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Part Time Worker Accident Claims Guide

By Stephen Hudson. Last Updated 22nd October 2024. Welcome to our guide to part-time worker accident claims. On this page, you will find a complete guide to the legal process of making a compensation claim for an injury caused by a part-time worker accident.

In the eyes of the law, a part-time worker has the same rights as a full-time worker. If you have been working part-time, and you were injured in a workplace accident, then this guide to making a personal injury claim is for you.

If you are ready to make your claim without reading this guide, then you can call Legal Expert on 0800 073 8804 now, and we will walk you through the process of starting your claim. Or, send us a message about your claim online.

a part-time worker falling from a ladder in an accident at work

Select a Section

  1. What Is The Eligibility Criteria For Part Time Worker Accident Claims?
  2. What Are My Rights As A Part-Time Employee?
  3. What Is Your Employer’s Duty Of Care?
  4. How Long Do I Have To Start An Injury At Work Claim?
  5. What Evidence Can I Use To Support My Injury Claim?
  6. How Much Compensation Could I Receive As A Part-Time Employee?
  7. No Win No Fee Part Time Work Accident Claims
  8. Essential References On Your Rights As A Part-Time Worker

What Is The Eligibility Criteria For Part Time Worker Accident Claims?

If you suffer an injury at work while employed on a part-time basis, you can make a compensation claim.

Both full-time and part-time employees enjoy the same workplace rights and protections.

If your employer does decide to make an issue of it, putting your job at risk, you can claim against them for either unfair or constructive dismissal. If you’re concerned about this, we recommend checking out our guide on your protections against losing your job if you have an accident at work.

What Are My Rights As A Part-Time Employee?

It’s important to understand your legal rights and what you’re entitled to, especially following an accident. Let’s take a detailed look:

  • Sick Pay – not all employers offer sick pay. Whether you’ll be entitled to it or not will depend on your contract of employment, so we recommend checking this first. Some companies pay a certain number of sick days, after which you will be paid statutory sick pay (SSP), which could be a lot lower.
  • Protection From Dismissal – as mentioned above you cannot be sacked as a part-time worker if you suffer an injury at work.
  • Right To Make A Compensation Claim – on top of this, you cannot be sacked for making a compensation claim. By law, all employers must have employers’ liability insurance in place to pay for the likes of compensation if an employee gets hurt.

What Is Your Employer’s Duty Of Care?

Employers owe their employees a duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA). This legislation states that they must take all reasonably practicable steps to keep their employees safe in the workplace and while working.

For example, this can include carrying out regular risk assessments, providing adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when necessary, and ensuring all staff receive adequate training. If your employer fails to fulfil their duty of care, and you suffer an injury as a result, you may be entitled to make a claim for accident at work compensation.

To learn more about when you could make a part-time worker injury compensation claim, contact our team today.

How Long Do I Have To Start An Injury At Work Claim?

In order to claim for a part time worker injury, you must begin proceedings within the personal injury claims time limit. This time limit is set out by the Limitation Act 1980, and is generally three years from the date of your accident.

However, for those under the age of eighteen, the time limit does not begin until their 18th birthday. From this date, they will have until their 21st birthday to start a claim. However, a litigation friend can begin proceedings on their behalf at any time while the time limit is suspended.

For those who lack the capacity to claim for themselves, the time limit is suspended indefinitely. During this time, a litigation friend could claim on their behalf. Should the claimant recover the appropriate capacity to make their own claim, the 3-year time limit will be reinstated on the date of their recovery, as long as a claim hasn’t already been made on their behalf.

Our advisors are here to help if you’d like to find out more about time limits in personal injury claims. Get in touch today to get started.

What Evidence Can I Use To Support My Injury Claim?

When you start an accident at work claim, it is your responsibility to provide evidence that supports your case. Evidence can help support a number of different areas of your claim, including the nature of your injuries, how your accident occurred, and who is responsible for your injuries.

One of the benefits of working with a No Win No Fee solicitor on your part time worker injury claim is that they can help you gather this evidence, which could include:

  • Medical records: Your medical records can illustrate the injuries you suffered, as well as the treatment you will need going forward.
  • Accident book logs: Any workplace with ten or more employees must have an accident book onsite. Recording your accident here creates a permanent record of what happened. A copy of this record could be used to help support your claim.
  • CCTV footage: CCTV footage that shows your accident or the circumstances leading up to it.
  • Photographs: Taking photographs of both your injuries and the accident site can be helpful in building a strong claim.

Get more information on collecting evidence to support your claim when you get in touch with our advisors today.

How Much Compensation Could I Receive As A Part-Time Employee?

Compensation for successful part time worker accident claims can include general and special damages. General damages are provided to compensate for the pain and suffering the accident has caused and how the subsequent injuries impacted your quality of life.

Those who value a work accident claim for general damages may check the Judicial College Guidelines for reference. This document lists compensation brackets for different injuries, including many which could potentially occur to a part time worker in an accident. Some of these brackets can be viewed in the table below for guidance. The top entry is not based on the JCG. Please only use the table as guide because it does not represent your individual circumstances. All personal injury claims are valued on their own merits.

What was the injury?Compensation guideline amount
Multiple Serious Injuries Plus Special DamagesUp to £250,000+
Severe Arm Injuries£117,360 to £159,770
Very Severe Foot Injuries£102,470 to £133,810
Serious Hand Injuries£35,390 to £75,550
Less Serious Hand Injuries£17,640 to £35,390
Severe Ankle Injuries£38,210 to £61,090
Severe Shoulder Injuries£23,430 to £58,610
Less Severe Head Injuries£18,700 to £52,550
Moderate Back Injury (i)£33,880 to £47,320
Serious Toe Injuries£11,720 to £16,770

Alongside general damages, you may also be able to seek special damages, which is compensation for any financial losses your injury has caused. For instance, as a part time worker, your injury may lead to loss of earnings if you’ve needed to take unpaid time off work. You may also have spent money on treatments and care, such as prescriptions or physiotherapy, as part of your recovery. Such losses and expenses could be covered under special damages.

To claim special damages, you will need certain documents as proof, such as wage slips or bank statements. Please contact our advisors for free today to learn more about how much your potential work accident claim could be worth.

No Win No Fee Part Time Work Accident Claims

One of our solicitors may be able to help you with your art time worker injury compensation claim with a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). A CFA is a kind of No Win No Fee agreement that allows you to work with a solicitor without paying any upfront service fees. Likewise, you won’t be asked to pay for their work if your claim fails.

However, if your claim succeeds, your solicitor will deduct a success fee from your settlement award. This fee is a small, legally capped percentage.

There are a number of benefits that come with working with a No Win No Fee solicitor. For example, they can help you collect evidence, explain legal jargon, and ensure all areas of your claim are fully covered.

To find out if you could be eligible to work with one of our solicitors on your case, contact our team of advisors today:

Essential References On Your Rights As A Part-Time Worker

For more helpful guides:

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Thank you for reading our guide on part time worker accident claims.