Claiming For An Assault At Work Explained

In this guide, we discuss when you could be eligible to claim assault at work compensation and what sort of payout may be awarded

How Much Assault At Work Compensation Can I Claim?

By Stephen Hudson. Last Updated 2nd May 2024. Have you been assaulted at work? If so, you could be entitled to make a claim for assault at work compensation. This guide has been created to explain how you could do so, so please read on to learn more.

We are supposed to feel safe at our place of work. The last thing we should anticipate is an assault. Although some working environments are more dangerous than others, such as bars and clubs and care homes and prisons, this does not mean we should suffer any type of physical or verbal abuse.

Employers need to put measures in place to reduce the chances of this occurring, and if they have failed to do so, you will be able to launch a claim against them. Of course, even if your employer has provided thorough training, acted on violence records, and supplied the required PPE, you can claim the person that has assaulted you via the CICA. This is something we can assist with.

To learn more about how much compensation you can claim for an assault at Work, please keep reading. You can also watch our video which gives you the key points from the guide:

To get in touch with our team, simply:

  • Write to us
  • Call us now on 0800 073 8804
  • Chat now about your assault at work compensation claim with our team of advisers using the chatbox, bottom right

Select a Section

  1. What Is An Assault At Work?
  2. Eligibility For Assault At Work Compensation Claims
  3. What To Do If You Are Assaulted In The Workplace
  4. Calculating The Average Assault At Work Compensation Payout
  5. Claiming With A No Win No Fee Lawyer If You’ve Been Physically Assaulted At Work
  6. Useful Links For Claiming Assault At Work Compensation

What Is 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.

A solicitor discussing the average payout for an assault at work with a client.

Eligibility For Assault At Work Compensation Claims

There are several avenues through which you could make a criminal injury 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).

Read on to learn more about these different ways of claiming. Or, get in touch to discuss the route you need to take to seek assault at work compensation with an advisor by calling on the number above.

Can I Claim Against My 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:

  • Your employer owed you a duty of care.
  • They breached their duty.
  • You suffered 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.

Can I Claim Assault At Work Compensation 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. They administer the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012.

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.

A black and white picture of a person holding their hand up and turning their head away.

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? It is crucial to get their contact information – their name, address, and telephone number. Witness statements can help to strengthen your case.
  • 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 encountered due to the incident. This can be anything from loss of earnings and medical bills to the cost of travelling to the hospital and childcare expenses. So long as 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.

What Evidence Is Needed For Assault At Work Claims Made Through The CICA?

When you claim through the CICA for assault at work compensation, you may be asked to provide evidence such as:

  • Proof that you meet the residency requirements.
  • Medical evidence highlighting that you suffered an injury the Scheme can compensate for.
  • Proof of any financial losses, such as lost income.
  • Evidence that you reported the incident to the police.

For more information on evidence that could help support your criminal injury claim for assault at work compensation, call an advisor on the number above.

A CCTV camera on a building.

Calculating The Average Assault At Work Compensation Payout

You may be asking whether there is an average payout for an assault at work if you successfully claim against a vicariously liable third party. The amount of compensation you may be awarded will depend on factors such as the type of injury you suffered, what treatment is required and how long your recovery period will be.

Your assault at work compensation payout could include general damages and special damages. General damages provides compensation for the pain and suffering caused by the injuries you suffered in the assault.

The table below features some of the compensation guidelines included in the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This is a document that may be used by those valuing your claim against a vicariously liable third party for general damages. It lists various kinds of injuries together with guideline compensation brackets.

The table below should be viewed as a guide only. Please note that the first entry is not from the JCG.

Reason for compensationTypical compensation amountComments
Multiple severe injuries and expensesUp to £1,000,000+Settlements may include compensation for more than one injury and incurred expenses, including lost wages and nursing care.
Very severe brain damage (a)£344,150 to £493,000The level of award is impacted by the extent of physical limitations, life expectancy, and the degree of insight. For the maximum payout, there will be little, if any, language function and meaningful responses to the environment.
Severe arm injuries£117,360 to £159,770Injuries found in this bracket fall short of amputation but are still extremely serious and the claimant is letter better off than had their arm been amputated.
Severe psychological damage (a)£66,920 to £141,240In these cases, the claimant will have marked problems with regards to their ability to cope with work and life, future vulnerability, the extent to which treatment would be successful, and their relationships with friends and family members. Plus, the prognosis will be very poor.
Very Severe Foot Injury£102,470 to £133,810Injuries found in this bracket must cause permanent severe pain or a really serious permanent disability.
Severe back injury (ii)£90,510 to £107,910Injuries in this bracket have special features like nerved root damage with loss of sensation and impaired functioning of the bowels and bladder.
Digestive system – damage from a traumatic injury - severe (a) (i)£52,490 to £75,550Severe damage with continual discomfort and pain.
Fracture of the jaw (e) (ii)£21,920 to £37,210Serious fracture which has permanent consequences such as difficulty with opening the mouth or eating.
Moderate neck injury (i)£30,500 to £46,970This bracket includes injuries that result in severe immediate symptoms that may need a spinal fusions/

Special Damages For Assault At Work Claims

If you successfully receive general damages, then your assault at work compensation may possibly also include special damages. This compensates you for the financial expenses or losses you’ve experienced due to the assault.

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. Other losses that you could claim for include:

  • The cost of private medical treatments for your injuries.
  • Travel expenses 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.

Calculating Compensation For Claims Made Through The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority

Sometimes, you will not be able to claim directly against the person who assaulted you. This can be for a variety of reasons, but one possibility is that they don’t have the funds available to compensate you.

If this is the case, the table above would not be relevant. Instead, your injuries would be compensated in accordance with the CICA tariff. Through this scheme, each injury is assigned a specific value.

However, if your claiming for multiple injuries only the most valuable injury is awarded to you in full. After that, the second and third most valuable ailments can still be included in your compensation, but only at 30% and 15% of their respective values.

If you make your claim through the CICA, your workplace assault compensation will be awarded in a different way. Compensation for your emotional and physical injuries will be calculated using the fixed amounts in the tariff of injuries found in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012.

The CICA may also award you a special expenses payment. This is to cover necessary and reasonable costs that you experienced as a direct result of the assault at work. In addition to this, you could receive a loss of earnings payment if you were out of work due to the criminal injuries you suffered.

However, there are criteria that need to be satisfied in order for you to qualify for a special expenses or loss of earnings payment. Speak to a member of our advisory team to learn more about how successful claims made through the CICA are awarded.

Claiming With A No Win No Fee Lawyer If You’ve Been Physically Assaulted At Work

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 fees for their services. Furthermore, if your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t be required to pay them for the work they have done on your claim.

If your lawyer is successful, they will take a legally capped success fee out of your compensation award.

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:

The words 'No Win No Fee' in block red capitals on a white background.

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 contact LegalExpert.co.uk for free advice.

Citizens Advice website harassment at work

This link takes you to the harassment at work section of the Citizens Advice website. You will find useful information on the Equality Act 2010 and guidance on the different types of harassment.

Bullying.co.uk on bullying at work

This link provides you with plenty of advice on bullying at work. This includes relational bullying at work, workplace bullying and your emotional health, the signs of workplace bullying, and how workplace bully can affect your family.

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.

Check out some of our other guides on accident at work claims:

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

    Contact Us

    Fill in your details below for a free callback

    Trustpilot

    Meet The Team

    • Patrick Mallon

      Patrick is a Grade A solicitor having qualified in 2005. He's an an expert in accident at work and public liability claims and is currently our head of the EL/PL department. Get in touch today for free to see how we can help you.

      View all posts

    Our Top Legal Guides