Injury at work in the UK? Can they fire you?

If you’ve had an injury at work, it’s normal to feel shaken, not just by the pain, but by the fear of what happens next. Many people worry about sick pay, whether they’ll be blaIf you’ve had an injury at work, it’s normal to feel shaken, not just by the pain, but by the fear of what happens next. Many people worry about sick pay, whether they’ll be blamed, and whether speaking up could risk their job.

Workplace injuries remain common throughout the UK. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), an estimated 680,000 workers sustained a non-fatal injury at work in Great Britain in 2024/25 (Labour Force Survey). During the same period, employers reported 59,219 non-fatal employee injuries under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). The HSE also estimates that 40.1 million working days were lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury combined.

This article walks you through what to do after an injury at work, how the claim process works, and what to do if you’re worried about unfair treatment.

What to do first after an injury at work: Your quick checklist

If you’re dealing with an injury at work, these steps protect your health and your position.

1. Get medical help
   Use on-site first aid. If it’s serious or life-threatening, call 999 or go to A&E. If you’re not sure what you need, use NHS 111 (online or by phone). Even “minor” injuries can worsen, and medical records can help evidence what happened.
2. Report the accident straight away
   Tell your supervisor or manager as soon as you can. If you can’t, ask someone to report it for you.
3. Make sure it’s written down
   Ask for the accident to be recorded in the workplace accident book or internal reporting system.
4. Take photos, if safe
   Photograph the hazard and the wider scene, lighting, signage, floor condition, equipment, and PPE.
5. Get witness details
   Names, job titles, phone numbers, even one witness, can matter later.
6. Ask about CCTV early
   Many systems overwrite footage quickly. Request that it’s saved.
7. Keep a simple recovery record
   Note symptoms, appointments, days off, travel costs, medication, and how the injury affects your routine.

Understanding workplace accidents and injuries

A workplace accident is an unexpected incident during work-related activity that causes injury or illness. It might be caused by poor safety procedures, lack of training, faulty equipment, rushed conditions, or hazards that weren’t dealt with.

Employers have a legal duty to manage risks and protect health and safety. That includes investigating accidents and taking steps to prevent repeat incidents.

Common injuries at work in the UK

Workplace harm can happen in any setting, such as a warehouse, office, shop floor, building site, kitchen, or care work. Common examples include:

• Slips, trips and falls, wet floors, trailing cables, poor lighting
• Manual handling injuries, back, shoulder, and neck strain from lifting
• Accidents involving machinery or tools, cuts, and crush injuries
• Falling objects or debris, construction, warehousing, stock rooms
• Repetitive strain injuries (RSI), keyboard work, and production lines
• Overexertion injuries, pulling muscles, joint strain
• Chemical burns or fume exposure, cleaning, manufacturing, and labs
• Fire, burns, scalds, hospitality, and industrial settings
• Psychological injury, stress, anxiety after incidents or unsafe working environments

If any of these happened because reasonable safety steps weren’t taken, you may have options.

Your right to submit a claim

If you’ve suffered an injury at work, you may be able to claim compensation if your employer, or another responsible party, failed to take reasonable steps to keep you safe.

Common reasons people make an injury at work claim include a lack of training or supervision, missing or unsuitable PPE, unsafe systems of work, poor maintenance, such as flooring, equipment, and lighting, rushed staffing levels or unrealistic workloads, and failure to follow risk assessments.

Compensation can account for pain and suffering, loss of earnings, including reduced hours or future loss, treatment and rehabilitation costs, travel to appointments, support or care needs while recovering.

A key point, a claim is usually handled through employers’ liability insurance, not a manager paying out of their pocket.

Can you be fired for getting injured at work?

In most cases, you should not be dismissed simply for having an injury at work, reporting it, or asking about your rights. Employers must treat workers fairly and follow proper procedures.

However, employers sometimes try to justify dismissal in limited scenarios, such as serious misconduct, for example, a reckless breach of safety rules, capability, long-term absence where returning isn’t possible after proper review and adjustments,or  genuine redundancy unrelated to the injury.

If dismissal or threats appear linked to you reporting the incident, raising safety concerns, or pursuing compensation, that can be a major warning sign.

What to do if you’re worried about being fired

After an injury at work, fear can cause people to remain silent. If you’re worried your employer is turning against you, focus on practical steps that protect you.

1. Keep everything in writing, save messages, emails, rota changes, meeting notes, and any comments about your injury.
2. Ask for key decisions in writing. If your shifts or role change suddenly, ask politely for the reason.
3. Follow medical advice, use fit notes where needed, and don’t let pressure force you back too early.
4. Request adjustments if you can work safely, lighter duties, reduced lifting, more breaks, phased return.
5. Use formal processes; if things feel unfair, raise a grievance through HR, and keep a copy.
6. Get confidential advice early; evidence is easiest to gather while things are fresh.

Signs of unfair treatment

Unfair treatment after an injury at work doesn’t always look dramatic. Often it starts with patterns.

Pressure not to report the accident, blame before any investigation, sudden shift cuts or reduced hours, threats about your job if you take time off, isolation, being excluded from meetings, hostile behaviour, disciplinary action that appears linked to the injury, being moved to worse duties as punishment.

One event might be explainable. A pattern usually isn’t.

Sick pay after an injury at work

If you can’t work because of your injury at work, you may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay. SSP is currently £118.75 per week for eligible employees and is paid for up to 28 weeks, with the first three days usually unpaid.

Some employers offer occupational sick pay, but not all do. That gap is one reason workplace injury claims often include loss of earnings.

How the injury at work claim process works

If you’re considering an injury at work claim, this is what usually happens.

1. In the initial assessment, you’ll be asked what happened, what injuries you suffered, and how it has affected your work and daily life.
2. Evidence gathering, accident book record, photos, CCTV if available, witness statements, safety records, training history, and medical records.
3. Medical assessment, an independent medical expert typically prepares a report on your injury, recovery, and longer-term impact.
4. Liability response and negotiation, the insurer may accept responsibility, deny it, or make an offer; your solicitor negotiates and advises.
5. Settlement or, rarely, court, many claims settle without court; if court becomes necessary, you’re supported through the process.

Time limits you should know

There are two different clocks that people mix up.

Personal injury claims are usually three years from the accident date, or from when you became aware your injury was work-related. Employment tribunal claims have strict time limits, often much shorter, so if you suspect retaliation or dismissal, it’s important to act quickly.

Don’t let fear stop you from claiming

An injury at work can knock your confidence and leave you feeling like you’re making trouble by asking questions. But safety at work is not optional, and you’re allowed to protect yourself.

People often delay because they’re worried about backlash. The problem is that evidence disappears, injuries worsen, and stress grows. Getting advice doesn’t force you into action; it simply gives you clarity.

Speak to Claim Time Solicitors, confidential advice

If you’ve suffered an injury at work and you’re unsure what to do next, Claim Time Solicitors can talk you through your options. You may be able to claim on a No Win, No Fee basis, and your enquiry will be kept confidential.

Call Claim Time Solicitors on 0800 970 2727 to discuss your situation.

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