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Can I Claim Compensation if I Didn’t Record My Injury in the Accident Book?

By Ian Morris | Updated July 4th, 2024

163 questions have been answered on this subject - ask us your question

Quick Answer: Yes, you can still make a claim for personal injury compensation even if your accident wasn’t recorded in an accident book. While an accident book entry is helpful evidence, there are other ways to prove your claim occurred.

A very important element in making sure your claim for personal injury compensation has the best possible chance of success is to ensure that the details of the incident have been properly reported and recorded. Usually, this would include an entry in an accident book.

Accident books are an important tool for recording workplace injuries and incidents in public places. However, many people worry that if they didn’t record their injury at the time, they’ve lost their right to claim compensation. Here we explain why you can still claim without an accident book record of your injuries, and provide strategies for strengthening your case.

Why Accident Book Entries Matter

Understanding the importance of accident book entries can help you appreciate their role in personal injury claims, as well as recognise why alternative forms of evidence are equally valuable.

An accident book entry provides:

An official record of the incident
Details of how the accident occurred
Information on the initial injuries sustained
A timeline of events

Anyone who has suffered a personal injury has the right to request that the details of their accident and injuries are reported and recorded. But while valuable, accident book reports are not the only evidence that can support your claim.

Reasons Why Accidents May Go Unrecorded

There are numerous valid reasons why an accident might not be recorded in an accident book. Common ones include:

You were seriously injured and taken to hospital immediately
You didn’t realise the severity of your injury at first
The responsible party refused to record the incident
You were unaware of the accident book’s existence
The accident occurred outside of normal business hours

Alternative Ways to Prove Your Claim

If you don’t have an accident book entry, don’t despair. There are several other methods you can use to document your accident and strengthen your claim. Here are some effective strategies:

1. Write a Formal Report

Send a detailed letter to the relevant party (employer, business owner, etc.) describing the accident
Use recorded delivery and keep a copy for yourself
Request that they add this information to their accident book

2. Gather Witness Statements

Collect contact information from anyone who saw the accident
Ask colleagues or bystanders if they’d be willing to provide a statement
Independent witnesses can be particularly valuable

3. Seek Medical Attention

Visit your GP or hospital as soon as possible
Ensure the cause of your injury is recorded in your medical notes
Keep all appointment records and prescriptions

4. Collect Physical Evidence

Take photographs of the accident scene and your injuries
Preserve any damaged clothing or personal items
Request CCTV footage if available

5. Document Your Recovery

Keep a diary of your symptoms and how the injury affects your daily life
Save receipts for any expenses related to your injury
Record any time off work or lost earnings

The Importance of Acting Quickly

While the law allows a considerable period to make a claim, there are significant advantages to starting the process as soon as possible after your accident.

While you generally have three years to make a personal injury claim, it’s best to start the process as soon as possible:

Evidence is easier to collect
Witness memories are fresher
You demonstrate the seriousness of your claim

How a Solicitor Can Help

Navigating a personal injury claim without an accident book entry can be challenging. This is where the expertise of a personal injury solicitor becomes invaluable.

A personal injury solicitor can:

Advise on the strength of your claim without an accident book entry
Help gather additional evidence to support your case
Navigate the legal process on your behalf
Negotiate with the responsible party’s insurers

While an accident book entry is helpful, it’s not essential for making a personal injury claim. By taking prompt action and gathering alternative evidence, you can still build a strong case for compensation. Remember, every situation is unique, so it’s always best to consult with a qualified personal injury solicitor for advice tailored to your specific circumstances.

If you have been injured in an accident which hasn’t been recorded, know someone who has or just want to find out more about making a claim, call us on 01225 430285 or if you prefer and we’ll gladly help.

Frequently Asked Questions

163 questions have been answered on this subject - ask us your question

Comments & Questions

Read on for questions and advice about claiming...

I snapped my bicep at work nearly two years ago but it got brushed under the carpet so no accident report book, instead they said they would pay me a weeks wage which at the time I took because I couldn’t afford to be out of work self employed, now I don’t work for this particular company any more I feel like it’s time to make s claim, is this still possible?

To succeed with a claim for compensation if you’re self-employed it is important to be able to provide evidence to support a claim. The lack of an accident book report could be a problem, but if you attended Hospital or the GP immediately (or within a day or two of the injury) and stated that it happened at work, your medical records could provide the evidence you need.

My daughter slipped in Macdonald’s in January 19. Macdonald’s are refusing liability as they said I didn’t report the incident straightaway. I reported this on the phone to customer services, they sent me vouchers but yet they are not acknowledging liability the floors were wet, there were no signs to say wet floors.

Has your claim or complaint been handled by a specialist personal injury Solicitor or have you been liaising with McDonalds and their insurers directly?

Hi. I recently slipped on a dancefloor and sustained a separated clavicle. I attended a &e and have a photo of the x-ray.
The accident happened a couple of weeks ago and the owners are refusing to add this to their accident book and say they will look into it. The dance floor was wet. I was in no state to add to the book at the time and do not recall being asked to do so.

You should make a formal report to the venue in writing (by email or letter) to ensure that the owners of the venue are on notice of your accident. If the floor was wet, you need to mention that as the cause of your slip and also the lack of hazard warning signage or prevention of people taking drinks on to the dance floor.

You do have a right to claim compensation and this is something our specialist Solicitors can help you with.

I slipped on wet/slimy patio within a pub/restaurant garden. it wasn’t raining at the time but had been heavily raining most of the day that day. as I stepped from one foot to the other my left leg below the knee bent completely to the left, I fell and all my weight was then put on my knee which was bent the wrong way. this happened on 19th January 2018. I told the manager of the pub at the time but didn’t get it put in an accident book (I didn’t know I had to) and he didn’t offer this. I ended up in A&E early sunday morning for x-rays etc as I was in immense pain and psychically couldn’t walk. I have had numerous appointments since. an MRI last Saturday and yesterday was given m y diagnosis of a “ruptured ACL” ligament of my left knee. I am being referred to a knee specialist and for physio. I have been told I may need surgery and that my knee may never heal. I have had my leg in a leg brace for over 7 weeks now and although I can weight bare on my leg a little I still need to use crutches for anything longer than a 10 step walk. I spoke to 2 companies and they have said they don’t think they can help as I didn’t take pictures at the time or get it put in an accident book(it wasn’t as far as I am aware) however it could have been as I did mention it in passing to the manager shortly after. do you think I will be able to find a way around this and be able to claim?

The problem you have has already been brought to your attention by the two previous firms you have spoken with. The lack of supporting evidence (accident book and photographs), does make your situation more difficult.

You could of course return to the venue and obtain photographs – if it is still in the same condition and if the accident was recent, ask that they record the details in their accident book.

hi i caught my finger at work today between a block and scaffold pole, its caused bruising and swelling but i never put it in the accident book. i showed a first aider and they said i’ve badly bruised it, so i didn’t think anything else of it but it’s still throbbing when it gets cold, is there anything i can do to make a claim or would i be wasting my time? thanks.

It is hard to advise you at this stage as to whether or not you have a valid claim. The best thing to do would be for you to make further contact with us so that we can speak with you and find out more about how your finger became caught between the block and scaffold pole as this will enable us to advise you as to whether or not you should pursue a claim.

Clearly, the injury is serious enough and it would be wise to seek specialist medical attention on the finger. You should also make sure that there is a written record within the employers accident book regarding the incident.

I had a fall on New Year’s Eve in a pub floor had a wet patch .. didn’t fill in accident book .ended up going to the hospital after thinking I’d sprained it to find out I had broken fibula and badly dislocated my ankle . 3hr op and cast on non weight bearing ..

Have you subsequently returned to the Pub to report the accident and injury? In the interests of succeeding with a claim for personal injury compensation, a lack of the incident being reported at the time can undermine the strength of any claim.

I have dislocated my lower rib while in work. i was changing over a machine from one product to another and while lifting an item from the floor onto the conveyor belt i hit my side off a metal rod that pokes from the conveyor. At the time it was sore i didn’t expect anything serious cause i thought it was just a bump and because of that i didn’t tell my employer and it didn’t go into the accident book. But the next day i woke up in a lot of pain so i went to doctors, i then waited till my next shift which was 3 days later and explained to my boss that i wasn’t gonna make it in as i got hurt in our last shift and i have a sickline saying i’m not fit for work. Then i had to go into work the week after and they questioned me on the incident and i told them everything that happened and they just kept saying you should have reported it, and as i said to them i didn’t think it was that serious etc, i was wanting to know if i can claim or is it not possible because i didn’t put it in the accident book and no witnesses?

You have a right to make a claim. In the scenario you have described, the obvious hurdles that you will have to jump are the lack of accident book reports and witness evidence.

I was using a fork lift at work 2 yrs ago and drove over a pothole jarring my back causing my sciatica to flare up and cause me to have months off work. I am with the Unite union and when they proceeded to claim against my employer it was stated that no recored was in the accident book. I did fill it out and my team leader said he would put it in the book. My team leader said he could not remember one witness said he did not remember seeing the accident and my manager said I was confused with a previous accident 12 months earlier. All 3 claimed no memory of the incident, and my union said there was no prospect of a claim proceeding. My back pain is still bad and I have to take codeine from the doctor to be able to continue to work.

The issues you raise are an important reminder as to why having evidence to support your claim is so important. Clearly, you have been badly let down by your supervisor in their failure to add your completed accident report to the book. Whilst we do not doubt that you are making an honest report to us of the incident, the lack of any evidence to support your claim does mean that the prospects of succeeding with a claim here are severely impaired. It may be wise to take out a grievance against the employer and supervisor with regards to their failure to properly administrate your written report of an accident and the fact that this has left you unable to seek any compensation for the worsening of your sciatic problems.

I had a back injury nearly 3 wks ago at work. I work in a warehouse where there is no organisation and not much room to really move. I bent down to get something out of a box on the floor. My back went then and was in terrible agony. I informed many people what I had done but no accident book was mentioned. I carried on for a few more hours but then had to go and ask to go home. I spent rest of that day rest in bed. When went to get up was not able to move in serve pain. Was given strong pain killers. Was not able to do anything all weekend due to the pain. Returned to work Monday and not 1 bit of help was offered to ease my work load. I carried on till the Friday when I lifted a heavy box and my back went again. I sat on the floor for 30 mins as was unable to move and no one knew I was there. Again no accident book was mentioned. This has no left me with pain and agony and not being able to spend Time with my family all weekend was no help. As of today I have reconnected my doctors who have given me better pain killers and requested physio. Please is there anything I can do?

Given your description of the cause of your back injury at work, it would appear that your employers have questions to answer regarding their approach to Health and Safety at Work and whether they are fulfilling their legal requirements to minimise the risk of injury and provide a safe working environment. To this end, I think it would be appropriate for you to further pursue a claim for compensation against the employer with us.

It would be wise to make your own written report to the employer regarding the incidents in which you were injured and send the same via email to the employer.

Please use the ‘start a claim’ page of our website or call us on 01225430285 to get further help with starting your claim for compensation.

Hello I work in a small family run garage, old school style.
I was working on a large 4×4 vehicle stood on a wheel so I could reach into the engine bay to carry my work I slipped and banged my forehead resulting in a cut and it bled quite a lot at the time. I told my bosses and they said just wash it off in the sink. I told them what happened and I was told to man up. I assumed they would have entered the incident into the accident book as I was a bit dazed. I worked for the end of the day then that night I was up all night with a heavy migraine. I contacted work saying I wouldn’t be in and now one of my work colleagues have said don’t hold my breath regarding getting paid for being off. How do I stand in this situation? I know they don’t pay sick pay but is it different when the incident had happened at work? Can you help me in this situation?
If I did claim against them would it affect my position working for them as I have 3 kids and a mortgage?

UK law affords any employee a legal right to make a claim for compensation for an injury caused in an accident at work if the cause of the accident can be attributed to employer negligence. The employer has no right to terminate an employees position if they choose to make a claim for compensation.

However, whilst the law would protect an employee from facing undue pressure from an employer, it does not always mean that an employer won’t create problems.

I pulled my back at work and nothing was put in accident book, they didn’t send me home, I was in agony after trying to get a resident of the floor which in our moving and handling they do not teach. I’m leaving in 2 weeks because of a lot of stress and my manager decided to do risk assessment yesterday, bit too late, too much pressure and heavy work load, they just don’t care.

We may be able to help you with a claim for personal injury compensation for the back injury you have sustained at work. You mention that you were not trained in how to move residents if they were on the floor and as such, it could be seen as a failure on the employers part and therefore open up a route to holding them liable in a claim for compensation.

You can start your claim with us online – use the ‘start your claim’ page of our website to take this forward.

Is it a legal requirement for my employer to give me a copy of my accident report ?

No, there is no requirement to provide a copy of the report. There is however, a requirement to ensure that the details of any accidents at work are reported within an internal accident book system. The details of accidents of a certain severity must then be referred externally to RIDDOR. You can read more about that in this useful article on our website: RIDDOR

In March this year 2018 my boss trapped my finger in between a dough machine metal lid and a freezer top which resulted me to have to attend a&e as he dislocated my finger. It was strapped up by Doctors, but it still pops out of place every now and again. To this day he didn’t log it in the accident book – but it’s on record at the Hospital. Is this enough to claim against him or not?

You should not let the employers failure to properly record the details of your accident at work put you off from exercising your legal right to pursue a claim for compensation.

You could always write to the employer to put on record your grievance that they have not recorded the details of your accident and injury correctly and retain a copy of the same to go some way towards making sure that there is a record of the accident with the employer.

Finger injuries such as dislocations can cause serious issues with hand use and dexterity and if successful with a claim for compensation after such an injury at work, the value of any claim settlement would reflect the extent of the damage done to your finger.

We would like to assist you further with your claim and suggest that you use our ‘start a claim’ form or call us to get your claim started.

I fell off the bed of a lorry at work. I was knocked out briefly and broke/cracked a bone in my wrist and tore ligaments which has caused me lots of pain and discomfort since. I didn’t realise how bad it was at first but went to hospital a week/two weeks later then had to go for an mri scan, was supposed to go for a second one but didn’t make it cause I was working. There were two witnesses but I am not sure how keen they would be to testify. However, there has not been any manual handling courses, there is no such thing as an accident report book(they don’t even have a first aid kit), no one has ever been on a first aid course, many other people have been injured there, there is a general lack of health and safety to the point where some of the stuff is very dangerous even potentially life threatening. I have had many other injuries in this job; whiplash from a car crash, ankle ligaments, broken ribs, and sciatica which I was signed off for but got pressured to get back to work. I don’t have a contract and have always felt powerless to do anything. Have I shot myself in the foot by battling through all these injuries. Now I am older I am in constant pain from somewhere or other.

The employer would appear to have a very negligent approach to health and safety at work and as such, it is likely that employer negligence could be established with regards to a possible claim for accident at work compensation.

Whilst they should have an accident book reporting system, the fact that they do not have one does not prevent you from reporting the accident or indeed, pursuing a claim for compensation. To this end, we would recommend that you email or write to the employer to put on record the details of the accident you have had in falling from the lorry. Of course, they may choose to ignore the letter/email, but you would have evidence of sending the same (postage receipt if sent by recorded delivery or a ‘sent’ email) and this could be used as evidence to support your claim.

We would be interested to know more about this accident and how you came to fall from the bed of the wagon in order to be able to advise you as to whether or not the cause of this accident would lead to a valid claim for compensation. We would also like to know more about the other accidents you have had as if any of those were within the past 3 years, you may have a right to make a claim for compensation in those matters.

I had an injury at work 9 months ago and slipped a disk I had nearly six months of on sick and only went back in July to reduced hours and slight change to my work load, i’m now waiting for a neurosurgery appointment. I’ve also now been informed that my job is now moving occupational health over capability and may lose my job due to not being able to do the job role fully. The accident was not reported in the accident book either. Where would I stand in making a claim?

What caused you to suffer the slipped disc injury? If the cause can be placed at employer negligence, such as a lack of training, a failure to provide adequate equipment or a working environment that put you at risk of injury you could seek to make a claim for compensation.

The lack of an accident report being made at the time does cause some concern, but that would not prevent you from trying to pursue a claim. We have more info on slipped disc claims if it’s of interest.

I hurt my back at work but it never got reported as my manager was avoiding me after a incident. After docs they thought it may be pain due to gallstones as pain just wasn’t going away after 6 months a mri was done and showed I have a growth in nerve due to injuries I had at work. I tried reporting several times and was ignored still in pain now and left company.what can I do?

Have you attempted to pursue a claim for compensation for the injuries you have sustained or not? Clearly, the lack of a report to the employer could be an issue in a claim as it does mean that there is no evidence to support that the accident happened at work. However, that should not stop you from further investigating a possible claim for compensation.

How did you injure your back?

Hey,

Vagner was cutting a padlock and felt a deep sharp pain in his chest similar to an electric shock. The Pain was so strong and overwhelming that he dropped the bolt cutters.

With time Vagner observed that the pain did not go away, he also noted significant loss of strength on the right side of his chest. He was not able to lift anything using the muscles surrounding the injured area, he also noticed asymmetry on his chest. As the symptoms persisted he went to GP who referred him to physiotherapist. The Physiotherapist then ordered him to do an MRI exam. Instead he had a chest scan done at Atln heath. After that Vagner was referred to a-specialist in Trauma and Orthopaedics. He is awaiting to hear what further treatment he will need.

No accident report was done by the time.
HR will not accept my report right now because it was last year.
I am not allowed to ask for a statement from my work colleagues.
I would like to know if I have any chances to successfully claim compensation for my injury?

Can you inform us as to what your chest injury was? At this time, apart from being managed poorly with regards to the way your employer handled your pain, we are not sure as to where any liability would attach to the employer for the actual injury/pain.

I slipped down pool steps whilst on holiday in Greece on Friday and today the holiday rep (from Thomas Cook) has arranged for a doctor to come and visit me. Due to the severe bruising and swelling, he recommended me to go to the local hospital. I went in an ambulance and had X-ray and ct scan. When arriving back at the hotel later that day, I asked for a copy of the report they have written in the accident book but the manager told me that it was the hotel protocol not to show me the book. Is this correct? I’m concerned as can’t check that the details recorded are accurate.

There is no requirement to show you the accident book entry at this stage. The best thing to do would be to speak with the rep again and ask them to record your comment that you have not been able to review what was entered in the accident book. You should also write to Thomas Cook once back in the UK to make a report in your own words as to what happened and again make note that you were not allowed to review what had been recorded.

I have a part-time second job as a a valet runner and do running from the garage to the hotel. On the 4th of July, I ran for a car and the on way back I fell over something and fell directly on concrete injuring my knees. I told my Supervisor immediately as to what happened. I suggested that my employer he filled out a workers comp claim form. My employer said that he knew nothing about it and that I had to wait for my manager to come in.

I continued to work but my knee hurt two days later. I was at work again and this time the Manager was there, so I told him that my knee hurt and how it happened. I asked if I should fill out the form and he said he would get the form from his computer. I continued to work Friday and was still in pain all night. Today I am in pain still but have no form yet. I have never had issues with my knees before. what should I do?

Perhaps it would be sensible to put your request for a workers comp form to your employer in writing?

My partner was in an accident in June 2017. He is currently with another organisation helping him to claim for personal injury but they have said the health and safety assist is not covered in their action as they only claim for damages. He has gone through a lot of pain in the last year and he was working in Norway for his company at the time. They didn’t record the accident in the accident book but also didn’t take him for treatment, he has a disability that makes it hard to communicate so how would we pursue the avenue of negligence and health and safety issues. They have already admitted liability to the accident but my partner wants to sue them for not doing the proper procedure, can he do this?

It is good to read that your partners employers have admitted liability in this claim as that admission of employer negligence confirms that he will now receive a compensation settlement award that will appropriately compensate him for the level of injuries sustained and any loss of income and costs incurred as a result of his accident at work.

As personal injury specialists, Direct2Compensation would be taking the same action as the firm your Partner has already instructed – seeking damages for the injuries and losses sustained on the basis of negligence.

To pursue the employer separately on the basis of their breach of health and safety protocol would not fall within the remit of a claim for personal injury compensation and as such, we can’t really advise on that. It may be possible to pursue the employer for procedural breaches, but that would be a civil matter and would require alternative legal advice as to the possibilities of doing the same and what the likely outcome of any action would be.