Some of the most serious types of workplace incidents involve loads falling from vehicles or machinery. If you’ve been affected, Harris Fowler’s specialist personal injury solicitors are here to help you claim the compensation you deserve.
Accidents Involving Loads falling at Work
Falling load incidents can occur in warehouses, construction sites, factories, farms, or transport yards; anywhere heavy materials or machinery are used. Common causes include:
- Loads not being properly secured on vehicles, forklifts, or cranes
- Overloaded or unevenly balanced cargo
- Defective lifting or securing equipment
- Inadequate staff training or supervision
- Unsafe working systems or rushed procedures
- Poor maintenance or inspection of machinery
These accidents can cause life-changing injuries, often leaving victims unable to work or requiring long-term treatment.
Types of Injuries Caused by Falling Loads at work
When heavy objects or materials fall from height, the force of impact can lead to severe and sometimes permanent injuries. These can fall under such categories as:
- Head and brain injuries: from being struck by falling materials or equipment
- Spinal and back injuries: including damage to vertebrae or the spinal cord
- Fractures and broken bones: particularly in the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis
- Crush injuries and amputations: where limbs are trapped under machinery or debris
- Internal injuries: including organ damage or internal bleeding
- Soft tissue injuries: such as severe bruising or torn muscles
- Psychological injuries: including PTSD, and anxiety
Even injuries that seem minor at first can worsen over time, affecting your ability to work and live independently. At Harris Fowler, we ensure that every aspect of your injury is properly accounted for in your claim when seeking compensation.
Your Employer’s Duty of Care
Your employer has a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and supporting regulations such as the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), to:
- Provide and maintain safe work equipment and vehicles
- Ensure all loads are correctly secured and handled
- Conduct regular risk assessments and safety checks
- Offer proper training, supervision, and protective equipment
If your employer failed to meet these responsibilities, and you were injured as a result, you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries and losses.
What Compensation Can You Claim?
If you’ve been injured by loads falling from vehicles or machinery, you may be able to claim for a range of financial losses and personal suffering, including:
General Damages: Compensation for the pain, suffering, and loss of amenity caused by your injuries. This reflects the severity of your injuries, the impact on your daily life, and how long your recovery is expected to take.
Special Damages: Reimbursement for financial losses and expenses resulting from your accident. This can include loss of earnings, including overtime and bonuses, and future loss of income if you’re unable to return to work.
Medical treatment and rehabilitation costs can also be supported, which can include physiotherapy, counselling, and mobility aids. This extends to travel expenses to medical appointments, as well as care and assistance from family or professionals.
This can be a very important aspect of your claim if you have sustained a serious or long-term injuries, ensuring you have the ongoing support you need to move forward with your life.
Our solicitors will work with medical and financial experts to calculate the full value of your claim, ensuring you receive fair and just compensation for both your immediate and long-term needs. We also operate on a No Win, No Fee basis which keeps the financial side simple for you.
Time Limits for Making a Claim
In most cases, you have three years from the date of your accident (or from when you first became aware your injuries were linked to your work) to start your claim. Acting quickly helps us gather the strongest possible evidence and secure the best outcome for you.
Next Steps
If you have been impacted by poorly secured or falling loads at work and are looking to make a personal injury claim, contact our team who can support you as you look to start the process.
