Introduction
It is important to report the details of any accident at work to your employer, who you report your accident to depends on:
- where you were working when you had it
- your ‘employment status’ – this means whether you’re an employee, a worker or self-employed
You can check your employment status on GOV.UK.
You can ask someone else to report your accident for you, if you can’t do it yourself.
Recording your accident in an accident book
If the company or organisation you reported your accident to has more than 10 employees, they must record it in an accident book. It’s a good idea to make sure it’s been done – you can ask your manager to check. Smaller organisations might still have an accident book, so it’s worth asking if your accident can be recorded.
If there isn’t an accident book, write down details of the accident and send it to your manager or the person you report to. Keep a copy for yourself.
Getting pay and benefits if you can’t work
Check your contract of employment to see if:
- you can get ‘contractual sick pay’ from your employer
- you have access to an employee assistance helpline or medical care
If you haven’t been given a contract or it doesn’t mention sick pay, ask your manager, or check your staff handbook or intranet.
If you’re an employee or agency worker you might get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for up to 28 weeks – check if you’re entitled to Sick Pay.
If you can’t get SSP, you might be able to claim Universal Credit or another New Style Employment & Support Allowance
If you get ill or injured at work, you might be able to claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB)
If you’re self-employed and you have income protection insurance you can make a claim. If you don’t have insurance, you may still be able claim New Style Employment & Support Allowance and/or Universal Credit
Making a personal injury claim
You might want to claim compensation for your injury if you think it’s your employer’s or client’s fault – though this can be complicated and take a long time.
If you’re a member of a trade union, contact your local representative or check their website for how to get in touch. They’ll help you decide what to do and might be able to come to meetings with your employer to support you.
It’s best to get legal advice as soon as possible if you want to make a claim, because there are time limits. Check how to get legal advice about claiming compensation for an injury.
Last Updated on June 2, 2026 by Ashford Advice