If you are a farmer or farm worker that has suffered an injury or illness that wasn't your fault, you could have a valid farm accident compensation claim.
We are a trusted claims management company helping people make personal injury claims for over 15 years.
Farm Accident Claims
If you were injured in a farm accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain, suffering, and related financial losses.
As a farm worker, your employer owes you a duty of care. If they breach this duty, a farm accident claim can help you get the compensation you deserve if you suffered harm due to their negligence.
Farm workers are regularly exposed to hazards such as heavy machinery, vehicles, animals, chemicals and working at height. These can cause a wide range of injuries and health conditions, such as lacerations, back injuries, farmer’s lung, skin diseases or even cancer.
A specialist agricultural accident solicitor can assess your case for free and advise you on your right to make a compensation claim. If you can proceed, they will offer you a no win no fee service and guide you through each step of the claims process.
Call 0800 470 0472 today for a free, no-obligation consultation over the phone or use our online claim form to request a call back.
Key points about farm accident claims
- Eligibility: You may be entitled to claim if you were injured while working or visiting a farm due to poor safety standards.
- Farm Owner Responsibility: Employers and farm operators must follow strict health and safety laws and provide a safe environment.
- Time Limit: You usually have 3 years from the date of the incident to make a farm accident claim.
- Compensation: May cover injuries, lost earnings, medical bills, and long-term disability support.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will handle your case on a no win, no fee basis. This means you only pay them a fee if they win your claim.
Table of Contents
What is a farm accident compensation claim?
A farm accident claim is a type of workplace accident claim that can be made by a farm worker who has been injured because of an unsafe work environment. This allows them to secure compensation for all the damages incurred as a result, such as physical pain, suffering and financial losses.
Farming is an essential industry in the UK, but is also recognised as one of the most dangerous workplaces. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), agriculture has the highest rate of work-related fatalities, with an annual average rate 21 times as high as in other industries.
You may also be able to make a fatal accident claim if you lost a loved one due to an accident on a farm or a related illness. This could cover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of services and, in certain cases, a bereavement award of £15,120.
Do I have a valid farm accident claim?
If you are a farmer who suffered an injury or illness related to your farm work, you may be able to make a claim for compensation. A specialist farm accident solicitor can confirm your eligibility within minutes by verifying whether these apply to your case:
- Your employer owed you a legal duty of care.
- They breached their duty of care toward you.
- Their negligence caused you to have an accident.
- You suffered an injury or became ill as a result.
If you believe you have a valid farm accident claim, you should contact a personal injury solicitor as soon as possible for a free case review.
Who is responsible for farm accident compensation?
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 states that your employer owes you a legal duty of care and must take all reasonable steps to keep you safe from accidents at work.
This means that your employer might be held liable for farm injury compensation if you suffered an injury as a result of:
- A lack of risk assessments.
- Poorly maintained or faulty equipment or machinery.
- Inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Lack of training on how to operate machinery.
- Being too tired due to a strenuous working schedule.
- Inadequate instructions regarding your work duties and farm risks.
How long do I have to claim for a farming accident?
Under the Limitation Act 1980, you typically have three years to claim compensation for farm injuries or illnesses. The limitation period starts on the date of the accident or the date when your condition was diagnosed and linked to negligence.
Exceptions include:
- Children – The 3-year time limit only begins on a person’s 18th birthday, and a child injury claim can be made at any point before that.
- Mental capacity – Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, there is no time limit for a litigation friend to claim compensation on behalf of a mentally incapacitated individual.
- Fatal accidents – If you lost a loved one due to a farming accident, you could claim compensation as a dependant within three years after the date of death.
How do I make a farm injury compensation claim?
If you suffer a farming injury or illness, there are a few steps you should take if you want to make a claim for compensation:
- Seek medical attention immediately to have your injuries properly assessed and treated.
- Inform your employer about the accident and have them record it in the accident book they should have on the farm.
- Gather supporting evidence and keep detailed records of your symptoms and losses.
- Contact a specialist solicitor to discuss your circumstances and compensation prospects.
- Proceed with the claim if you have valid grounds. Most claims are settled through negotiations, but your solicitor will issue court proceedings if necessary.
What evidence do I need to support a farm accident claim?
The more evidence you have to show how the accident happened and how it has affected your life, the higher your chances of success. This could include:
- Photographs of the accident scene and the hazards that caused it.
- Pictures of any visible injuries and your recovery process.
- Medical records of your injuries, treatments and interventions.
- Expert medical reports stating the long-term impact and your future care needs.
- Contact details of any witnesses to your accident.
- A copy of the accident report filed with your employer.
- CCTV footage, when appropriate.
- Records of the training you received when you started working.
- Evidence of any related out-of-pocket expenses.
How much compensation can I claim for a farm injury?
The farm accident compensation award you might receive depends on the type and severity of your injuries, your recovery prospects and any financial losses you incurred because of your injury.
Every personal injury claim includes two types of damages:
- Special damages – all your financial losses and expenses, such as private treatments, rehabilitation, medical aids and loss of earnings.
- General damages – the impact of the injury or illness, such as physical pain, psychological trauma, scarring, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of amenities.
General damages are assessed based on the compensation guidelines published by the Judicial College (18th Edition). According to these guidelines and your own specific circumstances, you could receive:
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Brain Damage | Moderate brain damage likely to affect the senses, with some dependence on others | £57,000 - £289,000 |
| Asbestos-Related Disease | Mesothelioma causing severe pain and reduced function and quality of life | £84,000 - £151,000 |
| Hand Injuries | Total or effective loss of one hand | £127,000 - £145,000 |
| Lung Disease | Lung disease, such as emphysema, significantly affecting lung function and breathing, with frequent coughing and restricted activity | £72,000 - £93,000 |
| Toe Injuries | Amputation of all toes on one foot | £48,000 - £74,000 |
| Ankle Injuries | A severe ankle injury requiring extensive treatment and causing permanent walking difficulty | £41,000 - £66,000 |
| Deafness Or Tinnitus | Total hearing loss in one ear | £41,000 - £60,000 |
| Back Injuries | A moderate back injury with ongoing pain and disruption to everyday life | £17,000 - £37,000 |
To learn more about your farm accident compensation prospects, call 0800 470 0472 or request a call back to receive a free consultation with a trained legal adviser.
Can a farm injury claim be made using no win no fee?
Yes. Most farm accident claims can be settled on a no win no fee basis. This is the preferred way to claim compensation for a personal injury because:
- You do not have to pay any upfront solicitor fees.
- There are no hidden charges throughout the claiming process.
- If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not have to pay your solicitor at all.
If you win, your solicitor will receive a success fee deducted from your compensation. The success fee cannot exceed 25% of your compensation for general damages and past financial losses, and you will agree to it at the beginning of your claim.
What are the most common farm accidents?
Agriculture is one of the most dangerous industries. If adequate health and safety measures are not in place, agricultural workers can suffer various types of accidents, including:
- Farm machinery accidents – Lack of proper maintenance and repairs can lead to accidents involving tractors, forklift truck accidents, or digger accidents.
- Manual handling accidents – Heavy lifting, repetitive movement, or extensive use of vibrating tools and machinery can lead to acute or chronic musculoskeletal injuries.
- Slips, trips and falls -Common accidents caused by unsafe conditions such as wet, icy, greasy or muddy ground, tripping hazards or poor lighting.
- Falls from height – Falling from a ladder or farm machinery, as well as falling into a slurry pit or grain silo, can have catastrophic consequences.
- Being struck by an object – Injuries caused by falling hay bales, unsafely stored tools, falling parts of machinery or materials.
- Livestock accidents – In 2022/23, being injured by an animal was the most common cause of fatal accidents in farming.
- Toxic exposure – Constant exposure to pesticides and other toxic chemicals can irritate the skin, mucous membranes and airways, causing long-term health problems.
If you were injured working on a farm because your employer failed to take all reasonable measures to keep you safe, you could be entitled to compensation. To find out if you have a valid case, enter your details into our online claim form or call 0800 470 0472 for a free consultation.
What are the main injuries linked to farming accidents?
Farming is widely recognised as one of the most dangerous jobs in the UK. Due to the nature of the work, you could suffer various injuries on a farm, including:
- Soft tissue injuries, such as bruising, sprains and strains.
- Laceration injuries from sharp objects, falls or animal attacks.
- Burns and scalds from fires, chemicals, or electrocution.
- Broken bones and crush injuries from severe impacts.
- Noise-induced hearing loss caused by constant exposure to loud noises.
- Amputations from machinery accidents or animal trampling.
- Occupational illnesses, such as farmer’s lung, asthma, vibration white finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, mesothelioma and different types of cancer.
This list is not comprehensive, and other injuries may entitle you to make a farm accident claim against your employer.
I am a self-employed farm worker. Can I still make a claim?
Yes, you could still make a farm injury claim if you are a self-employed farm worker. While you may be treated as self-employed for tax and insurance purposes, you are still owed a duty of care under health and safety law.
In practice, you are still under the control of a farm owner or contractor and use the equipment they provide, under their instructions. If they failed to keep you safe, they may be liable if you were injured in an accident at work.
A specialist workplace accident solicitor can assess your case for free and advise you on your legal rights and compensation prospects.
Can I claim for an injury caused by livestock while walking on a public footpath?
Yes, you may be able to claim compensation for an injury caused by livestock. Farm animals can be unpredictable, and farm owners and occupiers have a duty to protect workers and members of the public, which includes:
- Avoid lone working with livestock whenever possible.
- Never leave children unsupervised on a farm or near livestock.
- Clearly signpost dangers for members of the public.
- Check fences for damage at least once a day.
- Check cattle at least once a day for signs of illness or aggression.
- Use races, shedding gates and turnover crates when handling animals.
- Do not use makeshift gates and hurdles.
- Never use sticks and prods to strike an animal, as it breaches welfare legislation and might agitate the animal.
If these duties are breached and you are injured as a member of the public, you could make a claim under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. As an employee, you can make an accident at work claim against your employer.
Not sure if you have a valid farm injury compensation claim? Call 0800 470 0472 or request a call back for a quick chat with a legal adviser who will help you understand your options during a free, no-obligation consultation.
