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Civil Service Accident At Work Claim Guide – How To Claim Compensation Against The Civil Service For A Personal Injury?

Last Updated 3rd July 2025. The Civil Service forms an inseparable part of the government. Although there is no official definition as to what a Civil Servant is, it may be assumed that such an employee is a servant of the country with no political implications. In this guide, we examine the claim process from the perspective of an office employee working within the Civil Service.

Our guide will look at various scenarios where you might be able to claim compensation, explore your rights, and outline what you should do if you’ve been injured through no fault of your own. It will also highlight the benefits of claiming through the type of No Win No Fee contract offered by our solicitors.

Legal Expert are specialists within the area of personal injury, who have helped many secure compensation due to the knowledge base we have through our team of experts.

If you’d like to begin a personal injury compensation claim today or want a bit more information to help you decide, please reach out to one of our helpful advisors today:

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What Is A Civil Servant Accident At Work?

A Civil Service accident at work is simply an accident that occurs while working for the Civil Service in whatever role that may be. It could be in an office, travelling to or from a work appointment, working in the workplace of another as a Civil Servant. It might happen in your normal place of work or somewhere you’ve had to attend to complete work tasks.

In order to pursue a claim for an injury that has happened within the workplace, it needs to be shown that:

  • A duty of care was owed to the claimant (by the defendant).
  • That the duty of care was breached.
  • And those injuries were sustained because of the breach of duty.

We’ll cover duty of care in more detail later in this guide, but in most instances, an employer owes a duty of care to ensure its employees are safe and provide a healthy working environment.

Is There A Time Limit For Starting A Civil Service Accident At Work Claim?

Yes, there is a 3-year time limit for starting a civil service accident at work claim. It’s set by the Limitation Act 1980 and typically takes effect from the date of the incident. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this time limit only applies to the act of filing a claim. In short, this means there is no limitation period (another term for time limits) for when a claim must be finalised or settled. 

The act makes certain allowances for individuals who cannot claim for themselves because they are children or have a mental incapacity. In such cases, time limits are paused unless specific conditions are met:

  • Children: While the Civil Service can recruit 16 year olds as apprentices, a minor must wait until they are 18 before they can claim independently. Time limits will then apply from the day of their 18th birthday, giving them 3 years in which to begin a Civil Service accident at work compensation claim.
  • Mental Incapacity: In circumstances where there is mental incapacity, time limits are indefinitely suspended. However, the standard 3 years will take effect if an individual recovers, dated from when mental capacity is restored.

Both groups can make a civil servant workplace injury claim earlier if a litigation friend represents them while time limits are paused. The role can be filled by any adult, who will be responsible for claiming on someone’s behalf and performing various case-related duties.

Please also keep reading as we further explore the question of, ‘Can I claim if I was injured at work as a civil servant?’

Examples Of Different Potential Office Accidents

In the upcoming sections, the guide illustrates the various types of accidents that can potentially occur within a work environment.

If the workplace accident that resulted in an injury is not mentioned below, please call Legal Expert and get a free consultation to have your case assessed. 

I Slipped In My Office, Could I Claim Compensation?

A slip, trip or fall in an office is one of the most common office accidents to occur. Here we have included examples that may explain why an employer may be liable for an employees injury;

  • Obstacles left in hazardous places. It is vital that walkways and communal spaces in offices are left free from tripping hazards, boxes, files, office equipment and even rubbish left on the floor may cause an employee to fall and injure themselves.
  • When a trip was caused by trailing cables. Cables such as phone cables, electrical wires, internet lines should not cause tripping hazards, fixing them securely to the floor leaving no room for gaps may reduce any hazard.
  • Accidents caused by damaged carpet or floor tiles. Upturned carpets, loose cracked tiles and uneven floors are all reasons why a slip trip and fall may occur.
  • If a floor was wet or slippery, causing you to slip. This could be because of a spillage, a leak or because of cleaning. Any spillage should be cleared up quickly and warning signs used to highlight the risk.

 

What Are Manual Handling Injuries?

If an employee is expected to lift or move heavy objects in the office, they should be trained in doing so properly. Any employee who is required to lift, carry, move, drag, or pull objects as part of their work tasks should be trained to do so. If manual handling training is not provided, then an employee may suffer a manual handling injury. Manual handling injuries often affect the lower back, causing musculoskeletal disorders.

Injuries Caused By Being Struck By A Falling Object

In office spaces items that need storing should be done so using the correct procedure, over stacking shelves, placing items on shelves incorrectly, using shelves that are damaged and defected, racking that is not fit for purpose are all ways that could result in an accident. If items fall from a height, especially particularly heavy items, they may cause serious injuries, possibly to the head and upper body.

To be eligible to make an accident at work claim for an injury caused by a falling item, it is necessary to prove that your employer or another employee acted in a negligent way that caused the incident to occur

Civil Service Office Worker Health And Safety Guidelines

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers have a duty to “ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work” of all workers.

This means that they should undertake risk assessments and create health and safety procedures based on the risks highlighted. Staff should receive an induction and adequate training for all tasks they are expected to undertake. They should also be provided with any safety equipment for tasks where risks have been highlighted and the need for protection is present.

If you are injured in an accident at work, which was caused because your employer didn’t honour their duty of care, you might be able to claim compensation against them. Our experts have the knowledge and training to help you decide whether you have a valid claim or not, so please get in touch.

I Was Injured Working For The Civil Service, What Rights Do I Have?

Following an accident at work, you may be entitled to at least Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you have to have time off of work to recover. Your employer may pay more than SSP, this will depend on your contract.

Many people worry that they will be dismissed for making a compensation claim against their employer. It’s not legal to be sacked or treated any differently for making a claim against your employer. So long as the claim is truthful, your employer can not stop you from claiming. Doing so could lead to further action being taken against them.

Following an accident at work you might be entitled to the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB). You’ll need to fill in a form from the scheme’s website and undergo a medical assessment. Following that, you’ll be given a percentage of disablement, from 1 to 100, which any payment will be based on.

What Should I Do If Injured Working For The Civil Service?

If you are ever involved in an accident at work, there are some steps you can take which might help with any future compensation claim. These include:

  • Report the accident to your employer. Under UK law, all accidents at work should be recorded in an accident report book. This could be used as supporting evidence for your claim.
  • Seek medical advice. Visit a doctor or a hospital to have your injuries assessed. This will ensure you receive swift treatment, and the severity of the injuries will be recorded. Medical records can then be used as evidence in your claim.
  • Photograph the scene of the accident. Take as many pictures as you need to show the scene of the accident. Try to capture the root cause of the accident. So, if you tripped on trailing cables, ensure they’re in the photograph.
  • Take photos of any visible injuries. These could be used in conjunction with any medical records to demonstrate the severity of injuries.
  • Ask any witnesses to write a statement. Ensure you obtain their contact details as well because your solicitor may need to contact them at a later date.
  • Contact Legal Expert as soon as possible after your accident. Doing so early will give us plenty of time to gather evidence to support your claim and lodge it within the personal injury claims time limit.

Following an accident at work, you may not want to spend time gathering evidence but it could be really helpful for your personal injury solicitor and could improve the chances of being awarded compensation.

Personal Injury Compensation Calculator

A personal injury claims calculator can provide insight into general damages. These damages compensate individuals for the injuries they’ve sustained in an accident through no fault of their own. Solicitors sometimes assess general damages using a document called the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), which publishes suggested compensation brackets for various types of injuries.

You can see some of the JCG’s suggested brackets. Since they are only guidelines, this table is not a guarantee of compensation. Please also keep in mind that the top figure isn’t from the publication.

InjuryCompensation
Multiple Very Severe Injuries, Together With Special Damages (e.g. Care Costs)£1,000,000+
Tetraplegia £396,140 to £493,000
Moderately Severe Brain Damage£267,340 to £344,150
Severe (ii) Neck Injury£80,240 to £159,770
Severe (ii) Very Serious Leg Injuries£66,920 to £109,290
Severe (ii) Pelvic/Hip Injury£75,550 to £95,680
Severe (iii) Back Injury£47,320 to £85,100
Less Severe Arm Injury£23,430 to £47,810
Less Severe Elbow Injuries£19,100 to £39,070
Serious Shoulder Injury£15,580 to £23,430

For further information about personal injury compensation, please feel free to reach out to our team of advisors.

Financial Losses – What Can I Claim Compensation For?

You can also claim for financial losses caused by your injuries under special damages. These losses must be provable with evidence like payslips and bank statements.

The special damages that could be claimed for include:

  • Travelling Expenses: If you incur expenses because you need to make trips to the doctor, physio or other appointments linked to your injuries, you may be able to claim the cost back.
  • Medical Costs: Although NHS treatment is free, the cost of prescriptions and other medicines can soon build up. In some cases, the cost of medicines and private treatments can be included in a compensation claim.
  • Personal Property Damage Costs: During your accident, if any item of personal property is damaged, such as clothing, mobile phones or jewellery, you might be able to claim the cost of replacing the item.
  • Loss of Earnings: Following your accident, if you need to take time off to recover, you could claim any lost earnings back as part of your claim.

Keep reading as we next discuss whether you can also claim injury benefits. You can also get in touch with our advisors for further guidance on special damages.

Could I Also Claim Injury Benefits From The Civil Service?

Some civil servants can claim a payment from the Civil Service Injury Benefit Scheme (CSIBS) following an accident at work if it reduces their earning capacity.

CSIBS is designed to bring the income of a member back up to a guaranteed level if their earning capacity is reduced. Eligibility requirements are that the claimant is injured while on duty, at work and completing work tasks.

There is no need to prove any evidence of who caused the accident. The scheme operates on a no-fault basis. This means the Civil Service aren’t accepting any responsibility for your injuries. It’s also worth noting that eligibility for CSIBS doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be eligible for a compensation claim.

The scheme is not a compensation claim and doesn’t stop you from making a separate claim. If you do successfully make a workplace accident claim, you will have to pay back any benefits you’ve received from the scheme. Therefore, you could use the CSIBS while your personal injury claim is being processed to help maintain your income.

No Win No Fee Accident At Work Claims Against The Civil Service

We understand that clients are concerned about the expense of hiring a solicitor. That is why we offer a No Win No Fee service for all claims we undertake through a contract called a Conditional Fee Agreement, but what does it mean?

Using A No Win No Fee Service

Using a personal injury solicitor who offers a No Win No Fee service has one major advantage. If they lose the case, you don’t have to pay them any solicitor fees. There are also no upfront solicitor fees, and no extra ones to pay as your claim progresses.

It’ll also state a success fee if they win the case. This is a percentage of your compensation (limited to 25%) that the solicitor will retain for their services should they win the case. 

How To Contact Us

We hope that this guide has provided you with all the information you need. If you’d like to begin a Civil Service accident at work claim today, please get in touch. You can contact us by:

How Could I Find Out More Information?

Thanks for taking the time to read this guide about making a workplace personal injury claim.  For further guidance, we’ve linked to a few more useful resources.

If you require any more information, please speak with an advisor today.

Edited By Melissa.