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Compensation for Farm & Agricultural Accidents

Farm & Agricultural Accident Claims

What you need to know

  • Farming is a vital part of the UK economy, but it is also one of the most dangerous industries to work in for employees. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), agriculture accounts for around one in five workplace fatalities each year, with a fatal injury rate over 20 times higher than the all-industry average. Working with heavy machinery, livestock, and in hazardous environments brings constant risk but every worker has the right to a safe place of work.

  • If you have been injured while working on a farm or agricultural site, and the accident was not your fault, you may be entitled to claim compensation. This can cover your pain and suffering, loss of earnings, medical expenses, and any long-term impact on your life.

  • If your claim is eligible, Premier Legal Assist can put you in touch with a specialist panel of personal injury solicitors who can fight your corner on a no win, no fee basis.

It is important to note that if your claim is successful and you receive compensation, your solicitor will take a pre-agreed "success fee" from your compensation. This percentage is legally capped (currently at 25% of your general and past special damages) to ensure you keep the majority of your payout.

If you’ve been injured on a farm or agricultural site, find out today whether you’re eligible to make a compensation claim.

Common Causes of Farm and Agricultural Accidents

Farming combines demanding physical work with unpredictable outdoor conditions, making it one of the UK’s highest-risk work sectors. Common causes of agricultural accidents include:

  • Forklift accidents
  • Falls from a height
  • Being struck by a vehicle or object
  • Slips, trips, and falls
  • Injuries from faulty or poorly maintained equipment
  • Manual handling and lifting injuries
  • Exposure to hazardous substances
  • Machinery entanglements and equipment accidents
  • Acts of violence
  • Injuries from livestock, including pigs, cows, sheep and horses

Even when all reasonable steps appear to be taken, accidents can still occur if proper safety checks, risk assessments, and training are not closely followed.

Your Employer’s Duty of Care

Farm owners, employers, and contractors have a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to keep employees, contractors, and visitors safe. This includes carrying out regular risk assessments, providing safe and well-maintained equipment, ensuring adequate training, and supplying personal protective equipment (PPE) free of charge.

This duty of care extends beyond full-time employees to include part-time, agency, seasonal, and self-employed workers, as well as visitors and members of the public. When an employer or landowner fails to meet these legal obligations, and someone is injured as a result, it may amount to negligence and in turn form the basis of a ‘no-win, no-fee’ compensation claim.

Starting Your Claim

A farm accident can have devastating and life changing consequences, not only for your physical health but also for your income, independence, and family life. At Premier Legal Assist, we work with a panel of experienced personal injury solicitors who specialise in agricultural related workplace accident claims and understand the unique risks and regulations involved in the farming industry.

Your solicitor will gather evidence, arrange medical assessments, and negotiate directly with the insurers to secure the compensation you deserve. If your panel lawyer takes on the case, all claims are handled on a no win, no fee basis, meaning there is no upfront cost to start your case and nothing to pay if your claim is unsuccessful.

It is important to note that if your claim is successful and you receive compensation, your solicitor will take a pre-agreed "success fee" from your compensation. This percentage is legally capped (currently at 25% of your general and past special damages) to ensure you keep the majority of your payout.

Farm and Agricultural Accident Claims: Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. If you’ve suffered injuries following an agricultural or farming related accident at work, then subject to various time limits, you may have grounds for a claim.

Premier Legal Assist is a FCA regulated claims management firm that works with experienced solicitors specialising in farm accident claims.

Start by completing a brief online form where you describe the circumstances of your case as well as the injuries you suffered, and we'll be in touch for a free no-obligation consultation.

If your case qualifies, you will be referred to a specialist work accident compensation solicitor. If they take on your case, then they will gather evidence, deal with your employers and their insurers, and negotiate compensation all on a no‑win, no‑fee basis.

The value of your claim will depend on the severity of your injuries and how they affect your work, lifestyle, and future. Compensation is broadly split into the following categories:

  • General Damages, which cover pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life
  • Special Damages, which cover your financial losses, such as lost earnings, medical treatment, and rehabilitation costs.

While minor injuries may result in compensation of a few thousand pounds, severe or life-changing injuries, such as amputations, spinal trauma, or brain injuries, can reach six or even seven-figure settlements, especially where long-term care or loss of earnings is involved. If your case is eligible, then your solicitor will ensure that the amount of compensation claimed fully reflects both the short- and long-term impact of your injuries.

Agricultural accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, from fractures and crush injuries to chronic health conditions. Common examples include:

  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Amputations
  • Spinal injuries
  • Head injuries
  • Chest and internal injuries
  • Burns
  • Hearing damage
  • Chest and breathing problems
  • Torn ligaments and tendon damage
  • Scarring
  • Psychological damage (anxiety, PTSD, depression)

Long-term conditions such as Farmer’s Lung, dermatitis, vibration-related injuries, or musculoskeletal disorders are also recognised as claimable if caused by unsafe working conditions.

Psychological conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression may also form part of your claim if they were caused or made worse by the accident at work. If they take on your case, then your solicitor will arrange a medical assessment to document the full extent of both your physical and psychological injuries.

Yes. You may still be entitled to claim compensation even if you are not a permanent employee or worker. The law protects all workers, including contract, seasonal, or self-employed individuals, if their injury resulted from someone else’s negligence, such as the farm owner or a contractor responsible for site safety.

What matters most is not your employment status but whether the person or business in control of your working environment failed to take reasonable steps to keep you safe. 

Your compensation can include all reasonable financial losses connected to your accident at work. This covers loss of earnings, medical and rehabilitation costs, travel expenses, care and assistance, and, if necessary, home or vehicle adaptations. Future losses can also be claimed if your injuries affect your ability to work or require ongoing treatment.

To support your claim, you should keep records such as receipts, invoices, payslips, and medical reports. Providing clear evidence of your expenses helps ensure that your solicitor can recover the full value of your losses.

Your priority should be to get medical attention; even if your injuries seem minor, a professional assessment creates a medical record that will be vital for your claim.

 You should also report the accident to the farm owner, manager, or employer so that it is properly and fully recorded in the workplace accident book and, where necessary, reported to the HSE under RIDDOR.

If possible, gather evidence from the scene: take photos, note witness details, and keep copies of any communication or receipts. If they take on the case, your solicitor can then use this information to build a strong, evidence-based case on your behalf.

No. It is against the law for an employer to dismiss, demote, victimise or treat you unfairly for making a legitimate personal injury compensation claim. All employers are required by law to have Employers’ Liability Insurance, which covers compensation for workplace injuries. Your claim is made against the insurer, not the individual employer or business owner.

If you are worried about how your employer might respond, your solicitor will handle all communication on your behalf, keeping the process professional and discreet while protecting your rights throughout.

In most cases, you have three years from the date of the accident (or from when you first realised your injuries were linked to the incident) to begin your claim. There are exceptions: for children, the three-year limit starts from their 18th birthday, and for those who lack mental capacity, there is generally no time limit.

It’s always best to seek advice as soon as possible. Early action helps ensure vital evidence is preserved and witnesses can be contacted while memories are fresh.

It is very rare for agricultural or farming related accident claims to go to Court. Most cases are settled outside of the courtroom through negotiations between the claimant's solicitor and the employer's insurance provider.

Both sides generally prefer to avoid Court proceedings due to the associated costs, time, and uncertainty. However, if a settlement agreement cannot be reached amicably, then going to Court remains an option. This is where a judge would review all evidence and decide on who is responsible for the accident (also known as ‘liability’) and if the employer is found to be responsible, and if it hasn’t already been agreed, the Court will determine the amount of compensation you should receive given all the medical, loss of earnings etc evidence.

Your solicitor will handle all communication and negotiations with the employer and their insurers. Your lawyers will push for fair compensation for your injuries and losses, ultimately going to Court if necessary. 

Our panel of experienced personal injury solicitors work on a no-win, no-fee basis, meaning that you will not pay them anything if your claim is unsuccessful, and there are no upfront fees to get your case started.

It is important to note that if your claim is successful and you receive compensation, your solicitor will take a pre-agreed "success fee" from your compensation. This percentage is legally capped (currently at 25% of your general and past special damages) to ensure you keep the majority of your payout.

This arrangement significantly reduces the financial risk for the injured party, making legal representation accessible without the burden of upfront costs. Your solicitor will explain the terms to you clearly before you proceed with your case to ensure that you fully understand the process.

Get in Touch with Premier Legal Assist

If you’ve been injured in a farm or agricultural accident, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Premier Legal Assist can help you take the next step towards the compensation and support you deserve.

If your claim is eligible, then we’ll connect you with our panel of specialist personal injury solicitors who handle farm accident claims on a no win, no fee basis, so there’s nothing to pay upfront, and no cost if your claim is unsuccessful.

It is important to note that if your claim is successful and you receive compensation, your solicitor will take a pre-agreed "success fee" from your compensation. This percentage is legally capped (currently at 25% of your general and past special damages) to ensure you keep the majority of your payout.

Our Client Commitment

Premier Legal Assist Client Commitment
At Premier Legal Assist, we’re here to make sure your voice is heard.

We are committed to:

  • Listening to you and treating your concerns with respect and understanding.
  • Acting quickly and fairly to assess your case and connect you with experienced and specialist personal injury solicitors.
  • Keeping things clear by explaining your options in plain English and avoiding technical legal jargon.
  • Supporting you throughout the claims process – no pressure, no upfront costs, no time wasting.
  • Respecting your privacy by protecting your personal data.
  • Putting your wellbeing first, helping you achieve the outcome you deserve following your workplace accident.

Because everyone has the right to the compensation they deserve.

Important Information

Premier Legal Assist is a claims management company. You do not need to use a claims management company to make your complaint, you can complain to the organisation you are complaining about directly. If the issue is not resolved, you can refer it to the relevant independent Ombudsman service for free.

For personal injury claims, you do not need to use a representative to make a claim for low-level personal injuries sustained in a road traffic accident. You can claim through the online Official Injury Claims portal yourself, for free. If your injury damages exceed the small claims limit, we recommend you use a specialist legal service.

For all other types of personal injury, including medical negligence, employment claims and workplace injuries, we always recommend discussing your claim with a legal professional. You should only proceed with a claim when you understand the risks and associated costs.