Agricultural Accident Claims — No Win, No Fee
Last reviewed: September 2026 · EA Personal Injury Solicitors
Agriculture remains one of the UK's most dangerous industries, with particular risks from machinery, vehicles, livestock and working at height. If you were injured working on a farm through negligence, EA Personal Injury Solicitors can help you claim compensation on a no win, no fee basis — if the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation.
TL;DR — Quick Summary
Key Points
- Agriculture has one of the highest workplace injury and fatality rates of any UK industry
- Covers machinery, vehicle, livestock and falls-from-height accidents on farms
- Applies to employed farm workers and, in appropriate cases, self-employed contractors
- Farm machinery must be maintained, guarded and operated only by trained staff under PUWER
- No win, no fee — if the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation
A High-Risk Industry
The Health and Safety Executive consistently identifies agriculture as one of the highest-risk industries in Great Britain for fatal and serious injury, despite employing a relatively small proportion of the workforce. The particular combination of heavy and often ageing machinery, large animals, lone working, remote locations, and seasonal, time-pressured work all contribute to elevated risk, making a strong understanding of employer and occupier duties in this sector particularly important.
Common Causes of Agricultural Accidents
- Machinery accidents — entanglement in power take-off (PTO) shafts, crush injuries from tractors and other vehicles, and injuries from balers, combines and other harvesting equipment
- Falls from height — from grain stores, silos, ladders, roofs of farm buildings and loading platforms
- Livestock-related injuries — being crushed, kicked, gored or trampled, particularly during handling, loading or veterinary treatment
- Vehicle and transport accidents — tractors, quad bikes, telehandlers and other farm vehicles, including overturns on uneven ground
- Falling loads — bales, grain, feed and other materials falling from height or during transport
- Chemical exposure — pesticides, herbicides and other agricultural chemicals handled without adequate protective equipment or training
- Slurry and confined space incidents — asphyxiation or drowning risks in slurry pits and similar confined spaces
Employer and Occupier Duties
Farm owners and employers owe the same fundamental duty of care as any other employer under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, alongside specific regulations covering agricultural machinery, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and guidance on livestock handling. Where a farm fails to properly maintain machinery, guard dangerous parts, provide adequate training, or implement safe systems for handling livestock, and a worker is injured as a result, a claim is likely to succeed.
Evidence in Agricultural Accident Claims
- The accident book entry and any RIDDOR report to the HSE
- Photographs of the machinery, equipment or location involved
- Maintenance and inspection records for machinery and equipment
- Training records relevant to the task being carried out
- Witness statements from colleagues or family members present
- Medical records documenting your injuries
What Compensation Can Cover
Farm accidents frequently cause serious, life-changing injuries. Compensation covers general damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity, and special damages including lost earnings (which can be significant for self-employed farmers and contractors), medical treatment and rehabilitation, and care costs where a serious or permanent injury has resulted.
Typical Compensation Amounts
The figures below are indicative brackets for the injury itself (general damages), based on the Judicial College Guidelines used by courts and insurers in England and Wales. Financial losses such as lost earnings, treatment costs and care (special damages) are claimed in addition, and in serious cases often exceed the injury award.
| Injury | Guideline bracket |
|---|---|
| Moderate neck/soft tissue injury (up to ~2 years) | c. £2,300–£12,900 |
| Simple arm or wrist fracture | c. £6,000–£16,000 |
| Moderate back injury (good prognosis) | c. £12,000–£27,000 |
| Severe back injury | c. £36,000–£160,000+ |
| Moderate brain injury | c. £40,000–£205,000 |
These brackets are a guide only — the value of your claim depends on the severity of your injury, your prognosis and your financial losses. We cannot promise or predict a specific outcome. See our full guide to compensation amounts or contact us for a free assessment of your claim.
No Win, No Fee Agricultural Accident Claims
We act under a Conditional Fee Agreement. If your claim is unsuccessful, you pay nothing. If the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation.