Assaulted at Work Claims
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If you’re a police officer injured in the line of duty, you could be entitled to make a police officer injury claim for compensation.
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Police Officer Injury Compensation Claims
Police officers face the constant risk of injury in the line of duty, and like all employees, they are entitled to safe working conditions. If an injury occurs because of negligence, you may be eligible to make a police officer injury compensation claim.
Claims can arise from inadequate training and protective equipment, insufficient backup, and vehicles that are not in good working order. These can lead to various injuries, from sprains and strains to gunshot wounds and knife injuries.
If you suffered an injury while working for the police and want to make a claim, call 0800 470 0474 today or request a call back for a free case assessment.
Key points about police officer injury claims
- Can I claim?
You may be able to claim compensation if you were injured in the line of duty due to unsafe practices, defective equipment or third-party negligence. - Who is responsible?
Liability may rest with the police force for inadequate training or PPE, or with third parties in assault or traffic incidents. - Is there a time limit?
Yes, you’ll usually have 3 years from the date of the incident to start your claim, although there are a few exceptions. - How much can I claim?
Payouts vary depending on the type of injury, time off work and long-term impact on your health or career. - Will I get a no win, no fee service?
Yes, your solicitors will offer a no win, no fee arrangement, meaning you won’t pay anything unless your claim succeeds.
If you would like to speak to a legal adviser about making a claim, call free on 0800 470 0474 or click here to request a call back.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy. With no win no fee you typically pay 25% of your compensation if your claim is successful, but the fee can vary. Termination fees may apply if you fail to co-operate with your solicitor.
Table of Contents
Am I eligible to make a police officer injury compensation claim?
Yes. Police officers injured at work may be eligible for compensation if:
- Another party owed them a duty of care.
- They breached their duty and caused an accident.
- They suffered an injury as a result.
To find out if you have a valid claim, you should get in touch with an experienced personal injury solicitor as soon as possible.
If you can proceed with a claim, they will handle all communication on your behalf and help you gather everything you need to improve your chances of making a successful claim.
Who is responsible for the safety of police officers during duty?
The police force and the relevant chief officer are legally responsible for an officer’s health, safety and welfare under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Various types of negligence can result in an accident at work compensation claim while working for the police, including:
- Not providing adequate training.
- Failure to supply essential protective gear, such as body armour and helmets.
- Lack of adequate supervision during training and special missions.
- Inadequate inspection and maintenance of firearms and equipment.
- Poorly developed or outdated health and safety policies and procedures.
- Overworking officers without sufficient breaks or rest periods.
- Failure to provide access to mental health resources and support.
Members of the police force who suffered injuries due to negligence may be entitled to personal injury compensation.
What is the time limit for making a police officer compensation claim?
As a general rule, you have three years to claim police officer injury compensation under the Limitation Act 1980. The time starts to run from the date of your accident or when your injuries were diagnosed. Some exceptions include:
- If the claimant has suffered a brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and lacks mental capacity, the time limit is put on hold. A litigation friend could claim on their behalf at any time.
- If a loved one passed away due to injuries sustained while working as a police officer, you could claim compensation within three years after their death.
How do I make a compensation claim as a police officer?
To make a police officer accident claim, you usually need to follow a few standard steps:
- Get your injuries assessed by a doctor as soon as possible.
- Report your injuries through the Police Force’s reporting system.
- Report relevant injuries to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
- Instruct a solicitor as soon as possible.
- Your solicitor will help you gather all the evidence to support your case.
- They will submit your claim for compensation and negotiate a settlement with the defendant.
- If negotiations fail, they will issue court proceedings (although less than 3% of all claims go to trial).
How much compensation can I claim if I suffer an injury on duty?
If you suffered an injury on duty, the amount of compensation you can claim will be calculated based on two types of damages:
- General damages depend on the severity of your injuries and the pain, suffering and loss of amenities caused by them.
- Special damages depend on the financial losses and expenses related to your police injury, such as medical bills, loss of earnings, care costs and medical aids.
You can refer to our personal injury claims calculator to get an idea of what compensation amount you may be entitled to based on the type of injuries you sustained.
Can I make a personal injury claim against the police on a No Win No Fee basis?
Yes. If you meet the criteria required to make a personal injury claim, your solicitor will help you start a no win no fee compensation claim. That means:
- You can start your claim without paying anything upfront.
- You will not be left out of pocket if you lose the claim.
- You only pay your solicitor a success fee capped at 25% of your settlement if you win.
What accidents can lead to a police officer injury claim?
A personal injury lawyer could help you claim for injuries caused by various police accidents, including:
- Road traffic accidents involving police vehicles while patrolling, responding to emergencies, or pursuing suspects.
- Slips, trips, and falls caused by hazards such as slippery surfaces, uneven terrain or obstacles in police stations and during foot pursuits.
- Physical assaults during arrests, encounters with aggressive individuals, or public disturbances.
- Animal attacks when responding to calls involving animal welfare.
- Firearm or weapon accidents, including accidental discharges or equipment malfunctions.
- Training accidents during simulations or drills due to inadequate supervision or safety measures.
- Injuries caused by defective equipment, such as faulty firearms, radios or protective gear.
What injuries do police officers suffer in the line of duty?
You may be eligible to claim compensation for various types of injuries suffered because of police negligence, including:
- Soft tissue injuries caused by physically demanding tasks, sudden movements or confrontations.
- Broken bones and dislocations caused by accidents such as road traffic collisions and physical altercations.
- Laceration injuries from assaults, sharp objects or defective equipment.
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries from physical altercations, blunt force trauma, or accidents.
- Burn injuries from fires, explosions, hazardous materials, or other dangerous situations.
- Gunshot or stab wounds sustained while engaging in situations with armed individuals.
- Back and neck injuries from lifting heavy objects, physical altercations, or sudden movements.
- Dog bite injuries during home visits, protests, or when responding to calls about lost or aggressive animals.
- Psychological injuries from the emotional toll of police work and dealing with traumatic cases.
What evidence will I need to make a police accident at work claim?
To be able to make a claim and secure compensation for injuries while working in the police force, you may need evidence such as:
- Photographs of the accident scene and the hazards that caused it.
- Photos of your injuries and your recovery process.
- Video footage from a bodycam, phone, dashcam or CCTV.
- Your medical records and a specialist medical report.
- A copy of your accident report and any official reports from the HSE.
- Statements from witnesses to support your version of the events.
- Your training history and certifications.
- Proof of related economic losses and out-of-pocket expenses.
Could I lose my job if I claim against the police force?
If you are a police officer injured on duty due to your employer’s negligence, it is your legal right to make an accident at work claim. The police force cannot sack, demote or discipline you in any way for seeking compensation.
If you are bullied or otherwise discriminated against because of your claim, you would be entitled to take further legal action under employment laws.
If you were injured on duty while doing police work and want to seek compensation, call 0800 470 0474 or use our online claim form to request a call back. An experienced solicitor will offer you free legal advice and let you know whether you are entitled to claim compensation.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy.
