Claim Time Solicitors Raises Concerns Over Sharp Rise in Workplace Injury Claims Amid Economic Pressures
Birmingham, UK – Claim Time Solicitors, a leading authority in workplace injury and employment law, has expressed concern over the significant increase in workplace injury claims in the UK. The firm highlights economic and employment pressures as major contributing factors to this alarming trend.
According to recent figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 124 workers lost their lives in workplace accidents during the 2024/25 period. Construction accounted for 35 of these fatalities, while agriculture, forestry, and fishing recorded 23 deaths. Together, these industries accounted for nearly half of all workplace fatalities.
In addition to fatalities, work-related ill health continues to place a heavy burden on workers and the economy. In 2023/24, 1.7 million people suffered from work-related ill health, with 776,000 cases of stress, depression, or anxiety and 543,000 cases of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Non-fatal injuries are also widespread, with 604,000 workers reporting an injury through the Labour Force Survey and 61,663 injuries formally recorded under RIDDOR.
The economic impact of workplace injuries and ill health is significant, with 33.7 million working days lost in 2023/24, including 16.4 million due to stress, depression, or anxiety and 7.8 million due to MSDs. The HSE estimates that the cost of workplace injuries and ill health reached a staggering £21.6 billion in 2022/23.
According to Claim Time Solicitors, this surge in workplace injuries is closely linked to the current economic strain. As businesses face challenges such as inflation, energy costs, and supply chain disruptions, many are being forced to reduce investment in training, maintenance, and health and safety measures. At the same time, employees struggling with the cost-of-living crisis are increasingly working through illness or exhaustion, creating conditions that increase the risk of accidents and long-term health problems.
High-risk industries such as construction, agriculture, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing are at the forefront of this trend. However, mental health issues are also on the rise in office-based professions as job insecurity and workloads increase.
Claim Time Solicitors warns that while existing laws, such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, provide a framework for protection, the current climate highlights significant shortcomings. The firm is calling for stronger enforcement, including more frequent inspections and higher penalties for non-compliance in dangerous sectors. It also advocates for revised legal duties requiring employers to take a proactive approach to occupational health. Statutory protections around sick pay and mental health should also apply from the first day of employment, and workplace law must evolve to cover emerging work patterns in the gig economy, hybrid roles, and zero-hours contracts.
Yousaf Khan, Director at Claim Time Solicitors, stated, “Our clients’ experiences reflect what the data already shows. Workers are under immense pressure, and many are being put in harm’s way by circumstances they cannot control. Preventable injuries, untreated mental health problems, and unsafe workplaces are all becoming more common. The law must evolve to address these challenges and ensure workers are not left vulnerable during difficult economic times.”
A comprehensive analysis of this issue is available in the accompanying PDF report, “Understanding the Rise in Workplace Injury Claims.”
About Claim Time Solicitors
Claim Time Solicitors is a specialist personal injury law firm dedicated to helping clients secure fair compensation for both physical and psychological harm. With a team of experienced solicitors and a client-first approach, the firm provides expert legal support to ensure every aspect of recovery is addressed.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Atif Syed
Chief Technology Officer
atif@claimtime.com
Claim Time Solicitors, Birmingham, UK
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.