Construction Accidents

The construction industry is termed a 'high risk' industry, meaning accidents are more common in construction than in other industries. Figures from the Health and Safety Executive show that even though only 5% of employees in Britain work in construction, the industry accounts for 9% of major injuries to employees.

The fact that construction accidents are still relatively common is partly due to the physical nature of the work. Often though, construction accidents are avoidable if the right health and safety procedures and precautions are put in place.

Every employer in the construction industry has a 'duty of care' to look after the health and safety of their employees. If an employer fails to abide by health and safety regulations, this is a breach of that duty of care, and their negligence could put their employees in danger.

Construction accidents

Construction accidents can mean anything from a fall at work caused by materials in a walkway, to a back injury caused by lifting heavy materials.

Construction accidents can also be caused by inadequate safety equipment or personal protective equipment (PPE) - it's your employer's responsibility to supply the correct safety equipment for your role. Different jobs on-site require different safety equipment - scaffolders need harnesses, while welders must have face protection.

Another important factor in avoiding construction accidents is training - all newcomers should receive a full site induction to highlight any site-specific hazards.    

Read our page on preventing construction accidents to find out some of the measures which must be taken by the employer or the site manager to ensure the employer's duty of care is upheld.

Construction accidents and claiming compensation

If you've been injured after a construction accident, and the accident could have been prevented if your employer had taken the appropriate safety measures, you may be able to claim compensation for those injuries. Making a claim could not only secure the compensation you deserve, it may also prevent similar construction accidents from happening in the future.

If you have suffered from injury or illness due to a construction accident, call us today or claim online, or alternatively read our page on construction claims to find out more.

Our solicitors work on a no win no fee basis, so if your claim is unsuccessful, you won't have to pay a penny to your solicitor in costs or fees. And, if your claim is successful, those costs and expenses will usually be recovered from the other side, so you will keep 100% of the compensation you have been awarded.