Construction sites can be dangerous places to work. Employees may be working at height, operating heavy machinery, using power tools or working around moving vehicles and hazardous materials.
While some risks are unavoidable, employers and others responsible for construction sites must take reasonable steps to keep people safe. When appropriate safety measures aren’t in place, serious accidents can happen.
If you’ve been injured while working on a construction site because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation. At Harris Fowler, our experienced personal injury solicitors can help you understand your rights and guide you through the claims process.
What are the most common construction site accidents?
Construction accidents can happen in many different ways.
Some common causes of injuries include:
- Falls from ladders, scaffolding or other heights.
- Objects or materials falling from height.
- Accidents involving machinery or vehicles.
- Defective or poorly maintained equipment.
- Slips, trips and falls.
- Collapsing scaffolding or structures.
- Electrical accidents.
- Inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Unsafe working practices.
- Inadequate training or supervision.
- Manual handling accidents.
Not every accident will result in a compensation claim. Generally, there must have been some form of negligence or failure to take reasonable precautions that contributed to your injury.
What types of injuries can happen on construction sites?
Construction site accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from those that heal relatively quickly to serious injuries requiring long-term treatment and rehabilitation.
These can include:
- Broken bones and fractures.
- Head and brain injuries.
- Back and spinal injuries.
- Crush injuries.
- Burns.
- Electrical injuries.
- Cuts and scarring.
- Hand and arm injuries.
- Leg and foot injuries.
- Soft tissue injuries.
- Serious or life-changing injuries.
Whatever the severity of your injury, if it has affected your health, ability to work or everyday life, it’s worth seeking advice about whether you may have a claim.
Who could be responsible for a construction site accident?
Construction sites can involve employers, contractors, subcontractors, site owners and other organisations working alongside one another.
Employers have a duty to take reasonable steps to protect the health and safety of their employees. This can include providing appropriate training, suitable equipment and PPE, carrying out risk assessments and maintaining a safe working environment. Harris Fowler’s Work Accidents guidance also confirms that this duty can extend to workers such as subcontractors and agency staff in appropriate circumstances.
Depending on what happened, responsibility for an accident may lie with your employer or another party involved with the site.
You don’t need to work this out yourself before contacting us. Our solicitors can investigate what happened and help identify who may have been responsible.
What should I do after a construction site accident?
Your first priority should always be your health. Seek medical attention for your injuries, even if they initially appear relatively minor.
You should also report the accident to your employer or site manager and make sure it is properly recorded.
If you’re able to, it can also be useful to:
- Take photographs of where the accident happened.
- Photograph any equipment or hazard involved.
- Take photographs of your injuries.
- Obtain the contact details of witnesses.
- Keep copies of relevant medical documents.
- Keep receipts for expenses caused by your injury.
- Keep records of any time you’ve had to take off work.
Don’t worry if you haven’t managed to collect all of this information. Our team can advise you about the evidence that may be required for your particular claim.
How do I claim compensation for a construction site injury?
If you believe your accident happened because your employer or another party failed to keep you reasonably safe, you can speak to a personal injury solicitor about making a claim.
Our solicitors will usually begin by discussing what happened, how you were injured and how the accident has affected your life.
If your claim can be taken forward, evidence may then be gathered to establish what happened and who was responsible. Medical evidence can also be obtained to understand the extent of your injuries and how they may affect you in the future.
Our solicitors will deal with the legal process on your behalf and keep you informed as your claim progresses.
What can I claim compensation for?
Compensation isn’t simply about the injury itself. A construction accident can also affect your ability to work, your finances, your independence and your family life.
Depending on your circumstances, compensation may take into account:
- Pain and suffering caused by your injury.
- Loss of earnings.
- Future loss of income where appropriate.
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation.
- Travel expenses.
- Care and assistance.
- Specialist equipment or adaptations if required.
- Other reasonable financial losses caused by your accident.
The value of every claim is different and will depend on the nature of your injuries and the impact they have had on your life. Harris Fowler’s compensation guidance similarly explains that financial losses such as earnings, medical expenses, care, future losses and other expenses can form part of a claim.
How Harris Fowler can help
We understand that suffering an injury at work can leave you worried about much more than your recovery. You may be unable to work, concerned about your income or unsure about making a claim involving your employer.
At Harris Fowler, our experienced personal injury solicitors will listen to what happened and explain your options in straightforward language.
We’ll guide you through every stage of the claims process, gather the evidence needed to support your case and work to ensure the full impact of your injuries is properly considered.
You can find out more about how we support people injured at work on our Accidents at Work page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim if I was injured on a construction site?
If your injury happened because your employer or another party failed to take reasonable steps to keep you safe, you may be able to make a compensation claim.
Can I claim if I’m a subcontractor or agency worker?
Potentially, yes. You don’t necessarily have to be a permanent employee to make a claim following a construction site accident. Your rights will depend on the circumstances, so it’s worth seeking specialist advice.
Can I claim if I wasn’t wearing PPE?
Possibly. Not wearing PPE does not automatically prevent you from making a claim. The circumstances surrounding the accident, including what equipment and training were provided, will need to be considered.
Will I lose my job if I make a claim against my employer?
You shouldn’t be treated unfairly simply because you have made a legitimate personal injury claim. If you’re concerned about how making a claim could affect your employment, speak to us and we can explain the process.
How long do I have to make a construction accident claim?
In most cases, court proceedings for a personal injury claim must be started within three years of the accident. There are exceptions, so it’s always best to seek advice as soon as possible.
How much compensation could I receive?
There is no standard amount. Compensation depends on factors including the severity of your injury, how long your recovery takes, whether you’re able to return to work and any financial losses or future needs caused by the accident.
Contact us
If you’ve been injured while working on a construction site and believe someone else may have been responsible, our experienced personal injury solicitors are here to help.
We’ll listen to what happened, explain whether you may have a claim and guide you through the process in plain English.
Contact Harris Fowler today to find out how we can help.
