Last Updated on 8th October 2025. If you are looking to find out how to make a complaint to the HSE after an accident at work, you have likely found yourself in a difficult position. Workplace accidents can leave those affected facing a challenging recovery and wondering what the benefits of reaching out to the Health and Safety Executive might be. Here at Legal Expert, we understand just how much of a difference meaningful support can have during this time.
Our advisors work around the clock to provide tailored guidance and help those who have been injured through no fault of their own find out if they can claim compensation. They can also explain the process of making an accident at work HSE complaint and may connect you to one of our experienced solicitors. Why not reach out today to find out if you could benefit from their expertise?
Commonly Asked Questions
- What is the HSE? The Health and Safety Executive is the national body responsible for regulating workplace health and safety in Great Britain.
- How many workplace injuries have been reported? 604,000 working people reported injuries at work between 2023 and 2024.
- How do I make an accident at work HSE complaint? You can submit a questionnaire on the HSE website.
- How does the HSE help workers in the UK? The HSE advises ministers, intervenes to ensure that organisations comply with their legal duties, and conducts research on workplace safety.
- What should I do after making an HSE report? You can start gathering your evidence and inquiring about legal representation.
4.8 (466 reviews) How To Make A Complaint To The HSE After An Accident At Work
In this section, we are going to look at how to make a complaint to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an accident at work or about any other workplace issue you are having.
Employee safety in the workplace is essential. If an employer falls short in their duties, you can alert the HSE to health and safety risks, as it is the health and safety regulator for Britain’s workplaces.
Firstly, it is worth confirming that the HSE is the right party to complain to. In some cases, a complaint may need to be directed to the local council or another authority.
You can make your complaint to the HSE online, you will go through a questionnaire that will ask which country your place of work is, and your contact details, and then it will ask you what kind of issue you have had.
The HSE will review your concerns and issue, if further investigation is needed, they will communicate this with you.
Making A Complaint To The HSE After An Accident At Work
It is worth noting that, as well as having the right to make a complaint about your place of work, you may have the right to seek compensation for an injury caused by unsafe health and safety practices. In the following sections of this guide, we are going to discuss not only the eligibility criteria for those injured in a workplace accident to make a claim, but we will also provide advice on what accidents could lead to a claim and compensation guidelines figures for different injuries.
Our advisors can give you a free assessment to see if you have grounds to make a personal injury claim. If you do, you could then be connected with one of our accident at work solicitors as well as providing representation for your case, they can also help with the complaints procedure.
Could I Take Legal Action Against My Employer And Claim Compensation?
There are eligibility criteria which must be met for a personal injury claim after a workplace accident, you must prove that:
- An employer owed you a duty of care at the accident time and location;
- They breached their duty of care; and
- This caused an accident which led to your physical and/or mental injury.
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 applies a duty of care on employers, stating in Section 2 that they must take reasonably practicable steps to ensure employee safety in the workplace.
An employer could be in breach of their duty if they do not take reasonable and practicable measures to prevent avoidable injuries, such as:
- Keeping floors and walkways free of unnecessary obstructions.
- Giving necessary training to employees.
- Providing PPE to employees who need it to do their job safely
- Carrying out regular risk assessments and paying attention to any warnings that assessments raise.
You can speak to us for advice on making a claim if an employer’s negligence has caused you harm.
How Long Do I Have To Make A Claim?
A claim must also start within the time limit. The Limitation Act 1980 states that, in most cases, a personal injury claim for an accident at work must be initiated within three years of the accident date. However, some exceptions could apply.
If you are not sure about time limits or what applies to your workplace accident claim, our advisors can provide the answer as part of a free consultation.
What Evidence Do I Need To Claim For An Accident At Work?
You will need to supply evidence of your injuries and the incident that caused them. Once you have made an accident at work HSE complaint, you should start gathering some of the following pieces of evidence if you wish to claim compensation:
- A copy of your medical records
- A copy of your accident report
- Photos of your injuries
- Videos of the incident (such as CCTV footage)
- Bank statements and payslips (this can show expenses related to recovery or lost income due to time taken off work)
You may also require an independent medical assessment to prove the full extent of your injuries. The conclusions that medical professionals draw could lend support to your case. If you are eligible to work with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors, they can organise an independent medical assessment for your case. It is important to note that they will not arrange this without your prior consent.
Our advisors are available 24/7 to discuss the specifics of your case and explain what evidence you will need to strengthen your specific claim for compensation. You can also get in touch with any general enquiries you have about how to make a complaint to the HSE after an accident at work.
Examples Of Accidents At Work You Could Claim Compensation For
Accidents could happen in any workplace; no work environment is 100 per cent safe. As we have discussed, in order to be eligible to make a workplace injury claim, you must establish negligence. We have provided some examples below for which an accident at work claim could be made:
- A slip, trip or fall on a spillage that has not been cleaned up in a timely manner or no warning signage has been used. This leads to an arm injury, such as a broken forearm.
- Because of insufficient training in manual handling, a load that is too heavy to be lifted without apparatus is carried physically across the warehouse floor, causing a back injury.
- A shelving rack is overstocked with heavy items. An item from the top shelf comes loose and causes a traumatic head injury.
- A crushing finger injury is caused by defective machinery that has been brought to the employer’s attention but not repaired or replaced.
If you have been hurt in an accident at work due to employer negligence, please get in touch with our advisors for a free case assessment.
Examples Of Compensation Payouts For Accidents At Work
A personal injury settlement can consist of up to two heads of claim. One head of claim is special damages, where you can claim for costs incurred due to an injury, such as a loss of earnings or prescription fees.
The head of claim compensating you for pain and mental suffering brought about by injuries is general damages.
You can see some suggested compensation brackets for various injuries in the table below. These are from the Judicial College Guidelines, a text that legal professionals often use along with medical evidence to value injuries. Additionally, we’ve included a figure in the top row, not from the JCG. This table is only a guide.
Compensation table
| INJURY | SEVERITY | COMPENSATION |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple injuries with associated financial costs, such as lost earnings and medical expenses | Severe | Up to or more than £1million |
| Brain and head | Very severe | £344,150 to £493,000 |
| Brain and head | Moderately severe | £267,340 to £344,150 |
| Back | Severe (i) | £111,150 to £196,450 |
| Neck | Severe (i) | In the region of £181,020 |
| Neck | Severe (ii) | £80,240 to £159,770 |
| Arm | Loss of one arm (i) | Not less than £167,380 |
| Leg | Severe (i) | £117,460 to £165,860 |
| Hand | Amputation of index and middle and/or ring fingers | £75,550 to £110,750 |
4.8 (466 reviews) Check If You Can Claim For A Workplace Accident On A No Win No Fee Basis
Our solicitors could provide their services under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA.) A CFA is a form of a No Win No Fee contract.
The benefits for you are:
- You do not pay upfront for the solicitor’s services.
- There are no solicitor fees during the process.
- You will also not have to pay a fee for their services if the case fails.
Should your claim win, your solicitor will collect a success fee. This is a percentage of the compensation and is capped by the Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013, ensuring that the majority goes to you.
To find out and learn about your options for free, please get in touch with our dedicated team of advisors today.
You can reach us by:
- Calling 0800 073 8804;
- Enquire about a claim online by filling out our contact us form.
- Visiting the live chat feature.
Learn More About How To Make A Complaint To The HSE After An Accident At Work
You can see some more useful guides here:
- Information on how to claim after an office accident.
- Details on factory accident claims.
How to contact the HSE:
- HSE – Raising A Concern
- HSE – Health and Safety guidance.
- HSE – Contact Us
Thank you for looking through our guide on how to make a complaint to the HSE after an accident at work and how to seek work injury compensation.
