Construction Site Accidents.

Construction Injury Compensation Claims Lawyers.

Construction sites can be very hazardous places in which to work, primarily due to the use of heavy plant machinery, working at heights, and regular manual handling of heavy loads.

Health and safety on construction sites has improved greatly over the years, and it is now uncommon to see anyone on site without a hard hat or a high visibility jacket on, despite this, however, accidents do still happen.

Statistics provided by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that the construction industry reports an average of 54,000 non-fatal injuries, 79,000 cases of work-related ill health, and around 30 fatal construction accidents per year, making the construction industry one of the most dangerous industries in which to work in the UK.

The most common cause of accidents, both fatal and non-fatal, are falls from height. Despite stringent health and safety protocols being in place on the vast majority of building sites, many accidents can be attributed to human error and negligence. This could include things like a lack of appropriate training before handling machinery, or knowingly allowing faulty equipment to be used.

Being involved in a construction site accident, or suffering from a work-related illness can have a huge impact on your life. Depending on the type and severity of your injuries, you may need to take an extended period of sick leave from work, and in some circumstances you may need to give up construction work altogether.

If you have been injured in a construction accident which occurred due to somebody else’s negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Here at Lanyon Bowdler we have helped many people in your situation. Please get in touch with us to find out how our specialist team of personal injury solicitors can help you.

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Your Construction Injury Compensation Questions Answered

What kind of injuries can a construction site accident cause?

Construction sites pose a variety of ways for potential injuries to occur. The majority of injuries are minor and do not cause too much disruption to the individual, but occasionally a serious, or even fatal, injury can occur.

Some of the most common construction site injuries that we have helped people to make a compensation claim for include:

  • Head injuries – Objects falling from height and hitting someone on the head, or an individual falling from a height can lead to head injuries ranging from mild concussion to severe brain damage.
  • Breaks and fractures – Broken bones are a common injury, often caused by slips and falls, a collision with a moving vehicle, or an object falling from height.
  • Spinal injuries – This type of injury typically occurs due to a fall from height, and can be very serious, potentially leading to a loss of use of the legs, bladder, or bowel.
  • Eye injuries – Dirt, dust, and debris found on a construction site can make its way into the eyes if safety goggles are not worn, causing damage to the eye that could even lead to a loss of sight.
  • Sprains and strains – Trips, falls, and manual handling can lead to sprained and strained muscles and tendons, leaving you out of action for a while.
  • Psychological injuries – After a construction site accident, many people find that they also develop psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression, or post traumatic stress disorder.

This list is not exhaustive, and if you have sustained any kind of injury, both physical and psychological, in a construction site accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Speak to our specialist team of personal injury solicitors today to find out how we can help you to seek justice and get back on your feet after the accident.

What can cause a construction site accident?

Construction sites are inherently hazardous by nature, and accidents can often occur despite the most stringent health and safety procedures being in place. Some of the most common causes of accidents on building sites include:

  • Poor site conditions – This can include things like building materials left in unsafe places, cables trailing along the ground, changes in surface level, uneven surfaces, wet and slippery surfaces, and poorly assembled scaffolding.
  • Inadequate risk assessments – It is essential that employers carry out regular risk assessments in order to identify any potential hazards, followed by taking reasonable steps to reduce or remove the hazards and prevent harm.
  • Inadequate safety training – It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure all workers possess the necessary knowledge and skills in order to carry out their jobs as safely as possible by providing them with adequate training.
  • Insufficient breaks – It is vital that construction workers are given adequate rest time throughout the day, and enough time in between shifts to rest properly. Working on a construction site whilst tired or fatigued can be very dangerous.
  • Poor electrical safety – When using electrical equipment on site it is important to ensure it is in good working order, portable appliance tested (PAT), and that it is not used in wet conditions, in order to prevent electric shocks.
  • Faulty equipment – Construction workers are required to use a lot of different equipment and machinery, and if it is not maintained in good condition it can become dangerous and cause an accident.
  • Inadequate PPE – Workers should be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment, such as ear defenders, safety goggles, hard hats, high visibility jackets, and steel toe-cap boots to protect them as much as possible.
  • Exposure to hazardous substances – Dangerous chemicals and substances, for example asbestos, are often found at construction sites, and without proper PPE and training they can lead to serious health problems further down the line.
  • Repetitive actions – Carrying out the same task repeatedly over a period of time can cause a repetitive strain injury (RSI), and prolonged use of a handheld power tool can cause hand-arm vibration syndrome.
  • Poor manual handling – Construction workers are often required to move heavy loads, and poor manual handling practices can put them at risk of injury, for example by lifting loads that are too heavy or above waist height.
  • Inadequate working at height measures – Working at height is one of the most dangerous aspects of a construction site, especially when inadequate safety measures are in place, such as a lack of guard rails and harnesses.
  • Poor traffic management – A construction site will typically feature several vehicles such as cranes, diggers, excavators, dump trucks, and bulldozers, which can potentially cause an accident if driven without due care and attention.

If you have been involved in any kind of accident on a construction site, caused by somebody else’s negligence, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your injuries. Here at Lanyon Bowdler we have helped many people in your situation to claim what was owed to them after a building site accident, and we’d like to help you too, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly and experienced personal injury team.

Who is responsible for preventing construction site accidents?

On most construction sites you will find a variety of people, such as architects, site managers, and labourers, all working on the same project but independently from one another. It can therefore be difficult to pinpoint who exactly is liable when a building site accident claim is brought about.

Some of the people responsible for construction site safety include:

  • Site managers – They are responsible for following instructions from the client, and could be deemed liable if they fail to do so.
  • Designers and architects – If they fail to follow the health and safety advice of the client they could be held responsible for any accident that ensues.
  • Construction regulations coordinator – They are responsible for ensuring the project is carried out according to regulations.
  • Clients – If the client ignores the health and safety advice from the construction regulations coordinator they could be liable for any accidents that happen.

There are a number of legislative acts that govern how a construction site should operate, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations Act 1996, and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The 1996 act states that employers must take all necessary precautions in order to prevent injury, and the 2015 act states that the HSE must conduct site inspections and prosecute those who do not follow the rules.

If you have been involved in a construction site accident and wish to make a compensation claim, we can help you to determine who is at fault. Our qualified and experienced team of personal injury solicitors have handled many cases like yours, so you’ll be in good hands.

What if I am partly responsible for the construction site accident?

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 employers, employees, and the self-employed have certain duties, and there is an expectation that all personnel on the construction site will take reasonable care for their own safety, as well as the safety of others.

If you behave irresponsibly, despite being aware of the site protocols and expectations, the court may decide that part of the responsibility for your injuries lies with you, which is known as ‘contributory negligence’. An example of this would be if a worker knows that they should wear a hard hat but chooses not to, and then sustains a head injury in an accident where debris falls onto their head. By failing to wear a hard hat, they didn’t cause the accident themselves, but their injuries were worse than they otherwise would have been.

If you hold contributory negligence for your injuries, it is still possible to claim compensation. In court, the blame will be divided by all those who played a part in the accident. Once the blame has been apportioned, your compensation amount will be reduced by the percentage of blame that you hold. For example, if the court finds the defendant 75% responsible, and you 25% responsible, you would receive 75% of the final compensation award.

We understand that it can be confusing when dealing with a contributory negligence case, which is why we endeavour to explain things as clearly and concisely, ensuring you are kept up to date with every stage of your case. If you have any questions, our personal injury team will be more than happy to answer them for you, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Can I claim if I was injured whilst visiting a construction site?

Anyone who visits a construction site is not covered by the same legislation that protects workers. However, it is usually still possible to make a compensation claim if you are injured whilst visiting a construction site.

Under The Occupiers Liability Act 1957, property owners are required to ensure their property is free from hazards that may pose a risk of injury to visitors, and this act also applies to construction site owners. It is the responsibility of the site owner to ensure that all visitors wear hard hats and high visibility jackets, and that they stay within the safe zones of the site. The site manager is also responsible for ensuring good housekeeping practices are adhered to, in order to prevent slips, trips, and falls.

If you visited a construction site and the owner did not adhere to the relevant health and safety legislation, which led to an accident occurring, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Please get in touch with our specialist team of personal injury solicitors and we’ll be happy to discuss your case with you.

Testimonials

What our clients say.

It is a pleasure to act as a case manager for clients represented by the personal injury team at Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors. Lanyon Bowdler PI team are proactive and truly client centred. They understand the clients they represent and work tirelessly to achieve the best they can for them. Through collaborative working we have been able to achieve the best outcomes possible for our clients.

Rachel Dodwell
Community Case Management Services Ltd

As a case manager I work closely with litigation teams to ensure our clients get the expertise, support and care they need to bring them back to as close to their life pre-injury as possible. This is very often not an easy journey, and balancing the desires of the client to live their best life with collating and presenting the facts of how that life is altered, can be very challenging. Having worked alongside Lanyon Bowdler’s team for many years, I have noted it is always easier to strike this balance, when they are involved.

Shelley Lewis
AJ Case Management

Having worked with a succession of personal injury specialists at Lanyon Bowdler over the years, I have seen at first hand the top-flight legal expertise that they bring to every case and the commitment to obtaining the absolutely best result for every client. Equally importantly, I am struck by the compassion, empathy and humanity with which every client is treated. They go above and beyond to ensure their clients receive the very best representation.

Anthony Reddiford
Guildhall Chambers

The team at Lanyon Bowdler show an exceptional knowledge and understanding of their client’s needs, not just in terms of the claim that they lead, but also the emotional and personal experiences that they will have on that journey.

Jenny Whittall
JMW Ltd

Lanyon Bowdler provide seamless ongoing emotional support, information and guidance to their clients over what may be many years of a PI claim. This significantly helps mitigate the “stress” of a claim for their clients, and in my medicolegal experience puts them way ahead of other legal firms.

Professor Tony Elliott
Director UK Centre for Medico-Legal Studies

Contacted Lanyon Bowdler six months after an injury at work. They offered me several of their services, including no win no fee which I ended up choosing. The solicitor was extremely helpful, was always keeping me updated when there was news and answered promptly when asked for any updates or when I asked any questions. I was very happy with the final settlement and the advice I received proved to be the best for my case. I felt like the extra bit of care was extended to give me a good idea of the options I had to choose from which really helped to inform any decision.

Matthew
via ReviewSolicitors

From my initial approach to the final positive outcome I felt my solicitor was expending all his energy to win the case. I was kept informed throughout and was given straightforward advice on how to proceed. The end result was an acceptable outcome and the pay-out was prompt.

Eric
via ReviewSolicitors

Very friendly and quick to respond, highly recommend for anyone looking for legal advice.

Anonymous
via ReviewSolicitors

I couldn’t be happier with the service I have received over the past six years. I would highly recommend Lanyon Bowdler for legal requirements.

Jayne
via ReviewSolicitors

Since dealing with Lanyon Bowdler they have been diligent, efficient and at all times very helpful along with being structured in dealing with matters, fees and clarity on all levels. Thank you.

Michael
via ReviewSolicitors

I was clearly informed of progress step by step. The service you provided was very good.

Peter Weston
Shrewsbury

All work carried out effectively and efficiently.

Hubert Jones
via ReviewSolicitors

An excellent service with solicitors that you can talk to and who give you a clear understanding of all necessary legal implications and interpretations.

Eric
via ReviewSolicitors

From start to finish we had excellent service. Friendly, approachable and professional.

Carl Gittins
via ReviewSolicitors

Very clear, concise advice and guidance, easy to understand.

Ian Jamieson
Telford

Good service provided throughout with clear communication throughout with all options explored.

Lee

I can thoroughly recommend the highly professional and supportive service received over the last few months.

Heather
via ReviewSolicitors

Responsive, supportive, approachable, clear and empathetic.

Lisa Thacker

Professional and prompt communication. Supportive and client focused.

Lisa Thacker
Jennifer M Whittall Ltd

Whenever I have had need to contact Lanyon Bowdler I have always received a fast, concise and friendly response.

Lee Mortimer
UK Case Management

Definitely would use Lanyon Bowdler again if I need the use of a solicitor.

Mark Bowkett
via ReviewSolicitors

Smooth and efficient service from very professional firm.

Tim
via ReviewSolicitors

We were particularly impressed with the quality of work, the speed and excellent communication.

Allenby Douglas Ltd
Oswestry

Very friendly and approachable. Very good advice

Ivor Brown
via ReviewSolicitors

Great Service; Lanyon Bowdler were excellent from the outset. Straightforward and easy process. I just sat back and waited.

Paul Rowe
via ReviewSolicitors

Everything has been professional, efficient and courteous throughout and we are very pleased, both with the service and with the eventual outcome of our case. Everything was first class and exceeded our expectations. Thank you again for providing such splendid service. It is really appreciated.

Mr N J & Dr S J Browne
Llanfyllin

Contact our Construction Site Injury Solicitors

Please give our Personal Injury Lawyers a call for a friendly, confidential, conversation about how we can help support you with a Construction Site Injury Claim. There is no commitment or charge for our initial assessment. Please contact a member of the team or complete our online inquiry form toward the top of this page on the right-hand side. We can also arrange a home or hospital visit when more convenient.

Lanyon Bowdler has offices in ShrewsburyBromyardHerefordLudlowOswestryTelford, and Conwy in North Wales.

We are one of the most recognised firms of solicitors in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Mid and North Wales, Birmingham, and the Midlands, synonymous with excellence. We are able to offer a wide range of pricing options including fixed fees and service level guarantees.

As a leading law firm, we regularly act for clients on Construction Site Injury Claims. We can represent you wherever you live in England or Wales.

Our people

Meet the team.

Dawn Humphries
Dawn Humphries
Partner
Personal Injury
Debbie Humphries
Debbie Humphries
Partner
Personal Injury
Phillip Roberts
Phillip Roberts
Partner
Personal Injury
Isabella Drummond
Isabella Drummond
Paralegal Apprentice
Personal Injury | Medical Negligence
Amanda Clarke
Amanda Clarke
Legal Support Assistant
Personal Injury
Helen Gale
Helen Gale
Legal Support Assistant
Personal Injury
Kelly Gibbons
Kelly Gibbons
Legal Support Assistant
Personal Injury
Amy Burgoyne
Amy Burgoyne
Legal Support Assistant
Personal Injury
Karen Clarke
Karen Clarke
Associate Legal Executive (FCILEX)
Personal Injury
Phyllis Smith
Phyllis Smith
Senior Litigation Assistant
Personal Injury
Alexander Spanner
Alexander Spanner
Associate Solicitor
Personal Injury
Morgan Thompson
Morgan Thompson
Legal Support Assistant
Personal Injury
Cameron Petch
Cameron Petch
Legal Support Assistant
Personal Injury
Tabassum Jamil
Tabassum Jamil
Trainee Solicitor
Personal Injury
Jo Kneller
Jo Kneller
Solicitor
Personal Injury
Sarah Martin
Sarah Martin
Costs Draftsman
Medical Negligence | Personal Injury
Jane Miles
Jane Miles
Associate Solicitor
Personal Injury
Andrew Morris
Andrew Morris
Trainee Costs Draftsman
Medical Negligence | Personal Injury
Miriam Homer
Miriam Homer
Solicitor
Personal Injury
David Hughes
David Hughes
Associate Costs Manager
Medical Negligence | Personal Injury
Knowledge

Case studies.

Case Study
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Injuries Sustained to Non Dominant Ring Finger

The claimant worked for a firm of solicitors and sustained injuries to her non dominant ring finger when using a ladder ...
Dawn Humphries • 26 Feb 2024
Case Study
Lanyon Bowdler case study icon

Damages Awarded After Claimant Fell From Ladder

The claimant fractured his neck after falling from a ladder whilst spraying a wasp’s nest through a long lance and wea...
Dawn Humphries • 26 Feb 2024
Case Study
Lanyon Bowdler case study icon

Claimant Awarded £1m After Work Accident

The claimant required major reconstructive surgery and extensive rehabilitation. The claimant suffered complete loss of ...
Dawn Humphries • 26 Feb 2024
Case Study
Lanyon Bowdler case study icon

£5,000 for Work Shoulder Injury

The claimant had not received training from his employers in the use of the truck, nor in manual handling....
Dawn Humphries • 26 Feb 2024
Case Study
Lanyon Bowdler case study icon

£1m for Claimant Blinded at Work

The Serious Injury Claim settlement made provision for the fact the claimant suffered complete loss of earnings capacity...
Dawn Humphries • 26 Feb 2024
Case Study
Leaves in the shade

Falling Machinery Causes Accident at Work

As the piece of machinery was being laid down to a horizontal position, the weight overcame all involved causing the mac...
28 Jul 2023
Knowledge

Latest knowledge.

Case Study
Grass in sunlight

Injuries Sustained to Non Dominant Ring Finger

The claimant worked for a firm of solicitors and sustained injuries to her non dominant ring finger when using a ladder ...
Dawn Humphries • 26 Feb 2024
Case Study
Lanyon Bowdler case study icon

Damages Awarded After Claimant Fell From Ladder

The claimant fractured his neck after falling from a ladder whilst spraying a wasp’s nest through a long lance and wea...
Dawn Humphries • 26 Feb 2024
Case Study
Lanyon Bowdler case study icon

Claimant Awarded £1m After Work Accident

The claimant required major reconstructive surgery and extensive rehabilitation. The claimant suffered complete loss of ...
Dawn Humphries • 26 Feb 2024
Case Study
Lanyon Bowdler case study icon

£5,000 for Work Shoulder Injury

The claimant had not received training from his employers in the use of the truck, nor in manual handling....
Dawn Humphries • 26 Feb 2024
Case Study
Lanyon Bowdler case study icon

£1m for Claimant Blinded at Work

The Serious Injury Claim settlement made provision for the fact the claimant suffered complete loss of earnings capacity...
Dawn Humphries • 26 Feb 2024
Case Study
Leaves in the shade

Falling Machinery Causes Accident at Work

As the piece of machinery was being laid down to a horizontal position, the weight overcame all involved causing the mac...
28 Jul 2023
Blog

Could Jurassic Park Be Held Liable?

I thought to celebrate the release of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, I would look at the responsibility Jurassic P...
Dawn Humphries • 13 Jun 2018
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