Work accident compensation calculator
Estimate what your accident-at-work injury claim could be worth — compensation (UK £) or settlement (US $) — built on published Judicial College bracket figures, not guesswork.
Work Accident Compensation Calculator
Estimate your total payout range in under a minute
Last updated · By Mustafa Bilgic · Figures reviewed against the Judicial College Guidelines
What a work accident claim is actually made of
People often look for an "average accident-at-work payout", but a settlement is never a single round number. It is built from two clearly defined parts, and once you understand them you can sense-check any figure an insurer or solicitor quotes you.
1. General damages — the injury itself
This compensates you for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by the injury — the human cost, not the money cost. In England and Wales these are valued from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), the standard reference courts and solicitors use for every body part and severity. Workplace injuries cover a wide range, from a sprained back lifting stock to a serious crush or fall-from-height injury, and the bracket rises sharply with severity. In the US there is no national table, so the route to compensation (workers' comp or a civil claim) and the state matter more than any fixed figure.
2. Special damages — your financial losses
On top of the injury value you can usually recover money you actually lost because of the accident: lost wages and overtime while you could not work, medical treatment and physiotherapy, care and assistance, travel to appointments, and any equipment or home adaptations you need. If a serious injury stops you returning to the same job, you can also claim future losses such as ongoing care or reduced earning capacity.
Work accident compensation amounts by injury
The table below shows indicative general-damages ranges for the injuries most often seen after an accident at work. Special damages (lost earnings, treatment, equipment) are added on top. UK figures are bracket-style estimates based on the Judicial College Guidelines; US figures are typical personal-injury settlement ranges and will differ where workers' compensation applies.
| Injury type | UK — Minor (£) | UK — Moderate (£) | UK — Severe (£) | US — typical ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Back injury | 2,500 – 12,500 | 12,500 – 38,800 | 38,800 – 160,000 | 15k – 175k |
| Broken bone / fracture | 2,800 – 12,000 | 12,000 – 45,000 | 45,000 – 135,000 | 12k – 150k |
| Wrist / hand | 3,800 – 12,800 | 12,800 – 29,400 | 29,400 – 79,000 | 12k – 150k |
| Head / brain | 2,690 – 14,400 | 45,000 – 219,000 | 219,000 – 493,000 | 25k – 500k+ |
| Knee / leg | 2,800 – 14,500 | 14,500 – 47,800 | 47,800 – 159,000 | 15k – 180k |
| Psychological (PTSD) | 1,700 – 7,700 | 7,700 – 28,300 | 28,300 – 120,000 | 10k – 130k |
All figures are bracket-style estimates based on the Judicial College Guidelines and are rounded; your case may differ. Last updated .
Who pays a work accident claim?
In the UK the compensation is paid by your employer's liability insurer, not your employer personally — which is why employers' liability insurance is compulsory and the certificate must be on display. Bringing a genuine claim is protected: it is automatically unfair dismissal to sack someone for it, so a claim should not put your job at risk. If your employer has since ceased trading, the insurer can often still be traced. In the US, most workplace injuries are handled through workers' compensation (no-fault, but limited), with a separate civil claim possible against a negligent third party such as an equipment maker.
How to use this work accident calculator
- Pick the main injury from the accident — if you have several, choose the most serious.
- Choose the severity that matches your medical prognosis and recovery time.
- Add any financial losses: lost earnings and overtime, treatment, care and equipment.
- Switch the region toggle to UK £ or US $ and read the estimated total range.
The estimate is a realistic starting point, not a quote. For a precise valuation you need a medical report and a review of your losses — see our guide on how compensation is calculated and general vs special damages.
Frequently asked questions
How much compensation will I get for an accident at work?
It depends on your injury and losses. In England & Wales, general damages come from the Judicial College Guidelines — a moderate back injury is roughly £12,500–£38,800 and a hand or wrist injury around £12,800–£29,400 — plus special damages for lost earnings, treatment and care. In the US there is no national tariff; payouts vary by state and by whether the route is workers' compensation or a third-party lawsuit. Use the calculator with your specific injury and losses.
Can I be sacked for making a work accident claim?
No. In the UK it is automatically unfair dismissal to sack someone for bringing a genuine personal-injury claim, and you are protected from being treated unfairly for it. Claims are paid by the employer's insurer, not the employer's own pocket, because employers' liability insurance is compulsory under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969. If you are dismissed or victimised for claiming, that may give rise to a separate employment claim.
Do I claim against my employer or their insurer?
You bring the claim against your employer for breaching their duty of care, but the compensation is almost always paid by their employers' liability insurer. UK employers must by law hold this insurance and display the certificate, which is why claiming rarely costs the business directly. The insurer handles and pays the claim.
What can I claim for after an accident at work?
General damages for the injury (pain, suffering and loss of amenity) plus special damages for your financial losses: lost earnings and overtime, medical and rehabilitation costs, care, travel, and any equipment or adaptations. Serious injuries can also include future losses like ongoing care or reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to the same work.
How long do I have to claim for a work accident?
In England & Wales the general limit is three years from the accident, or from when you first knew the injury was work-related (important for industrial disease or repetitive strain), with different rules for children and people who lack capacity. In the US, limits vary by state and by whether the route is workers' compensation or a civil claim. Deadlines are strict, so check your jurisdiction early. See how compensation is calculated.
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General vs special damages, severity, and the maths behind every estimate.
Read the guide →