Construction site injury claims

If you have been injured in an incident at work in the construction industry, you may be able to make a claim.

Construction site injury claims are there to help you secure compensation after an injury at work. You can make a claim against:

• Your employer
• The main contractor
• Another contractor on site
• The manufacturer or supplier of faulty equipment

Our workplace injury team has represented many people and families. If you or your family have suffered from the consequences of a construction injury or fatality at work, talk to one of our construction site injury claims consultants as soon as possible to investigate a claim.

What is a construction industry claim?

Construction site injury claims can provide compensation and support so you can focus on recovery after an incident at work.

Everyone should have a safe working environment, especially when you may be exposed to potential risks in the construction industry. However, mistakes and incidents can still occur.

Construction site industry claims can result from health and safety breaches and negligence in the workplace.

Construction injuries can vary from small bruises to those injuries having a significant negative effect on your life. Even if your incident had a minor impact, you could still make a claim if your employer did not follow regulations.

More than two million people work in the construction industry, which is statistically one of the most dangerous sectors for causing injury and ill health. If you work in the sector, you don't need us to tell you that yours can be a very dangerous job.

The construction industry accounts for approximately 5% of the employees in Britain, but 22% of fatal injuries to employees and 10% of reported major injuries happen within this industry.

We can offer legal advice and help you identify who is responsible for your injury so you can make a claim.

Types of construction industry injuries

Some of the major causes of construction injuries include:

• Falling objects – If a hazard at work caused an object to fall and injure you, even from a low height, then you may be able to claim.
• Defective equipment – Faulty tools and personal protective equipment (PPE) may result in an injury that was not your fault.
• Slips, trips and falls – Safety hazards such as spills, obstructions, faulty ladders and unsecure scaffolding can result in construction site injury claims if your employer did not mitigate risks.
• Injuries while lifting, carrying and handling heavy items – If your employer fails to carry out risk assessments and proper manual handling training required by health and safety regulations.
• Electric shock – Faulty electrical equipment and wiring can lead to serious injuries and fatalities.

Construction industry rules

Like all workplaces, construction sites are subject to health and safety regulations to which employers must adhere.

Your employer and/or the main contractor on site have a duty to provide you with a safe environment, safe equipment and a safe system of work. Other companies working on construction sites also have to comply with health and safety regulations.

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015

These rules and regulations are put in place to improve your health and safety on site in the construction industry. This guidance applies to all construction projects and includes:

• Sensible risk management
• Employing the right people for the right job
• Offering the correct information about risks and risk assessment.

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

This guidance protects everyone’s health and safety at work in the UK, including the construction industry. Regulations include:

• Health and safety policy
• Risk assessment
• Adequate training and information
• Appropriate workplace facilities
• First Aid
• Accident and illness reports
• Displaying a poster or offering employees a leaflet of the laws and regulations at work.

The Six Pack health and safety regulations

Six different directives, generally referred to as the Six Pack, also relate to the construction industry. They are:

1. Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 – this is the main set, the central part of which lays out the duty of employers to carrying out full risk assessments.
2. Manual Handling Operations Regulations – help avoid the need for manual handling or lifting that could cause injury.
3. Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Regulations – ensure health and safety training for DSE users.
4. Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations – rules enforcing the right to work in good conditions.
5. Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations – ensuring any equipment provided for use is fit for purpose.
6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulations – where necessary, PPE should be suitable, compatible with other PPE, properly maintained and used appropriately.

How Leigh Day can help with construction industry claims

Leigh Day construction injury lawyers have particular expertise in dealing with construction site injury claims based on a deep knowledge and understanding of the industry. We can also access the information needed to support our client’s claims and prove their losses, allowing us to maximise our clients’ compensation.

We can represent you even if you work on a self-employed basis or contractor (CIS). Contact us and a construction site injury claims consultant can help advise you.

We have secured hundreds of thousands of pounds in compensation for people whose long-term health has been seriously compromised after a serious incident at work, or who have been left paralysed or brain damaged. We have also represented families at inquests into the deaths of people who have been killed at work.

We have successfully brought claims on behalf of workers in all trades, including:

• Steel erectors
• Scaffolders
• Electricians
• Carpenters
• Crane drivers
• Labourers

Our construction injury claim work

We are currently pursuing a number of construction site injury claims including:

• Falling from heights (including scaffolding)
• Demolition accidents
• Manual handling
• Faulty or defective equipment or machinery
• Crane accidents
• Burns
• Amputation

Our previous claims also include injuries caused by:

• Electrocution
• Falls down holes or shafts
• Being hit by falling objects
• Collapsing trenches
• Movement of construction site traffic

Our construction injury team works closely with our asbestos and industrial disease team and our award-winning employment department to ensure that construction workers have the benefit of expert advice and representation.