As the only law firm in the UK who deal exclusively with brain injury claims, our team of highly experienced, specialist solicitors can provide the very best legal advice on a no win no fee basis.
Our specialist, bespoke services are there to help support families who have suffered a brain injury. From rehabilitation to financial support to the very best in legal representation, we are there for you every step of the way.
Below, we explain what your legal rights are if you have suffered a brain injury at work.
Why Choose Coulthursts?
Legal Specialists
We deal exclusively with brain injury claims.
Rehabilitation & Treatment
We pay for and arrange early treatment and support.
Financial Support
We provide financial advice and support, and ensure maximum compensation is obtained.
A Bespoke Service
We build our service around what you and your family need.
No Win No Fee
We are committed to offering a no win, no fee service.
When can I claim compensation for a brain injury at work?
You can claim compensation for a head or brain injury at work if your employer’s negligence caused the accident and it occurred in the last three years.
Your employer has a legal duty of care to protect your health and safety at work. You have a legal right to claim compensation if your employer has failed to provide this level of care, and this has led to your accident.
In some cases, you may be able to claim compensation for your injuries even if you were partly to blame.
Speak to our specialist brain injury solicitors today for a no-obligation consultation. We have extensive experience successfully representing those who have suffered traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures, and head injuries, including concussions, after accidents in the workplace.
What is an accident at work brain injury compensation claim?
A compensation claim for a brain injury suffered at work is a legal claim for financial compensation by an employee against their employer.
Claims can be made if the employer was negligent in their duty of care. Claims of this type are sometimes known as employer liability claims.
What types of workplace accidents can lead to brain injuries?
While a brain injury can occur from any accident in the workplace, the most common types of accidents at work that have resulted in a head or brain injury can include:
Slips, trips or falls
Hitting your head on a hard surface or floor after a slip on a wet surface or a trip over unexpected items can lead to a number of serious brain injuries.
Falls from height
Falls from height such as from ladders, scaffolding, vehicles, or unsafe roof surfaces and edges can result in very serious injuries, including, unfortunately, traumatic brain injuries.
Falling objects
Whether it is inadequately stored inventory in a warehouse, a ceiling falling in, tools or materials falling from above, falling objects can cause serious harm, including head and brain injuries.
Defective machinery
Inadequately maintained machinery can lead to serious injuries, including head and brain injuries.
Such accidents often occur in workplaces such as construction and building sites, manufacturing facilities, factories, transportation, and warehouses, as well as in agricultural settings such as farms.
What types of brain injuries at work can I claim compensation for?
You can claim compensation for any brain or head injury sustained in the workplace if it was caused as a result of your employer’s negligence.
As brain injury specialists, we have considerable experience helping people who have suffered a wide range of brain injuries while working.
The most common types include traumatic brain injuries, concussion injuries, skull fractures and subdural haematoma claims. It is not uncommon for brain injuries, especially mild ones, to be incorrectly diagnosed.
Our post-concussion symptom checker can help you identify symptoms that could lead to a brain injury or concussion.
Early Access To Rehab
Your rehabilitation starts when you need it, not months later. We don’t wait for insurer approval to get you help.
From physio and neuropsychology to home support or counselling, we act fast to arrange treatment when it makes the biggest impact. Funding is available upfront so you can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal work.
What is the amount of compensation I could claim for a brain injury suffered at work?
How much compensation you may be able to receive for a head or brain injury at work will depend on how severe your injuries are and the effect they may have on your life.
The compensation amount you may receive is calculated to reflect the pain and suffering you have experienced, as well as any loss of earnings and the cost of future care you may require.
There’s no standard amount as each case is unique and judged based on its individual circumstances.
Compensation payouts for brain injuries at work can vary from £2,690 for minor injuries to £493,000 for the most severe.
| Type of Injury | Amount of Compensation | Level of Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Very Severe Brain Injury | £344,150 – £493,000 | Vegetative or minimally conscious state. Little or no response to environment. Full-time care required. |
| Moderately Severe Brain Injury, Serious Disabilities | £267,340 – £344,150 | Serious disabilities with severe cognitive and physical impairment. Major impact on independence and life expectancy. Professional care essential. |
| Moderate Brain Injury, No Return to Work | £183,190 – £267,340 | Lasting intellectual or sensory problems and personality change with no realistic prospect of returning to work. Significant ongoing support needs. |
| Moderate Brain Injury, Some Return to Work Possible | £110,720 – £183,190 | Moderate intellectual or sensory deficits. Some ability to work, but significantly reduced. Ongoing support and rehabilitation likely required. |
| Moderate Brain Injury, Memory/Senses Affected | £52,550 – £110,720 | Problems with memory, attention, balance, or senses. Work may be possible. Risk of epilepsy may be present. Daily life impacted but independent living broadly achievable. |
| Less Severe Brain Injury | £18,700 – £52,550 | Good recovery expected, but ongoing issues may include fatigue, memory problems, or reduced concentration. Some impact on work and daily activities. |
| Minor Brain Injury | £2,690 – £15,580 | Symptoms resolve within weeks or up to two years. Covers mild head injuries or concussions with minimal or no lasting brain damage. |
Compensation for brain injury at work claims is calculated by combining the amounts you may be legally entitled to for general damages and special damages.
What are general damages?
General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity, sometimes known as PSLA. The amount of compensation you may be able to claim will relate to the physical and psychological effects of your injury, including consideration of the loss of enjoyment of life and ability to participate in day-to-day activities.
The Judicial College from the Ministry of Justice publishes guidelines for compensation amounts in relation to the severity of your injury. These guidelines are used as a reference point for accurately valuing your claim.
Our head and brain injury compensation calculator can provide further information on the level of compensation you may be able to claim for general damages.
What are special damages?
Compensation for special damages is for expenses you have incurred or any losses you’ve suffered – up until the point of settlement.
The amount of compensation for special damages you may be able to claim is particularly important for those who have suffered a severe brain injury because, unfortunately, many may need long-term, full-time medical assistance and care. In these cases, the amount of compensation you receive, including future losses, may be much larger than the compensation for general damages.
In such instances, claims for special damages could include, but may not be limited to:
- The loss of earnings to the date of settlement
- Medical expenses incurred for treatment and rehabilitation
- The cost of specialist medical equipment
- The cost of adapting your home to the injured person’s specific requirements
- The cost of full-time care,
- The cost of full-time care, if it is a family member, taking into account their loss of potential income.
Compensation is a legal right intended to put the injured person back in the position they were in before their accident.
Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible with severe brain injuries, as comprehensive long-term care is required in many cases.
Our specialist brain injury claims solicitors have extensive experience handling very high-value brain injury cases. Speak to our expert team today to understand your legal rights and how we can help support you.
Brain Injury Claims Specialists
We focus solely on brain injury claims and we have experienced senior solicitors only – no delegation to junior staff, just expert-led support throughout.
That means every expert, decision, and step we take is tailored to support your recovery and future. With deep knowledge and the right contacts, we guide your case with genuine expertise – from start to settlement.
What are future losses?
In almost all brain injury claims, you may also be entitled to claim for financial losses and ongoing care costs that are expected in the future.
This is particularly important in more severe injuries to the brain, where ongoing care, treatment, and support may be required long term or indefinitely.
Future losses can include:
- Future loss of earnings
- Ongoing care and case management
- Continuing rehabilitation and therapy
- Specialist equipment
- Adaptations to your home
- Long-term support needs
In high-value claims, future losses can form a significant proportion of the overall compensation awarded.
Our table below is an indicative example of the total amount of compensation you may be able to claim.
| Type of Injury | Compensation For General Damages | Total Compensation* | Level of Injury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very Severe Brain Injury | £344,150 – £493,000 | £2 million – £10 million+ | Vegetative or minimally conscious state. Little or no response to environment. Full-time care required. |
| Moderately Severe Brain Injury, Serious Disabilities | £267,340 – £344,150 | £1.5 million – £5 million | Serious disabilities with severe cognitive and physical impairment. Major impact on independence and life expectancy. Professional care essential. |
| Moderate Brain Injury, No Return to Work | £183,190 – £267,340 | £750,000 – £2 million | Lasting intellectual or sensory problems and personality change with no realistic prospect of returning to work. Significant ongoing support needs. |
| Moderate Brain Injury, Some Return to Work Possible | £110,720 – £183,190 | £300,000 – £750,000 | Moderate intellectual or sensory deficits. Some ability to work, but significantly reduced. Ongoing support and rehabilitation likely required. |
| Moderate Brain Injury, Memory/Senses Affected | £52,550 – £110,720 | £150,000 – £400,000 | Problems with memory, attention, balance, or senses. Work may be possible. Risk of epilepsy may be present. Daily life impacted but independent living broadly achievable. |
| Less Severe Brain Injury | £18,700 – £52,550 | £25,000 – £100,000 | Good recovery expected, but ongoing issues may include fatigue, memory problems, or reduced concentration. Some impact on work and daily activities. |
| Minor Brain Injury | £2,690 – £15,580 | £5,000 – £25,000 | Symptoms resolve within weeks or up to two years. Covers mild head injuries or concussions with minimal or no lasting brain damage. |
*Figures shown represent typical total settlements recovered by Coulthursts Solicitors including all heads of loss (pain and suffering, past financial losses, future care, lost earnings, rehabilitation and accommodation). They are indicative only and not guaranteed. Every case is assessed individually. Not legal advice.
Our specialist brain injury claims solicitors have extensive experience handling such cases. Speak to our expert team today for free to understand your legal rights and how we can help support you.
Better Off With Coulthursts
In a case valued at £1m you could be up to £150,000 better off using us, rather than a firm that charges the equivalent of 25% of your compensation.
This is because the maximum we charge when we win your case is typically just 10% – making sure you’re not weighed down by legal costs.
So, while some firms may look to take up to 25% of your compensation, we won’t.
And, even though we are specialists in brain injury claims, we always offer a no win no fee service.
Can I make a no win no fee claim for a brain injury at work?
Yes, you can make a compensation claim for a brain injury caused by an accident in the workplace on a no win no fee basis.
No win no fee legal services are offered through what is known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This agreement means there will be a fee payable only if you win the case. Additionally, we provide an After the Event (ATE) insurance policy that protects you in the rare instance the claim is unsuccessful.
Even though we are specialists in brain injury claims, we always provide our legal expertise on a no win no fee basis. While some firms may charge up to 25% of the total compensation recovered, we typically charge only 10%.
In most brain injury compensation claims, because of the severity of the injuries, the compensation is split 25/75, with 25% for pain and suffering, loss of amenity (PSLA), and any past losses. The bulk of the compensation (75%) is for future losses and any care and support you might need.
Other firms may look to recoup any unrecovered legal costs from your compensation to try and get closer to that overall 25% deduction. We typically cap our fees at 10% of your total compensation.
What does this mean?
In a case valued at £1m, you could be up to £150,000 better off using us, over a firm that charges the equivalent of 25% of your compensation.
These examples show what the deductions could be with a law firm under the terms of a standard no win no fee agreement versus our Coulthursts agreement, which typically caps the deductions at 10%.
There are no upfront costs associated with making a no win no fee brain injury claim and, unlike many other law firms, we can fund rehabilitation costs up front – to prevent delays to your treatment.
| Compensation amount | Your compensation if you had to pay 25% to another firm | Your compensation after 10% legal fees with Coulthursts | Your total saving using Coulthursts |
|---|---|---|---|
| £500,000 | £375,000 | £450,000 | +£75,000 |
| £750,000 | £562,500 | £675,000 | +£112,500 |
| £1m | £750,000 | £900,000 | +£150,000 |
Low Caseload, Full Focus
With ultra-low caseloads, typically around just five cases each, our solicitors have more time to work closely with you. You’re never just a file.
We build strong relationships, understand your needs in detail, and move things forward quickly—helping you feel fully supported and confident throughout the legal process.
What are my employer’s legal responsibilities to keep me safe in the workplace?
It is a legal requirement for employers to comply with certain health and safety regulations to ensure a safe workplace.
Such regulations include the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Six Pack Regulations 1992. Additionally, where relevant, the 1992 Manual Handling Operations Regulations and the Work at Height Regulations 2005 must be followed.
These regulations set out the duty of care your employer owes you as an employee. Where applicable, your employer should:
- Provide training on how to carry out your job safely, including health and safety training
- Conduct regular risk assessments, including identifying and eliminating potential hazards wherever possible
- Where applicable, provide you with protective equipment and clothing
- To regularly maintain or repair all equipment when needed
- To keep the workplace clean, tidy and organised
- To display appropriate hazard warning signs when necessary
If your employer has been negligent in their duty of care, and this has led to you suffering a head or brain injury, you may have a legal right to claim compensation.
What evidence do I need to start a brain injury at work claim?
To successfully claim compensation, you must prove that your employer’s negligence caused your injuries.
Our solicitors will need to understand how the accident happened and what evidence is available to support your claim. When assessing your case, this may include:
- When, where and how the accident happened
- Who you think may have been at fault for the accident
- A copy of the report logged in your employer’s accident book
- If possible, statements from work colleagues or anyone else who witnessed the accident
- Photographs or video of the accident scene, including CCTV footage, if available
- Workplace safety records, or evidence that risk assessments weren’t carried out or equipment wasn’t maintained to the required legal standard
- What medical treatment you may have received
- Records of any financial losses you’ve incurred as a result of the accident
Don’t worry if you don’t have all of this information. Our solicitors have many years of experience compiling evidence for cases just like yours.
Once we know the details of the case, we can move quickly to help assist you as much as possible, including arranging the right medical investigations and setting up early rehabilitation, ensuring you have the best possible start to recovery.
Support Beyond The Claim
Many of our clients come through recommendations from doctors, brain injury specialists, clinicians, rehabilitation providers, barristers, or charities who’ve seen our work first-hand.
But we go beyond legal advice. We also help with things like benefit forms, chasing insurers, cancelling fines, and cutting through admin. It’s all part of our client-first approach and supporting you in ways other firms simply don’t.
How long do I have to make a claim for a brain injury at work?
You have up to three years from the date of the accident or the date a medical professional diagnosed your injuries to start your claim. This is in accordance with The Limitation Act 1980.
However, if the injured person lacks the mental capacity to make a claim, there is no time limit. The three-year period will only begin once they regain capacity or if someone is appointed to claim on their behalf.
The legal process for claiming compensation for brain injuries suffered at work can be extremely complex. We recommend starting your claim as soon as possible so that we have the best opportunity to compile as much evidence as possible.
How long does a brain injury at work claim take?
The length of time your claim may take to settle will depend on how complex the claim is.
Brain injury claims are typically complex for several reasons, including the time required to gather all necessary evidence and, in some cases, to fully understand the long-term impact of the injury.
However, part of our promise to you is to settle your claim much more quickly than industry averages. How do we do this? We are the only firm in the UK that specialises exclusively in brain injuries, and our legal experts have substantially lower individual caseloads than most other firms; this means our lawyers get to spend more time on your claim each month.
Frequently asked questions about making a brain injury at work compensation claim
Can I be sacked if I make a claim against my employer?
No, your employer cannot sack you or treat you unfairly if you make a claim against them. If your employer were to try to fire you or punish you, you would be protected under a number of UK employment laws. For example, if you were sacked, you would have a right to raise an unfair dismissal claim.
Can I claim if I am self-employed or I am on a zero-hours contract?
Yes, your legal rights are the same as those of an employed person. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 protects all individuals in the workplace by placing a duty of care on those in control of work premises to ensure a safe working environment.
For more information about claiming compensation for a brain injury, our frequently asked questions explain every step of the process, including who will handle your claim, whether you’ll need a medical examination, if you’ll need to attend court, and the options for claiming on behalf of someone else.
Alternatively, if you prefer, please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your claim with a member of our specialist legal team. We understand how much a brain injury can affect not only those injured but also the family around them. We are here to support you as much as we possibly can.
Contact us for a free consultation
We are happy to meet individuals and their families to explain how we work and whether our service may be suitable for you. This is always at no cost and with no obligation.