Warehouse Accident Claims

Introduction to warehouse injury claims

Employees working in a warehouse, depot or distribution hub are exposed to heavy and repetitive loads and to the risk of falls and falling objects, whilst operating close to lorries and forklifts. These risks add up to a dangerous working environment where safety rules need to be understood and properly enforced.

If you’ve been injured in a warehouse accident, whether through heavy lifting, a fall, faulty equipment, or being hit by a vehicle, you may be entitled to compensation. Our experienced warehouse accident solicitors can help you make a claim and secure the financial support you need to recover.

Common types of warehouse accidents

As personal injury lawyers we deal with hundreds of accident at work cases of workers who are injured, often seriously, because the rules are not understood or enforced. Here are some examples of common injury scenarios we deal with:

• A loading cage full of stock falls off the tailgate of the lorry onto a warehouse worker causing a fractured jaw and head injury
• Stock boxes fall from a high shelf in a warehouse that cannot be accessed safely because the step ladder is broken
• Worker run over by reversing forklift truck
• Back injury from having to unload heavy boxes without assistance
• A worker slips on wet discarded cardboard in the loading bay whilst carrying a load
• Frostbite damage to fingers from working in freezer store for long periods without suitable gloves
• Tripping from pushing a storage cage over uneven floor surface at the entrance to lift
• Burns from handling hot machinery or equipment without proper protective clothing or warning signage

All of these accidents would have been avoided if the Workplace Regulations and other statutory duties had been observed by the employer.

Our job is to try to put the injured person back in the state they would have been in, so far as money can do that, had the accident not happened. We seek to prove the employer’s breach of duty by evidence and to maximise the value of the compensation claim.

Who is responsible for warehouse safety?

Employers are required by law to undertake thorough risk assessments of their premises. Once undertaken, the assessment will alert employers to measures that must be put in place to minimise the risk of injury to employees and visitors. If the employer fails to follow the recommended safety guidelines and an employee or visitor is injured, the employer is liable to pay compensation.

Measures may differ depending on the set-up of the warehouse or factory, some of the general requirements for employers include:

• Making sure there are proper supervision measures in place
• All workers are given personal protective equipment. This may include gloves, hard hats, safety boots
• Full training on being aware of any hazards in the workplace and how to use equipment
• Making sure containers, boxes and other items are stored properly
• Ensuring there are visible warning signs where needed
• Obstacles in the way are cleared to prevent slips, trips and falls.

How much compensation can I claim?

The amount of warehouse accident compensation you may be entitled to depends on several key factors. Every compensation claim is unique, and the final settlement will reflect the specific circumstances of your injury and how it has affected your life.

What Affects Your Compensation?

When calculating how much compensation you could receive, solicitors will consider:

• The severity of your injuries – More serious or life-changing injuries caused by warehouse accidents typically result in higher awards.
• Loss of earnings – If you’ve had to take time off work or can’t return to your job, your future and past earnings may be included in the claim.
• Medical costs and care needs – This includes ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, and any equipment or home adaptations you may require.
• Pain, suffering and loss of amenity – Known as ‘general damages’, this compensates for the physical and emotional impact of your injury.

Example compensation amounts

While no two accident compensation claims are the same, typical awards for warehouse-related injuries may include:

• Minor injuries (e.g. sprains, cuts): £1,000 – £5,000
• Moderate injuries (e.g. fractures, soft tissue damage): £5,000 – £20,000
• Serious or long-term injuries (e.g. spinal damage, head and brain trauma): £25,000 – £100,000+

These are guideline figures and do not account for financial losses like lost income or care costs.

Interim payments in serious cases

If you’ve suffered a serious injury and the other party has admitted fault, you may be eligible for interim payments. These are early payments made while your claim is ongoing, helping to cover urgent costs such as rehabilitation or replacing lost income.

What to do after a warehouse accident

If you’ve been injured in a warehouse accident, taking the right steps early on is essential for your health and to protect your rights if you decide to make a warehouse accident claim. Here’s what to do:

1. Report the accident

Make sure the incident is recorded in your employer’s accident book. This creates an official record of what happened and when, which can support your personal injury claim later on. If your workplace doesn’t have an accident book, report the incident to your manager or HR in writing.

2. Seek medical attention

Always seek medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor at first. A medical professional can assess your condition properly, and your medical records will serve as evidence if you decide to make a claim.

3. Collect evidence

Take photographs of the scene, your injuries, and anything that may have contributed to the accident (such as faulty equipment or obstructions). If anyone saw what happened, try to get witness statements and their contact details. The more evidence you gather, the stronger your warehouse accident claim will be.

4. Contact a personal injury solicitor

Speak to a specialist personal injury solicitor as soon as possible. At Osbornes Law, our expert team can advise whether you have grounds to make a personal injury claim and guide you through the next steps with no financial risk.

Real-life warehouse accident case studies

Romanian labourer receives £10,000 payout

Mr R was a Romanian labourer working for a building company. He was asked by his foreman to assist with the unloading of a lorry, a job he had no experience or training for.

While helping, the tail lift mechanism at the back of the lorry malfunctioned and he happened to have his hand in the wrong place so he suffered a crush injury.

His employers were strictly liable under the relevant legislation because the machine was defective, but they would have been liable in any event because the injury was caused by Mr R being instructed to do a job that carried a risk of injury but without any instruction or training.

Mr R suffered fractures and a deep laceration to the hand which required surgery and the insertion of K Wires to fix the bones in place. He was unable to do manual work for several months and so lost his job.

Eventually, Mr R found work as a painter and decorator, but the new job was less well paid. He also continued to experience aching in his hand after a day’s work.

The case was settled for £10,000.

Refuse collector awarded £25,000 in compensation

Mr G was a keen sportsman who played amateur football to a high level. At the time of the accident, he was working as a refuse collector.

While loading a wheely bin onto the back of a refuse lorry, the loading gear malfunctioned, ejecting the bin. It flew off the back of the lorry and shattered Mr G’s forearm.

He required surgery to repair the fracture, but the bone malunited, leading to the need for a second operation. As a result, Mr G felt unable to continue in his job and decided to leave.

Afterwards, he began training in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and, following three fights, was preparing to turn professional. However, the symptoms in his arm flared up again, forcing him to stop training and return to see his surgeon.

He underwent another procedure to remove the metalwork from his arm. Thankfully, after this final operation, the prognosis was for a full functional recovery.

We claimed compensation for:

• The cost of private medical treatment
• The loss of income from his cancelled debut professional MMA fight

The employer’s solicitors admitted liability, but disputed the value of the claim. The case was ultimately settled just before trial for over £25,000 in compensation.

What other types of warehouse injuries can I claim for?

We have helped clients claim compensation for a wide range of warehouse injuries including:

• Ankle Injury Claims
• Back Injury Claims
• Elbow Injury Claims
• Face Injury Claims
• Finger Injury Claims
• Foot Injury Claims
• Hip Injury Claims
• Knee Injury Claims
• Leg Injury Claims
• Neck Injury Claims
• Shoulder Injury Claims
• Wrist Injury Claims
• Head and brain injury claims

Why choose Osbornes Law for your claim?

By choosing Osbornes Law for your claim, you will benefit from:

• Personalised service – Our team is always available to answer any questions you may have and provide support every step of the way.
• Support in every aspect of your claim – our service goes beyond just handling the legal aspects of your claim. We work with a network of healthcare professionals, charities and support groups to ensure that you are connected to the best possible services while we fight for your right to compensation.
• Expertise – our solicitors have extensive experience in handling claims involving all types of injuries. We understand the complexities involved and know how to build strong, evidence-based cases that maximise your chances of success.
• No-win no-fee – injury claims can usually be funded through a no-win no-fee agreement. This means that you will not have to pay any upfront fees or legal costs unless we win your case.