If you are injured at work, the last thing you need is the added worry of losing part of your wages while you recover. Whether you have suffered a back injury lifting heavy equipment, broken a bone in a fall or developed an injury after an accident involving machinery, knowing what you are entitled to receive can help you plan your finances.
Unfortunately, being injured at work does not automatically mean you will receive your full normal wages while you are off sick. The amount you receive will depend on your employment contract, your employer’s sick pay policy and your entitlement to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
You may also be entitled to compensation if your injury happened because your employer or another responsible party failed to take reasonable steps to protect your safety.
This guide explains your rights, what to do if your employer reduces your pay and when it may be worth seeking legal advice.
Do you get full pay if you are injured at work?
Not necessarily. Your employer does not automatically have to pay your full wages simply because your injury happened in the workplace.
There are three main types of payment to consider:
- Contractual sick pay: Your employment contract or workplace sick pay policy may entitle you to full pay, or a proportion of your usual wages, for a specified period.
- Statutory Sick Pay (SSP): If you qualify, your employer must pay SSP while you are unable to work due to sickness, subject to the applicable rules and maximum payment period.
- Personal injury compensation: If your injury was caused by negligence or another legally actionable failure, you may be able to claim compensation for your injuries and related financial losses.
These payments serve different purposes. Sick pay provides income during your absence, whereas personal injury compensation can help address the wider consequences of an accident.
For example, if you normally earn £600 per week and your employer only pays you SSP, your income could fall considerably. If your contract provides full sick pay for the first four weeks, however, you may receive your normal wages during that period before your entitlement changes.
The first step is to establish which sick pay arrangements apply to your employment.
What is statutory sick pay if you are injured at work?
Statutory Sick Pay is the minimum sick pay an eligible employee must receive from their employer when they are unable to work because of sickness or injury.
Since 6 April 2026, SSP has been payable from the first full day of sickness absence, and the previous minimum earnings threshold has been removed.
For the 2026/27 tax year, SSP is calculated at 80% of your average weekly earnings or £123.25 per week, whichever is lower. It can be paid for up to 28 weeks, subject to the eligibility rules.
This means that if you earn a typical full-time wage, SSP is likely to be substantially lower than your normal income.
To qualify, you generally need to have started working for your employer, be classed as employed for tax purposes and follow the applicable sickness reporting requirements. You should notify your employer promptly and provide medical evidence when required.
The same basic SSP rules apply whether your absence results from an accident at work or an illness unrelated to your job. An injury occurring at work does not, by itself, increase the statutory payment.
You can find further information about the rules through the official GOV.UK guidance on Statutory Sick Pay.
Can your employer pay you full sick pay instead?
Yes. Some employers offer sick pay above the statutory minimum through a contractual or occupational sick pay scheme.
Your contract, staff handbook or sickness absence policy should explain what you are entitled to receive and how long the payments can continue.
Depending on your employer’s arrangements, you might receive:
- Full pay for a specified number of weeks.
- Half pay after a period of full sick pay.
- SSP only.
- A combination of company sick pay and SSP, depending on the scheme.
Some policies also include conditions relating to length of service, notification deadlines and medical evidence.
If you are unsure what applies, check your employment contract and ask your manager or HR department to explain the policy in writing.
Your employer should follow the applicable contractual terms and statutory requirements. If you believe you are receiving less than you are entitled to, seek clarification before assuming the reduction is lawful.
Does it make a difference if the injury happened at work?
The fact that an accident happened at work does not automatically give you a right to additional sick pay. However, it may give you grounds to pursue a separate personal injury claim.
Employers have legal responsibilities to take reasonable steps to protect employees from foreseeable workplace risks. Depending on the circumstances, a failure to provide suitable training, maintain equipment, manage hazards or implement appropriate safety measures could contribute to an accident.
Examples of workplace accidents that may give rise to a claim include:
- Slipping on a wet floor that has not been dealt with appropriately.
- Falling from a height because suitable safety measures were not in place.
- Suffering an injury while using defective machinery.
- Sustaining a back injury while lifting because of inadequate training or unsafe working practices.
- Being injured by falling objects or poorly maintained equipment.
Not every workplace accident results in a successful claim. The available evidence must establish the relevant legal basis for holding someone responsible.
If you believe your employer’s negligence contributed to your injury, you can learn more about your options through Marley Solicitors’ accident at work compensation claims service.
Can you claim compensation for lost wages after an accident at work?
Potentially, yes. If you have a valid personal injury claim, compensation may cover certain financial losses caused by your injury, including lost earnings.
This is particularly important if you have received SSP instead of your normal salary or if your injury has prevented you from working overtime or earning bonuses that you would otherwise reasonably have received.
Depending on the circumstances and supporting evidence, a claim may include:
- Loss of earnings during your recovery.
- Future loss of earnings if your injury affects your ability to work.
- Reasonable medical, rehabilitation and treatment expenses.
- Travel costs associated with treatment.
- Other reasonable financial losses arising from the injury.
Compensation is assessed on the facts of the individual case. You will generally need evidence of your injury, the circumstances of the accident and the financial losses you are claiming.
Keep copies of your payslips, employment contract, sick pay records, medical documents, receipts and any correspondence with your employer. These records can help establish how the accident has affected you financially.
Personal injury compensation is separate from your employer’s sick pay obligations. You should not assume that a claim will automatically make up every pound of income you have lost, or that compensation will be paid immediately.
What should you do if your employer refuses to pay you?
If your wages have been reduced following a workplace injury, or your employer says you are not entitled to sick pay, there are practical steps you can take.
1. Check your employment contract
Read the sections covering sickness absence, contractual sick pay and reporting requirements. Check whether your employer has followed the correct procedure.
2. Ask for a written explanation
Contact your manager or HR department and ask them to explain how your sick pay has been calculated. Request confirmation of whether you are receiving contractual sick pay, SSP or another payment.
3. Keep records of your earnings
Save payslips from before and after your injury, together with any letters or emails explaining a change in your pay. These can help you identify discrepancies and establish any financial loss.
4. Follow the sickness reporting procedure
Keep your employer informed about your absence and provide medical evidence when required. If your recovery takes longer than expected, ask what information is needed to maintain your sick pay entitlement.
5. Seek advice if the issue remains unresolved
If you believe your employer has failed to pay the amount you are legally entitled to receive, you may need advice about your employment rights. Marley Solicitors also provides information about employment law matters.
If the accident itself may have resulted from negligence, you should also consider whether you have grounds for a personal injury claim. An employment pay dispute and an accident at work claim are separate legal issues, although both may arise from the same circumstances.
Can you be dismissed for being injured at work?
An injury or period of sickness absence does not automatically prevent an employer from dismissing an employee, but employers must follow the law and any applicable contractual obligations.
The circumstances matter, including the reason for the dismissal, the employee’s length of service, the procedure followed and whether the injury or its effects amount to a disability under the Equality Act 2010.
Where an employee has a disability, an employer may have a duty to make reasonable adjustments. Depending on the circumstances, this could include adjustments to working arrangements, duties or the workplace to help the employee return to work.
If you are concerned that your employer is treating you unfairly because of your injury or absence, seek advice about your individual circumstances before making decisions about your employment.
How long do you have to make an accident at work claim?
For most personal injury claims in England and Wales, court proceedings generally need to be started within three years of the accident or, in certain cases, the date you first had the relevant knowledge of the injury.
Exceptions apply, including some claims involving children and people who lack the mental capacity to conduct legal proceedings.
It is sensible to seek legal advice as early as possible. Evidence can become harder to obtain over time, particularly if witnesses leave the workplace or CCTV footage is deleted.
Reporting the accident, obtaining medical attention and keeping relevant records can help preserve important evidence.
Do I get full pay if I am injured at work in the UK? What you need to know
If you are researching do i get full pay if i am injured at work in the uk, the most important point is that your entitlement depends on your contract, sick pay arrangements and eligibility for SSP. You are not automatically entitled to full wages simply because your injury occurred at work.
However, if negligence contributed to your accident, you may have a separate right to claim compensation for your injury and the financial losses it has caused.
If you are unsure about your rights, check your sick pay arrangements, keep evidence of your losses and obtain advice tailored to your circumstances.
Speak to Marley Solicitors about an accident at work
An injury at work can affect your health, income and ability to support your family. Understanding your rights can help you make informed decisions while you recover.
Marley Solicitors assists people across Lancashire with workplace injury compensation claims. If you believe your injury was caused by negligence, the team can discuss the circumstances of your accident and explain whether you may have grounds to pursue a claim.
Contact Marley Solicitors on 01772 282600 to discuss your circumstances and explore your options. A claim will depend on its individual merits, and seeking advice does not guarantee that compensation will be awarded.