Have you had an accident at work while being self-employed? We can help.
If you've had an accident as a self-employed worker and you're unable to work, we know how devastating it can be. As self-employed workers aren't usually able to claim sick pay, a sudden loss of income can have a huge impact on you and your family.
Although most people assume that you don't have the same legal rights as someone in full-time employment, that's not necessarily the case. In most cases, you can still make a self-employed injury claim for an accident at work.
As specialist personal injury experts, we're here to support you in making a self-employed injury claim. Although we can't turn back the clocks and prevent your injury from happening, we can help you to receive the settlement that you deserve.
Get in touch with our team now to discuss your case. Call us direct on or request a call back at a convenient time. If you've had a self-employed injury at work, we're here to put things right.
What are my rights as a self-employed contractor or subcontractor?
Self-employed workers, contractors and subcontractors are in a slightly different boat than employed workers. Although you're not eligible for sick pay in the same way as employed workers, you still have rights if you're self-employed, so you can still make a self-employed injury claim in certain circumstances.
Although you're responsible for your safety when at work, if your injuries were caused by someone else's mistake, you might be able to make a claim.
If you're not sure whether your injury was someone else's fault or you were simply unlucky, we can help you to determine who was at fault during a free, no-obligation call.
How does the law protect rights as a self-employed worker?
It's easy to think that you're on your own if you're self-employed and have an accident at work. But that's not the case.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, you're protected from injury onsite.
As long as you signed an agreement, the company hiring you is responsible for your safety, so it has a duty to ensure that your working environment is safe and secure.
As 15% of UK workers are self-employed, there's been a shift in recent years to further safeguard people working onsite. In fact, in 2018 the Supreme Court sided with a self-employed plumber, suggesting that the rights of self-employed workers are expanding.
How much compensation can I receive?
The courts look at each claim on a case-by-case basis. So, there's no set amount of compensation you could claim if you've suffered from a self-employed injury at work. But, generally speaking, the more serious the injury, the more compensation you'll get.
The guidelines for compensation claims are set out in the Judicial College Guidelines. When deciding how much compensation you'll receive, you'll the courts will look at:
- General damages - These are used to compensate for your pain and suffering
- Special damages - These depend on your circumstances but include things like lost earnings, loss of income, changes to your ability to work, and travel costs.
To give you a more accurate idea of how much compensation you could be awarded, get in touch on or request a call back.
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How can a solicitor help if you've suffered from a personal injury while self-employed?
Making a claim as a self-employed worker makes matters more complex, as there isn't normally an employment letter. Pairing that with the fact that your income isn't fixed, it can be hard to put together a convincing case if you represent yourself. Without the necessary legal representation, you're far less likely to receive the settlement that you deserve.
At National Accident Law, our experienced teams have been helping self-employed contractors and subcontractors who have had an accident at work for decades. Going up against even the biggest corporations, we give you the best chance of success - no matter the circumstances.
We can't change what's happened to you. If you've suffered from an accident that wasn't your fault, though, we can help you to get the compensation that you deserve to get your life back on track.
To make a self-employed injury claim, it all starts with a free, no-obligation consultation. Our team will carefully listen to the details of your case and advise on whether you can claim - and how much you could win.
Then, it's up to you whether you want to proceed.
To get the ball rolling, contact us on or request a call back at a time that suits you. You can start your claim online, too, if you'd prefer.
Meet the team
Craig Delahaye
Associate Director - Legal Operations
Craig's transition into the Legal PI market was motivated by a desire to help those who have suffered injuries through accidents that were not their fault.
View profileMeet the teamFrequently asked questions about self-employed accidents at work…
What should I do if I'm self-employed and injured at work?
What should I do if I'm self-employed and injured at work?
If you're injured at work, it takes you by surprise. Although you might be frantically trying to comprehend what's happened, you'll need to follow a few simple steps:
- Seek medical attention - Even if your injuries are minor, it's important to seek medical treatment. Once the adrenaline has worn off, you might find that your injury is worse than you initially thought. Having an official medical report will help with your claim, too.
- Make a record of the accident - It's important to tell the person for whom you're working about your accident. Most companies will have an Accident Report Book that you can fill out. If not, you can simply email the employer/business owner. You can send a letter if you'd prefer - just remember to keep a copy for yourself. If you were injured on your own premises or at someone else's home, you need to report this to the Health and Safety Executive.
- Take pictures of your injuries - Preferably, this should be done before you seek treatment.
- Take photos of where your accident occurred - It's important to take pictures of the scene of the accident as this might be vital evidence in court. You are entitled to request CCTV footage following a self-employed accident at work, too.
- Speak with a solicitor - Once you've been treated and followed the above procedures, it's important to speak with a solicitor as soon as possible. The longer that you delay, the more likely that evidence will be lost.
What if I'm self-employed and unable to work due to injury?
What if I'm self-employed and unable to work due to injury?
If you're self-employed and unable to work due to injury, the first step would be to see if your agreement or contract includes any form of sick pay if you cannot work.
If you have income protection, you might wish to claim against that if you want to ease the financial stress of not being able to work.
You might be able to qualify for New Style Employment and Support Allowance in the interim while you wait for your self-employed injury claim to be processed.
What injuries can I claim for?
What injuries can I claim for?
As a self-employed contractor, you can claim for all matters of injury at work. Just some injuries that might give rise to a claim include:
- Broken bones as a result of slips, trips and falls due to an unsafe workspace
- Cuts
- Falls from a height
- Injuries from a traffic accident
If you're not sure whether your injury could give rise to a claim, speak with us for impartial, expert advice.
What are the long-term effects of injury on a self-employed person?
What are the long-term effects of injury on a self-employed person?
As well as the pain, suffering and psychological trauma of your accident, the effects don't stop there.
As you're not eligible for Statutory Sick Pay, many self-employed people find themselves losing out financially. For example, you might suffer from a loss of earnings in the short term, a reduced earning potential due to your injury or the potential for not ever being able to work again.
As the long-term impacts of an accident at work remain even after your injuries have healed, it's important to put things right.
Making a compensation claim can compensate you for your pain and suffering but also financially, so that you don't have to struggle because of an accident that wasn't your fault.
What evidence should I gather for my claim?
What evidence should I gather for my claim?
To make a claim, you'll need to have evidence to support your claim. To help you to get the best payout, we'd suggest gathering:
- Medical records
- Medical reports from an independent medical expert
- Photographic evidence - of your injuries, the accident site and any hazards
- CCTV footage
What can be claimed for?
What can be claimed for?
When you claim as a self-employed person, you can claim for:
- General damages - This will aim to provide remuneration for the suffering and pain that you've experienced.
- Medical expenses - If you need specialist treatment or have had to pay for care as a result of your accident, this can be claimed back.
- Travel expenses - Travelling to hospital appointments or physiotherapy appointments can be claimed back.
- Recuperation - This will help you to get financial compensation to cover loss of earnings, reduced earning potential or put things right if you're unable to work in the future, and can also include a claim for any care received from friends or family members whilst recovering.
Let us help you make a self-employed injury claim
If you've had an accident that wasn't your fault as a self-employed person, we don't believe that you should suffer the consequences.
An accident as a self-employed worker can have a seismic impact on your physical, mental and financial health. If you're looking to get your life back on track after an accident, let us help.
Our team of dedicated personal injury solicitors have years of experience handling complex claims on behalf of self-employed workers and are fully accredited by the SRA and The Law Society. Get in touch with us on or request a call back at a convenient time. Alternatively, simply start your claim online in just a few clicks.