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 40 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.

What should I do after a construction 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. You don’t have to go through it alone.

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