Assault At Work Compensation Claims

Last Updated 4th September 2025. If you have been assaulted at work, you should urgently remove yourself from the situation and seek medical assistance. When it is safe to do so, make a report to the police and your employer to ensure there is an official record of what happened. If you decide to consult with a solicitor and make a claim, these reports can prove useful as evidence, as could CCTV footage, medical information, and photographs of your injuries.

If you are physically assaulted at work, you are entitled to seek damages against your employer, the perpetrator or through what’s known as a criminal injury claim. To help break down these different avenues, we have created this guide to claiming assault at work compensation.

We provide more information on important topics such as the duty of care owed by your employer, the evidence you can use in this type of claim, and, while there is no average payout for assault at work, we nevertheless explain how these compensation figures are calculated.

Towards the bottom of this page, there is a short overview of the type of No Win No Fee agreement our solicitors can provide legal services under, with a particular focus on how you can benefit when starting your accident at work claim.

To ask our advisors any questions or for a free consultation regarding your eligibility to seek compensation for assault at work, get in touch today using the contact information provided here:

Is There An Average Payout For Assault At Work?

Providing an average payout for an assault at work wouldn’t be of much use to you as every claim is assessed individually. There are a number of different factors that affect how compensation is calculated, so to find out more about claiming in your particular circumstances, you should contact our dedicated advisory team.

In a vicarious liability claim, there are two relevant heads of loss: General and special damages. General damages award for the physical and psychological damage caused, whereas financial losses resulting from your injuries can be reimbursed under special damages.

Let’s take a look at this in more detail.

Workplace Assault Compensation Amounts

When determining a possible assault at work compensation amount for general damages, those responsible for this task can refer to your medical documents in conjunction with the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This document outlines guideline brackets for a broad range of injuries.

The amounts given below should be viewed as a guide only. Please note that the first bullet point is not from the JCG.

• Multiple very severe injuries in addition to financial losses like therapy costs – up to £1 million+.
• Very severe brain damage – £344,150 to £493,000.
• Total blindness – in the region of £327,940.
• A severe back injury (i) – £111,150 to £196,450.
• Severe hip injuries (i)– £95,680 to £159,770.
• Severely disabling elbow injuries – £47,810 and £66,920.
• Damage to teeth – up to £46,540.
• Very severe facial scarring – £36,340 to £118,790.

Can I Claim For Financial Losses Caused By The Assault?

Your assault at work compensation may also include special damages to compensate for the incurred expenses caused by your injuries.

For instance, if you’ve needed to take time off from work to recover from your injuries, then any loss of earnings that have occurred could potentially be claimed back under special damages. You could also receive compensation for:

• Money paid for private medical treatments for your injuries.
• Travel costs for essential appointments.
• The cost of prescriptions or any over-the-counter medicines bought to aid your recovery.

You will need evidence to claim special damages, which could include certain documents like bank statements or wage slips.

For more advice on how much compensation could be awarded for an assault at work claim, contact our advisors for free today.

Payouts For Assault At Work Under The CICA Scheme

As we’ve seen above, in some situations, your employer won’t be liable for an assault that takes place at work. In these cases, it’s still possible to receive compensation. Rather than being paid by an insurance company, compensation is awarded by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

Payouts in CICA claims differ from those you can see in the table above, as they are instead worked out in accordance with The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. Through this fixed tariff system, each injury is assigned a specific value.

If claiming for multiple injuries, the most valuable injury is awarded to you in full. After that, the second and third most valuable injuries are awarded at 30% and 15% of their respective values.

The CICA may also award you a special expenses payment. This is to cover the necessary and reasonable costs that you experienced as a direct result of the assault at work, such as loss of earnings.

Contact our advisors anytime to learn more about how much assaulted at work compensation you may be able to claim for.

Am I Eligible To Make An Assault At Work Compensation Claim?

There are several avenues through which you could make a claim after being assaulted at work.

For example, you could claim directly against the perpetrator if they have the funds to pay compensation and have been identified. Alternatively, you could claim against a vicariously liable third party, such as an employer. If neither of these avenues are accessible, you could claim via the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

Let’s look at each in a bit more detail.

Claiming Against Your Employer

You could claim against a vicariously liable third party, such as your employer, if they breached their duty of care and this led to the incident in which you suffered harm.

While you are attending to work-related duties, your employer has a legal duty to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, your health, safety and welfare. This is their duty of care as set by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA).

If you would like to seek compensation for a workplace assault, you must meet specific eligibility criteria.

As such, when claiming compensation for an assault at work, you will need to prove that:

• You were owed a duty of care by your employer.
• There was a breach of this duty.
• You sustained injuries as a result. These could be physical injuries and/or psychological injuries.

For example, if another employee had been making threats of violence towards you and these were ignored by your employer, this could be a breach of their duty of care. If that employee were to attack you and your employer failed to take any steps to prevent this, you may be able to make a claim.

The Criteria When Claiming Through The CICA

If you sustained an injury in an assault at work and your employer was not vicariously liable, and you are unable to claim directly against the perpetrator, you may be able to make a claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). The CICA is an executive agency that deals with compensation claims from those who have been injured in a violent crime in Great Britain.

However, in order to make an assault at work claim through the CICA, you must satisfy the eligibility requirements. You must be able to prove that:

• You are within the time limits to claim through the CICA. This is generally two years from the date you were attacked at work.
• The incident happened in England, Scotland, Wales or another relevant place.
• You made a police report. Your police reference number will be needed to claim through the CICA, but you will not need to wait for the assailant to be convicted.
• You suffered injuries (either mental or physical) in a crime of violence. The Scheme 2012 defines a crime of violence as an attack, a violent act that causes harm, the threat of an attack where you had reasonable firmness to fear harm will occur, sexual assault or arson.

If you suffered injuries due to being abused, threatened or assaulted while at work and would like to discuss the compensation claims eligibility criteria, get in touch with us today.

What Is Classed As An Assault At Work?

Workplace assault is any unwanted action or remark in the workplace that undermines, insults, humiliates or causes physical or emotional harm.

The most common forms of workplace violence include the following:

• Physical attacks i.e. punching, kicking, scratching, etc.
• Verbal abuse or threats of abuse, including those of a sexual nature
• Sexual abuse or harassment, ranging from unwanted touching to rape
• Unwanted flashing
• Soliciting sex in return for hiring or promotion
• Pressuring a work colleague or employee into going on a date
• Threatening to dismiss an employee should they air their grievances or voice a complaint
• Insisting a work colleague or employee carries out an action that is against company policy
• Threatening an employee with demotion or dismissal unreasonably
• Drawing a weapon on someone aggressively

An assault in the workplace is classed as an accident at work claim. If you’ve been affected in any of these ways, get in touch with our team for free legal advice on claiming compensation for assault.

To learn more about assault at work compensation claims, why not watch our video below?

How Common Are Assaults At Work?

To give you an idea of just how common assaults at work are, we conducted our own research into the number of assaults made against NHS staff.

Approximately 14% of NHS staff members have reported suffering at least one incident of physical violence from patients, service users, relatives or other members of the public in the last 12 months, according to the latest NHS staff survey.

The NHS is one of the UK’s biggest employers and looks after all types of patients, some of whom pose a risk of assault. If the right safety features aren’t in place, staff members can get hurt, which is exactly what we found. Head here to learn more about our research.

You can check out the full national picture in our infographic below, which shows the compensation payouts for assaults at work for the top 10 NHS trusts.

What To Do If You Are Assaulted In The Workplace

If you have been assaulted in the workplace and are claiming against your employer for vicarious liability, it is vital to take the necessary steps to gather evidence to support your assaulted at work compensation claim. This includes doing the following:

• Visit a medical professional – The medical treatment you receive and any injuries you are diagnosed with can be noted down in your medical records.
• Get witness contact information – Did anyone witnesses the assault? You can collect the contact details and they can provide statements later on in the claims process.
• Make notes about the incident – As soon as you get the opportunity, it is a good idea to note what happened. Don’t leave out anything. This will ensure that you do not forget anything important later down the line.
• Keep proof of expenses – You will need to keep evidence of all of the expenses you have incurred due to the incident. For example, payslips can help you recover your loss of earnings. Whereas receipts and invoices can help prove your medical bills, travel costs to appointments and childcare expenses. If the expense occurred due to the assault, you could claim it back.
• Report the incident – You should inform your employer and you may also wish to report the incident to the police. All employers must keep an accident book by law, and the incident will need to be recorded in there. Plus, this helps to prove that the assault did take place.

Claim Compensation With Our No Win No Fee Solicitors

If you suffered injuries in an assault at work and are eligible to make a personal injury claim, one of our lawyers could help you. They have experience with various types of claims, including those for assault at work compensation. If one of our lawyers agrees to take on your case, they may offer their services under a type of No Win No Fee agreement called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).

When you make a claim with a No Win No Fee lawyer under this arrangement, you won’t have to pay any upfront or ongoing solicitor fees for their services. Furthermore, if your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t be required to pay this fee for the work they have done on your claim.

If your lawyer secures compensation, they will take a success fee for their work. The amount that your assault at work lawyer can take is a percentage of the compensation that is limited by the law.

If you’ve been physically assaulted at work, you can get in touch with our advisors to see whether you could be eligible to make a personal injury claim. If they think you have a strong case, they could connect you with one of our lawyers.

To speak to an advisor:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) On Workplace Assault Compensation Claims

Below, you can find answers to some frequently asked questions on workplace assault compensation claims.

What Compensation Can I Get From CICA (Tariff Ranges)?

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) uses a fixed tariff system. Depending on the severity of your injury, payouts typically range from £1,000 up to £500,000.

Does Verbal Abuse Or Threat Count As Assault At Work?

Yes. Non-physical assaults such as threats, verbal abuse, or harassment can qualify if they cause a recognised psychological injury such as PTSD. The key is proving the harm and linking it to the employer’s failure to manage risk.

Which Jobs Are At Higher Risk Of Assault At Work?

Roles involving close contact with volatile people or handling valuables are more vulnerable. Examples include nurses, social workers, security staff, public transport staff, retail workers, and carers.

What If I Didn’t Report The Assault Immediately? Can I Still Claim?

Yes. You may still claim even if you delayed reporting. But you will need a credible reason for the delay, and you should gather supporting evidence as soon as possible. Prompt reporting usually strengthens your case.

Why Might My Employer Not Be Liable Even After An Assault?

Employers may argue the assault was not reasonably foreseeable or that they could not have prevented it. If the incident occurred wholly outside work duties or in private matters unrelated to work, liability may be denied.

Can I Claim Against My Employer And Also Through CICA?

No. You cannot receive double compensation. You typically choose either a civil claim against your employer or a criminal injury claim through CICA. Our workplace accident solicitors can advise which route is best for your situation.

Will I Need An Independent Medical Examination?

Yes. You will usually undergo an independent medical examination by a court-appointed or agreed medical expert. It helps assess the extent of your injuries and supports your claim for compensation.

What If The Assailant Is Unknown Or Cannot Be Traced?

You may still claim through CICA even if the attacker is unidentified, as long as the incident is reported to the police and meets eligibility rules. For claims against your employer, liability may depend on your employer’s duty to manage risk rather than identifying the assailant.

Can I Claim For Psychological Injuries After A Workplace Assault?

Yes. If a qualified professional diagnoses a psychological condition such as PTSD, depression, or anxiety caused by the assault, it can be included in your compensation. You must show causation and link it to the incident.

What Should I Do Immediately After Being Assaulted At Work?

• Get to a safe place and seek medical treatment
• Report the incident to the police
• Notify your employer or HR in writing
• Document what happened, including time, place, and witnesses
• Take photos of injuries and the scene if possible
• Keep records of medical visits, costs, and time off work

Am I Protected From Being Fired For Claiming Assault At Work?

Yes. You cannot be lawfully dismissed simply for pursuing a legitimate compensation claim. If your employer tries to dismiss or penalise you for that reason, you may also have grounds for an unfair dismissal claim.

How Long Do I Have To Claim For An Assault At Work?

You usually have 3 years from the date of the assault to start a workplace assault claim. For CICA claims, the limit is 2 years from the date of the incident. Exceptions may apply for children or those lacking mental capacity.

How Long Does An Assault At Work Claim Take?

CICA aims to resolve claims within 12 months, but complex evidence or ongoing treatment can make cases longer.

Personal injury claims against your employer may take around 6 to 12 months, depending on the seriousness of the injuries and whether your employer admits liability.

Our solicitors can give you a clearer timeline based on your circumstances.

What Evidence Do I Need For An Assault At Work Claim?

You may need medical evidence of your injuries, proof of financial losses, and confirmation that the assault was reported to police. Residency requirements also apply when it comes to making a CICA claim.

Useful Links For Claiming Assault At Work Compensation

In this last section of our guide on what to do if you’ve been assaulted at work, we’ve included some other guides you may find useful.

• HSE workplace harassment and violence -This takes you to the government’s Health and Safety Executive website, where you will find information on work-related violence. This includes the law on such matters and guidance on preventing workplace harassment and violence.
• How Much Compensation Can I Claim For Bullying At Work? – If you have been the victim of bullying at work, find out if you can claim compensation
• Government website on workplace bullying and harassment – This link takes you to the UK Government website, where you will find information on bullying and harassment. This includes examples of bullying and harassment and details regarding the law and what to do if you feel you are being bullied or harassed.

Thank you for reading our guide on assault at work compensation claims.