Construction Site Accident Claims

Building sites can be dangerous and when health and safety laws aren’t followed, accidents can result in serious injuries.

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Common construction site accidents

Construction sites pose dangers to anyone present – both workers and visitors. The construction industry is consistently one of the most hazardous, with employees suffering a wide range of accidents at work.

In 2022/23, 45 people lost their lives in the industry, while the non-fatal injury rate stood at 2,640 injuries per 100,000 workers, according to the Health and Safety Executive.

With so many different types of work happening on a construction site, there are a number of ways you could be injured there. Some of the most common include:

  • Slip, trip and fall

Suffering a slip, trip or fall is common on building sites due to the large amount of slip and trip hazards. Any spill can result in a slip on the same level, while a piece of equipment left in the wrong place can cause a trip.

  • Fall from a height

A fall from height is the most serious accident that can happen in the workplace, with 29 people dying at work in 2022/23 this way. With so much working at height happening in construction, it is a frequent accident in the industry.

  • Being hit by a vehicle or moving object

Vehicles are necessary for a range of purposes on construction sites. But with their presence comes danger. Without the right safety measures in place, workers could easily be hit by vehicles like forklift trucks, as well as moving or falling objects, such as loads carried by cranes.

  • Electric shocks and electrocutions

Electricity is a major component of construction work. It’s also one of the most dangerous. Electric shocks and electrocutions happen all too often on building sites, making it one of the most common accidents constructions workers can suffer.

Who is responsible for a construction site accident?

When it comes to safety on a construction site, there are actually a number of people and organisations responsible. There are different parties involved in the construction of a building – and that includes demolition, refurbishment and maintenance.

The client (the organisation or individual having a construction project carried out in connection with a business) is responsible for making suitable arrangements for managing a project.

Meanwhile, the designer prepares or modifies designs to reduce risks during construction. Site managers are responsible for health and safety checks and the inspection of work. If any of these parties has failed in their duties, they could be considered negligent.

You may also have been injured by a malfunctioning or faulty piece of equipment or machinery. In this case, the fault would lie with the manufacturer.

For clarity on who is responsible for your workplace injury, get in touch with our friendly and understanding advisors. They’ll be able to talk you through what happened and who should be held accountable.

Preventing construction site accidents

One of the most important things your employer can do to reduce the chances of an accident is to carry out appropriate risk assessments on any task or piece of equipment. They should also ensure all lighting is sufficient and if the weather has turned bad, consider postponing the work until it has cleared.

They will also have to make sure all workers are properly trained to be able to carry out the work they have been instructed to.

You can play your part in preventing construction site accidents. If you see unsafe working practices, address it with your employer. They may not be aware of what is happening. You can also ensure you are always working as safely as possible.

Why should I make a construction site accident claim?

If you’ve been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you are entitled to compensation. If you have to take time off work after being injured, this compensation could go a long way towards maintaining your financial situation.

Making a claim could also help your employer address something that has gone wrong. It may have been a problem they weren’t aware of. This will give them the chance to address the issue, which could help them prevent it happening again in the future.

Other organisations could also learn from your employer’s mistakes, which could help to improve safety across the wider industry.

Making a construction site accident claim

You may understandably feel anxious about making a claim against your employer after an accident at work. But rest assured that you won’t be claiming directly against them.

Employers are required to have certain insurance policies in place, which means you will claim against their insurer.

Your employer is not legally allowed to target you or terminate your employment after you make a claim, so this shouldn’t be something you worry about. If your employer does try to punish you for making a claim, they can then be liable for further legal action.

How long do I have to make a construction site accident claim?

In most cases of an accident at work, you’ll have three years from the date of your injury to make a claim for compensation. But it’s advisable to begin your claim as soon as possible.

This makes it easier to get hold of evidence that could help make your case as strong as possible. This includes your employer’s accident report, your medical records and any CCTV or photographs.

The sooner you start your claim, the clearer the details of the accident will be in your mind, as well as in the minds of any witnesses.

How much compensation will I receive?

Each situation and injury is different. This means that without a consultation, we won’t be able to tell you exactly how much you might be entitled to in compensation.

However, for a rough idea of what you might be awarded for a successful claim, visit our compensation calculator.

Your compensation will depend on your specific injury and how it has affected your life. It will cover the pain and suffering you’ve been through, as well as any financial losses you’ve incurred. This includes medical treatment, travel to and from medical appointments and any loss of earnings if you’ve had to take time off work.

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  • In these cases brain damage, if any, will be minimal.
  • Where a good recovery has been made but symptoms such as poor concentration and memory problems continue.
  • Where ability to work is reduced and there is a risk of epilepsy.
  • The injured person is very seriously disabled and is dependent on others.
  • Epilepsy has been caused as a consequence of the injury.
  • Affecting the ability to cope with life and/or work or affecting relationships with family and friends.
  • The injured person largely recovers within two years.
  • Injury causes effects that cause significant disability for the foreseeable future, or permanently.
  • In consequence of defective permanent waving etc. where effects are dermatitis or hair loss leading to distress and effects on social life.
  • Where hair has been pulled out leaving bald patches, or stress-induced alopecia with full recovery within two years.
  • Resulting in pain and temporary interference with vision.
  • Permanent impairment of vision in one or both eyes.
  • Total loss of sight in one eye and reduced vision or other problems with the other eye
  • Total loss of sight in one eye only.
  • Mild tinnitus with some hearing loss
  • With noise induced hearing loss, or moderate to severe tinnitus, or noise induced hearing loss alone.
  • With noise induced hearing loss
  • With or without associated problems such as tinnitus, dizziness or headaches.
  • With or without the speech being affected, or tinnitus.
  • Full recovery with no surgery required.
  • Where recovery is complete after surgery
  • Injuries requiring a number of operations and/or resulting in permanent damage.
  • Simple fracture of the cheekbone, which will fully recover without surgery.
  • Simple fracture of the cheekbone requiring some reconstructive surgery, but with full recovery and little or no cosmetic effects.
  • Serious fractures causing lasting effects such as burning/prickling sensation or an element of disfigurement.
  • Requiring immobilisation but recovery is complete.
  • Serious injury causing permanent damage, such as difficulty eating or opening the mouth.
  • Very serious multiple fractures requiring prolonged treatment. Permanent effects such as severe pain, restricted eating.
  • Assessed per tooth.
  • Single tooth only.
  • Extends over a number of years, including significant deterioration of overall condition of the teeth.
  • Where full recovery takes place between nine months and one year.
  • Fractures or dislocations which cause severe immediate symptoms and chronic conditions, leading to impaired function or limitation of activities.
  • Injuries usually involving serious fractures or disc damage leading to disability, such as substantial loss of movement or loss of function in one or more limbs.
  • Caused by asbestos
  • Varying levels of respiratory disability and reduced lung function (1-10% and in excess of 10%)
  • Severe pain and impairment of the pleura (lung lining) or the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity), affecting function and quality of life.
  • Causing respiratory disability attributed to asbestos exposure.
  • Causing permanent damage, impairment of function, physical disability and reduction of life expectancy.
  • Such as soft tissue damage causing considerable pain but recovery almost complete within two years.
  • Such as frozen shoulder causing limitation of movement and discomfort for up to two years.
  • Causing pain in shoulder and neck, aching in elbow, weakness of arm and hand.
  • Involving damage to the brachial plexus and resulting in significant disability.
  • Temporary or permanent disability as a result of a fracture.
  • Such as strains, sprains, disc prolapses and soft tissue injuries.
  • Such as disturbances of ligaments and muscles causing backache, or compression fracture.
  • Injuries causing severe pain and disability, including impaired bladder, bowel and sexual function.
  • Resulting in significant or permanent disability
  • Most elbow injuries such as simple fractures, laceration and tennis elbow, not resulting in permanent damage or impairment.
  • Injuries causing impairment of function but not involving major surgery or significant disabilty
  • Injuries such as deep lacerations, soft tissue wounds or crush injuries, all recovering within six months.
  • Resulting in impairment of grip or reduced mechanical function. Partial amputations resulting in deformity.
  • Injuries such as a thumb being severed and re-attached, leaving it with little use, amputation of the tip or at the joint of the thumb. Nerve damage or fracture resulting in impaired grip or dexterity.
  • Amputation resulting in very little use and weak grip.
  • Amputation due to crush injuries, or loss of a significant part of the hand due to traumatic injury.
  • Serious injury resulting in extensive damage to both hands, effectively leaving them with little use.
  • Caused by repeated vibration, damage to hands including impaired grip, dexterity and frequent pain.
  • Such as an uncomplicated fracture with full or virtual recovery.
  • Injuries resulting in significant permanent disability, but some useful movement remains.
  • Injuries causing some permanent disability, such as persistent pain and stiffness.
  • Resulting in complete loss of function in the wrist, for example when an arthrodesis has been performed.
  • Such as a broken femur, tibia or fibular
  • Serious fracture or injuries to joints or ligaments, scarring, instability and lengthy treatment required.
  • Fractures where a full recovery is not made.
  • Loss of a leg below the knee
  • Loss of a leg above the knee
  • Both legs being lost above the knee, below the knee, or where one leg has been lost above the knee and the other below.
  • Torn cartilage or meniscus, laceration, twisting and bruising. May be full recovery, or continued aches and pains.
  • Injury or damage causing mild disability or continuing pain, discomfort or limited movement that may require future surgery.
  • Fractures, joint or ligament damage causing constant pain, impairing movement and agility. Requiring prolonged treatment, the injured person will be prone to osteoarthritis.
  • Including fractures where there is full recovery within two years.
  • Significant injury but any permanent disability is not major. Injury may require a hip replacement.
  • Such as extensive fractures resulting in substantial disabilities.
  • Simple metatarsal fractures, ruptured ligaments.
  • Displaced metatarsal fractures resulting in permanent deformity.
  • Fractures to feet resulting in restricted mobility and /or considerable continuing pain.
  • Crush or multiple fractures to two or more toes, resulting in permanent disability.
  • Undisplaced fractures, sprains and ligament injuries.
  • For fractures and ligament tears resulting in moderate disability, such as difficulty walking on uneven ground or on stairs.
  • Injuries involving long periods of treatment, long period in plaster and some permanent disability.

Simply fill in our form below and we’ll call you back at a time to suit you.

Or talk to our team on:
0808 271 6198

There are other types of compensation you could be awarded through your accident such as loss of earnings or damage to property. The estimates given here are simply for your personal injury claim.

First4Lawyers' solicitors will be able to give you the best idea of the amount you should expect from your individual injury.

It is important to keep in mind that every case is different and the advice and estimates you'll be given, once your case has started, will be tailored specifically for your case.

What should I do after a building site accident?

The first thing you should do is report your accident to your manager and make sure it is recorded in your company’s accident book.

You should then seek medical treatment. Even if it doesn’t feel as if something serious has happened, you may be badly injured. Your health is the most important thing, so it’s vital to get checked out as soon as possible.

Once you’ve been medically treated, you should then consider making a claim for compensation. To find out how First4Lawyers and our specialist personal injury solicitors can help you do so, just give us a call, request a call back or start your claim online.

Suffering an accident at work is a hugely stressful and worrying experience. But there's something you can do to make it right.

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