Compensation for Being Struck by Falling Objects.

Injuries caused by falling objects can range from mild to severe, and even fatal, depending on the size and weight of the object, how far it has fallen, and what part of the body is struck by the object.

The kind of injuries most commonly caused by falling objects include:

• Head injuries including lacerations and concussion
• Brain damage caused by blunt force trauma to the head
• Back and spinal injuries that can result in paraplegia
• Facial injuries such as cuts, bruises, and broken bones
• Broken bones and fractures throughout the body
• Psychological injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder

If you have sustained an injury due to being struck by a falling object at work, it is likely that you’ll need to take time off work whilst you undergo treatment, or you may even need to give up work altogether, and this can put a financial strain on you and your family.

If the accident occurred due to somebody else’s negligence, we can help you to make a claim for compensation. Likewise, if you have sadly lost a loved one in a falling object accident, we can help you to make a claim on their behalf.

No amount of money can make up for what you have been through, but it can help to ease the stress of the situation and aid you on your journey to recovery.

All employers have a moral and legal obligation to ensure that their employees are able to carry out their roles as safely as is reasonably possible. They are also responsible for ensuring the safety of anyone who visits the site, for example independent contractors, delivery drivers, and customers.

There are a number of government regulations that employers must adhere to, which include:

• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• The Working at Height Regulations 2005
• The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
• The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
• The Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations 1992

As part of these legislative acts, employers must ensure the following:

• Risk assessments are carried out regularly
• Adequate safety measures are put into place
• Adequate staff training is provided and regularly updated
• Exclusion zones are established on the premises
• Safety measures are put in place to prevent objects from falling from height
• Adequate PPE, such as hard hats, is provided
• Objects and goods are stored safely and only placed at height when absolutely necessary

If your employer fails to adhere to the relevant legislation and it results in a falling object accident which causes you to sustain an injury, you may be entitled to pursue legal action. Likewise, if the actions of a fellow employee lead to an accident occurring, your employer can still be held accountable as they are ultimately responsible for their employees.

You may be concerned that taking legal action against your employer could affect their business financially. However, most employers should be in possession of a legitimate liability and insurance policy which will cover the cost of any legal action taken against them, without affecting their business in a negative way.

Another concern that some employees have with regards to suing their employer is that it will affect their job security. However, the law is on your side, and your employer can’t legally treat you any differently or dismiss you due to you seeking compensation, so you can rest assured that your position at the company will remain protected.

Making a claim against your employer can not only lead to a compensation pay out for you, but it also typically means that your employer will be required to carry out a full investigation into how and why the incident occurred, and subsequently review their safety policies and procedures in order to ensure that the same type of incident does not occur again in the future.

If you’d like any further clarification about your rights when it comes to pursuing legal action against your employer, please get in touch with our personal injury team who will be happy to answer your questions and offer guidance.