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How Long After an Accident at Work Can You Claim?

In England and Wales, you generally have three years from the date of your accident at work or from your date of knowledge to issue court proceedings.

In my experience, many people assume that reporting the accident or calling a solicitor stops the clock, but only issuing proceedings does. In this guide, I explain how to work out your own deadline and why it pays to act well before it arrives.

At a glance

  • Standard limit: three years from the date of the accident.
  • Gradual injuries: three years from your date of knowledge, which is when you knew, or reasonably should have known, that your injury was significant and linked to work.
  • Under 18 or lacking mental capacity: the three years does not start until your 18th birthday, or is paused until capacity is regained.
  • Fatal accidents: generally three years from the date of death.

What is the accident at work claim time limit?

The accident at work claim time limit is three years. Under Section 11 of the Limitation Act 1980, you generally have three years from the date of your accident or from your date of knowledge to bring a work injury claim.

What stops the clock

The deadline is met by issuing court proceedings, which means your solicitor files a claim form at court.

What does not stop the clock

  • Reporting the accident to your employer
  • Telling your employer’s insurer that you intend to claim
  • Instructing a work accident solicitor
  • Ongoing negotiations, unless a written agreement to pause the deadline has been reached

Each of these is a sensible step but none of them protects your claim on its own.

Why this matters

Most work accident claims settle without going to court, but the time limit still applies while negotiations continue. If the deadline passes before proceedings are issued, your claim may be barred, however strong it would otherwise have been. 

How do you work out your deadline?

Your deadline is the date three years after your clock starts, and what starts the clock depends on how you were injured. The table below shows how this works in practice. In each example, the deadline is the last date by which court proceedings need to be issued.

Situation When the clock starts Example Deadline
Sudden accident The date of the accident A fall from a ladder on 12 March 2026 12 March 2029
Gradual back injury Your date of knowledge Back pain builds over several years, and a GP links it to repeated lifting on 5 June 2026 5 June 2029
Hearing loss Your date of knowledge An audiology test confirms noise-induced hearing loss on 14 September 2026 14 September 2029
Injured under 18 Your 18th birthday Injured at 17 on 20 January 2026, born 4 September 2008 4 September 2029 (your 21st birthday)
Lacking mental capacity The clock is paused until capacity is regained A brain injury on 8 April 2023, with capacity regained on 1 March 2026 1 March 2029
Fatal accident Generally the date of death A worker dies on 22 June 2026 22 June 2029


These examples are illustrative only. They are not predictions of how any individual claim will be treated.

Why your real deadline is earlier than three years

The three-year limit is the last date to issue court proceedings, not the date to start thinking about a claim. Your personal injury solicitor typically has to investigate your claim and obtain medical evidence, then give the other side time to respond. That process can take months.

Many work accident claims follow the pre-action protocol for personal injury claims, although lower-value or disease claims may follow a different process. The table below outlines the typical process.

Stage Typical timescale
Instructing a solicitor and preparing the letter of claim Often several weeks
Defendant acknowledges the claim 21 days
Insurer investigates liability Up to three months
Medical evidence obtained Often several weeks to months
Negotiation Varies
Issuing proceedings, if needed Before your deadline

If someone only speaks to a solicitor close to the deadline, proceedings may be issued to protect the claim, with the court asked to extend time or pause the case while the pre-action steps are completed.

I would always encourage you to speak to a personal injury solicitor as early as you can, rather than treating the third anniversary as a target.

When does the clock start for injuries that develop gradually?

For injuries that develop gradually, the three-year rule generally runs from your date of knowledge rather than the date you were first exposed to the risk. Under Section 14 of the Limitation Act 1980, this is when you first knew that your injury was significant and that it was attributable to something someone else did or failed to do.

What may trigger your date of knowledge

Condition What may trigger your date of knowledge
Back injury at work A doctor links your back pain to repeated lifting, or your symptoms become serious enough that you reasonably seek advice
Repetitive strain injury A diagnosis connects your symptoms to repetitive tasks at work
Industrial deafness A hearing test shows noise-induced hearing loss
Vibration white finger A diagnosis links numb or white fingers to vibrating tools
Asbestos-related disease A diagnosis, such as mesothelioma or asbestosis, with the link to workplace exposure

Are there exceptions to the three-year limit?

Yes, but they apply only in specific circumstances, and each depends on the facts of your case.

If you were under 18

  • The rule: the three years does not start until your 18th birthday, giving you until you turn 21 to claim.
  • In the meantime: a parent or guardian can bring a claim on your behalf as a litigation friend.

If you lack mental capacity

  • The rule: the time limit typically does not run for as long as you lack the capacity to manage your own legal affairs.
  • If capacity is regained: the three years generally runs from that date.
  • In the meantime: a litigation friend can bring a claim.

If a loved one died

  • The rule: for fatal accident claims, the three years generally runs from the date of death.
  • Worth knowing: in some cases it may run from a later date of knowledge.

If you worked abroad or in the armed forces

  • Abroad: different rules may apply and time limits overseas may be shorter.
  • Armed forces: claims can raise their own considerations, so early advice on military compensation is worthwhile.

Can you still make a claim after three years?

Possibly, but it depends on your circumstances and you should not assume that you can.

If your injury developed gradually, your three years may run from your date of knowledge, as explained above. This is how some people are able to claim for an injury linked to work done many years ago.

The court’s discretion under Section 33

Even where the three years has passed, Section 33 of the Limitation Act 1980 allows the court to decide that a claim may still go ahead if it would be fair, or “equitable”, to allow it. The court weighs the effect on both sides and looks at all the circumstances, which may include:

  • The length of the delay and the reasons for it
  • Whether the evidence is less reliable because of the delay
  • How the defendant responded to reasonable requests for information
  • How promptly you acted once you knew you might have a claim
  • What medical, legal or other expert advice you sought

Can you claim for an accident at work?

You may be able to claim for an accident at work if your employer’s negligence caused or contributed to your injury.

  • Your employer’s duty of care: under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers must take reasonable steps to protect their employees. A claim typically depends on showing that they failed in that duty and that the failure caused your injury.
  • Who can claim: full-time, part-time, agency and former employees may all be able to claim, provided they are still within the time limit.
  • Being partly at fault: this does not necessarily bar a claim, although your compensation may be reduced to reflect your share of the responsibility.
  • Fault is needed: an accident alone is not enough, as there typically has to be fault.

To see what your injury may be worth, try our accident at work calculator.

What happens if you don’t report an accident at work?

Failing to report a work accident does not necessarily bar your claim, but it can make it harder to prove what happened and when. Without an early record, the other side may question your account.

RIDDOR versus your own report

Certain serious workplace incidents must be reported by your employer to the HSE under RIDDOR. That is your employer’s legal duty and is separate from your own report.

Telling your employer about your accident, and having it recorded in an accident book where there is one, is something you can do yourself.

What to do now

If you have not reported your accident, it is usually better to do so late than not at all:

  1. Report it in writing for example by email, and keep a copy.
  2. Ask for a late entry in the accident book. If there is no accident book, Citizens Advice suggests writing down the details and sending them to your manager.
  3. See your GP so that your accident and injuries are recorded in your medical records.
  4. Gather evidence such as photographs and witness contact details.

How do you claim for an accident at work?

Claiming for an accident at work typically follows these steps:

  1. Report the accident and get medical attention. Make sure the accident is recorded at work, and see a doctor so that your injuries are documented.
  2. Gather your evidence. Photographs, witness details, payslips and any accident report all help to show what happened and what it has cost you.
  3. Speak to a solicitor. A free initial assessment can tell you whether you may have a claim and most claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis.
  4. Your solicitor investigates. They typically send a letter of claim to your employer or its insurer, who then respond on whether they accept responsibility.
  5. Your injuries are assessed. An independent medical expert usually examines you and reports on your injuries and prognosis, which helps to value your claim.
  6. Your claim is negotiated. If the other side makes a fair offer, your claim may settle. If negotiations stall, your solicitor may need to issue court proceedings, and this has to happen before your deadline.

How long does an accident at work claim take?

How long your claim takes typically depends on how serious your injuries are and whether your employer accepts liability. As a general guide:

  • Straightforward claims: around 9 months, where liability is admitted and you have made a recovery.
  • Disputed liability or surgery: often 12 to 18 months, to allow time for treatment and a clear prognosis.
  • Serious or permanent injuries: 2 to 4 years, because settlement should not happen until the long-term impact is clear.
  • Industrial disease claims: often 3 to 4 years, as they rely heavily on medical evidence and historic records.

If court proceedings are needed, a claim may take longer.

Contact Nigel Askew Solicitors today

If you are unsure whether you are still within the time limit, one call can give you a clear answer. Tell us when and how you were injured, and we can advise on when your deadline may fall and what to do next.

When you call Nigel Askew Solicitors:

  • One senior solicitor handles your claim from the first call, so you are not passed between handlers.
  • We can explain how your date of knowledge or any exceptions might affect your time limit.
  • Most claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis, with no upfront cost.

Call us today on 01507 609027 for your free initial consultation. 

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Bulging Disc Compensation: How Much Can You Claim in 2026?

If you’ve been diagnosed with a bulging disc after an accident, you need a realistic figure, not a vague “it depends”. This guide sets out what the Judicial College Guidelines say and what moves your claim up or down within them.

For a quicker answer, try our back injury claim calculator for an instant estimate based on the type and severity of your injury.

How much are bulging disc compensation payouts in the UK?

Bulging disc compensation payouts in the UK range from £3,240 for a minor injury with a full recovery to £212,670 for the most severe cases involving spinal cord and nerve root damage. Where your claim falls within that range depends on how severe your injury is, whether a nerve is affected and how long your recovery takes.

The table below is based on the 18th edition Judicial College Guidelines (April 2026), the reference used by solicitors and courts across England and Wales to value disc injuries.

Injury Severity Compensation range
Severe (i) £120,340 to £212,670
Severe (ii) £97,980 to £116,820
Severe (iii) £51,230 to £92,130
Moderate £36,680 to £51,230
Minor (2 to 5 years) £16,520 to £36,680
Minor (under 2 years) £3,240 to £16,520

Source: Judicial College Guidelines, 18th Edition (April 2026)

These figures cover general damages only, which is compensation for your pain, suffering and loss of amenity. Your financial losses are calculated separately as special damages and added on top of general damages for your bulging disc compensation payout. 

Is a bulging disc the same as a herniated disc?

Often, yes. In everyday use and in many medical settings, “bulging disc”, “herniated disc”, “slipped disc” and “prolapsed disc” describe the same problem, where a spinal disc presses outwards and can irritate a nearby nerve. The NHS slipped disc page describes a slipped, prolapsed or herniated disc as the same condition.

Some clinicians draw a distinction. They treat a bulge as milder, where the disc’s outer wall stays intact, and a herniation as more serious, where the wall tears and the inner gel pushes through.

For your claim, the label matters far less than what the injury does to you. A valuation follows your symptoms, whether a nerve is affected and your prognosis. A bulging disc causing lasting nerve pain can be worth considerably more than a herniation that settles within months.

For more on how these injuries are valued, see our herniated disc guide.

What makes a bulging disc claim worth more?

Your bulging injury sits in one of the brackets above and a handful of factors decide whether it lands at the lower or upper end of the spectrum.

  • Nerve involvement. A bulge pressing on a nerve is often the single biggest factor, as sciatica or arm symptoms usually point to a worse prognosis and can move a claim towards “Severe”. See the NHS sciatica page.
  • Surgery. If surgery has been carried out or is recommended, your valuation typically rises, even if you decide against the operation.
  • Recovery time. The longer your symptoms last, the more your claim is typically worth. A recovery within two years is usually valued lowest and permanent symptoms are typically valued highest of all.
  • Age and occupation. These mainly affect your financial losses, since a younger claimant may face more years of lost earnings and an injury that ends a manual career can cost far more than one that allows a return to desk work.
  • Medical evidence. An independent expert’s report that shows a clear link between your symptoms and the accident may support a higher valuation

How much compensation for a bulging disc in the neck?

Compensation for a bulging disc in the neck typically ranges from £3,240 for a minor injury to £172,970 for the most severe cases. Where your claim falls usually depends on how long your symptoms last and whether a nerve is affected.

Injury Severity Compensation range
Minor £3,240 to £10,420
Moderate £33,020 to £50,850
Severe £86,870 to £172,970

Source: Judicial College Guidelines, 18th Edition (April 2026)

A bulging disc in the neck, known as a cervical disc injury, often produces different symptoms to one in the lower back. These may include:

  • Neck pain and stiffness, sometimes with headaches
  • Pain, numbness or tingling that travels into the shoulder, arm or hand
  • Weakness in the arm or a weaker grip

Arm symptoms usually indicate that a nerve is being pressed, which may place a claim in a higher bracket.

Bulging disc car accident compensation: what’s different?

Bulging disc car accident compensation is typically assessed in the same way as any other bulging disc claim but how the injury happens raises a few extra issues.

Force of impact and delayed symptoms

A collision can place sudden force on the spine and even a lower-speed impact may be enough to injure a disc. Symptoms may not appear straight away and can develop over days or weeks, so it is worth seeing a doctor promptly. An MRI scan is often needed to confirm the injury.

Fault and liability

Your compensation depends on showing that another driver was fully or partly to blame. Any share of fault attributed to you may reduce your award. You can estimate your injury’s value with our car accident claim calculator and our car accident solicitors can advise on liability.

The whiplash tariff and disc injuries

The government’s fixed whiplash tariff typically does not apply to a bulging disc. It covers soft tissue injuries lasting up to two years, such as sprains, tears of muscles, tendons and ligaments. A disc is not a muscle, tendon or ligament, so a bulging disc is usually valued separately under the Judicial College Guidelines.

If your bulging disc followed a car accident, call us on 01507 609027 for a free assessment of your claim.

Can you claim for a bulging disc at work?

You may be able to make a back injury at work claim for a bulging disc if your employer’s negligence caused or contributed to your injury. 

Employer duties on manual handling

Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, employers must avoid hazardous manual handling where reasonably practicable. Where they cannot, they must assess the risk and reduce it. A failure to do so may form the basis of a claim.

Common causes of workplace disc injuries

  • Lifting and carrying: heavy or awkward loads handled without training or equipment.
  • Repetitive movement: frequent bending, twisting or awkward postures over time.
  • Falls: from height or on the same level. If your fall happened in a public place rather than at work, see our slips, trips and falls page.

What else can you claim for?

Along with compensation for the injury itself, you may be able to claim for the financial losses your bulging disc has caused. These are known as special damages.

Financial losses you may be able to claim

  • Lost earnings: income lost while you are off work, and future earnings if your injury affects your ability to work.
  • Treatment costs: including private physiotherapy, medication, scans or surgery.
  • Care and assistance: help from family members or professional carers during your recovery.
  • Travel expenses: journeys to medical appointments and treatment.

How long do you have to make a claim?

You generally have three years to make a bulging disc claim, running from the date of the accident or your date of knowledge.

Date of knowledge

A bulging disc does not always cause symptoms straight away as some develop gradually through repeated strain. In those cases, the three years may run from your date of knowledge. This is the point at which you first realised your injury was significant and linked to someone else’s negligence, as set out in Section 14 of the Limitation Act 1980.

Exceptions

  • Under 18 at the time: the three years does not start until your 18th birthday, giving you until you turn 21 to claim.
  • Lacking mental capacity: no time limit applies until capacity is regained.

Speak to a back injury solicitor today

A bulging disc can leave you in constant pain and struggling to work, with no certainty that your claim will cover what you have lost. At Nigel Askew Solicitors, we help you pursue the maximum bulging disc compensation you may be entitled to.

  • One senior personal injury solicitor stays with your case from your first call through to settlement.
  • We have over 30 years of experience helping injured claimants recover maximum compensation.
  • We instruct independent medical experts and barristers where your case needs them, so your injury and prognosis are properly evidenced.
  • Most claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis and we can visit you at home if travel is difficult.

Call us today on 01507 609027 to talk through your bulging disc claim, with a free, no-obligation consultation.

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Special Damages: What Evidence Do You Actually Need to Prove Them?

If you’ve been injured and you’re starting to think about what your claim might be worth, you’ll quickly come across the term “special damages.” It sounds straightforward enough, but the real question most people actually need answered isn’t what it means, it’s what you’ll be asked to hand over to prove it.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly what evidence courts and insurers expect for each type of loss, why genuine claims sometimes get reduced anyway, and what to do if you’re missing some of the paperwork.

What are special damages in personal injury?

Special damages in personal injury claims are the financial losses caused by your injury, calculated separately from the compensation you receive for the injury itself. While general damages compensate you for your pain, suffering and loss of amenity, special damages put a figure on what your injury has actually cost you.

Unlike general damages, which are valued against the Judicial College Guidelines, special damages must be individually evidenced and reasonably attributable to your injury.

The most common categories include:

Special damages category What it covers
Lost earnings Wages or business income lost while you couldn’t work
Medical costs Treatment, prescriptions, private consultations and equipment
Travel expenses Journeys to medical appointments and treatment
Care and assistance Help provided by family, friends or professional carers
Property damage Repair or replacement of items damaged in the accident
Miscellaneous expenses Aids, adaptations and other reasonable costs linked to your recovery

Special damages vs general damages: what’s the difference?

The difference between special damages and general damages comes down to what each one compensates you for.

General damages compensate you for the injury itself, your pain, suffering and loss of amenity, valued against the Judicial College Guidelines. Special damages compensate you for the financial consequences of that injury, and unlike general damages, they must be individually proven with evidence.

General damages Special damages
What it covers Pain, suffering, loss of amenity Financial losses caused by the injury
How it’s valued Judicial College Guidelines Receipts, payslips and other evidence
Do you need evidence? Medical evidence of the injury Yes, for every individual loss claimed

You can get an instant estimate of your general damages using our personal injury claims calculator. Special damages are calculated separately and typically make up a significant part of your personal injury settlement figure.

What evidence do you need for each type of special damages?

Courts and insurers won’t take your word for a loss, however genuine it is. Each category of special damages needs its own supporting evidence and what counts as acceptable proof varies depending on what you’re claiming for.

Loss of earnings (employed claimants)

If you’re employed, proving lost earnings is usually the most straightforward category. You’ll typically need:

  • Payslips covering the period before and after your accident
  • Your employment contract
  • A P60 or similar annual earnings summary
  • Written confirmation from your employer of the dates you were absent
  • Evidence of any lost bonus, commission or overtime you would reasonably have earned

Loss of earnings (self-employed claimants)

Self-employment makes this category significantly harder to prove, since there’s no employer to confirm your absence or your usual income. You’ll typically need:

  • SA302 tax calculations or HMRC self-assessment summaries
  • Business accounts prepared by an accountant
  • Invoices issued both before and after the accident
  • Bank statements showing trading income
  • VAT returns, where applicable

Medical and treatment costs

  • Receipts and invoices for any private treatment
  • Prescription records
  • A GP or specialist letter confirming the treatment was medically necessary

Travel expenses

  • A mileage log for journeys to medical appointments
  • Fuel receipts
  • Parking receipts
  • Taxi receipts
  • Public transport tickets

Care and assistance

If family or friends have helped you with everyday tasks during your recovery (known as gratuitous care), it can be claimed as part of your special damages. You’ll need:

  • Medical evidence confirming that care was reasonably needed
  • A log of the hours provided and what the care involved
  • An hourly rate assessment, calculated using a professional care rate as a starting point, discounted by around 25% to reflect the fact that no tax or National Insurance was paid on it. As a rough guide, this typically works out at around £12 to £14 per hour, though it varies by region and the complexity of the care involved.

Property damage and miscellaneous expenses

  • Repair invoices or replacement receipts for damaged property
  • Evidence that any equipment or adaptations, such as mobility aids, were reasonably required as a result of your injury

What happens if you can’t fully evidence a loss?

Missing paperwork doesn’t automatically mean your personal injury claim fails. However, it does make your losses harder to prove. Where documentation is incomplete, particularly for self-employed loss of earnings, the courts may accept a reconstruction of your financial position instead.

This typically involves:

  • An accountant preparing a report based on the records that do exist
  • Averaging your income over several years to smooth out seasonal or year-to-year variation
  • Cross-referencing your figures against industry benchmarks where appropriate

Reconstructed evidence is generally accepted but it carries less weight than contemporaneous records.

Providing everything you have as early as possible, gaps and inconsistencies included, tends to work in your favour rather than against you:

  • Your solicitor can identify problems while there’s still time to fix them
  • The other side has less reason to dispute your claim later
  • Settlement is typically reached faster

Holding evidence back or scrambling to find it once a claim is already underway almost always slows down the claims process and may invite closer scrutiny.

Why might your special damages be reduced?

Even with airtight evidence, your final settlement can still be lower than expected. This usually comes down to benefit recoupment, one of the least understood parts of a claim.

If you received benefits such as ESA, Universal Credit or Incapacity Benefit because of your injury, the DWP can recover some of that from your compensation before it’s paid out. This is managed by the Compensation Recovery Unit, which tracks benefits paid as a result of an accident someone else caused.

The logic is simple: you shouldn’t be compensated twice for the same loss. Before your claim settles, the insurer must obtain a certificate showing your recoverable benefits and that amount goes directly to the DWP.

Two things are worth knowing:

  • It’s targeted, not blanket. A benefit like ESA is offset against your loss of earnings specifically, not against your general damages for pain and suffering.
  • It isn’t a red flag. It doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong or that your claim is being challenged, it’s simply how overlapping compensation and benefits are reconciled.

Your solicitor will factor this in when valuing your personal injury claim so there are no surprises once your settlement is agreed.

Can you get special damages before your claim settles?

Yes, through what’s known as an interim payment. Where the other side has admitted liability, you don’t have to wait for your entire claim to settle before receiving money for losses you’re already facing.

Serious injury claims can take years to resolve. An interim payment is an advance against your final settlement, calculated using the special damages you’ve already evidenced. So, if you’ve lost three months’ earnings, you can apply for that now rather than waiting for everything to be finalised together.

A few things worth knowing:

  • Liability needs to be clear. The other side must have admitted responsibility, or it must be obvious you’d win at trial.
  • There’s a cap. Courts generally limit an interim payment to around 80 to 90% of your likely minimum compensation, to avoid paying out more than you’ll ultimately be owed.
  • It’s not extra money. It’s deducted from your final settlement so you’re paid sooner, not twice.
  • It’s not taxable. Like the rest of your personal injury compensation, an interim payment isn’t subject to income tax.

If the other side refuses or offers too little, your solicitor can apply to the court under Civil Procedure Rule 25.7 for a payment order.

Illustrative example: how special damages add up in practice

The example below shows how the different categories of special damages combine in a real claim. It’s put together from stated assumptions about a self employed electrician who was unable to work for six months following a fall at work.

Category Basis Amount
Lost earnings Average monthly income of £3,200, evidenced through SA302 tax calculations and bank statements £19,200
Medical costs Private physiotherapy sessions and an MRI scan, evidenced through invoices and receipts £1,400
Travel expenses Mileage to 14 physiotherapy appointments and two hospital consultations, evidenced through a mileage log £180
Care and assistance Six weeks of help during recovery, 10 hours a week at £13 per hour, minus the standard 25% discount £585
Property damage Replacement cost of tools damaged in the fall, evidenced through receipts £340
Total special damages £21,705

This £21,705 figure is added to general damages for the injury itself. Together, they make up the full value of the personal injury claim.

Speak to a personal injury solicitor today

Getting special damages right takes more than listing your losses. It takes knowing what evidence will hold up, and gathering it before gaps become a problem. That’s the kind of detail we build into every personal injury claim from day one.

  • Your claim is led by one senior solicitor throughout, so nothing gets lost between handovers or repeated explanations.
  • We’ve spent over 30 years helping injured people recover what they’re genuinely owed.
  • Most claims handled on a No Win No Fee basis so there’s no upfront cost and nothing to pay if your claim doesn’t succeed

Call Nigel Askew Solicitors today on 01507 609027 and let’s talk through what your claim could genuinely be worth.

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Slipped and Herniated Disc at Work Compensation in 2026

Herniated disc at work compensation ranges from £3,240 for a minor injury to £212,670 for the most severe cases involving nerve root damage. These figures cover general damages only and come from the 18th edition Judicial College Guidelines.

Where your slipped disc compensation falls within that range depends on the severity of your herniation, whether a nerve is affected, and how long your recovery takes. Use our back injury claim calculator for an instant estimate based on your specific injury.

What is a herniated disc and is it different from a slipped disc?

A herniated disc happens when one of the soft, rubbery cushions between the bones in your spine gets damaged. This can happen suddenly or develop gradually through repeated strain over months or years.

A herniated disc, slipped disc and prolapsed disc are all names for the same injury. There is no clinical difference between them. For more information on the condition, see the NHS guide to slipped discs.

Herniated discs are generally categorised by how far the disc material has moved:

  • Protrusion: the inner gel presses against the outer wall of the disc but the wall itself remains intact
  • Extrusion: the inner gel breaks through the outer wall but is still connected to the parent disc
  • Sequestration: a fragment of disc material breaks away completely and is no longer connected

The more advanced the herniation, the more likely it is to press on surrounding nerves. This in turn has a direct bearing on both your symptoms and your compensation.

How much for herniated disc at work compensation?

Herniated disc compensation ranges from £3,240 for a minor injury with a full recovery, to £212,670 for the most severe cases involving spinal cord and nerve root damage.

The compensation figures below are based on the 18th edition Judicial College Guidelines (published April 2026). This is the same reference used by solicitors and courts across England and Wales to value herniated, prolapsed and slipped disc injuries.

Severity Compensation Range What this covers
Severe (i) £120,340 – £212,670 Spinal cord and nerve root damage, incomplete paralysis
Severe (ii) £97,980 – £116,820 Significant permanent damage, impaired mobility
Severe (iii) £51,230 – £92,130 Fractured discs or vertebrae, chronic pain
Moderate £36,680 – £51,230 Disc lesions with a substantial risk of osteoarthritis
Minor (recovery 2–5 years) £16,520 – £36,680 Disc prolapse with lasting symptoms
Minor (recovery under 2 years) £3,240 – £16,520 Full or near-full recovery expected

These figures above cover general damages only, which relates to compensation for your pain, suffering and loss of amenity.

For the full range of back injury brackets beyond disc-specific claims, see our back injury at work compensation guide.

How is compensation calculated for a slipped disc?

Compensation for a slipped disc claim is made up of two elements: general damages and special damages. Both form part of the same claim, and knowing what each one covers helps you understand where your final figure actually comes from.

General damages

General damages reflect the personal impact your slipped disc has had on you. This covers:

  • The physical pain of the herniation itself, from the initial injury through to your ongoing recovery
  • Any psychological impact, such as anxiety or low mood linked to chronic pain or reduced mobility
  • Loss of amenity or everyday activities you can no longer manage because of the injury

Special damages

Special damages cover the financial losses your slipped disc has caused. This typically include:

  • Past and future loss of earnings if your injury has stopped you working or affected the type of work you can do
  • Physiotherapy, spinal injections or surgery costs
  • Prescription and other treatment expenses
  • Travel to and from medical appointments
  • Care and assistance provided by family members during your recovery
  • Home adaptations where mobility has been permanently affected

Why nerve involvement changes your compensation bracket

Whether your herniated disc is pressing on a nerve is often the single biggest factor separating a moderate claim from a severe one.

When a disc herniates in the lower spine, it can press against the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica: pain that radiates from the lower back through the buttock and down the leg, sometimes with numbness, tingling or weakness. You can read more about the condition on the NHS sciatica page.

Nerve involvement can change the medical picture significantly:

  • Without nerve involvement: a disc injury often resolves with rest and physiotherapy within months.
  • With nerve involvement: the prognosis is typically worse, with a higher likelihood of permanent symptoms and often a need for ongoing pain management or surgery.

These are the factors an independent medical expert evaluates when assessing the severity of your slipped disc injury. Nerve involvement is what typically pushes a claim from the Moderate bracket into Severe (iii) or Severe (ii), rather than the presence of the herniation alone.

Two people can suffer what looks like the same slipped disc. Yet they can settle for very different amounts. One recovers fully. The other is left with lasting nerve damage.

What causes a herniated disc at work?

The most common cause of a herniated disc at work is improper heavy lifting, especially when combined with twisting or bending the spine.

The main causes we see include:

  • Improper lifting to carry heavy loads
  • Twisting while lifting or carrying objects
  • Prolonged sitting at the desk
  • Repetitive strain from repeating bending

Poor workstation ergonomics, whole-body vibration from operating machinery, and natural wear and tear from age or excess body weight can also increase the risk of a herniated disc from work.

Employers have specific legal obligations to prevent these risks. Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, your employer must:

  • Avoid hazardous manual handling tasks wherever reasonably practicable
  • Assess the risk of any manual handling that cannot be avoided
  • Reduce that risk as far as reasonably practicable, including through training and lifting equipment

A failure to meet any of these three duties is one of the strongest grounds for a slipped disc compensation claim.

Average payout for herniated disc – Illustrative examples

The average payout for a herniated disc varies significantly depending on the severity of the injury and the financial losses involved. The three examples below illustrate that range, showing how general damages and special damages combine in practice.

Example 1: Warehouse operative with a herniated disc and sciatica

General damages: £51,230 – £92,130
Special damages: lost earnings to date £18,000, future loss of earning capacity £85,000, care and assistance £6,000, treatment and travel £3,500 (£112,500)
Potential claim value: approximately £163,730 – £204,630

Example 2: Office worker with a herniated disc from a fall

General damages: £16,520 – £36,680
Special damages: lost earnings to date £4,200, treatment and travel £1,800 (£6,000)
Potential claim value: approximately £22,520 – £42,680

Example 3: Delivery driver with a disc prolapse

General damages: £5,750 – £16,520
Special damages: lost earnings to date £2,100, treatment costs £900 (£3,000)
Potential claim value: approximately £8,750 – £19,520

These figures are illustrative only. The only way to know the true value of your claim is through a proper assessment with a back injury at work solicitor. Call us on 01507 609027.

How do I prove my herniated disc happened at work?

Proving your herniated disc happened at work depends on building a clear evidential link between the injury and the incident that caused it. You will generally need the following:

  1. Medical records: seek medical attention promptly, even if your symptoms initially seem minor
  2. Accident book entry: report the incident to your employer as soon as possible
  3. Witness details: names and contact details of anyone who saw what happened
  4. Risk assessment and training records: evidence of whether your employer properly assessed the manual handling task and trained you to carry it out safely

Disc injuries carry a particular evidential challenge. A herniation is not always visible on initial examination, and MRI or CT imaging is often needed to confirm the diagnosis and link it clearly to the accident.

With this being the case, prompt and thorough medical evidence is essential to support a genuine slipped disc at work claim.

How long do you have to claim for a slipped disc at work?

You generally have three years to make a herniated disc at work claim, running from the date of the accident or your date of knowledge.

For a herniated disc that developed gradually, the three year rule runs from your date of knowledge. This is the point at which you first realised your symptoms were significant and linked to your work. This is set out under Section 14 of the Limitation Act 1980.

Two exceptions extend this period. If you were under 18 at the time, the three years does not start until your 18th birthday, giving you until you turn 21 to claim. For those lacking mental capacity, no time limit applies until capacity is regained.

Can you still work with a herniated disc?

Many people with a herniated disc can continue working, often with temporary adjustments, though this depends entirely on your role and the severity of any nerve involvement.

Your GP can issue a fit note confirming what you can and cannot do during your recovery. If you need time off, you may be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay while you recover.

Your employer should also consider reasonable adjustments to help you stay in work or return sooner, including:

  • Reduced hours while your symptoms settle
  • Altered duties that avoid heavy lifting or prolonged bending
  • Ergonomic changes to your workstation or equipment
  • A phased return, gradually increasing your hours and responsibilities over time

If you can return to your previous role within a reasonable timeframe, your loss of earnings is limited to that recovery period. If you cannot, and your injury permanently affects your ability to do your job, future loss of earning capacity becomes a major component of your total herniated disc compensation claim.

Slipped disc compensation – FAQs

Yes, many people can continue working with a herniated disc, often with temporary adjustments such as reduced hours or altered duties. Whether you can return to your previous role affects the value of your claim, since it determines how much you can claim for lost earnings and future earning capacity.

There is no difference. Herniated disc, slipped disc and prolapsed disc are all names for the same injury, where the soft centre of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in its outer layer.

A herniated disc claim typically takes 9 to 18 months where liability is accepted and your injuries have stabilised. Claims involving surgery or nerve damage can take 2 to 4 years, since settlement should never happen before your long-term prognosis is clear.

Yes, you can still claim for a herniated disc that developed gradually through repeated manual handling or poor working conditions. The three-year time limit runs from your date of knowledge, the point at which you first linked your symptoms to your work, rather than from any single incident.

No, surgery is not required to make a slipped disc claim. If surgery is recommended, this increases your compensation because it reflects the objective severity of your injury, even if you choose not to proceed with the operation.

Speak to our back injury solicitors today

Your slipped disc at work compensation claim deserves more than a call centre and a case number. When you call Nigel Askew Solicitors, you get direct access to the expertise and dedication needed to secure the maximum compensation you deserve.

  • A senior solicitor handles your case personally from your first call to final settlement.
  • Over 30 years experience recovering compensation for injured workers across England and Wales.
  • We work with independent medical experts and barristers to build the strongest possible case and maximise your award.
  • Most claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis, with home visits available if your injuries make travel difficult.

Call Nigel Askew Solicitors today on 01507 609027 for your free, no-obligation consultation.

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How Much Compensation for a Back Injury at Work in 2026?

Back injury at work compensation ranges from £3,240 for a minor strain to £212,640 for severe spinal damage causing permanent disability. Use our free back injury claim calculator to receive an instant estimate in under 30 seconds.

These figures come from the 18th edition Judicial College Guidelines, published April 2026, and cover the injury alone. Special damages, including lost earnings, care and treatment costs, are added on top and typically add significant amounts to your back injury compensation figure.

What is the average payout for a back injury at work?

Most back injury at work payouts fall between £3,240 and £51,220, with the majority of claims settling in the minor and moderate brackets.

Severe injuries involving spinal cord damage or permanent disability reach £212,640. Your position in that range depends on how long you take to recover and whether the injury leaves lasting symptoms.

Your payout is calculated on the unique circumstances that resulted in your back injury, not on an average. The range covers a lifting strain that clears up in three months and a spinal injury that ends someone’s working life, so an average of the two describes nobody’s claim.

Back injury compensation amounts in 2026

Back injury at work compensation is valued using the Judicial College Guidelines, which is the same framework used by solicitors and courts when assessing the injury across England and Wales.

Severity Compensation range What this covers
Minor £3,240 to £16,520 Strains, sprains and soft tissue damage. Symptoms settle within five years and you return to your normal duties.
Moderate £16,520 to £51,220 Disc injuries, spinal fusion and persistent back pain. Lasting discomfort and restricted movement that limits mobility, and usually means a permanent change to the work you can do.
Severe £51,220 to £212,640 Spinal cord and nerve root damage, chronic pain and permanent disability. Significant loss of function and in the most serious cases a need for lifelong care.

Figures taken from the 18th edition Judicial College Guidelines (published April 2026).

These amounts only cover general damages. Lost earnings, care and treatment costs are calculated separately and added on top.

Associated injuries

Back injuries at work rarely happen on their own. A fall, a lifting incident or a crush injury often damages the neck and shoulder at the same time, and each injury is valued separately before the total is assessed.

Injury Minor Moderate Severe
Neck £3,240 to £10,420 £33,020 to £50,850 £86,870 to £172,970
Shoulder £3,240 to £10,430 £10,430 to £16,870 £25,370 to £63,450

If you suffered more than one injury in the same accident, call Nigel Askew Solicitors today on 01507 609027 and we will explain how they are valued together.

Why is the bracket not your final back injury settlement?

The JCG brackets only cover general damages, compensation for pain, suffering and loss of amenity. They do not cover special damages, the financial losses your injury has caused you.

For a working-age claimant, these financial losses frequently exceed the injury award itself, sometimes by a significant margin.

Special damages can include:

  • Lost earnings: income lost between the accident and settlement
  • Future earning capacity: the impact on your ability to earn if you cannot return to your previous role
  • Care and assistance: help provided by family members or professional carers during your recovery
  • Treatment and rehabilitation: physiotherapy, surgery and other medical costs
  • Travel: journeys to medical appointments and treatment
  • Home or vehicle adaptations: changes needed where mobility is permanently affected

Back injury at work compensation – Illustrative examples

The three examples below show how this plays out in practice. They are built from verified JCG 18th edition figures and combined with stated assumptions about lost earnings and care.

Example 1: Warehouse operative with a disc injury

A warehouse operative suffers a serious disc injury in a manual handling accident and is unable to return to manual work.

  • General damages: approximately £51,230 – £92,130 (back injury causing chronic permanent symptoms).
  • Special damages: lost earnings to date of £22,000, future loss of earning capacity of £95,000, care and assistance of £8,500, plus treatment and travel costs of £4,200 (£129,700).
  • Potential claim value: approximately £180,930 – £221,830.

Example 2: Care worker with chronic lumbar strain

A care worker suffers a chronic lumbar strain lifting a patient and returns to lighter duties after treatment.

  • General damages: approximately £36,680 – £51,230 (back injury causing serious permanent symptoms).
  • Special damages: lost earnings to date of £9,500, future loss of earning capacity of £18,000, care and assistance of £3,000, plus treatment and travel costs of £2,100 (£32,600).
  • Potential claim value: approximately £69,280 – £83,830.

Example 3: Driver with a fractured vertebra

A delivery driver suffers a fractured vertebra in a road traffic accident and makes a full recovery within two years.

  • General damages: approximately £5,750 – £10,420 (back injury recovering in up to two years).
  • Special damages: lost earnings to date of £3,200, care and assistance of £750, plus treatment and travel costs of £1,100 (£5,050).
  • Potential claim value: approximately £10,800 – £15,470.

How is back injury at work compensation calculated?

Back injury compensation starts with the Judicial College Guidelines, but the bracket only sets the boundaries. What decides where your claim falls within it is everything a back injury at work solicitor uncovers about your specific case.

Key factors that determine your compensation include:

  • Severity of the injury: this determines which bracket applies in the first place. A soft tissue strain, a disc herniation and nerve root damage sit in entirely different brackets, regardless of how the accident happened.
  • Length of your recovery: this is the single biggest driver of value within each tier. A three-month recovery and a three-year recovery sit at opposite ends of the same bracket, even with an identical initial diagnosis.
  • Your age when injured: future loss of earnings and care runs for longer in a younger claimant, so two people with the same injury can receive very different totals once special damages are added.
  • What you earned before: and whether you can return to the same role. The same injury can carry a very different value depending on your occupation, because it’s your loss of earning capacity that gets valued, not just the injury itself.
  • Strength of medical evidence: the independent expert’s prognosis effectively sets your bracket.
  • Any share of the blame: contributory negligence reduces your award by your percentage of fault. Being found 20% responsible, for example, reduces a £50,000 claim to £40,000.
  • Psychological impact: factors such as anxiety, depression or PTSD linked to the injury are compensated alongside the physical damage and can meaningfully increase the total award.

For an estimate tailored to your specific injury, use our back injury claim calculator.

What are the most common causes of back injuries at work?

Back injuries are the most common work-related musculoskeletal disorder in Great Britain. HSE figures for 2024/25 record 511,000 workers suffering from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder, with 7.1 million working days lost. The back accounts for 43% of these cases, ahead of the upper limbs and neck at 41%.

How your back injury happened determines what your employer was required to do to prevent it and how straightforward that failure is to prove.

Manual handling and heavy lifting

The single biggest cause. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 require employers to avoid hazardous lifting, assess the risk where they cannot, and reduce it as far as reasonably practicable. Liability usually turns on paperwork: the risk assessment, your training records, and whether lifting aids were provided and working.

Slips, trips and falls

Falls leave the clearest evidence of any cause: a date, an accident book entry, often witnesses or CCTV. Falls from height, on stairs, or platforms fall under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and are among the most common causes of spinal injury on construction sites. Values tend to run higher because the impact may cause fractures and disc damage rather than gradual strains.

Workstation and ergonomic injuries

These claims rely on your employer’s Display Screen Equipment (DSE) assessment and any adjustments requested and refused. Because symptoms build gradually with no single triggering incident, liability is harder to establish and depends heavily on documented complaints and occupational health referrals over time.

Vibration and vehicle operation

Whole body vibration from HGVs, tractors, forklifts and heavy plants causes cumulative spinal damage. Employers must assess exposure under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 and act on health surveillance findings. These claims rely on occupational health records and exposure data.

Defective or unsuitable equipment

Where equipment forces you into an awkward position, or a lifting aid fails, your employer’s duty to provide suitable work equipment is engaged. Faulty pallet trucks, broken hoists in care settings and unsuitable seating are all common causes, and we handle claims arising from all of them.

How long after a back injury at work can I claim?

You have three years to make a back injury claim, running from the date of the accident or your date of knowledge.

For gradual back injuries, such as those caused by repetitive strain or long-term vibration exposure, the three years runs from your date of knowledge rather than the date you were first exposed to the cause. This is the date you first realised your symptoms were significant and linked to your work, as set out under Section 14 of the Limitation Act 1980.

Two exceptions extend this period:

  • Under 18 at the time: the three years does not start until your 18th birthday, giving you until you turn 21 to claim
  • Lacking mental capacity: no time limit applies until capacity is regained

Back injury at work compensation – FAQs

An injury at work claim typically takes 9 to 18 months where liability is accepted and your injuries have stabilised. Straightforward soft tissue claims can settle in around 9 months, while claims involving surgery or disputed liability commonly take 12 to 18 months. Severe or permanent injuries can take 2 to 4 years. Cases proceeding through the courts follow the process set out in the Civil Procedure Rules.

To prove a back injury at work, you need medical records, an accident book entry, photographs of the scene, witness details, and payslips to support any loss of earnings. Because back injuries can develop gradually and disc injuries often only show on MRI or CT imaging, thorough medical evidence is very important. NHS guidance on back pain explains how symptoms and diagnosis typically progress.

You can claim compensation for a work-related back injury as soon as it happens, provided your employer's negligence caused or contributed to it. You then have three years from the date of the accident or your date of knowledge to formally start your claim. Acting early gives you the strongest possible position.

No, you cannot legally be dismissed for suffering an injury at work or for making a genuine compensation claim against your employer. Doing so would amount to automatic unfair dismissal under the Employment Rights Act 1996, giving you a separate legal claim in addition to your injury claim. Your compensation is typically paid by your employer's liability insurance, not the business itself, so your job is protected throughout the process.

Start your back injury at work claim today

Your back injury claim deserves more than a call centre and a case number. When you call Nigel Askew Solicitors, you get direct access to a senior personal injury solicitor, focused on helping you secure the maximum compensation you deserve.

  • A senior solicitor handles your case from your first call to final settlement, not a rotating team of junior handlers.
  • Over 30 years recovering compensation for injured people across Lincolnshire, with the track record to prove it.
  • We work with independent medical experts and barristers to build the strongest possible case and maximise your award.
  • Every claim is handled on a No Win No Fee basis, with home visits available if your injuries make travel difficult.

Call Nigel Askew Solicitors today on 01507 609027 for your free, no-obligation consultation.

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Serious Road Traffic Accidents in Lincolnshire

Some 12 months have passed since our last blog post about Serious Road Traffic Accidents in Lincolnshire.

Over the past year, we have been contacted by literally dozens of individuals and families who have either been directly involved in road accidents themselves, or who were sadly enquiring on behalf of family members seriously or fatally injured in road accidents.

Having lived and worked in Lincolnshire our whole lives, we are passionate about providing the people of Lincolnshire with the best possible legal advice and customer care we possibly can. If you or a member of your family have been seriously injured in a non-fault car accident on Lincolnshire’s network of roads and would like to make a claim for compensation then please contact our road accident specialists to discuss a claim.

You can speak to us by calling 01507 609027.

Serious Road Accidents on Lincolnshire’s Roads

The number of accidents on our roads continues to rise, despite several speed awareness campaigns and changes to road layouts.

Speed limit cuts on dangerous Lincolnshire roads  

We are pleased to report that two Lincolnshire roads are due to have their speed limits cut from 40mph to 30mph, after fears were raised that someone could be killed.

The stretch of A52 through Huttoft to Langrick will change because the mean speed on the road was over 33mph, enough to justify a speed change.

Over the last 3 years, there have been multiple accidents where the speed limit is in place, so reducing the speed limit should be viewed as a welcome sign to local residents and the wider Lincolnshire community.

Back in April 2021, the entire county was encouraged to display bumper stickers #slowDownInLincolnshire, as part of a campaign to save lives on our county’s roads.

2021 Road Accident Stats Released

Lincolnshire police released official figures that stated 41 people were killed on our county’s roads in 2021. Of the 41 fatalities:

  • 22 were drivers of cars
  • 6 were car passengers
  • 10 motorcyclists aged between 27 and 70
  • 1 cyclist
  • 2 pedestrians

The number of injuries and deaths on Lincolnshire’s roads have been described as “stubbornly stuck” by road policing teams.

Lincolnshire police is now re-establishing road policing teams in 2022, with 18 police constables and 2 sergeants and new vehicles operating out of Grantham and Louth in the hope to slow vehicles down and reduce the number of accidents, injuries and fatalities that happen on our roads.

Take Care Driving in Wintry Conditions

A recent survey carried out by HeyCar revealed that Lincolnshire has one of the most treacherous network of roads during the winter months, ranking second only to Kent in the entire UK.

Some 1606 accidents took place on icy and wintery roads in Lincolnshire between 2015 and 2020, with the study showing 333 casualties originating from these incidents. This gives an average of 321 accidents per year during wintery conditions.

Take care when driving in wintery conditions, especially if roads have not been gritted.

Road Accident Solicitors Lincolnshire

We have over 20 years of experience in successfully winning serious road accident claims on behalf of the people of Lincolnshire, involved in serious road accidents.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a road accident, you may be able to claim financial compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering and any loss of earnings you have suffered as a result of the accident.

From our offices in central Louth in Lincolnshire, we offer all new serious road traffic accident claim enquiries in Lincolnshire a free initial consultation where we discuss the merits of your case. Call our Lincolnshire Road Accident Solicitors today on 01507 609027.

You can read more about Serious Road Traffic Accidents in Lincolnshire and how to claim compensation by clicking here.

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The Rise of Electric Scooters – Electric Scooter Injury Concerns

Since 2018, sales of electric scooters in the UK have sky rocketed. Their popularity has grown exponentially, with sales figures growing by over 300% year on year. With more and more electric scooters on the road, the likelihood serious electric scooter injury claims is increasing.

In Lincolnshire, the rise in popularity of electric scooters has been clear for us all to see. It’s not uncommon to see electric scooters whizzing in and out of pedestrians in our town centres and pulling up next to cars on the surrounding roads.

But are electric scooters a viable and safe alternative to cars or bicycles? We take a look in this month’s blog.

So, why are electric scooters so popular?  

Sales of electric scooters in the UK began to grow 2017.  Until recently, the use of electric scooters was considered as recreational but their use in the UK is evolving, and quickly.

Electric scooters are big business.  Cities around the world, particularly in the US in San Francisco and in LA, use electric scooters in a similar way London uses “Boris Bikes”. Companies such as “Bird” and “Lime” reported up to 11.5 million rides in the 12 months following their launch in 2017.

Electric scooters are cheap to run, produce almost zero carbon emissions and are seen as trendy. Analysts predict by 2030, the global electric scooter market will be valued at between 300 to 500 billion dollars.

Are they even allowed on our roads?

The UK is way behind other countries when it comes to allowing the use of electric scooters on our roads. The use of electric scooters here is very much a work in progress.

It is currently illegal for privately owned electric scooters to be used on our public highways and on the pavement, under section 72 of the Highway Act 1835. Local Police Forces from around the country have issued thousands of fines and seized hundreds of electric scooters from those flouting this rules.

However, the Department for Transport launched a rental trial in May 2020 to explore the impact of electric scooters on our roads. The scheme allows local authorities and private companies to rent electric scooters, in line with government guidance. The Transport Committee fast tracked the trials, which were due to start in 2021 but were brought forward to see if they were a viable solution to socially distanced commuting in our cities, suburbs and towns. The trials were to see what impact electric scooters had on other road users, pedestrians, overall safety and the environment.

The Government imposed a maximum speed limit for the e-scooter rental trials of 15.5mph.  Local authorities have been given the responsibility to ensure anti-social behaviour is dealt with accordingly, as clearly the use of electric scooters in busy town centres is asking for trouble. The government will be monitoring collisions during the trials to determine future insurance requirements.

So where are the trials now?

These trials around the UK are in full force.

The scheme in Bristol for example, has launched a second trial which is exploring leasing electric scooters to people for a monthly fee. The scheme will be open to anyone who lives in the West of England Combined Authority area, which includes Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North Somerset. This is the second stage of the pilot scheme, which allows scooters to be legally ridden on the roads of Bristol and Bath.

Until recently, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, London, was the only place in the UK where a rental e-scooter could be used legally.

The first 12-month trial is also up and running in Middlesbrough, with the hope that 500 electric scooters will be made available across the Tees Valley, mostly aimed at commuters.

How safe is it to ride an electric scooter?

Electric scooters are not toys and should not be underestimated. They can reach speeds of up to 30mph, albeit the pilot rental schemes have limited the top speed to 15.5mph.

Electric scooters have small wheels and limited protection compared to cars. They no side protection in the form of doors or a roof and obviously no airbags, so any accident at these high speeds could lead to very serious injuries for the scooter rider.

Other factors to consider is that electric scooters are less visible to other road users, even less so than cyclists that often wear high visibility clothing. Then there are potholes in the road, speed bumps and even extreme weather conditions to consider which could cause you to lose control of your scooter.

Anyone that decides to ride an e-scooter should be extremely cautious and understand the very real risks involved and for the safety of the electric scooter rider and other road users, should be an existing and competent road user.

So what’s next for electric scooters in the UK?

Despite their popularity, the use of privately owned electric scooters remains illegal on our roads.

Until the government and local authorities have finished their trials, we won’t know what the future holds.

What to do if you have an accident?

The solicitors are Nigel Askew Solicitors specialise in serious injury claims resulting from road traffic accidents.

If you have sustained an electric scooter injury or if you are a road user that has been involved in an accident with an electric scooter then contact us today.  Our specialists will be happy to advise you on your legal position and if you have sustained injuries in the accident then we can advise you on a personal injury claim.

Call us on 01507 609027 or complete the enquiry form on this page.

For more information about Electric Scooter Injury claims, click here.

 

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Army Client Awarded £146,000 NFCI Compensation

UK Military

We recently acted for a member of the Armed Forces in a claim for a non-freezing cold injury. Our client developed a NFCI in the Army and contacted us to help him with a compensation claim.

If you have been diagnosed with a non-freezing cold injury and would like to make a claim for compensation, please contact us today and our solicitors will be able to help get your claim up and running. Call us on 01507 609027 or complete an online enquiry using the form on this page.

Army NCFI Compensation

We were contacted in 2017 by a client that had been exposed to prolonged periods of cold and wet weather during his employment in the Army.

Upon joining the Army, he underwent 6 months of training during several week long exercises in North Yorkshire. He was provided with ill-fitting and non-water proof boots. During his various training exercises the weather conditions were extremely cold and the area was covered under a blanket of snow. He remembered that during one particular exercise that he carried out he was patrolling, on stag and attacks and was constantly outside. Because of the snow it was impossible to keep his feet dry for any length of time and when it rained, his lack of waterproof boots meant his socks and feet would become completely soaked. He was unable to change into dry boots as he was only issued with one pair. He remembered feeling like his hands and feet were numb and described the sensation of walking as if he was “walking on stumps”. He was so cold that he was “not strictly with it”. His hands and feet were numb for the whole exercise and when he mentioned it to the Corporal in charge, he was told to simply warm his hands up in a dismissive way. When he got back to camp and took a hot shower his feet went red with pins and needles and stinging.

On another exercise in Scotland, he was sleeping outside under a poncho, where the terrain had ice on the ground. He remembered struggling to be able to fire his weapon and felt unstable on his feet.

On another exercise in the Brecon Beacons, he felt like both of his feet and hands were completely numb and he struggled to carry out even the most basic of tasks. When trying to warm up, he would experience a stinging sensation which caused severe pain. His feet were so numb they felt like they weren’t even there.

3 years after he joined the Army his symptoms were almost constant, though exacerbated by cold weather.  He reported his symptoms to the MoD twice during his service.

Over the course of the next 2 years, he was regularly exposed to similar conditions until he could no longer carry out his duties and was medically discharged.

After he was discharged he felt totally cast aside and unprepared for civilian life. Before he joined the Army he had trained as an electrician but could not work outside due to the cold conditions making his injuries worse.  He now works part time in a bar, earning far less than he had in the Army and if he had been able to work as an electrician.

The MoD initially responded to the claim to deny liability, however eventually agreed to a joint settlement meeting at which a compensation award of over £146,000 was agreed.

Contact Nigel Askew Solicitors today

If this example of our client’s non-freezing cold injury resonates with you, we urge you to contact us to discuss a claim.

We offer all new clients a free and no obligation consultation, during which we will discuss your injury and the circumstances that may have contributed to your condition.

Call us today on 01507 609027 and one of our friendly solicitors will be happy to speak to you.

For further information about Army NFCI Compensation claims, click here

To read about this claim in more detail, click here.

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Winter Road Safety Tips for Lincolnshire

Winter is already upon us in Lincolnshire but as temperatures fall and the hours of darkness increase, driving conditions are likely to get considerably worse over the next few months for us.

Our latest blog post looks at what we can do to stay safe and reduce the risk of road accidents.

Winter driving – 5 simple pieces of advice and winter driving tips

1 Give more warning

Due to wet and wintery conditions, stopping distances are greater than during summer months so it is recommended that you give other road users more warning than usual when indicating to turn on or off at a junction, when braking and when pulling out.

2 Check your brakes

Your brakes are vital during the winter months. It’s important to know if your vehicle has anti-locking brakes and if not, know how to pump the brake pedal slowly to prevent the wheels from locking up and skidding if you need to slow down suddenly.

3 Beware of ice and snow

Be aware of your driving conditions, especially if the roads are icy or treacherous.  In ice and snow, you should triple your usual braking distances, using a lower gear to help you slow down and gently apply your brakes.

4 Use higher gears

To prevent wheel spin, which is especially dangerous when pulling out onto roads from being stationary, set off using a higher gear for more control. You should avoid using first gear at all, if possible.

5 Control skidding

Skidding can be extremely dangerous and the natural reaction of any driver is to slam on the brakes. However, many advanced driving instructors claim that in skidding situations, the best thing to do is to stay calm and not to brake or accelerate, but to steer the vehicle to safety.

Other winter driving tips

Items recommended you have in your car during the winter months include:

  • Phone charger
  • Warning triangle and high visibility vest
  • Spare warm clothing, like a jacket and gloves
  • A powerful torch or head-lamp
  • Tow ropes
  • Mobile car battery charger
  • Multi-pack of drinking water
  • shovel

Take care this winter and festive season

Take care when driving this winter and over the coming weeks if you are visiting family for Christmas by car.

If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident, please call us on 01507 609027 and we will do our best to help you claim compensation for your injuries.

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Lincolnshire Road Accident Round-up

We have written several blog posts in 2020 about how dangerous our county’s roads are and reported on some of the accidents themselves and what we can do as road users to minimise the risk of accidents and injuries.

In what is the final road accident roundup of the year, if you or a member of your family have been seriously injured in a non-fault car accident on Lincolnshire’s roads and would like to make a claim for compensation, then please contact our road accident specialists to discuss a claim.

Contact us by phone on 01507 609027 or by submitting an online enquiry using the form on the right hand side of this page.

Tragedy as grandmother is killed travelling in taxi

A proud grandmother has sadly died following a road accident on the A15 at Barton upon Humber. Isabella Hopkins was traveling home as a passenger in a taxi, from work at North Lincolnshire Council, where she helped accompany children with behavioural issues to and from school.

The taxi driver hit a tractor trailer as he was trying to overtake it, causing him to crash into the central reservation barrier.

He was convicted of dangerous driving, handed a 9 month jail sentence and banned from driving for 12 months.

In his summary of the case, Judge Bury, sitting at Hull Crown Court said to Husain: “The only reasonable explanation for the cause of the accident is gross inattention and excessive speed when approaching the tractor and trailer.

“It seems clear to me that you were driving at an improper speed although I cannot be sure that you had exceeded the national speed limit.

“By the time you saw the tractor you were going too fast to avoid it.”

Drink & Drugs driver causes 4 vehicle accident

A 28 year old man from Spalding has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drink and drunks following a 4 vehicle crash on the A16.

Police named a Lincolnshire man from Spalding as the biker killed in the accident. Another driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

The 51 year old man died when his Honda motorcycle collided with 3 cars and despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sadness as school bus driver dies in crash

A bus driver who was taking children to school has sadly died following a head on collision with a van on the B1434 between Brigg and Howsham just before 9am on Tuesday 8th December.

The women sadly died from her injuries.

None of the children on board the Dennis bus, who were travelling to school in the Brigg area, were injured.

We are specialist Road Accident Solicitors

Nigel Askew Solicitors specialise in advising clients and their families, involved in serious road accidents, in claims for personal injury.

We genuinely care about the safety of drivers and passengers on our county’s roads, which are some of the most dangerous in the entire country, as many of us have young children that recently started learning to drive.

We have over 20 years experience in successfully winning road accident claims on behalf of the people of Lincolnshire, involved in serious road accidents.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a road accident, you may be able to claim financial compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering and any loss of earnings you have suffered as a result of the accident.

From our offices in central Louth in Lincolnshire, we offer all new Lincolnshire road accident claims enquirers a free initial consultation where we discuss the merits of your case. Call our Lincolnshire Road Accident Solicitors today on 01507 609027 or submit an online form using the enquiry form to the right of this page.

Read more about our expertise in this area of Law.