Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice.
Updated June 2026 · England & Wales
If you have been injured at work and want to bring a low value personal injury claim against your employer's liability insurance, Form EL1 is the document that kicks the process off. It is used for workplace accident claims valued roughly between £1,000 and £25,000, sitting within the dedicated pre-action protocol for low value employers' liability claims.
The form captures the facts of the accident, the injuries sustained, any treatment received, and the basis on which the employer is said to be responsible. Getting it right matters, because the information you provide shapes how the defendant and their insurer respond, and it sets the tone for everything that follows.
This guide walks through what the form is, how it fits into the wider claims process, and what to think about before sending it off. I have also flagged where it often pays to talk things through with someone before submitting.
What this document is
Form EL1, more formally the Claim Notification Form for low value personal injury claims in employers' liability accident cases, is the opening document in a structured pre-action protocol run through the Claims Portal. It applies where an employee has suffered an accident at work on or after 31 July 2013, and the value of the claim is expected to fall between £1,000 and £25,000.
Once the claimant or their representative completes and submits the form, it is sent to the defendant employer, who has a short window to acknowledge receipt and pass it to their employers' liability insurer. The insurer then decides whether to admit or deny liability within a defined timeframe.
The form itself gathers personal details, a description of the accident, injury and treatment information, rehabilitation needs, the reasons the employer is said to be at fault, and any funding arrangements such as a Conditional Fee Agreement. It is not a court form as such, but it drives a process that can end up in court if liability is disputed or the claim falls out of the portal. Independent input before completing it is strongly encouraged.
How to use this document
Check the claim fits the protocol. Before using Form EL1, make sure the accident happened at work, took place on or after the relevant protocol date, and that the likely value sits between £1,000 and £25,000. Disease claims and higher value matters follow different routes, so confirming the category first avoids wasted effort.
Gather the facts and evidence. Pull together the date, time and location of the accident, names of any witnesses, details of the injuries, and records of medical treatment and time off work. You will also need your National Insurance number, occupation details, and any accident book entries or photographs that support what happened.
Complete each section carefully. Work through Sections A to F in order, covering claimant details, injury and medical information, rehabilitation, the accident description, the liability position, and funding arrangements. Answer to the best of your knowledge and keep the description factual rather than argumentative or emotional.
Submit through the Claims Portal. Form EL1 is designed to be processed through the electronic Claims Portal rather than posted or emailed directly. The defendant is then notified, must acknowledge the claim, and has a set period in which to investigate and respond on liability through their insurer.
Track the response and next steps. Once submitted, keep an eye on deadlines for acknowledgement and the liability decision. If liability is admitted, the claim moves towards valuation and settlement. If it is denied or the timescales are missed, the claim typically exits the portal and may proceed under standard civil procedure rules.
The form can be completed by the injured employee or by a legal representative acting on their behalf. Many claimants instruct a solicitor or claims firm because the protocol has strict timescales and the answers given at this stage influence how the insurer responds. If the claim involves a child, an adult must act as a litigation friend and this is flagged in Section A.
Q What value of claim does Form EL1 cover?
Form EL1 is intended for low value personal injury claims in employers' liability arising from accidents, where the overall value is expected to be between u00a31,000 and u00a325,000. If the claim is likely to be worth less than u00a31,000 or more than u00a325,000, a different route applies. Industrial disease claims are also handled under a separate protocol and form.
Q How long does the employer have to respond?
Under the pre-action protocol, the defendant must electronically acknowledge the Claim Notification Form by the next business day after receipt and pass it to their insurer. The insurer then has a set period to investigate and confirm whether liability is admitted or denied. If they do not respond in time, the claim typically drops out of the portal process.
Q What happens if liability is denied?
If the insurer denies liability or misses the deadline to respond, the claim usually exits the Claims Portal and continues under the standard pre-action protocol for personal injury claims. The claimant can then pursue the matter through the usual civil litigation route, which may ultimately involve issuing court proceedings if no settlement is reached.
Q Do I need a solicitor to use Form EL1?
There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor, but the form and the protocol behind it are technical, and the answers shape how the insurer treats the claim. Many claimants use a legal representative who is familiar with the Claims Portal. It is sensible to get independent input before submitting, particularly on liability wording and funding arrangements.
Q What does Section F on funding cover?
Section F asks about how the claim is being funded. This includes whether there is a Conditional Fee Agreement, any before-the-event or after-the-event insurance policy, or funding through a trade union or similar membership organisation. Disclosing this at the start is important because it affects how costs are handled later if the claim settles or goes further.
Q Can Form EL1 be used for an industrial disease?
No. Form EL1 is specifically for accident claims in employers' liability. Claims involving occupational disease, such as repetitive strain injuries, noise induced hearing loss, or illness caused by exposure at work, follow a separate pre-action protocol and use a different claim notification form designed for disease cases.
The wording you use on Form EL1, particularly around liability and funding, shapes how the insurer responds and what happens next. An experienced legal adviser can help you think through your options based on what you describe on the call, before anything is submitted.
✓A clear explanation of how the EL1 process works for what you describe
✓Practical perspective on the liability and funding questions in your case
✓Plain-English answers to your specific questions about the claim
✓Help thinking through your next steps and what to watch out for
Personal call · For information only · Independent advisers
Written & reviewed by
Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)
Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice. LegalDocuments.co.uk is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice.
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.
