AbstractThis paper describes two approaches to the estimation of the‘incapacity time’caused by home accidents: estimates based on the survey of actual accidents and estimates obtained using expert judgements of accident/injury descriptions. The two approaches are compared, and the conclusion is reached that the expert-judgement method is promising. It is demonstrated that estimates can be obtained for a comprehensive range of accidents relatively quickly and inexpensively and that the degree of precision required for decision-making purposes may not justify the high costs and time-scales associated with the survey of actual accidents.