If you have been injured in a farming accident because your employer or another party was negligent, you can claim compensation. Agriculture has one of the highest fatal and serious injury rates of any UK sector. Farm employers must comply with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and sector-specific regulations covering machinery, falls and livestock handling. You normally have three years to bring a claim.
Farming is one of the most dangerous industries in the UK. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) consistently identifies agriculture as having a fatal injury rate many times the all-industry average. Tractors, cattle, falls and machinery cause the majority of deaths and serious injuries. Many farm accidents are preventable — the result of inadequate guarding, lack of training, poor maintenance or unsafe systems of work. If your employer or another responsible party failed in their duties and you were injured, this guide explains how to claim.
Common causes of farming accidents
The HSE's data shows the leading causes are:
- Transport and machinery — tractors, ATVs, combine harvesters, PTOs (power take-off shafts), augers and conveyor systems. Overturning tractors are the single largest cause of farming deaths.
- Livestock — being kicked, trampled, crushed or gored by cattle, horses or other animals, particularly during handling, loading and veterinary procedures.
- Falls from height — from barn roofs, ladders, hay lofts, silos and grain stores.
- Struck by objects — falling bales, collapsing structures, tools or materials.
- Drowning — in slurry pits, grain stores and open water on farmland.
Employer duties and regulations
Farm employers must comply with:
| Regulation | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 | General duty to ensure worker safety so far as reasonably practicable |
| PUWER 1998 | Machinery must be suitable, maintained, guarded and used by trained operators |
| LOLER 1998 | Lifting equipment (telehandlers, forklifts) must be inspected and properly used |
| Work at Height Regulations 2005 | Work at height must be planned, supervised and use appropriate equipment |
| COSHH 2002 | Exposure to pesticides, grain dust and other hazardous substances must be controlled |
| RIDDOR 2013 | Serious injuries must be reported to the HSE |
How much compensation?
Farming injuries are often serious. The Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), 17th edition (April 2024), provide brackets by injury type. Representative ranges for common farming injuries:
| Injury | Guideline bracket |
|---|---|
| Simple fracture, full recovery | £4,670 – £8,640 |
| Serious arm or leg fracture, lasting effects | £21,700 – £137,080 |
| Crush injury with permanent effects | £16,770 – £67,900 |
| Amputation (loss of one hand or below knee) | £104,130 – £137,080 |
| Moderately severe brain injury | £166,500 – £267,340 |
Special damages cover lost earnings, future loss of earning capacity, rehabilitation, care and equipment. See amputation claims, crush injury claims and how compensation works.
Third-party and self-employed claims
A self-employed farmer cannot claim against themselves, but can claim against a third party whose negligence caused the accident — for example, the manufacturer of a defective tractor or attachment (under the Consumer Protection Act 1987), a contractor who carried out unsafe work, or the supplier of faulty equipment. Members of the public or visitors injured on farmland may claim against the farmer under the Occupiers' Liability Acts 1957/1984.
Time limits
Three years from the date of the accident (Limitation Act 1980). For occupational diseases caused by farming (e.g. respiratory conditions from dust), the three years may run from the date of knowledge. See our time limits guide.
Getting help
We are not a law firm. For a solicitor experienced in farming or workplace accident claims, use the SRA register or the Law Society "Find a Solicitor" service. The HSE publishes specific guidance on farm safety, and the Farm Safety Foundation campaigns to reduce agricultural injuries.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim compensation for a farming accident?
Yes, if your injury was caused by your employer's negligence or a breach of health and safety regulations. Farm employers owe the same duties as any other employer under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, plus sector-specific regulations covering machinery, falls and livestock. If their failure caused your injury, you can claim.
What makes farming so dangerous?
Agriculture has one of the highest fatal injury rates of any UK industry. The HSE identifies the main causes as transport and machinery (especially tractors and ATVs), falls from height, being struck or crushed by cattle or other livestock, being struck by moving or falling objects, and drowning. The combination of heavy machinery, unpredictable animals and remote working makes farming uniquely hazardous.
Can I claim for a livestock injury on a farm?
Yes. If your employer failed to provide safe systems of work for handling livestock, such as adequate handling facilities, training and enough staff, and you were injured by cattle, horses or other animals as a result, you can claim in negligence. A claim under the Animals Act 1971 may also apply if the animal had known dangerous characteristics.
How long do I have to claim for a farm accident?
Three years from the date of the accident in England and Wales under the Limitation Act 1980, with equivalent time limits in Scotland and Northern Ireland. For industrial diseases caused by farming (for example, respiratory conditions from grain dust), the three years may run from the date of knowledge.
Can a self-employed farmer claim?
A self-employed farmer cannot claim against themselves, but they may be able to claim against a third party whose negligence caused the accident, such as the manufacturer of defective machinery, the supplier of a faulty product, or a contractor who carried out substandard work on the farm.
What regulations apply to farm safety?
Key regulations include the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) covering machinery safety, the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and the COSHH Regulations 2002 for pesticide and chemical exposure.
Get help from official, free sources
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) — check a solicitor is regulated
- HSE — Agriculture — farm safety guidance and statistics
- Farm Safety Foundation — safety campaigns and resources
- Citizens Advice — free, impartial guidance
Related guides: accident at work claims, construction accident claims, crush injury claims, amputation claims and no win, no fee explained.