Fall from Height Claims

Falls from a height at work

When you are working from a height, a variety of risks are involved, and it is down to your employer to make sure that all safety precautions are being taken.

Statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that falls from a height were the biggest killer of all workers in 2022/23, resulting in 40 fatal accidents.

What are common causes of accidents at height?

There are a variety of different jobs and workplaces where falls from heights may happen. The types of jobs include:

• Construction workers
• Retail or warehouse workers
• Roofers
• Scaffolders
• Window installers
• Window cleaners

These professions can face occupational hazards involving the use of ladders or working in high and often unsafe conditions.

The most common causes of falling from a height at work are:

• Bad weather causing slip hazards
• Unsteady or broken ladders
• Lack of safety railings or personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Little or no anti-slip protection
• Poorly constructed scaffolding

If you have suffered from an injury caused by any of the above, then it could have been caused by your employer failing to keep you safe at work.

Injuries caused by a fall from a height can be potentially life-changing or even fatal. Among some of the common injuries after such a fall are broken bones, skull fractures, brain damage, and organ failure.

How should my employer protect me?

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 sets out that employers have a duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees, as far as is reasonably practicable.

In addition, the Work at Height Regulations 2005 sets out a series of rules and regulations that employers have to stick to when working at a height is required. The regulations state that:

• All employees have the right to PPE
• All equipment has to be in good working
• All surfaces must be dry and free from obstacles
• Employers must conduct an appropriate risk assessment
• Employees should be provided with correct training

When your employer has failed to do any of the above, this is classed as employer negligence, and you are entitled to make an accident at work claim.

What should I do if I have fallen from a height at work?

First and foremost, we recommend you get yourself to a GP or hospital, depending on how serious the injuries are.

You may need urgent medical care if you have suffered any broken bones or organ damage. Sometimes falls from a height may not present obvious physical symptoms and could be internal, so it is best to get checked out straight away.

It is your employer’s responsibility to record the accident in an accident or incident book, as soon as they can after your injury.

If you can, you should try to:

• Keep a copy of all your medical records after receiving hospital treatment
• Record the names and contacts of any witnesses to the accident
• Take pictures of the scene of the accident or the injuries the fall has caused you

All these things help to build up your claim with evidence so that you can prove that your employer is liable for your injury.

Equipped with your evidence, we suggest you contact us at First4Lawyers.

We can help you by taking you through the steps to making an accident at work claim.

Is there a time limit for me to make a claim?

You’ll have three years from the date of your accident to make a fall from height compensation claim.

Although this may sound like a long time, we always recommend starting your claim as soon as you can.

This gives you the best chance of remembering everything that happened. It can also mean that any witnesses find it easier to remember what they saw.

It can also be more straightforward to get hold of certain pieces of evidence, such as CCTV footage or records in your workplace accident book.

If you’re not sure if you have time to make a claim after falling from a height, just give our expert team a call.

How much compensation can I claim for a fall from height?

The amount of compensation you could claim depends on how serious your injuries are and how long they’re expected to last.

You will be able to claim general damages for the pain and suffering your fall has caused you.  For example, if your fall caused a serious leg injury then you claim up to £54,830, while you could claim up to £403,990 for severe brain damage.

This is not the only compensation you could be awarded. You can also claim back any financial losses your injury has caused you through special damages.

Losses like unpaid time off work, medical treatment and even travel to and from medical appointments.

If you want to work out what you could claim in general damages, then use our simple compensation calculator.

Although we do know no amount of money can reverse the damage or pain the fall has caused you, it can offer you some peace of mind. Compensation can help to support you and your family if you’re worried about paying your bills or being unable to work.

How much does it cost to make a claim?

We understand that you may have had an expensive time as a result of your injury, so we offer a No Win No Fee service – meaning it is risk-free, as you won’t have to pay anything if your case is unsuccessful.

There are no upfront costs and legal fees of up to 25% will only be recovered once you have been awarded compensation.

All the details of our No Win No Fee service will be explained to you at the beginning of a claim, so there are no nasty surprises further down the road.

How can First4Lawyers help?

Our team has been helping people for over 15 years. We only work with top solicitors, meaning you will be supported by real experts.

Our advisors are dedicated to giving you the best service. They will provide you with all the information you need when beginning your claim after a fall from a height.

We’re here to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve, as well as hold those responsible for your accident to account.

When you’re ready, just give us a call, start your claim online, or request a callback.