Can I make a work accident claim as a contractor?

Updated: 3 Oct, 2025
By Chris Salmon

Contractors can often make a work injury claim if they are injured on the job, even without a traditional employment contract. Employers and site operators owe a duty of care to keep workplaces safe, and this protection extends to contractors, agency staff, visitors and the self-employed.

Who is classed as a contractor?

You may be considered a contractor if you are not directly employed by the company that operates the workplace. You may be considereed a contractor if you:

• Work on multiple jobs or for several companies at once
• Bring your own tools or personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Are engaged through another business, such as a small trade company

There are over 4.2 million self-employed contractors in the UK workforce (Source: ONS employment statistics, 2024)

Not all contractors are self-employed. Some are employed by a business that is then contracted to another site. In these cases, liability will depend on who controlled the workplace and caused the accident.

When can a contractor claim compensation?

Contractors can claim if an accident was caused by unsafe working conditions, defective equipment, or negligence by another party. Common scenarios include:

Injured on another company’s site

If you were hurt while working at premises run by another business, you may be able to claim against that company. Examples include accidents caused by unsafe scaffolding or another worker’s carelessness.

Defective equipment

If you were injured by faulty tools, machinery or PPE supplied by the site operator, you can usually claim against them. If the equipment came from a third party (such as a manufacturer or retailer), you may also be able to claim under strict liability, which only requires proof that the product was defective and caused your injury.

Working in public places or at home

If you were injured while carrying out contracted work in a client’s home or in a public space, you may still be able to claim if another party owed you a duty of care and failed to meet it. The responsible party could be a homeowner, local authority, or employer who provided defective equipment.

What to do after an accident as a contractor

• Report the accident: Notify the site operator or your employer, and provide full details of what happened.
• Keep your own records: Write a detailed account, collect witness details, and take photos of the accident scene where possible.
• Seek medical attention: Always see a GP or hospital doctor, even if you received first aid at the scene. This ensures you get treatment and creates medical evidence for your claim.

How much compensation can contractors claim?

The value of a contractor injury claim depends on the severity of the injuries and their impact on your life and ability to work. Compensation covers:

• General damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity
• Special damages for financial losses such as lost earnings, medical costs, travel expenses and adjustments to your home

Multiple injuries can also be compensated. Your solicitor will arrange an independent medical assessment to help calculate your claim. To see what you could receive, use our injury compensation calculator.

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Have you been injured at work?

If you have been injured at work in the last 3 years, you may be able to claim financial compensation.

Find out more about making a work accident claim:

• Do you qualify?
• How much compensation could you get?
• How does No Win, No Fee work?

Read more: Work accident claim guide

About the author

Chris Salmon is a legal commentator and co-founder of Quittance Legal Services. He has written extensively about workplace accidents, employment rights and the claims process. Chris's work has been cited in national media and he regularly contributes practical guidance to help injured workers understand their options.

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Last reviewed October 2025 by Chris Salmon