Construction Site Injury Claims
If you work on construction sites and you’ve been injured in the course of your work, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Your employer or other workers and subcontractors may have been negligent, which could have caused or contributed to your injuries.
Like any workplace injury, this could affect your quality of life as well as your livelihood and may even have long-term implications. If you’ve been injured on a construction site, contact us and we’ll discuss your specific circumstances with you to see whether or not you have a valid claim.
Our specialist team provides expert legal advice in different languages to clients who have been involved in workplace accidents. They operate on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning that you won’t pay any fees unless your case is successful.
Can my employer punish me in any way for making a compensation claim?
As a construction worker you may work for an employer or you may be self-employed or operate as a sub-contractor. If you are directly employed, you may be worried about claiming against your employer. Thankfully, the law gives you a lot of protection. Under your employment contract, your employer has no legal right to discriminate against you on the basis that you have taken legal action against them.
If they did try to dismiss you, discipline you or make any unreasonable changes to your working conditions after the accident (such as reducing your hours, demoting you or reducing your salary), they could be putting themselves at risk of a claim for unfair dismissal or constructive dismissal.
Your employers should not be left out of pocket by your compensation claim. Employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement for the vast majority of businesses. This cover would provide the funds for any compensation awarded against you, so your claim wouldn’t put the finances of your employer at any immediate risk.
How can accidents arise on a construction site?
Construction work can be complex, with many different tradesmen on-site at the same time. Add to that the tight deadlines and long hours and accidents can occur even on a well-managed site. If your work involves machinery, chemicals or other risk factors such as working at height, the risks and the potential severity of any accident are even greater.
Your employer or principal contractor has a duty of care to take reasonable steps to protect you against the risk of an injury. These steps can include implementing and maintaining safe working practices, providing protective equipment and clothing, or even providing suitable training.
All procedures should be clearly communicated to you and reviewed regularly to ensure that all site workers remain safe. We can help you determine whether or not they met their obligations towards you and took reasonable steps to ensure a safe working environment.
What type of injuries can I claim for as a result of a construction site accident?
Many types of injury are suffered on construction sites and the risk of each will vary, based on the requirements of your job. These can include:
- Falls from height
- Burns and scalds
- Cuts and scars
- Back injuries
- Head injuries
- Slips and trips
This list is not exhaustive, so if you’ve suffered a different type of injury at work, you should still consider taking legal advice if you feel that your employer or colleagues were in any way responsible for your injuries.
How much compensation might I receive?
The amount of compensation you receive for your injuries very much depends on your specific circumstances. That’s why we recommend that you get in touch with us promptly so that we can discuss the details of your accident with you.
You may be able to claim for the following if they are a direct result of your injuries:
- Compensation for distress and upheaval
- Loss of earnings and financial losses incurred
- Medical costs, prescription fees, care and rehabilitation costs
- Damage to your property
- Travel expenses incurred
Do I have a valid claim for compensation?
If you can answer yes to all three of the following questions, we recommend that you contact us to discuss your circumstances further:
- Was the incident within the last three years?
- Was someone else to blame for the incident?
- Were you injured as a result of the incident?
Answering ‘yes’ to all three doesn’t mean that a successful claim is certain. However, these questions are key to the claims process. Answering yes to all three does indicate that you have a greater chance of being entitled to claims. Getting prompt, specialist legal advice could be beneficial.
Because of the three-year time limit, it’s important that you contact us promptly so that we can start the process for you.
How do I begin a compensation claim for a workplace accident?
Call us on 0208 1111 911 or contact us through the website and we’ll discuss your circumstances with you. The first call typically takes about 15 minutes and in that time we can usually determine whether or not it’s realistic to pursue a claim for compensation.
