By Lewis Lennon. Last Updated 21st December 2022. Excessive amounts of stress can have a seriously detrimental impact on the body and mind. If this has happened due to your experience at work, it is likely that you will be entitled to stress at work compensation. Work-related stress is not something you should simply accept. If you want to claim compensation for stress and anxiety in the UK, this is something that we can help you to secure here at Advice. You can call us here – 0161 696 9685 – but first, make sure you read on to discover everything you need to know about how to prepare a claim for work related stress.
Choose A Section
- Your Guide To Work Related Stress Compensation Claims
- Work Related Stress – What Are The Symptoms?
- Compensation for Stress and Anxiety in the UK
- What Can My Work Related Stress Claim Payout Include?
- Establishing Whether Your Stress Was Caused By Your Workplace
- Armed Forces Personnel Work Related Stress Claims
- Emergency Services Work Related Stress Claims
- Self Employed And Contract Employee Work Related Stress Claims
- Considerations For Employee Mental Health And Safety
- Stress At Work Claim – What Evidence Do I Need?
- Common Causes Of Work Related Stress
- Advice On Dealing With Stress And Anxiety
- Time Limits For Stress And Anxiety Claims
- How To Begin A Work Related Stress Compensation Claim
- Stress At Work Claims – Work With A No Win No Fee Lawyer
- Why Claim Compensation With Advice?
- Contact Us
- Advice And Work Related Stress Resources
Your Guide To Work Related Stress Compensation Claims
Work related stress compensation claims guide
All employers owe their workforce a duty of care, meaning they should provide a safe and healthy workplace and they need to have your wellbeing in mind. If your employer has failed to do this, and your working environment has caused unnecessary stress, you could be entitled to work related stress compensation. In this guide, we will reveal everything you need to know about making this sort of claim. This includes details on what to do if suffering stress at work, common causes or reasons for claiming, the average payout for stress at work, and much more. We will also explain the employer duty of care you are entitled to.
Work Related Stress – What Are The Symptoms?
The NHS defines stress as a reaction to feeling under pressure or threatened. Therefore, work-related stress may relate to feeling anxious or irritable due to situations occurring in work. For example, you might suffer harm from being bullied in the workplace, or you could experience stress following an accident at work.
Your employer owes you a legal duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to ensure your health and safety in the workplace and this also applies to your mental health. If your employer acts negligently and causes you to suffer a psychological injury, they are breaching health and safety legislation. Therefore, you may have grounds to make a claim.
According to the NHS, signs you may be suffering from stress in the workplace in the UK could include:
- Not being able to think clearly
- Feeling overwhelmed or irritable
- Lacking self-confidence
- Doubting yourself
- Feeling anxious or scared
- Drinking or smoking more than you typically would
- Eating more or less than usual
- Struggling sleeping or constantly feeling tired
If you would like to find out more about claiming compensation for stress caused in the workplace, get in touch with our advisors for free legal advice. Alternatively, continue reading to find out what your personal injury claim might be worth by using our mental health compensation calculator.
Compensation for Stress and Anxiety in the UK
You may want to know the average payout for stress at work in the UK. Unfortunately, because every claim is different, we’re unable to provide you with an average. However, we do have information that can help give you a greater understanding of what you could receive when claiming for work related stress in the UK.
The Judicial College Guidelines analyses previous general damages payouts from England and Wales. By doing this, they build brackets of compensation that link to the severity of the injury. Please find the figures below. These have been taken from the latest guidelines, published in 2022. However, these figures are not guaranteed as there are many factors that can determine potential compensation amounts.
| Injury Type | Severity | Description | Compensation Bracket |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychiatric Damage | Severe | Prognosis will be poor because the injury will cause seriously negative issues with the injured person’s ability to cope with life. | £54,830 to £115,730 |
| General Psychiatric Damage | Moderately Severe | Serious problems remain in relation to their ability to cope with work, life and education. However, the prognosis is better than in more severe cases. | £19,070 to £54,830 |
| General Psychiatric Damage | Moderate | Prognosis will be good because there will be an improvement caused by professional care. | £5,860 to £19,070 |
| General Psychiatric Damage | Less Severe | To what degree sleep and daily tasks are affected will contribute to the compensation received. | £1,540 to £5,860 |
| PTSD | Severe | Permanent effects from this kind of injury could lead to the claimant being unable to work at all. | £59,860 to £100,670 |
| PTSD | Moderately Severe | Professional help will be responded to, leading to a better prognosis. | £23,150 to £59,860 |
| PTSD | Moderate | Any continuous symptoms will not be particularly debilitating. | £8,180 to £23,150 |
| PTSD | Less Severe | A full recovery will have been made within a year or two. | £3,950 to £8,180 |
You may want to use a mental health compensation calculator to give you a compensation estimate. However, please remember that some of these calculators do not fully account for the complexities of a case. In just one phone call, we can inform you of your claim eligibility and provide you with an estimate that specifically relates to your injury.
You can call us for legal advice that is completely free using the details above.
What Can My Work Related Stress Claim Payout Include?
It is important to have an understanding of what you can claim for when making this type of personal injury claim. This includes: general damages and special damages.
General damages
This relates to the payout you will receive for the stress that you have experienced. This will be determined using the report that has been put together by a doctor and potentially your therapist too.
Special damages
This relates to the money you will receive to cover the money you have had to spend for things relating to your injury. This could be:
- Loss of income
- Care costs
- Counselling expenses
- Childcare costs
- Travel expenses
Establishing Whether Your Stress Was Caused By Your Workplace
This is one of the most difficult elements when it comes to making this type of claim. This is because there are various psychological conditions which have symptoms that are almost identical to stress. Depression is a prime example of this. Although stress and depression share very similar symptoms, they are two completely different illnesses. Depression may not be caused because of the workplace, however, stress in the workplace could lead to depression. This highlights the importance to have a medical examination.
Armed Forces Personnel Work Related Stress Claims
The Armed Forces are still an employer, and therefore, they need to comply with the health and safety legislation in place.
Those employed by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), could be eligible to claim for stress and anxiety in the UK in certain situations. Each case is based and assessed on unique circumstances. Call our team to find out whether you’re eligible to claim against the MOD.
Emergency Services Work Related Stress Claims
Another type of stressful job is working for the Emergency Services, whether the Ambulance Service, Fire Brigade, or Police Force. Unlike the AFCS mentioned above, there has not been a government body that has been established for these sorts of claims. Therefore, they are handled and processed just like any other workplace claim would be, which is why using our help comes highly recommended.
Self Employed And Contract Employee Work Related Stress Claims
A lot of people assume that they will not be able to make a claim if they are not employed directly by a business. They may also think they cannot claim compensation if they are self-employed. Again, this is not the case. It does not stop you from making a claim against the company in question for any stress caused. Sometimes you do not have to work directly for the company to have a claim against them. Any contract worker or freelancer that works for a single business over a long period of time may be regarded as being employed directly by the organisation. It depends on the facts of the individual case.
What Is My Employers Duty Of Care?
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, all employers owe their workers a duty of care. This means that they have to provide a safe and healthy working environment. In terms of stress, this means they must take precautions to make sure that employees aren’t as prone to experience stress while at work. Employers must look out for causes of stress in the workplace and make an effort to remove them.
Considerations For Employee Mental Health And Safety
Under the Equality Act 2010, your employer must make reasonable adjustments for any disabilities. Some mental health conditions are considered a disability, and as such your employer is expected to make reasonable adjustments to ensure you can still feel secure and comfortable in the workplace.
Your employer should also ensure that they are risk assessing the work environment to reduce the risk of work-related stress wherever possible. The Health and Safety Executive, provides guidance on how workplaces could implement changes to create a healthy working environment.
Stress At Work Claim – What Evidence Do I Need?
Work Related Stress Claims Guide
Stress at work claims must be supported with evidence that shows you have suffered from stress due to your employer’s breach in their duty of care. For example, to claim compensation for stress and anxiety, your medical records could be presented.
Additionally, documentation about work could support work related stress compensation claims. For example, if you keep a diary of incidents that have caused you to feel stress, this could be used to support a stress at work claim.
You may wish to seek legal advice for your stress at work claim. This could benefit you in many ways. For example, a solicitor specialising in stress at work claims could speak to witnesses and acquire statements.
Call our advisors to learn what evidence you could submit to claim compensation for stress and anxiety.
Common Causes Of Work Related Stress
There are many different reasons why a person could suffer stress from work. This includes all of the following:
- An uncomfortable work environment
- Bad management chain or weak management
- Bad corporate culture
- Abuse from work colleagues
- Worrying about job security
- Being promoted above your capabilities
- Inadequate training or experience
- Lack of support
- Too much guidance
- Low workload
- High workload
This is just a handful of the different reasons why you may be feeling stressed. If the cause of your stress has not been featured in the list above, please do not panic, as you will still be able to claim.
Advice On Dealing With Stress And Anxiety
According to the NHS guide on stress, there are a number of ways you can try to manage your stress levels. This could include:
- Speaking to a health professional about the support options available to you
- Talking to trusted friends or family members
- Use calming breathing exercises
You could also potentially get in touch with the Samaritans if you feel you need someone else to talk to.
Time Limits For Stress And Anxiety Claims
Please refer to the table below to determine the personal injury claims time limit for your case.
| Circumstances | Time limit |
|---|---|
| Workplace stress | 3 years from the date on which the claimant first believed he/ she was suffering from stress |
How To Begin A Work Related Stress Compensation Claim
When you have sustained an injury the first thing you need to do is see a doctor. Of course, it is imperative to make sure you get the proper treatment for your injuries. Nonetheless, it is also important when it comes to making your accident claim. You may not be able to make a claim if you have not seen a medical professional, as there will be no proof of your injury.
Once you have done this, the next thing you should do is make sure you report the incident to your employer. This is extremely important. Employers are required to have an accident logbook by law if they have more than 10 employees. The incident must be recorded in this. Moreover, it will help your case to show you have handled everything above board and of course, a quick and smooth case is exactly what you want when making an accident at work claim for compensation for stress and anxiety against your employer.
We are a company set up to help those who have any kind of personal injury claim – such as work related stress. We have successfully helped many claimants. All of the stress at work compensation claim solicitors we have on our panel can provide clients with work on a No Win No Fee basis. So, give us a call today and we will match you to one for your case.
Stress At Work Claims – Work With A No Win No Fee Lawyer
You could be able to claim compensation for the effects of your work related stress with the help of a No Win No Fee solicitor.
A No Win No Fee solicitor would typically not require a payment to begin representing you. If your claim is successful, they will deduct a success fee from your payout, which is a capped percentage of your award.
If you are unsuccessful, they will not charge you for their services.
If you would like to have your stress at work claim evaluated, then please reach out to one of our advisers. Our advisors can explain more about the stress at work claims process.
Work Related Stress FAQ’s
What is the average payout for stress at work?
The value of compensation for stress and anxiety in the UK varies on a case-by-case basis as the psychological impact of stress can be different depending on the circumstances. For example, some claimants may need to take time off work if their mental health is badly impacted. In this case, they would be eligible to receive compensation for their pain and suffering, but they could also be reimbursed for the loss of earnings they experienced as a result.
Due to the various factors that need to be accounted for, each settlement needs to be calculated individually.
How long do I have to claim for work related anxiety in the UK?
Whilst the Limitation Act 1980 tells us that you have 3 years from the date of your accident to begin your claim, this time limit can have exceptions. There are certain scenarios where you could still make a claim after this period of time.
For instance, some mental health disorders are not diagnosed or even detected until much later than this. Therefore, the date of knowledge could be used as the start date of your 3-year time limit.
Additionally, if the claimant is under the age of 18, the time limit is suspended until they turn 18. In the meantime, a litigation friend may be appointed to claim on their behalf.
Get in touch if you’d like to ask a question regarding whether or not you could still make a claim outside of the standard 3-year window.
Why Claim Compensation With Advice?
Discover your chances of a successful work related stress claim with Advice. We will match you to a solicitor from our panel to ensure you have the highest chance of your case being a successful one. Read on to learn more.
No Win No Fee
We will match you to a No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel. You won’t need any money to start your claim, and you will only pay for the solicitors’ service if your work related stress claim is a successful one. We recognise that the stress of an accident is already too much, without having to worry about the financial risk you could experience if your work related stress claim goes wrong, and so this is why we only work with No Win No Fee solicitors.
Credible and Experienced
When working with Advice, you know you are working with a company you can trust. We have successfully helped many claimants. All of our staff are friendly and experienced. Moreover, we have expertise in numerous accident types – from road traffic accidents to slips and falls. If you browse online, you will see that our customers have been more than happy with the service we have provided.
Free Legal Advice Helpline
Last but not least, when using Advice, you can take advantage of our advice at no charge to you. You will speak to one of our friendly and helpful advisors. They will tell you about the claim process and will provide you with any answers you require regarding your case specifically. The process of making a claim is really easy. All you need to do is contact our team via one of the methods below:
- Call us on 0161 696 9685
- Use our online contact form
- Message the live chat on this page
One of our advisors can assess your case and once you are ready, they can connect you with an expert solicitor from our panel to start your claim.
Contact Us
If you are ready to make a claim, all you need to do is get in touch and one of our experienced advisors will happily answer any of your queries or concerns.
Advice And Work Related Stress Resources
How to understand stress – An NHS guide regarding stress.
HSE Stress – What the HSE says about stress.
Can I Claim for an Office Workplace Accident? – This article provides guidance on claiming compensation after an office workplace accident.
Agency Worker Injury at Work Claims – If you work for an agency and were injured at work, our guide explains how you could claim compensation.
Vibration White Finger Compensation Claims – Learn how you could claim if suffering from vibration white finger.
PTSD Compensation Claims Guide – This is our guide on claiming compensation for post traumatic stress disorder.
Other Useful Compensation Guides
- How To Report Historical Sexual Abuse
- Claiming Compensation as a Victim of Sexual Abuse
- Historical Sexual Abuse Compensation Guide – How To Claim?
- Rape Victims Compensation Claims Guide – How Much Can I Claim?
Please get in touch at any time if you have further questions about work related stress compensation claims.
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