Employers’ Liability Claims Solicitors for Bingley, Shipley, Keighley and the Airedale & Wharfedale Area
Contact our injury solicitors.
In short
An employers' liability claim lets an employee seek compensation when their employer's negligence causes injury or illness at work, for example through faulty equipment, poor training, unsafe systems of work or missing protective equipment. UK employers are legally required to hold employers' liability insurance, so claims are made against that insurance, not against the business directly. You typically have three years from the date of the accident to bring a claim, and you can claim while remaining in your job. Arma Law acts for employees across Bingley, Shipley, Saltaire, Otley, Ilkley, Menston, Guiseley, Harrogate, Skipton, Silsden and Keighley on a no win, no fee basis.
What Is an Employers' Liability Claim?
Every employer in the UK has a legal duty of care to protect the health, safety and welfare of their staff. When that duty is breached and an employee is hurt as a result, the employee has the right to bring an employers' liability claim.
This applies whether you work in an office, on a construction site, in a warehouse, in hospitality or in any other sector. Common examples we deal with include:
- Injuries caused by faulty, unguarded or poorly maintained machinery
- Manual handling injuries from lifting, carrying or repetitive strain
- Slips, trips and falls caused by hazards your employer failed to address
- Injuries caused by a lack of proper training or supervision
- Injuries caused by missing or inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Falls from height where safety equipment was not provided
- Exposure to harmful substances or noise leading to industrial illness
Employers Are Required by Law to Insure Against This
Under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969, almost every employer in the UK must hold employers' liability insurance covering a minimum of £5 million. This means that, in the vast majority of cases, your claim is made against your employer's insurer rather than against the business itself or a colleague personally. Many people worry that making a claim will cause financial harm to a small employer or get a colleague into trouble; in reality, the claim is handled and paid by the insurer.
It is unlawful for an employer to dismiss you, demote you or treat you unfairly for bringing a genuine employers' liability claim, and you are entitled to make a claim while you remain in your current role.
How the Claims Process Works
Free consultation
Tell us what happened. We assess whether you have grounds for a claim, with no cost and no obligation to proceed.
Evidence gathering
We collect accident book entries, witness statements, photographs, medical records and HSE or RIDDOR reports where relevant.
Claim submitted
We notify your employer's insurer and negotiate on your behalf, keeping you informed at every stage.
Compensation secured
Most claims settle without court proceedings. We pursue the compensation you are entitled to for your injury and losses.
Employers' Liability Solicitors Covering Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale & Harrogate
We act for employees injured at work throughout the district, including:
Wherever your workplace accident happened in West Yorkshire or North Yorkshire, our employers' liability claims solicitors can support you by phone, video call or in person by appointment at our Bingley office.
Employers' Liability Claims: Frequently Asked Questions
What is an employers' liability claim?
An employers' liability claim is a compensation claim made when an employee is injured or becomes ill because their employer failed in its legal duty to keep them reasonably safe at work. This covers accidents caused by faulty equipment, unsafe systems of work, inadequate training or missing protective equipment.
Can I claim if I still work for the same employer?
Yes. You can make an employers' liability claim while you are still employed by the same company, provided the claim is brought within three years of the date of the accident. Employers cannot lawfully dismiss or penalise you for making a genuine claim.
How long do I have to make an employers' liability claim?
In most cases you have three years from the date of the accident, or from the date you first became aware your illness was linked to your work, to start an employers' liability claim. Some industrial disease cases have different rules, so it is best to seek advice as early as possible.
Do all employers have to have employers' liability insurance?
Under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969, almost all UK employers are legally required to hold employers' liability insurance covering at least £5 million. This means your claim is made against the employer's insurer, not against the individual or the business's own funds.
How much compensation can I claim for a workplace accident?
Compensation depends on the severity of your injury, your recovery time, and any financial losses such as lost earnings, medical costs and future care needs. We assess each case individually and can give you a realistic estimate during your free consultation.
What if my accident was never reported to my employer at the time?
You can still make a claim even if the accident was not formally logged in the workplace accident book. We can help gather other evidence, such as witness statements, medical records and photographs, to support your case.