Construction Accident Claims

Construction sites are statistically one of the most dangerous working environments in the UK. Whilst tight health and safety measures are in place accidents still happen, leading to devastating consequences.

The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) has an extensive set of guidelines that the construction industry must adhere to. Whilst working on a construction site your employer has the legal duty to protect you from harm.

If you have been injured at work as a result of not being supplied with the correct PPE, we can help you to make a claim against your employer due to their negligence.

If your employer was found to be in breach of the following regulations we can also help you to make a claim:

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974: This sets out a wide range of duties that employers must meet to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees, clients, contractors and visitors to the premises of the business.

Work at height regulations 2005: This is in place to help prevent injuries and deaths caused by falls from height. Employers have the responsibility to make sure that work from height is carried out by trained professionals, is planned and supervised at all times.

Provision and Use of Work Regulations (PUWER) 1998: This relates to equipment used in the workplace. The regulations state that equipment must be suitable for the intended use, maintained to a good standard and should only be used by people who have been trained to use it properly.

Lifting Operating and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998: This places the onus of responsibility on employers who operate lifting equipment. The regulations state that lifting operations should be properly planned, supervised and that equipment must be fit for purpose.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002: This advises employers on ways to help minimise the impact of chemicals, vapours, fumes and gases on the health and safety of their employees.

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015: This focuses on coordinating and planning work in order to reduce potential risks.

Who is eligible to make a construction accident claim?

Our construction accident solicitors can help you to make a claim if you have been injured on a building site if you are:

• An employee.
• A self-employed contractor.
• A member of the public.
• A visitor.

Under UK law casual workers and self-employed contractors can still be considered as employees, and therefore are covered by the same health and safety regulations as other staff members.

Agency workers who have been injured at work are eligible to make a claim; your safety is both the agency and the construction company’s responsibility

In order to prove that your employer’s negligence led to your accident and injuries it must be possible for your solicitor to collect evidence to build a case against them. 

This includes:

• Being able to prove that a duty of care was breached.
• Being able to prove that the duty of care directly led to the accident and consequent injuries.

Evidence that can be used to help prove this can include:

• Witness reports from the scene of the accident.
• The report in the company accident book.
• Photos and video evidence from the scene of the accident.
• Medical records and the findings from an independent medical assessment.
• Reports from independent health and safety experts.