What Happens if I am Injured by a Work Colleague? 

If you are injured by a work colleague, your employer may be liable for the damages you suffered. Employers have a legal duty to ensure the safety of their staff and are usually responsible for the actions of their employees under the principle of vicarious liability.

There are many ways in which a colleague could cause an injury. They could run over your foot with a forklift, drop a heavy object on your head or knock your ladder and cause you to fall. No matter the scenario, you may be entitled to claim compensation from your employer.

This guide details what happens if you are injured by a work colleague and how you can make a claim against your employer. If you would prefer a free, tailored assessment of your situation, call 0800 470 0474 today or request a call back.

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Table of Contents

• Is my employer liable for an injury caused by a work colleague?
• What should I do if I am injured by a work colleague?
• Can I claim compensation if I am injured by a co-worker?
• How do I make a claim for an injury caused by a colleague?
• Can my employer defend a vicarious liability claim?
• What accidents and injuries could be caused by co-workers?
• What types of employer negligence could lead to workplace injuries caused by another employee?
• Will claiming against a colleague affect my job?
• Will my colleague get in trouble if I make a claim for compensation?
• What evidence do I need to prove my claim?
• How much compensation could I receive for a workplace injury caused by a colleague?
• What is the time limit to claim compensation for an injury caused by a work colleague?
• Can I claim for a work accident caused by a colleague on a No Win No Fee basis?

Is my employer liable for an injury caused by a work colleague?

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, employers have a duty of care to keep employees safe from foreseeable harm. This means they are liable for workplace accidents that are a result of their failure to maintain a safe work environment.

Under the legal principle of vicarious liability, they are also responsible for the actions of their employees. This means employers are responsible for an employee’s harmful acts as long as these occur within the scope and course of their employment.

This means your employer is liable for your colleague’s actions if:

• These occurred during their work hours or in a place where their job duties are performed.
• They were within the range of activities the employer could reasonably expect them to undertake.
• They were intended to benefit the employer or their business.

What should I do if I am injured by a work colleague?

If you are injured by a colleague at work, there are a few steps you should take to protect yourself and your legal rights:

• Seek immediate medical care to have your injuries diagnosed and treated.
• Report the accident to your manager or supervisor and make sure they record it in the company’s accident book.
• Collect evidence, such as witness details, photos of the scene and CCTV footage.
• Keep all receipts and documents related to financial losses.
• Keep a diary of your symptoms and the impact on your life and daily activities.
• Save all communication with your employer or other parties involved.
• Speak to a specialist personal injury solicitor for advice on making a claim.

Can I claim compensation if I am injured by a co-worker?

If you are injured at work by a colleague, you are usually entitled to make an accident at work claim against your employer if the following can be proven:

• You were owed a duty of care.
• This duty was breached by your employer.
• You were injured as a direct result of this breach.
• You are within the legal time limit for making a claim.

The claim for compensation will be made against your employer’s liability insurance and not directly against your colleague. This ensures you can recover your losses, as your co-worker may not have the resources to pay your compensation.

How do I make a claim for an injury caused by a colleague?

The first thing you should do if you want to start a personal injury claim is contact a specialist workplace accident solicitor for a free consultation. They will ask you to provide details of how the accident occurred and who was involved to assess the merits of your case.

If you can proceed, they will:

• Help you gather evidence to show that your employer breached their duty of care towards you through your colleague’s actions.
• Send a letter of claim to your employer outlining the details of your claim.
• Negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf if liability is admitted.
• Further investigate the case and issue court proceedings if liability is denied or you cannot settle.
• Argue your claim before a judge if the claim goes to trial, although this rarely happens (less than 3% of all personal injury cases).

Can my employer defend a vicarious liability claim?

Yes. Your employer may not admit fault for your accident at work and may argue that:

• Your colleague was acting outside the scope of their employment.
• They took all reasonable measures to prevent an accident, such as providing proper training, supervision and safety equipment.
• The incident was entirely unforeseeable, and they could not reasonably anticipate it.
• There was no valid employer-employee relationship.

Nonetheless, if your colleague’s negligence occurred during work activities and in connection with their duties, the employer is usually held vicariously liable.

What accidents and injuries could be caused by co-workers?

A work colleague can cause you to suffer a wide range of accidents and injuries at work, including:

• Manual handling accidents, where they may drop a heavy object on you, causing a fracture or laceration.
• A slip or trip accident, by failing to clean a spill or leaving clutter in walkways, can result in sprains, back injuries and fractures.
• Falls from height, by knocking over your ladder or failing to secure the scaffolding or your harness, can result in severe head injuries.
• Machinery and equipment accidents, such as forklift collisions or improper use of power tools, can result in cuts, lacerations and amputations.
• Exposure to hazardous substances by mishandling chemicals or failing to dispose of them safely can result in burns, respiratory issues and illnesses.
• Physical assaults, bullying and harassment can have a deep emotional impact and result in anxiety, depression and PTSD.

If you suffered any injury at work due to a colleague’s negligence, you may be eligible to claim compensation from your employer.

What types of employer negligence could lead to workplace injuries caused by another employee?

Even if your injury was caused by a work colleague, various types of employer negligence usually contribute to such incidents, including:

• Failing to provide proper training on how to operate tools, machinery and vehicles.
• Hiring a co-worker who is not qualified for the job.
• Failing to ensure adequate supervision and monitor the employee’s actions.
• Providing defective or poorly maintained equipment.
• Failing to ensure that safety equipment is adequate and functional.
• Failing to implement and enforce clear health and safety measures and safe systems of work.
• Failing to conduct sufficient risk assessments to identify and manage risks.
• Allowing employees to work while fatigued, understaffed or under pressure.
• Not taking disciplinary action against workplace bullying or aggression.
• Failing to maintain a clean and tidy working environment.

Will claiming against a colleague affect my job?

We understand that you may be worried about making a claim for an injury caused by your co-worker. However, your employer cannot dismiss you or treat you unfairly simply for making a legitimate workplace injury compensation claim.

Doing so could amount to unfair or constructive dismissal under the Employment Rights Act 1996 and could entitle you to make a further claim at an employment tribunal. The tribunal may order your employer to reinstate you or provide financial compensation.

Furthermore, all employers are required to hold Employers’ Liability insurance. This covers personal injury claims made by employees, regardless of whether they were due to another colleague’s actions. Your employer will not be left out of pocket if you win compensation.

Will my colleague get in trouble if I make a claim for compensation?

If you were injured at work because of a fellow employee, you might worry that making a personal injury claim could affect their job or financial well-being. However, your colleague should not get in trouble for a simple mistake or negligence that led to your injury.

Your claim will be made against your employer’s liability insurance, not your co-worker personally. This means neither of them will be left out of pocket.

Your colleague could only face disciplinary action if your injuries were caused by gross misconduct or intentional actions, such as:

• Physical assaults, such as pushing or pulling you.
• Intentionally disabling safety guards on machinery.
• Driving a forklift recklessly with the intention of scaring you.
• Purposely throwing a tool or object that strikes you.
• Repeatedly ignoring safety rules and procedures.

What evidence do I need to prove my claim?

To secure compensation for an accident caused by another employee, you should have as much evidence as possible, including:

• Medical records and independent reports from medical specialists.
• Diagnostic tests and a record of the treatments you received.
• A copy of an accident report filed with your employer.
• Workplace training and maintenance records.
• Photographs of the accident scene and your injuries.
• Video or CCTV footage of the accident, if available.
• Statements from other employees or passers-by.
• Your testimony about the incident and its impact on your life.
• Documentation of financial losses, such as receipts and payslips.

Your solicitor will help you gather all the evidence you need to claim compensation and guide you through all the steps of the claims process.

How much compensation could I receive for a workplace injury caused by a colleague?

The amount of compensation you may be entitled to receive for an accident at work will be calculated based on two types of damages:

• General damages are subjective losses that depend on the type and severity of your injuries. These include aspects such as physical pain, disability, emotional distress, scarring, disfigurement, impact on hobbies and relationships.
• Special damages are economic losses that are a direct result of the accident and injuries. Examples include lost wages, medical bills, care costs and travel expenses to medical appointments.

For example, you could receive:

• £2,090 to £10,670 for minor back injuries such as sprains, strains and slipped discs.
• £15,320 to £26,010 for moderately severe face injuries such as a broken nose or jaw.
• Up to £255,930 for the amputation of one or both arms.

What is the time limit to claim compensation for an injury caused by a work colleague?

There is a general three-year time limit for starting an accident at work compensation claim. Exceptions include:

• If you were under 18 at the time of injury, the three-year limitation period only begins on your 18th birthday.
• If the injured person is mentally incapacitated, the time limit is put on hold until recovery (or permanently in case of lifelong disabilities).
• If you were assaulted by a work colleague, you have two years to claim compensation through the CICA if you cannot claim against your employer.

Can I claim for a work accident caused by a colleague on a No Win No Fee basis?

If a colleague injured you at work and you are eligible for compensation, the solicitors we partner with will represent you under a conditional fee agreement. Also known as no win no fee, this means that:

• You pay nothing up front.
• You only pay a success fee to your solicitor if your claim is successful.
• The success fee is pre-agreed from the start and capped at 25% of your settlement.
• If your case fails, you do not pay a single penny in legal fees.

To learn more about what happens if you are injured by a work colleague and whether you are able to claim compensation, call 0800 470 0474 for a free consultation with an expert solicitor. You can also use our online contact form to request a call back.

Last edited on 16th Oct 2025

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.