Scaffolding Accident Claims

Is scaffolding dangerous?

Scaffolding can be extremely useful for carrying out building projects, and it is heavily relied on within the construction industry. But as with any type of equipment used in the workplace, it can become dangerous if the right safety measures aren’t in place.

According to the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC), there were 67 scaffolding-related accidents reported in 2022. Of these incidents, 13 were recorded as 'major'. 

If you’ve suffered an accident while working on or around scaffolding, you could be entitled to compensation. We offer a free initial consultation, so you have nothing to lose by getting in touch.

Examples of scaffolding accidents

There are unfortunately many ways that you might be injured while working with scaffolding.

In their 2023 safety report, the NASC set out some of the most common causes of scaffolding accidents. They included:

• Poor manual handling
  These types of accidents made up 23 of the scaffolding accidents reported in 2022. Most of these incidents were due to poor technique or posture. But there were also instances of workers handling unsafe materials such as defective scaffolding boards.
• Falls from height
  This continues to be the leading cause of workplace fatalities in Britain. And in 2022, 10 reported scaffolding accidents involved falls from height. The NASC has said that it finds this statistic particularly concerning due to the serious consequences these types of falls can have.
• Slips and trips
  Scaffolding equipment left in walkways, or raised and uneven flooring has led to a significant number of scaffolders suffering slips and trips at work. In 2022, slips and trips accounted for 20 scaffolding-related accidents.

Although it’s not as common, there have also been cases where members of the public have been harmed in scaffolding accidents. In May 2022, two men were left seriously injured after scaffolding collapsed in west London.

Most scaffolding accidents can be entirely preventable with the right safety procedures in place. But unfortunately, this isn’t always the case in reality.

Who is responsible for scaffolding safety?

Employers have a duty of care towards you, which means they must take all reasonable measures to keep you safe at work. If your employer has breached this duty, they could be held responsible for any injuries you’ve suffered.

In industries that use scaffolding, your employer should be aware of and following laws including:

• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• The Work at Height Regulations 2005
• Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

We know you might have concerns about claiming against your employer. But there is legislation in place to protect you. And if your employer tries to dismiss you after making a claim, you could have an unfair dismissal case.

If you were injured as a member of the public, you could also be entitled to compensation. In these cases, you would make a claim against the company responsible for the scaffolding.

How First4Lawyers can help

Suffering any kind of accident can come as a shock. And the thought of taking legal action can feel overwhelming. But it’s only right that you get access to justice and compensation.

Our experienced claims team have already helped thousands of people who have suffered accidents at work, and they could do the same for you.

There will be no obligation to go forward after speaking to us. But if you’d like us to, we’ll put you in touch with an expert accident at work solicitor to help with your claim.

They will work on your behalf to gather evidence and build a strong case, so that you can get the compensation you deserve. Your solicitor can also help you access the medical treatment you need to help you on your road to recovery.

We understand that you might have financial worries, too – especially if you’ve had to take a prolonged period of time off work. And making a claim for compensation could provide some relief when it comes to covering the cost of household bills and medical treatment.

If the individual or organisation responsible for your accident admits liability, your solicitor could apply for interim payments on your behalf. You’ll receive these payments before your case is settled, allowing you to deal with any immediate expenses.

For these types of claims, we work on a No Win No Fee basis. So you won’t have to worry about paying us anything upfront and there will be nothing to pay if your claim is unsuccessful.

Scaffolding accident claims FAQs

Is there a time limit to make a claim?

You’ll usually have three years to make a claim after a scaffolding accident. Although this sounds like a long time, the best thing to do is start your claim as soon as possible.

Seeking legal advice early will make it easier for your solicitor to access evidence that could help to prove what happened. This could include any CCTV footage, medical reports and records of your accident in a work accident log.

If you’re not sure whether you’re still eligible to make a claim for your scaffolding injury, get in touch with our claims team. We’ll have an initial chat with you about what happened and let you know if you have a valid claim.

How much compensation will I receive for a scaffolding accident?

The amount of compensation you could be awarded for a successful scaffolding accident claim will depend on your injury and how long your recovery is expected to take. This means that your claim might be worth more or less than someone who had a similar accident.

But all compensation payments are split up into general and special damages.

General damages will compensate you for the pain and suffering your accident has caused you. To get an idea of how much you could be entitled to in general damages, try our compensation calculator.

Special damages are slightly different as they will cover any financial losses associated with your accident. This could include lost earnings if you’ve had to take time off work, as well as the cost of medical treatment and any home adaptations.

I’ve had a scaffolding accident – what should I do?

If you’ve been injured in a scaffolding accident – we can help you take the first step towards justice.

We work with specialist solicitors who share our commitment to reducing the stress involved in making a claim. They will work to secure you the best outcome with as little impact on your life as possible.

If you’d like to find out more about how we can help you through the claims process, just get in touch.

You can reach us by calling the number at the top of the screen or by requesting a callback. We also have a quick and easy claims form if you’d prefer to contact us online.