I’m Unable To Walk After An Accident At Work, How Do I Claim Compensation?

If you were left unable to walk after an accident at work, you might be able to claim compensation by making a personal injury claim. However, you must be able to prove that your employer acted negligently, causing you to sustain harm.

unable to walk after an accident

Unable to walk after an accident claims guide

This guide will explain the ways in which an employer’s negligence could have caused you to sustain harm.

Additionally, it will provide information on the process of making a claim and give you an idea of what compensation you might be awarded for your accident and injury. 

For any further information, you can contact an adviser now to discuss your claim. You can:

  • Call the number above
  • Fill out the contact form on our website
  • Use the live chat feature below

Choose A Section 

  1. Could I Claim Compensation After An Accident Where I’m Unable To Walk? 
  2. Examples Of Accidents At Work That Permanently Restrict Walking And Mobility 
  3. What Can I Do If I Can’t Walk After An Accident At Work? 
  4. How Much Compensation Could I Get If I’m Unable To Walk After An Accident? 
  5. How Can A No Win No Fee Solicitor Help Me? 
  6. Find Out More About Claiming Compensation If You’re Unable To Walk After An Accident 

Could I Claim Compensation After An Accident Where I’m Unable To Walk?

All employers owe their employees a duty of care to take reasonable steps to protect them from experiencing harm in the workplace. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 sets out the duties employers have. They may vary depending on the specific workplace but generally, they should:

  • Carry out regular risk assessments
  • Provide adequate training
  • Provide adequate equipment

However, in some cases, your employer may fail to uphold the duty of care they owe you. As a result, you may be left unable to walk after an accident at work that caused you severe harm.  

In these cases, you might be able to claim compensation for personal injury.

For more information about what you should do after you suffer an injury in a workplace accident, get in touch with our team on the number above. 

Serious Accident Statistics 

The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) requires employers to report certain incidents, accidents and injuries to the Health & Safety Executive.

In 2020/21, there were 142 fatalities to workers as reported under RIDDOR. Additionally, employers reported the following non-fatal injuries during the same period:

  • 50 crush injuries that lead to internal organ damage
  • 788 concussions and internal injuries
  • 456 amputations
  • 15,159 fractures

Please note the above figures are provisional.

Examples Of Accidents At Work That Permanently Restrict Walking And Mobility 

There are various types of accidents that could cause severe injuries that affect a person’s mobility. Examples might include:

  • Falls from height: An employer may have failed to maintain the safety of workplace equipment through regular risk assessments. As a result, an employee may have used a ladder that was faulty causing them to fall from a height and sustain damage to their spinal cord. This may cause a life-changing injury such as paralysis.
  • Being hit by a falling object: An employer may have failed to ensure the storage space at work was kept tidy. As a result, an employee may have been hit by stock falling off the shelves causing them to sustain a moderate brain injury that had an impact on their mobility. 
  • Getting trapped by a piece of machinery overturning: An employer may have failed to regularly assess the machinery employees work with on a daily basis. As a result, they may have failed to identify a piece of machinery that was at risk of falling. This may have caused an employee to sustain severe crush fractures to both legs.

If you have experienced a similar incident where you have been left unable to walk after an accident at work because of your employer’s negligence, our team could help.

What Can I Do If I Can’t Walk After An Accident At Work? 

There are several steps you can take if you have been left unable to walk after an accident, such as:

  • Seek medical attention: It’s important that you receive the correct treatment for any injuries you sustained. Also, any medical records that detail the diagnosis and treatment you received could be used as evidence to support your claim.
  • Gather evidence: There are various pieces of evidence you could obtain in support of your case. For instance, CCTV footage, witness contact details and pictures of your injuries and the accident.
  • Speak with a solicitor: You may find it beneficial to seek legal advice from a solicitor who has experience handling accident at work claims. They can help you gather the relevant evidence needed to support your case. Also, they could organise an independent medical assessment for you to attend. This can provide a medical report on the current state of your injuries.

For more information on how to prove your claim demonstrated negligence, call our team.  

How Much Compensation Could I Get If I’m Unable To Walk After An Accident? 

If you were left unable to walk after an accident at work and you make a successful claim, your compensation payout may include:

  • General damages: These provide compensation for the physical and psychological injuries you may have sustained.
  • Special damages: These seek to reimburse you for any financial losses incurred as a result of your injuries. For instance, if you were unable to work due to your injuries, you could receive compensation for any loss of earnings.

When determining the value of your injuries, medical reports you provide in support of your claim can provide a detailed assessment of:

  • The severity of your injuries
  • The impact they have had on your quality of life

Additionally, guidelines from the Judicial College may be used to help value your injuries. The guidelines provide bracket compensation amounts for several injuries. In the table below, we have used figures from the Judicial College Guidelines.

However, you should only use the figures provided as a guide because your actual settlement will vary depending on different factors unique to your case.

InjuryNotesAward
ParaplegiaFactors such as presence and severity of pain and the psychological impact will influence the amount awarded.£205,580 to £266,740
Brain Damage: Moderately Severe (b)The person may experience a serious disability such as limb paralysis. £205,580 to £264,650
Neck Injuries: Severe (a) (i)Examples of injuries might include those associated with paraplegia that's incomplete.In the region of £139,210
Neck Injuries: Severe (a) (ii)Injuries that might lead to disabilities of a severe nature including the loss of function in one or more limbs.£61,710 to £122,860
Neck Injuries: Severe (iii)Injuries in this bracket could lead to significant permanent disability.£42,680 to £52,540
Back Injuries: Severe (a) (i)Injuries might involve severe damage to the spinal cord and nerve roots that lead to incomplete paralysis and other issues. £85,470 to £151,070
Back Injuries: Severe (a) (ii)Injuries might involve nerve root damage, loss of sensation and impaired mobility along with other issues.£69,600 to £82,980
Leg Injuries: (a) Amputation (i)Where both legs have been lost. £225,960 to £264,650
Leg Injuries: (b) Severe (ii)Very serious injuries leading to permanent problems with mobility.£51,460 to £85,600
Leg Injuries: (b) Severe (iii)Injuries might include serious compound fractures that result in a lengthy period of non-weight bearing.£36,790 to £51,460
 

For more information on what your payout may comprise, call our team on the number above.

How Can A No Win No Fee Solicitor Help Me? 

You may find it helpful to hire a solicitor if you were left unable to walk after an accident. However, if you’re concerned about the costs involved in doing so, you may find it beneficial to work with our panel of No Win No Fee solicitors. 

In doing so, you won’t pay any upfront costs or any fees during the course of your claim. Also, you won’t pay a success fee to your solicitor if the claim fails.

In cases where your claim succeeds, you will pay a success fee from your compensation. This fee is taken as a percentage which is subject to a legal cap. 

Discuss Your Personal Injury Claim With Us 

For more information, please get in touch with our team by:

  • Calling the number above
  • Filling out the contact form on our website
  • Using the live chat feature below

Find Out More About Claiming Compensation If You’re Unable To Walk After An Accident 

Below, we have included the following external resources that you may find beneficial.

  • See the government website to find out if you’re eligible to receive statutory sick pay.
  • If you were left unable to work after an accident, the NHS offer guidance on living with a disability 
  • Visit the HSE website for additional workplace accident statistics.

Additionally, we have provided guides on the different personal injury claims we handle:

We hope our guide on claiming after you have been left unable to walk after an accident has helped. However, if you have any questions, please get in touch on the number above.