We all expect our workplace to be a safe and respectful environment, free from violence, threats, or aggression. Yet, incidents of assault at work continue to occur across Bradford, affecting employees in sectors such as retail, healthcare, education, and transport.
According to West Yorkshire Police, reports of violence and assault in the Bradford district remain among the highest in the region, underscoring the real risk faced by many local workers.
If you’ve suffered an assault while carrying out your job duties in Bradford, you may be entitled to compensation for assault at work. To get help, you can contact Cooperhall Solicitors.
This guide answers your key questions: How much is the average payout for assault at work in Bradford? and what determines the value of a workplace assault claim?
We’ll also explain how the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) assesses cases under the CICA Scheme 2012, including how the multiple injury rule works and how the official tariff of injuries influences your award.
What Is a Workplace Assault?
A workplace assault occurs when an employee is attacked either physically or verbally during their job performance. This can be anything including getting hit, shoved, verbally abused or assaulted by a coworker, client or a member of the general population. Such physical assault in the workplace is regarded as a severe violation by the law of an employee’s right to safety as provided by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Bradford employers are legally obliged to maintain a safe working environment and do everything possible to avoid violence. Failure on their part to do so may allow you to pursue a claim of assault in the workplace.
Examples of workplace assaults include:
- Physical assaults like broken bones, broken arms, or facial injuries
- Threats or verbal abuse causing psychological injury
- Physical assault by a member of the public during work (e.g., nurses, employees of retail premises, security officers)
Can I Claim Compensation for Being Assaulted at Work?
Yes. In case you were attacked at work in Bradford, there are two ways through which you can make a workplace assault claim:
- Civil personal injury action against your employer, or the third party, in case negligence, or absence of protection, led to your injury.
- The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) claims under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 on victims of violent crime. Even if the attacker wasn’t convicted, CICA claims remain possible under the eligibility for CICA claim rules.
A personal injury solicitor with Bradford knowledge can help you decide which route fits best, especially when employers are negligent or security fails.
If you’d like to read more about this in detail, click here: Personal Injury Claims New Rules UK Revealed
What Is the Average Payout for Assault at Work in Bradford?
In Bradford, the average payout for assault at work varies widely depending on the nature of your injuries, recovery length, and losses you suffer. According to national data and CICA’s tariff of injuries, typical awards may look like this:
| Type of Injury or Harm | Typical Compensation Band |
| Minor facial injury | £1,500 – £3,500 |
| Fractured arm / broken bone | £4,000 – £11,000 |
| Serious psychological injury | £13,000 – £27,000 |
| Compensation for multiple injuries (physical and mental) | £25,000 – £44,000 |
| Severe brain or neurological trauma | £50,000+ |
These figures align with the official CICA injury tariff.
Beyond the basic tariff, payouts may also include:
- Loss of earnings compensation for time off work.
- A claim of special expenses to treat, travel, and therapy.
- Reimbursement of continuing care, treatment or adjustments required.
In Bradford specifically, violent crime remains a significant local issue. Last year, the district recorded some 23,201 cases of violence and sexual offence, higher than certain West Yorkshire averages. Bradford taxi drivers are also at real risk: in recent years, an FOI report revealed over 100 assaults in which taxi driver suspects were involved.
A recent news report covered a Bradford taxi driver who was assaulted in 2025, with visible facial injuries and an ongoing police appeal. Another local story documented public and staff being hospitalised in a college-area attack outside Bradford, underscoring the risk to staff in education settings.
These local cases highlight that real people in Bradford are suffering harm, and the average payout for assault at work must reflect genuine risk and evidence.
What Factors Affect the Value of Your Workplace Assault Claim?
There are several key factors that determine the extent to which your compensation could increase or decrease:
- Severity and type of injury: physical (e.g., broken bone, brain injury) or psychological (e.g., PTSD).
- Duration of recovery: the longer the recovery time or permanent disability, the higher the value.
- Effect on earning ability: the inability to resume previous employment decreases the amount.
- Evidence strength: the quality of the police report, medical records, CCTV footage, and witness statements is important.
- Multiplicity of injuries: more than one injury causes the multiple-injury rule (100% most serious, 30% next, and 15% third).
- Special expenses: Costs like therapy, travel and home alterations can be reimbursed.
- Employer negligence level: how much fault rests with your employer or third party.
What Should You Do After Being Assaulted at Work?
Acting quickly and methodically helps your claim. You can improve your chances by following these steps:
- Report the assault immediately to your employer and the police
- Get medical help immediately when there are external wounds and internal or mental injuries.
- Gather and keep evidence: photographs, CCTV video, contacts of witnesses, and medical records.
- Make notes and receipts of treatment, traveling and therapy.
- Contact a Bradford personal injury solicitor who is experienced in workplace assault claims and knows the criminal injury claim process.
Given Bradford’s higher-than-average local rates of violent incidents, taking early action helps your position substantially.
How to Claim Compensation for an Assault at Work
You have two main legal pathways in Bradford:
Civil Personal Injury Claim
If employer negligence is proven, e.g., failure in risk assessments, poor security, ignoring threats, your solicitor can pursue damages for loss of earnings compensation, pain, and suffering.
CICA Claim
Open a claim via the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. You’ll need to satisfy CICA eligibility criteria. This includes reporting the crime promptly and submitting your claim within the required time limits. Your claim is awarded using the tariff of injuries and may be subject to the multiple injuries rule.
Many victims wonder, “Can I claim it if the attacker is not caught?” The answer will be, even if your attacker was never caught, you can still file through CICA in many cases.
To learn more about how to make a Criminal Injuries Compensation claim, click here for our complete step-by-step guide
How Long Do I Have to Claim and Can I Lose My Job for Doing So?
In CICA claims, a normal filing deadline is two years after the incident or the police report, unless exceptions apply, such as if the victim is a minor. In the case of a civil claim, you typically have three years after the day of the attack or the day when you found out about the injury, as mentioned in the personal injury compensation guide.
Regarding employment, no employer may dismiss an employee only because that employee is pursuing a valid claim of compensation. Doing so is considered unfair dismissal. Bradford workers are protected under UK employment law while seeking justice through assault victim compensation.
Contact Cooper Hall Solicitors for Free Legal Advice
If you are assaulted while working in Bradford, call Cooper Hall Solicitors. Our areas of specialization include Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) claims, assault at work claims and personal injury compensation. We are a local and fully confidential service. Every customer in Bradford is guided personally, with kindness and professionalism.
📞 Call: 0333 777 5001
💬 Fill in the Contact Form
✉️ Email Us at enquiries@cooperhallsolicitors.co.uk
We’ll assess your situation, explain how to claim compensation for assault, and advise on the best route forward. Learn more on our Personal Injury Claims page.
What Our Bradford Clients Say About Cooper Hall Solicitors
At Cooper Hall Solicitors, we’re proud to support clients across Bradford with professionalism, empathy, and dedication. Many of our clients have shared their positive experiences after working with our team on complex legal matters, from personal injury claims to assault and contractual disputes. Here’s what some of them had to say:
Raza – (2025)
“My case was handled efficiently and professionally from start to finish. I was kept informed throughout, and when issues arose, they were dealt with promptly to my satisfaction. Excellent communication and reliability.”
Ronnie – (2025)
“The case handlers at Cooper Hall are knowledgeable and go the extra mile to look after their clients. Their professionalism and commitment are second to none.”
