Key advice when making a warehouse or freight accident claim
- Your employer has a legal duty of care for your safety. If you were injured as a result of employer negligence, you can claim compensation.
- Typical compensation claims involve slips, trips, falls, forklift trucks, heavy machinery, or lifting injuries.
- You have 3 years from the date of your injury to begin your claim.
- Find out how much your claim is worth with our compensation calculator.
- You can claim as an employee, contractor or temp - even if you think you were partly responsible.
- It's illegal for your employer to fire you for making a claim.
- No win, no fee lets you claim without financial risk.
If a warehouse injury has set you back, we'll help you move forward
Warehouse work is physically and mentally demanding, involving long hours, working at heights, manual handling, and operating heavy equipment like forklifts. Injuries from slips, trips, falls, or machinery accidents can be severe and life-changing.
If you or a loved one has been affected by a warehouse accident caused by employer negligence, a co-worker, or a third party, you may be entitled to compensation. A personal injury solicitor can help you make a No Win, No Fee claim.
With around 8,000 injuries in the sector every year, you are not alone
In the demanding environment of warehouse work, injuries are unfortunately common. If you're dealing with a warehouse-related injury, remember you're not alone.
There are around 8,000 non-fatal injuries in the transportation and storage sector every year. The fatal injury rate is around 2.2 times higher than the all-industry rate (hse.gov.uk).
This article offers essential information and resources to support and guide you through recovery and beyond, ensuring you're connected with the help you need.
See also:
How much compensation can I claim for a freight or warehouse accident?
Compensation for an accident in a warehouse is based on:
- how serious the injury is,
- the disruption caused by your injury to your daily life and work,
- the financial costs and losses you have experienced due to the accident.
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General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA). Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College (judiciary.uk) and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.
Special damages will be awarded for any lost earnings, loss of commission or bonuses, and loss of pension contributions. It may also be possible to claim for loss of future earnings, if the medical prognosis establishes that you won't be able to work for any period in the future.
These damages will also cover the cost of any medical procedures you might need to treat or recover from your warehouse injury such as physical therapy, diagnostic imaging tests and pain medication.
Read more:
A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim
How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?
Average warehouse injury compensation payouts
The following warehouse injury payouts refer to the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, 17th Edition by the Judicial College (oup.com).
These tables are used by solicitors or by the courts as a starting point when calculating your compensation.
Please note: these average figures represent general damages only, and do not include any element of special damages (e.g. lost wages).
Ankle injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) | Minor fractures, sprains, and ligament injuries with full recovery | Up to £15,250 |
| Moderate | A fracture or ligament injury with mild ongoing symptoms | £15,250 to £29,500 |
| Severe | Lengthy treatment required, and your ability to walk has been permanently affected | £34,740 to £55,540 |
Elbow injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery within 18 months | Simple fractures, cuts or injuries (e.g. tennis elbow) with no permanent symptoms | Up to £3,920 |
| Recovery between 18 to 36 months | Simple fractures, cuts or injuries (e.g. tennis elbow) with no permanent symptoms | Up to £7,210 |
| Recovery after 36 months | Simple fractures, cuts or injuries (e.g. tennis elbow) with no permanent symptoms or damage | Up to £13,970 |
Finger injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Relatively minor injury | Finger fractures that recover in under 6 months, and/or injuries with tenderness, pain in cold weather, or scarring | Up to £5,270 |
| Index finger fracture | Fracture fully heals, but with ongoing pain, disability and an increased risk of osteoarthritis | £10,110 to £13,570 |
| Finger fractures | Fractures that cause deformity, affect sensation, and/or have a long term affect on your grip and ability to use your hand | Up to £40,760 |
Hand injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) injuries to one or both hands | A fracture or break recovering within 6 months, and/or with scarring, tenderness and pain in cold weather | Up to £5,270 |
| Moderate injuries to one or both hands | Moderate crush injuries, penetrating wounds, or deep cuts | £6,280 to £14,730 |
| Moderate/serious injuries to one or both hands | Serious crush injury that causes impaired function andthat cannot be resolved with surgery | £16,040 to £32,170 |
Hernia injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lesser | Uncomplicated indirect inguinal hernia, with no other damage | £3,760 to £8,030 |
| Moderate | Direct inguinal hernia, with some risk of recurrence after repair | £7,780 to £10,110 |
| Serious | After repair, you still experience ongoing pain and your daily life and ability to work is affected | £16,530 to £26,810 |
Knee injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) | E.g. dislocation, torn cartilage or meniscus, that could cause future symptoms or weakness, or that exacerbated an existing injury | Up to £15,250 |
| Moderate | More serious knee injuries with a greater risk of future symptoms, pain and weakness | £16,460 to £29,050 |
| Serious | E.g. a leg fracture that extends to the knee joint, or injuries that cause constant pain and restricted movement, and/or a risk of osteoarthritis or future knee surgery | £29,050 to £48,210 |
Leg injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Simple femur fracture | Simple femur fracture with no damage to articular surfaces | £10,110 to £15,620 |
| More serious fractures | Incomplete fracture recovery with ongoing symptoms | £19,930 to £30,800 |
Wrist injury
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lesser | Relatively minor soft tissue injury or displaced fracture, with a full recovery within 12 months | £3,920 to £5,260 |
| Moderate | Uncomplicated Colles' fracture | Around £8,250 |
| Moderate | Fracture or soft tissue injury with complete recovery | £6,750 to £11,480 |
Do I have a warehouse injury claim?
You are entitled to make an injury claim for a warehouse or freight accident, if:
- you were injured within the last 3 years, and;
- someone else was at fault, and;
- they owed you a legal duty of care.
Use our injury claim calculator to find out if you can claim. Alternatively, you can speak to a claims advisor on 0800 376 1001 and find out if you have a claim in minutes.
Is a claim still possible if I am partly liable?
Ascertaining who is liable for an accident is not always straightforward and can often involve blame on both sides.
In our 2025 Work Injury Claimant Survey, 26.02% of injured workers said they either were unsure of which party was responsible, or believed they were partially responsible for their injuries.
You could still be able to claim even if you were partly responsible for the accident. If you were injured at work, you can claim compensation from your employer under the principle of vicarious liability - even if you or another employee caused the accident.
Read more:
Can I claim if I feel I was partly responsible for my accident?
Hazardous environments
Being hit by a moving vehicle
Retail staff are at risk if they regularly access warehousing facilities, loading areas or delivery bays.
Over 5,000 reported accidents a year involve workplace transport, such as forklift truck accidents, according to figures from the Health and Safety Executive. An estimated 1,300 serious forklift accidents happen each year in the UK (ukmha.org.uk).
Employers have a duty to ensure that all vehicles used in the workplace are fit for purpose and in good repair. They must also ensure that staff are trained in the operation of the vehicle and that supervision is given where appropriate.
Slips, trips and falls
If warehouse goods or equipment are not stored safely and correctly, they can create hazards and result in injuries from people slipping, tripping or falling. Items that can result in accidents from tripping or falling include:
- Poorly discarded packaging or strapping
- Improperly stored goods - for example boxes sticking out into aisles
- Spilt liquids like paint, water or oil that have not been cleaned up properly
- Slippery items like plastic packaging
Claims for slips, trips and falls in warehouses are often made following injuries including bruises, lacerations and fractures. Claims for serious head, spine and crush injuries are likely to include compensation for long-term care and treatment costs.
Falling Objects
If items in a warehouse are not stored properly on high shelves or pallets, they present a risk to warehouse workers. Even small objects pose a real risk of injury.
The premises should be inspected on a regular basis to ensure the risk of such accidents is appropriately managed. If these checks have not occurred, and an injury occurs, a subsequent claim has a good chance of success.
Falls from height
Workers are often required to work at height in warehouses, stacking goods on shelves or retrieving items stored at height. Some employees may work from elevated machinery such as cherry pickers. Working from ladders or elevated platforms means there is a risk of employees falling and being injured.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (amended in 2007) are intended to protect everyone who is required to work at height. The regulations state that employers should avoid asking workers to work at heights wherever possible. If working at height is unavoidable, safety equipment should be used to prevent falls from height. Employers should also ensure that employees are thoroughly trained for working at height.
Manual Handling Injuries
Lifting and moving heavy objects is a common requirement for staff in warehouses. But lifting or moving heavy or large objects can result in back injuries, sprains, injured muscles, and foot injuries from dropping items.
The Manual Handling Operations Regulation 1992 (amended in 2002) are designed to protect workers from injuries resulting from manual handling. Employers are required to eliminate any manual handling that is not completely necessary. This might require the introduction of machinery and lifting equipment like forklift trucks, winches and leverage devices.
Employers must carry out a risk assessment of all manual handling that cannot be eliminated and which may cause injury. Employers are also required to reduce the risk of injury from manual handling as much as possible.
Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022
These regulations came into force on 6 April 2022. Employers have an obligation to provide free Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to all workers, including workers who are self-employed or on a zero-hours contract.
Under the previous 1992 regulations, employers were only required to provide PPE to employees with a formal employment contract.
Typical PPE issued to warehouse workers can include safety goggles, hard hats, protective gloves, overalls, steel toe cap boots and high vis jackets.
If you are injured while working in a warehouse and your employer failed to provide you with suitable PPE, you may be entitled to claim compensation - even if you are self-employed.
What led to your warehouse injury?
Claiming compensation depends on the cause of your warehouse injury. Click the icons below for read more:
Can I make a no win, no fee warehouse injury claim?
Yes. With no win, no fee, you can claim warehouse injury compensation without financial risk. If your claim isn't successful, you pay nothing. If you win, you only pay a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation.
Get expert advice now
Interested in talking to a work accident specialist about your claim?
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The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (reviewed: 01/08/2024)
Author:
Gaynor Haliday, Legal researcher
About the author
Gaynor Haliday is an experienced legal researcher and published author. She has had numerous articles published in the press and is a legal industry commentator.