Construction Accident Compensation Claims
Injuries at Work on Construction Sites
Construction sites are notoriously dangerous with a high risk of injury.
Accidents on construction sites can happen at work in a variety of circumstances and in some of them it may be possible to bring a claim for compensation. Serious injuries can occur as a result of falls from heights, from falling material, electrical faults, and so on.
An employer has a duty of care to his employees under the law of negligence. In addition, all employers are now subject to a statutory code of regulations designed to protect everyone in the workplace - employees, contractors and visitors. These regulations cover a number of key areas such as
- Work Equipment - this includes machinery, tools and suchlike
- The Workplace - this covers a variety of matters relevant to construction sites such as cleanliness, condition of floors and traffic routes, falls or falling objects, doors and gates, and so on
- Manual Handling - this covers all forms of lifting and manual handling
- Protective Equipment - this covers all cases where protective equipment (safety helmets, gloves, goggles, etc.) is required
- There are regulations which specifically relate to construction sites such as The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996 and others which are highly relevant such as The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
The regulations now are framed in such a way that employers are obliged to avoid risks entirely if this is possible; if it is not possible, they are obliged to minimise the risk to the lowest possible level.
A particular complication of construction site accidents is that there may be many different companies on site.
In order to succeed in a claim for compensation if you have suffered an accident at work, you have to prove what happened, that it happened as a result of the employers' (or someone else's) negligence or breach of a statutory duty, and that your injuries and losses have occurred as a result.
Remember that even if an accident was partly your own fault, you may be successful in a claim (although your damages / compensation would be reduced to reflect your own level of blame).
Accidents that happen as a result of a mistake by a work colleague can also be pursued. This is the principle of vicarious liability which renders the employer liable for the negligence of his employees. This principle even applies in most cases if you are injured as a result of a prank by a work colleague during the course of employment.
If an accident at work happens, wherever possible always keep a record and take photographs if possible; take the names and home addresses of witnesses; keep evidence of doctors visited and treatments, and keep receipts for any injury related expenses.
It is always important to obtain prompt specialist advice.
Clear Answers' specialist lawyers will be able to assess which company or companies should be pursued for compensation in the event that your accident at work is attributable to more than one of the companies on site, will advise you whether a claim for compensation is possible, and will give guidance and assistance on how a claim can be pursued.
Successful Injury at Work Cases We Have Dealt With
Clear Answers' specialist solicitors, Thompsons Solicitors, deal with all types of injury at work accidents. We have extensive experience in handling successful accident at work compensation claims, including accidents on construction sites, and very many satisfied clients. Please go to our Injury at Work Compensation Claims That We Have Dealt With section to read just a few examples of our successful cases.
Alternatively you can visit our News Section to view other successful personal injury compensation claims that Clear Answers' solicitors have been involved in.
Compensation Claims
If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim resulting from an accident on a construction site, and you decide to instruct Clear Answers to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for yourself. Telephone us now on 0800 783 9019 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms.
[ Back To Injuries at Work ]
Copyright © Clear Answers 2002 - 2008.