Less than one in 10 people injured at work receive compensation, the TUC said.
The research throws doubt on claims that a compensation culture has hit UK business, it said.
Of the 850,000 estimated people who suffer workplace injuries each year, 80,000 receive payouts.
Those workers with hearing and breathing complaints were the most likely to receive compensation, while stress and repetitive strain injuries were the least likely to be awarded compensation.
The average claim for compensation was £10,000, but half of this was usually swallowed up in legal fees, the TUC said.