Last updated 4th December. If you are interested in making an accident at work claim, you may wonder who would pay your compensation. In order to explore this, we must answer the question, ‘What is employers’ liability insurance?’ In short, employers’ liability insurance is a type of insurance policy that most businesses are legally required to have, covering the financial impact of a compensation claim made by an employee who is injured or becomes ill due to their work.
We understand that exploring the meaning of employers’ liability insurance can raise many other questions, but Legal Expert is here for you. Our advisors work 24/7, ready to answer the queries you have and explain how one of our dedicated solicitors could help you seek compensation for your injuries and financial losses.
What You Need To Know
- How Do I Know If My Employer Has Employers’ Liability Insurance? The main way is to look for an EL certificate, which must be displayed where employees can access it (physically or digitally).
- Does Every Business Need Employers’ Liability Insurance? No, businesses with only family members or that are located outside England, Scotland, or Wales do not need EL insurance.
- How Much Does Employers’ Liability Insurance Cover? The policy should cover at least £5 million and be sourced from an authorised insurer.
- What Happens If A Business Doesn’t Have Employers’ Liability Insurance? Employers can face daily fines of £2,500 if they are not properly insured.
- What Types Of Personal Injury Claims Can Fall Under Employers’ Liability Insurance? EL insurance can cover many claims, including those for slips, trips, falls from height, faulty equipment, and a lack of personal protective equipment.
We are here to provide further guidance on the employers’ liability insurance definition or any other legal terms you’d like explained. If you can’t find the answers that you’re looking for in this guide, feel free to talk to a member of our team today.
4.8 (466 reviews) What Is Employers’ Liability Insurance?
Employers’ Liability insurance is a kind of insurance policy that your employer can take out to protect them from compensation claims. Most employers are required by law to have a policy that covers up to £5 million, which means if an employee or a visitor makes a claim, they’re more likely to be able to cover their compensation. This is set out by law in the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 (ELCIA).
If your employer fails to comply with the law, they may face monetary fines. For example, they could be fined up to £2,500 for every day that they go uninsured, and face a further £1,000 fine if they are insured but fail to display their certificate.
If you’d like to learn more about the question “What is Employers’ Liability insurance?” keep reading. Alternatively, you can speak with a member of our team if you’ve been injured in a work-related accident.
What Is Covered By Employer Liability Insurance?
Employers’ Liability insurance covers your employer if an employee or a visitor makes a claim. This means it pays the cost of:
- General and special damages, two forms of compensation that address your physical and psychological injuries as well as financial losses, like lost earnings
- Legal fees, like the cost of a solicitor, Court fees, and other costs
- Any other costs that arise throughout the claims process
This can be helpful to be aware of, especially if you work for a small business. A lot of people come to us with the concern that claiming will put their employer in a difficult financial position, but EL insurance means that this is simply a misconception. You don’t need to worry about your compensation coming from their pocket, because their insurance covers it.
If you’re ready to start your claim against your employer’s EL insurance, contact our team today. Or, keep reading for more information on why insurance is so important.
4.8 (466 reviews) Is It Compulsory For An Employer To Have Employers’ Liability Insurance?
Yes, it is compulsory for most employers to have Employers’ Liability insurance. However, some people are exempt, as per section 2 of the ELCIA. This can include:
- Owners of family businesses and people who only employ family members
- Employers who employ people who do not live or work in Great Britain
Can An Employer Face Charges If They Do Not Have Insurance?
Yes, if your employer fails to provide insurance when required, they can face charges. These are typically monetary fines, ranging from £1,000 for failing to provide a valid certificate to £2,500 per day that they remain uninsured.
Plus, if you make a claim but your employer does not have the insurance that they need, they may be personally responsible for paying your compensation and legal fees. Contact our team today to learn more about this, or keep reading for more information.
What Types Of Claims Can Employers’ Liability Insurance Cover?
EL insurance covers your employer for a lot of common claims, including:
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Falls from height
- Faulty equipment
- Claims for injuries caused by a lack of training or a lack of PPE
- Serious injuries
- Psychological injury
Additionally, EL insurance can also cover your employer if a visitor is involved in an accident while on the premises. This means it also covers certain types of public liability claims.
We understand that the personal injury claims process can seem daunting, but we are here to help. Keep reading to find out how our expert solicitors could help you, or contact our team today if you’re ready to get started.
How Can Legal Expert Help After An Accident At Work?
At Legal Expert, our clients are our top priority. As part of our client-focused approach, every single one of our solicitors offers a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This is a kind of No Win No Fee contract that allows anyone to access the services of a solicitor, regardless of their financial status.
Under this kind of agreement, your solicitor will do everything they can to secure your compensation payout, without:
- Taking any upfront fees for their work
- Taking any payment as their claim is ongoing
- Taking payment for their work at all if your claim fails
If you do make a successful claim, and your solicitor helps you receive compensation, then they’ll deduct a small portion of this as their success fee. This is taken as a small percentage, but there’s no reason to worry: the percentage they can take is capped by law, which means you keep the larger share of your payout.
Our solicitors are experts in accident at work claims, and they’ve got over thirty years of combined experience. They’ve already secured over £80 million worth of compensation for their clients, and you could be next.
Contact Our No Win No Fee Workplace Injury Solicitors
Contact us today to learn more by:
- Calling us on 0800 073 8804
- Contacting us online
- Using the live chat feature
More Information
For more helpful personal injury claim guides:
- Learn about After The Event insurance
- Find out more about Conditional Fee Agreements
- Learn about the number of personal injury claims that go to court
Or, to get more information:
- Government information on getting ready to employ someone
- Learn when to call 999 from the NHS
- Find out if you could be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
Thank you for reading our glossary guide. We hope we’ve successfully answered the question, “What is Employers’ Liability insurance?”
