Work Accident Injury Compensation Claims For Loss Of Wages
In the 2022/23 financial year, 1.8 million working people suffered from a work-related illness, with a further 561,000 sustaining an injury at work. This amounted to 35.2 million working days lost due to work-related illness or injury in a single year – a figure which averages out at roughly two weeks off per affected individual.
Two weeks off per person might sound quite sustainable, given a savings cushion, but the reality of the matter is far more complex. Many injuries may not require as much time away from work, meaning those people can start earning again or simply use their sick leave to avoid losing wages at all. For other injuries, though, the recovery period can be much more significant, causing meaningful financial stress to those affected.
When it comes to making a compensation claim for an accident at work, you don’t simply claim for the injuries or illness sustained and the medical expenses involved. If applicable, you can also claim for loss of earnings, which could result in you receiving a payout to cover the wages you would have had if your injuries or illness hadn’t prevented you from working. This compensation can be a significant lifeline. For many, the pressure to return to work before you’re fully recovered can be great, as it can be the difference that allows you to continue paying your bills. However, returning to work early could exacerbate your injuries or cause further damage – and this could affect your career and health in the long term. It’s important, though, to realise that loss of earnings compensation doesn’t only apply to those who desperately need it in order to continue paying their rent or mortgage and put food on the table. Anyone who has sustained an injury at work that leads to time off – no matter what the injury – is eligible to receive compensation for the resultant loss of earnings.Where does the money come from when I claim for loss of earnings in the UK?
UK employers will have insurance that covers them in the event of workplace accident and injury. This is where your compensation comes from, and it helps to ensure that the company has sufficient funds to give you the compensation you deserve. Included within this is cover to pay out for loss of earnings. Depending on the kind of injury you sustain, you may be able to secure a greater payout for loss of earnings if your solicitor can prove that the time off work caused by your accident will make it harder for you to reenter the workforce. This is usually only the case for very serious injuries that mean you can’t work for a long time or that you can never return to work. For example, injuries to the back or head can be very serious, impacting your life significantly. These kinds of injuries typically take a longer time to heal, resulting in increased medical costs and loss of earnings. Because of this, you’re likely to receive a larger compensation award to make up for the loss.What evidence do I need to claim for loss of earnings after a workplace accident?
As with any injuries you’ve suffered, you’ll have to prove that you’ve lost out on earnings in order to receive compensation. Evidence that could be useful in doing this includes:- Any doctor’s notes or medical documentation advising you to not work during your recovery
- Previous payslips to demonstrate your usual level of earnings
- Any current payslips – for example, if you’ve had to reduce your working hours due to fatigue caused by your injuries, a current payslip would document that you’ve worked fewer hours
- Bank statements showing your previous and current income.