If you've been injured due to unsafe scaffolding, contact our team of Personal Injury Solicitors who are here to help.
Scaffolding Accident Compensation Claims.
Working on scaffolding is a common part of life for those in the construction and maintenance sectors, yet when scaffolding is not erected, maintained or used safely, it can become a serious hazard.
Falls from height, structural collapses and falling objects are just some of the risks that can result in devastating injuries, both for those working at height and those on the ground below. Scaffolding accidents can lead to anything from minor cuts and bruises to life-altering injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, or spinal damage. In more severe cases, the road to recovery can be long and uncertain, physically, financially and emotionally too.
If you’ve been injured in a scaffolding accident that wasn’t your fault, we understand how difficult it can be to cope with the impact. Our experienced personal injury solicitors are here to help. Whether you’ve fallen from unsafe scaffolding, been struck by debris, or hurt due to poor site management, we’ll listen to your story and guide you through your legal options with care and confidence.
At Lanyon Bowdler, we are committed to helping you secure the compensation and support you need to move forward. You don’t have to face this alone, we’re here to help you rebuild and recover.
The Common Causes of Scaffolding Accidents
Scaffolding accidents are rarely the result of pure misfortune. In most cases, they occur because someone has failed to follow the rules or uphold their duty of care. Whether through poor construction, a lack of training, or the use of unsuitable materials, these failings can have serious, and sometimes life-changing, consequences for those involved.
Some of the most common causes we see in scaffolding accident claims include:
- Incorrect assembly or construction of the scaffolding, often by unqualified or unsupervised individuals. If scaffolding isn’t built to the required standards, its stability is immediately compromised.
- Failure to carry out regular safety inspections. Once scaffolding is in use, it must be checked at least every seven days, and after any significant changes or bad weather. Missing or inadequate inspections are a leading cause of structural failure.
- Falls from height, which are often linked to missing guardrails, unsecured platforms, poor edge protection or slippery surfaces. These incidents can result in serious injuries and are among the most common causes of fatalities in the construction industry.
- Objects falling from above, such as tools, bricks or building materials. If items are not properly secured or if edge protection is not used, those working below can suffer head injuries or worse.
- Overloading of the scaffold structure, either with too many workers or excessive weight from equipment and materials. When weight limits are exceeded, even a well-constructed scaffold can become unstable or collapse.
- Hazardous weather conditions including high winds, ice or rain. Wet platforms increase the risk of slips and falls, and gusty conditions can make working at height particularly dangerous if precautions aren’t in place.
- Inadequate training or supervision, where workers are expected to use scaffolding without being shown how to do so safely. Without proper guidance, the risk of mistakes and unsafe behaviour rises significantly.
- Poor site management, where broader health and safety failures, such as a lack of risk assessments or failure to provide personal protective equipment, create unsafe working environments.
Each of these scenarios involves a preventable risk, and each can have a devastating impact on your life. If you’ve been injured due to one of these or similar failings, we’re here to help you understand what went wrong, who was responsible, and how we can help you secure compensation for your injuries and losses.
Your Scaffolding Accident Compensation Questions Answered
Depending on the cause of the accident, there are a number of different types of injury that could occur as a result of a scaffolding accident. Some of the most common examples include:
- Concussion
- Head injuries
- Brain damage
- Back injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Crush injuries
- Cuts and bruises
- Lacerations
- Sprains and strains
- Electrocution
- Burns
- Fatality
This list is not exhaustive, and if you have sustained any kind of injury as a result of a scaffolding accident, please get in touch with our personal injury team to find out if you have a valid claim.
In order to make a scaffolding accident compensation claim you will need to be able to prove that the negligence of another party was responsible for your injury. There are a number of legislative bodies in place to regulate the health and safety standards of scaffolding, including:
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC)
- The Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS)
- The Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association (PASMA)
- The Work at Height Regulations 2005
- The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
- The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
The main thing that these governing bodies and legislative guidelines have in common is that they seek to protect people from scaffolding accidents by highlighting the obligations of employers, including:
- Following the BS1139 standard for scaffold materials
- Ensuring all work equipment is properly maintained and suitable for use
- Providing adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) to all workers
- Carrying out regular risk assessments and putting measures in place to minimise risks
- Providing workers with proper training prior to them using the scaffolding
- Ensuring that the maximum working loads and number of people allowed on the scaffolding at any one time is strictly adhered to
- Checking the scaffolding every seven days whilst erected, and checking after any alterations have been made
- Ensuring workers are properly supervised whilst using the scaffolding
- Ensuring there is always a first-aider on site, and that adequate first aid supplies are available
- Having an accident report book in place and ensuring it is filled in properly when an accident occurs
Everyone has the right to work in an environment where any risks to their health and safety are properly assessed and controlled in order to minimise the risk of harm. If you ever feel that your safety is compromised, you are entitled to stop working and evacuate the area. If an accident does occur, we are here to help you as you recover physically, mentally, and financially.
If you’ve been involved in a scaffolding accident that was not your fault, your first thought may be about claiming compensation. However, in order for a personal injury claim to be successful somebody needs to be held liable, and that can often be difficult to prove.
In the case of a scaffolding accident, it can be a bit harder to pinpoint who exactly is liable for an accident. This is because often the scaffolding is erected by a third party who is unrelated to the construction company that is actually using the scaffolding. So does the responsibility lie with those who erected the scaffolding, or those who are using it?
Some points to consider when trying to determine who is responsible for the accident include:
Could the construction company that runs the building site be held accountable? If they have failed to uphold the necessary health and safety standards under the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015, then their actions could be considered negligent and they could be held liable.
Could an individual at the construction company be held responsible? If an individual employee acted irresponsibly or negligently, i.e. failing to follow the protocols of the construction site, it could cause a scaffolding accident.
Did the scaffolding supplier fail to supply adequate materials? If the scaffolding materials and equipment are not fit for purpose, the supplier or manufacturer can be held accountable for the ensuing accident.
Determining where the responsibility lies forms the foundation of any personal injury compensation claim. As your solicitors, we can help to uncover exactly what happened, find out who was responsible for causing the accident, and we can ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
All employers have a legal obligation to ensure that their employees are able to carry out their work as safely as possible under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. In terms of scaffolding, this involves ensuring the structure is properly constructed, regularly inspected, and has not been compromised by bad weather conditions such as high winds or heavy rain.
Whether you are employed full or part time, on a temporary or permanent contract, or as an independent contractor, your employer owes you a duty of care and assumes the responsibility of your safety in the workplace. This can be done in a number of ways:
- Ensuring equipment, i.e. scaffolding, is fit for purpose
- Providing adequate training on how to use the equipment
- Ensuring potential hazards are correctly and clearly signposted
- Providing appropriate personal protective equipment
- Ensuring all employees understand their duties and who to report to
- Reporting and documenting all accidents properly and accurately
Any breach in your employer’s duty of care could potentially lead to a scaffolding accident, and would provide you with a strong basis on which to claim compensation. For further information on your eligibility to make a claim, please contact our specialist personal injury team today and we’ll be happy to help.
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Contact our Scaffolding Accident Lawyers
Please give our Personal Injury Lawyers a call for a friendly, confidential, conversation about how we can help support you with a Scaffolding 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 have some of the leading Scaffolding Injury Solicitors waiting to act on your behalf. You can visit us at one of the Lanyon Bowdler offices in Shrewsbury, Bromyard, Hereford, Ludlow, Oswestry, Telford, and Conwy in North Wales. We can also arrange a home or hospital visit when more convenient.
We are one of the most recognised firms of solicitors in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Mid and North Wales, synonymous with excellence. As a leading law firm, we regularly act for clients on Scaffolding Injury Claims in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Worcester and all across the midlands. We can represent you wherever you live in England or Wales.
We are able to offer a wide range of pricing options including fixed fees and service level guarantees.
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