Nobody wants to have an accident at work, but if you sustain an injury as result of an accident that has happened at work, it is important that you not only seek help from an experienced accident lawyer, but also bear in mind a few fairly straightforward steps that can help you successfully make a claim against your employer, if they are found liable for your accident and injury.
Here are a few tips to help you, and we can help put you in touch with some of the best accidents at work injury lawyers in the UK if needed:-
1: Gather as much evidence as you can and write everything down
This perhaps sounds rather obvious, but it is important, because if you decide to make a personal injury claim following your accident at work, the process is after all a legal one, meaning that evidence has to be available, and even though you are not necessarily the one at fault, it is useful if you are able to prove anything and everything in black and white if necessary. This is not only useful if your case goes to court, but it can add to your peace of mind and confidence in dealing with the issue; if everything is written down and recorded, it is far more difficult to dispute or doubt.
As soon as possible after an accident at work, it is important to complete, in your own words, a workplace accident report. This will often be referred to in legal proceedings, as it quite literally forms your personal witness statement as to how and why your accident took place. You should be sure that what you write is honest, frank and complete; it would be a very poor lawyer indeed who would fail to spot any discrepancies or inaccuracies in what you have said; be sure that you are upfront and honest.
If you are able to do so, it is also useful to take photographs of the scene and surroundings of your accident at work; it is a cliché, but a picture tells a thousand words. Having photographs of where your accident took place can help everyone involved visualise what happened more easily, and this can be especially helpful if your personal injury case goes to court, because it is a judge you will need to persuade of your employer’s liability, and put simply, pictures can make that job easier.
It is likely that when an accident at work happens, your colleagues will witness it. It can be very useful to take the names and if possible the addresses of your colleagues, meaning that they can be contacted for witness statements too if necessary. Again, having witnesses that confirm your version of events can make all the difference in a personal injury claim.
Another important thing is to keep a record of your medical expenses and any appointments you have attended. Personal injury law refers to these costs and expenses as ‘special damages’ and providing they relate directly to your accident, any medical appointments and the associated travel expenses, medical costs and medicines can usually be claimed back as part of a personal injury claim.
2: Make contact with a specialist accident claim personal injury solicitor
Personal injury and accident claims can often be a complicated and difficult area of law. It is therefore vitally important to contact a specialist solicitor as soon as is practical after your accident. For some suggestions on who to contact for personal injury claims in Scotland click here and for top accident claims solicitors across the UK click here.
Who are some of the best accident at work claims lawyers in Scotland?
Some of the best accident at work claims lawyers Scotland are recognised for their expertise in handling complex personal injury cases involving employer negligence, unsafe working conditions, and breaches of health and safety law. Leading names include David Armstrong of Calio Claims in Glasgow, renowned for high-value litigation and alternative dispute resolution; Michael McLean at Jones Whyte, a solicitor advocate with a strong track record in workplace injury claims; and Rachel Holt, also of Calio Claims, who has successfully represented clients in serious accident and industrial disease cases. These lawyers are praised for their technical knowledge, empathetic client care, and consistent success in securing significant compensation for employees injured at work.
Other specialist firms widely recognised across Scotland for their excellence in workplace injury claims include:
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Thompsons Solicitors Scotland has a reputation for representing injured employees exclusively. Its team includes Patrick McGuire, a leading solicitor advocate known for landmark employer liability and occupational disease cases, as well as landmark public inquiries and class-action style litigation in Scotland.
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Digby Brown Solicitors is the largest firm in Scotland focused exclusively on personal injury. Handling thousands of accident-at-work claims annually, they operate from seven offices—including Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Dundee—with specialist experience in industrial disease, severe injury, and employer negligence cases.
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Miller Samuel Hill Brown in Glasgow features a team of senior, quality-standard regulated solicitors who guide clients through the entire claims process, often securing compensation for accidents involving serious workplace injuries and health and safety breaches.
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The Kerr Brown Partnership is another respected Glasgow-based firm, known for its expertise in personal injury arising from workplace incidents, paralysis, brain injuries, and manual handling failures.
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Irwin Mitchell Scotland, part of a national firm, handles significant volumes of personal injury litigation, including employers’ liability and industrial disease cases across the UK. They offer extensive resources and regularly take on high‑value and multi‑jurisdictional claims.
These firms consistently receive top rankings in Chambers UK and Legal 500 for personal injury and accident-at-work claims. They are acknowledged not only for legal expertise and substantial compensation awards but also for delivering empathetic and client-focused service to people suffering workplace injuries.
Many are ranked in legal directories like Chambers UK and Legal 500, reflecting their standing in the field.
Who are some of the top accident at work lawyers in the UK?
Here’s a concise overview of some of the UK’s top accident-at-work claim lawyers and firms, recognized consistently for their expertise in serious workplace injury cases:
Several law firms are widely acknowledged for their excellence in handling complex accident-at-work claims. Stewarts Law frequently tops league tables as a go-to for severe workplace injury and catastrophic cases, including brain and spinal cord injuries, often securing substantial compensation and rehabilitation packages. Fieldfisher and Leigh Day, both ranked Band 1 in Chambers UK, are known for their work in high-value motor and workplace injury claims, including industrial disease and international litigation. Thompsons Solicitors, a workers-only firm, has stood up for injured employees nationwide for over a century and is consistently praised for its commitment to fairness, experience in occupational disease claims, and ‘no win, no fee’ approach.
Regional leaders also make the list: Osbornes Law is regularly commended for its London-based team focused on serious workplace injuries and fatalities, while Slater Gordon and Lanyon Bowdler are recognized across England and Wales for accessible, client-friendly support and robust track records in workplace claims.
These firms combine leading directory rankings, deep technical knowledge in workplace and industrial injury law, and a reputation for compassionate client care.
It is likely that having the advice, support and representation of a personal injury lawyer in this complex area of law will considerably improve your chances of claiming successfully following an accident at work.
Another reason why it is important to seek legal advice from a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible is the existence of strict time limits in respect of making a claim for compensation following your accident. The standard time limit for bringing a claim to court for such cases is three years, after which time it becomes ‘statute barred’, which essentially means you are no longer able to take legal action for any compensation to which you may be entitled.
3: Understand the accident claims process as best you can
Once you have the help of an experienced and specialist accident claims solicitor, they will take care of all of the legal issues and procedures for you. However, it will help if you have at least some understanding of how the process works, so that you always know what is going on.
At your workplace, you are of course always expected to behave sensibly and reasonably, but your employer also has a great deal of responsibility too. Under the law, all employers have a ‘duty of care’ to their employees and must ensure they are safeguarded at all times against workplace injuries and accidents, under what is known as the law of negligence.
There is also a wide range of regulations in place, designed to protect everyone, including employees, visitors and even contractors from the risks of any personal injury.
These regulations and laws include ‘The Workplace Regulations’, which cover things such as falls, trips and similar accidents, together with every physical aspect of your workplace such as doors, windows and even your workstation, such as a desk.
For many professions, there is a lot of physical work involved, which is where the ‘Manual Handling Regulations’ apply. It is not uncommon for people to be injured due to manual handling accidents in the workplace; this could including heavy lifting in a warehouse, or working with residents in a care home.
Need further help and advice?
As you can see, the area of law covering accidents at work and personal injury is not always straightforward. There are many different factors to take into account, and many things to consider.
With this in mind, you will almost always be better off with a solicitor who has expertise in accident claims and personal injury law.
If you need further help or advice, have questions that remain unanswered, or just need assistance with your legal issue, please do not hesitate to contact our editor Gavin Ward by email or by completing our online enquiry form.