
The exact circumstances of your injury may be different. Why not reach out to the team for personalised advice on your options after you slipped on ice at work because of a breach in health and safety?
How Much Compensation After You Slipped And Fell On Ice?
The compensation awarded after a successful personal injury claim can include two heads of loss. General damages address the physical pain created, as well as any psychological harm. In addition to this, the impact on the person’s overall life quality and long-term health issues can be acknowledged.
Those responsible for calculating general damages refer to available medical records and documents such as the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This publication provides guideline compensation brackets for a cross-section of injuries.
We have compiled a table below of figures from the JCG to help illustrate how personal injury compensation could be calculated. These amounts are suggestions only, as each personal injury claim will differ. Please note that the first entry is not from the JCG. It is included to show you how claims could consider multiple injuries suffered plus related costs and expenses.
Compensation Guidelines
| Area of Injury | Severity | Compensation Guideline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple Types of Severe Injury and Special Damages | Severe | Up to £500,000 plus | This level of award reflects multiple types of harm classed as severe and the amounts under special damages for lost income, care costs and medical bills. |
| Head | (b) Moderately Severe | £267,340 to £344,150 | A serious disability creating substantial reliance on others for basic needs. |
| Back | (a) Severe (i) | £111,150 to £196,450 | Severe spinal cord and nerve root damage causing very serious consequences including severe pain, disability, and a combination of incomplete paralysis, and significant impairments to bladder, bowel and sexual functioning. |
| Neck | (a) Severe (i) | In the area of £181,020 | Cases of paraplegia that is incomplete, causing permanent spastic quadriparesis despite wearing a collar constantly. |
| Knee | (a) Severe (ii) | £63,610 to £85,100 | Fractures that travel into the knee joint creating constant pain and limited movement. |
| Wrist | (a) Complete Function Loss | £58,110 to £73,050 | Cases where there is a total loss of function in the wrist even after surgery. |
| Ankle | (b) Severe | £38,210 to £61,090 | Ligament tears and fractures that create serious disability and issues such as walking on uneven ground or standing for a prolonged period. |
| Shoulder | (a) Severe | £23,430 to £58,610 | Injuries that damage the brachial plexus. |
| Hand | (f) Severe Fracture to Fingers | Up to £44,840 | Where the injury can cause deformity and impaired grip as well as leading to partial amputation. |
| Leg | (c) Less Serious Leg Injuries | £21,920 to £33,880 | Fractures and soft tissue injuries from which an incomplete recovery is made. |
Alongside general damages, you may be able to claim special damages. These seek to reimburse claimants for the financial harm the injuries caused. Below we’ve listed some potential losses that might qualify with the evidence needed:
- Payslips that show a loss of income caused by the injuries.
- Medical bills.
- Receipts for any care costs.
- Travel receipts for essential appointments.
Our dedicated advisors can offer a free case assessment over the phone and help value how much you could claim because you slipped on ice at work.
What Are The Benefits Of Making A Slip On Ice Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis?
There are many advantages to working with a personal injury solicitor. They can help you collect vital evidence and organise your claim in a professional way by gathering witness statements and ensuring court deadlines are met. These excellent benefits could also be available to you without worrying about initial costs.
The solicitors on our panel offer a type of No Win No Fee agreement to eligible claimants called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). As well as not requiring upfront or ongoing fees for the solicitor’s services, an arrangement like this requires no fee for completed services if the claim fails.
In fact, via a Conditional Fee Agreement, your solicitor will only take a success fee if your claim is successful. This percentage is restricted by law and ensures that the claimant always benefits first and foremost from the outcome.
If you slipped on ice at work, simply reach out. Our advisors can take it from there:
- Call for expert free guidance on 0330 0433679
- Make a claim online.
Read More About Making A Personal Injury Claim
These other articles might be of interest:
- See if you can claim after slipping on a wet floor in this guide.
- Here we discuss a foot injury in the workplace.
- In this guide we discuss defective work equipment of which footwear could be included.
External resources:
- Read about Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from GOV.UK
- Employee guidance on their health and safety from the Health and Safety Executive.
- Lastly, get help with your symptoms from the NHS.
We appreciate you reading this guide for a claim after you slipped on ice at work. Please reach out for more assistance.
