Understanding Your Rights After a Building Site Accident

Building site accidents happen frequently in the UK. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 53,000 construction workers suffered non-fatal injuries from 2020/21 to 2022/23. There were 45 fatalities in the 2022/23 period, up from the five-year average of 37. There were unfortunately three fatalities among members of the public on building sites too. 

If you have experienced an accident on a building site as an employee or self-employed contractor, you may be entitled to compensation. 

Your rights after a building site accident 

If you experienced an injury on a building site that could have been prevented, you have certain legally-protected rights. 

However, the compensation and legal rights you’re entitled to as part of a construction accident claim vary depending on your circumstances. 

As an employee 

It’s your employer’s responsibility to make sure they follow health and safety regulations on site. They should also comply with the HSE’s Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015

Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may have the right to claim compensation for your accident under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

If you need to take time off to recover, you might be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay or Universal Credit. Check your employment contract to see if you’re entitled to any additional pay or benefits during your absence. 

On a zero-hour contract 

Your employer is required to follow the same health and safety legislation to protect zero hour contract workers as they are with all other workers. As a result, you may be able to claim compensation under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. 

You should check your contract to see if you qualify for Statutory Sick Pay. You may also be able to claim for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) until you can return to work. 

As a self-employed contractor or subcontractor 

It is important that you speak to a professional to understand your rights here, as there are nuances to consider in relation to liability. As a self-employed person, you hold some responsibility for your own health and safety at work. But dependant on the location and specific circumstances of your work, there may also be some liability remaining with other parties. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be able to claim for damages, recuperation, and loss of earnings. 

As a self-employed person, you may also be able to make a claim for Universal Credit and ESA.  

The process of claiming for a business site accident 

There is a set procedure in the UK for filing a compensation claim relating to a building site accident. 

After the accident 

When the accident happened, even if your injury seemed minor, your employer should have sought out or encouraged you to seek medical attention. This could involve contacting the doctor, visiting your local A&E department, or treating minor injuries at the scene using the relevant accident protocol.  

While this is important for your own health, it’s also important because your appointment with the doctor or visit to A&E is an official record of your injury. 

Reporting your accident 

Your company should have made an official log of the incident in their accident book or equivalent. This is further proof that the accident took place and it’s an important document for your construction accident compensation claim. 

For serious accidents that result in fractures, amputations or hospital treatment in general, your employer must report the incident to the Health & Safety Executive.  

This is so that they comply with the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) legislation. That report should include details of the accident including how it took place and the nature of the injuries you and others sustained. 

In some cases, the HSE may follow up a RIDDOR report with an investigation into where the accident happened. This could include a review of safety protocols when you were injured, interviews with you and other staff members, and a site inspection.  

A RIDDOR report or investigation is also very valuable as evidence in your claim against your employer, especially if the HSE finds shortcomings on their part. 

Gathering further evidence 

Right after the accident, it is advisable to take photographs of the hazard you believe was responsible for your injury, or that shows a lack of attention to health and safety. You may not be able to obtain photos later on, so try to do this straight away while the circumstances are fresh. 

Keep a record of any consultations, treatments, and diagnoses you’ve received from medical professionals. Also, keep a diary on how your injuries have affected your ability to work, your day-to-day life, and your sense of wellbeing. Both are powerful records that demonstrate the impact the injury has had on you. 

If you haven’t already, get in touch now with a solicitor’s firm that specialises in construction accident claims

Tell them about what happened and they’ll be able to give you a preliminary assessment on your chances of being awarded compensation. If they think you’ve got a case, they’ll start the claims process for you. 

What happens after you’ve made a construction accident claim? 

Your construction accident lawyer will handle the entire claims process for you, and will keep you informed along the way. Some typical milestones in a construction accident claim, according to the partner law firms we work alongside, are outlines below. 

If your employer accepts liability 

If your employer and their insurer accept liability, your solicitor then starts negotiating to agree a level of compensation. 

They want to reach a fair settlement for you – an amount of money that reflects the nature and severity of your injury, how it’s impacted your work life and daily life, and any financial losses you’ve experienced as a result. If you have to stop work altogether, the settlement might also reflect your future loss of wages too. 

Generally, the more severe your injury, or the greater its impact on your life, the more compensation you will receive. Your solicitor and your employer’s solicitor might use the Judicial College Guidelines, alongside their own lived experience of similar cases, to help value your claim. 

If you can’t reach agreement with your employer 

The vast majority of construction site accident claims are settled through negotiation. Sometimes though, negotiating liability becomes very complex, and in these cases your lawyer might advise you take the case to court. This is a very rare circumstance, and your legal team will guide you through the entire process, so it doesn’t need to be a daunting experience.  

If you are successful in claiming for a building site claim 

When the settlement has been agreed on, either through negotiations or the court, you then receive your compensation. It’s your solicitor’s job to make sure that payment arrives with you as quickly as possible. 

Your financial compensation is intended to help you recover any lost earnings due to your injury, and also to support you moving forwards; whether this be through private healthcare, rehabilitation or even retraining for a role if you are no longer able to remain in the same field of work.  

If you are not successful in your building site claim 

If you’re not successful with your building site accident claim request, your solicitor will advise you of the reason why and let you know if they believe you have grounds to appeal.  

Generally, your solicitor will only recommend an appeal if they believe the court was mistaken or new evidence comes to light. You may also have a limited timeframe to make an appeal, that your lawyer will discuss with you.  

They may also suggest an alternative dispute resolution if there are areas of dispute between you and your employer that were not covered during the negotiations or the court case.  

Just as if your claim had been successful, your rights as an employee are unaffected. UK law specifically forbids any unfavourable treatment against employees who have brought a compensation case against their employer. 

Solicitors for building site accidents 

If you want to start a construction accident claim, get in touch with The Compensation Experts. Speak with one of our advisors and tell them about the accident and the circumstances surrounding it. 

Our team will then introduce you to one of our hand-picked solicitors’ firms within our network. You’ll work with experienced lawyers with a track record of success when representing clients seeking compensation for building site accidents. 

Many of our partner firms work on a no-win, no-fee basis. That means that, if you don’t win your claim for compensation, the service costs you nothing. Typically, clients pay a fee of 25% (including VAT) of the compensation amount if their case is successful. This may vary depending on the team you are selected.

Start the process today. Please get in touch with us – we look forward to hearing from you. 

Building Site Accident Claims – Frequently Asked Questions 

What is a building site accident? 

A building site accident is an unplanned event that causes injury or death to an employee, contractor, visitor, or other person on a site where a new building is being constructed or an existing one altered or renovated. 

What are examples of building site accidents 

Common building site accidents include: 

  • Falls: Slips, trips, and falls caused by unstable working surfaces account for 26% of all construction site accidents. A further 19% of accidents are falls from height which are the leading cause of construction-related fatalities.  
  • Electrical: Proximity to power lines, poorly maintained equipment, and exposure to contact with live wires presents a great risk of electric shock to workers.  
  • Equipment and machinery: Without regular maintenance and proper training, equipment like power tools, fork lift trucks, bulldozers and cranes can be the cause of accidents. 
  • On-site objects: 12% of building site accidents are caused by being struck by a falling or a moving object.  

The top 5 best and worst UK industries for compassionate leave

Suffering a life-threatening personal injury or losing a loved one is a hard thing to experience, but, sadly, it’s something many of us will experience at some point in our lives.

Fortunately, all UK industries are required to give anyone in this scenario adequate compassionate leave, a period of paid leave for you to come to terms with what’s happened and spend time with family.

In the UK, the standard length of compassionate leave is three paid days annually, though this can differ depending on your circumstances and industry, with some sectors undoubtedly better for offering leave than others.

To help inform you which UK industries offer the best and worst compassionate leave, we surveyed 1,500 UK employees across a variety of occupations and ranked each sector from best to worst.

With this in mind, here are the top five best and worst UK industries for compassionate leave.

The best UK industries for compassionate leave

While many might assume that fast-paced and intense roles could be less accommodating with their compassionate leave policy, our results show that this is clearly not the case.

Without a doubt, the best UK industry for compassionate leave is healthcare, providing, on average, five paid days of compassionate leave.

Given their profession, this makes sense, as they no doubt fully understand the emotional and physical trauma you might be experiencing.

In fact, 77% of those we spoke with within the healthcare industry feel that they’re supported by their employer, with 78.4% feeling that their workplace is compassionate.

That being said, only 49.5% actually feel comfortable telling their employer that they need time off, perhaps evidencing the responsibility they feel towards their role.

Property is also an excellent UK industry for compassionate leave, again offering five days. But while 71.4% feel their workplace is compassionate, as little as 28.6% feel comfortable telling employers they need time off.

The remaining three brilliant UK industries for compassionate leave also offer five days total, with those we spoke to in the Information and communication, education, and data industries all holding similar opinions to those in the healthcare and property industries.

The worst UK industries for compassionate leave

An important thing to note when looking at compassionate leave is that, while three days is considered the standard, it is not the legal minimum. Given this caveat, it’s unsurprising that some industries fall short of this number.

Without a doubt, the worst UK industry for compassionate leave is agriculture, offering just two days, with a mere 54% of those we spoke to actually feeling supported by their employer.

To put this into perspective, this is the lowest rate of employer support felt by employees in any industry. In fact, just 45% of those in the agricultural industry feel comfortable telling employers they need time off, but 79% do at least feel that their workplace is compassionate overall.

Surprisingly, the next worst UK industry for compassionate leave is tourism, again offering just two days. Interestingly, however, 90% of the people we surveyed feel supported by their employer, with 89% feeling their workplace is compassionate and 70% feeling comfortable telling their employer that they need time off.

Other bad UK industries for compassionate leave include the creative arts, retail, and finance. While all of these industries offer three days as standard, large portions of those we spoke to feel uncomfortable asking for time off from their employers, with those in the creative arts finding it particularly difficult – only 38.1% feeling comfortable asking for time off.

How do UK industries view compassionate leave overall?

Even though there’s a clear variation in the length of compassionate leave offered by different UK industries, feedback from our survey shows that compassion is generally at the forefront of everyone’s minds regardless of where you work.

A full 79% of those we asked feel supported by their employer, with a further 78.7% saying that their employer is usually flexible in ensuring that they have suitable time off when needed. Additionally, a further 78.5% say that their colleagues have always been understanding and supportive.

Interestingly, however, just 27.3% of those surveyed are unaware of what their workplace compassionate leave policy is, and 46.6% still wouldn’t feel comfortable telling their employer that they need time off even if they did.

In general, though, it seems we’re pretty accommodating in the UK, with 80% of Brits feeling their workplace is compassionate, 70% feeling open to talking about personal matters with their manager, and 80% saying that their workplace policies provide all the guidance they need to support someone with a serious illness or who is grieving at work.

Some accidents in life are unavoidable. But if you’ve been the victim of an accident at work due to someone else’s negligence, then you could be entitled to compensation.

Recycling company fined after 18-year-old employee suffers injuries at work

According to recent reports, a recycling company had to pay a fine after an 18-year-old employee suffered injuries at work whilst clearing a blockage in a waste metal chute. The court found that the company were guilty of breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. They had to pay fines of £17,500. 

The employee suffered injuries at work when he fell through a chute that was approximately four meters above a concrete yard. The accident occurred when the employee was clearing a blockage. Another employee, who was waiting in a telescopic handler to collect the waste metal in the machine bucket, saw him fall and moved the machine to try and catch him. The employee was hit by the bucket and sustained injuries including several broken bones. 

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that there was no risk assessment or safe system of work in place for clearing blockages. The company had not considered the risk of employees falling through the chute from that height. 

Speaking after the hearing, the HSE inspector said: “This significant injury to an 18-year-old employee in his first employment could have been easily prevented. The remedial action taken to prevent future blockages implemented after the incident had no cost implication for the company. Employers should make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise risks from clearing blockages.” 

injuries at work

Injuries at Work Caused by An Unsafe Working Environment 

There are several responsibilities an employer must uphold to make the work environment injury free, including: 

If the employer doesn’t provide the above, the workplace environment is deemed unsafe. As a consequence, the employer becomes negligent. Similarly, if any workplace is unsafe and an accident occurs, your employer may be liable for a workplace injury claim. 

Your Employer’s Responsibility 

Your employer is responsible for making sure you are safe at work. They must follow rules and regulations set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to keep you safe. They must also make sure they carry out risk assessments to make sure any work you do is safe. This is the same for any machinery you use at work.  

If the recycling company had carried out a risk assessment of the equipment and the work that their 18-year-old employee was doing, then he may not have had an accident. Similarly, if you have an accident at work and your employer did not adequately risk assess the work, and you have an accident, then you may be able to make a claim. 

How We Can Help 

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes injuries at work. So contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly experts. 

Accidents in Restaurants 

 Many of us visit restaurants on a regular basis. We don’t expect anything to happen to us when we do so. The vast majority of restaurants across the UK are diligent in their duty of care towards their customers. However, there are situations when accidents in restaurants can occur as well as illness.  

All restaurant owners must make sure they follow the rules set out in the Occupiers Liability Act 1957. They must do this to minimise the risk of accidents happening. If you have an accident in a restaurant, and it is due to the fault of the restaurant owner, then you may be eligible to make a personal injury claim. 

Common Accidents in Restaurants

  • Slipping on wet floors 
  • Trips and falls 
  • Badly maintained facilities 
  • Food poisoning 

Restaurant owners must ensure that the restaurant is fit for purpose and a safe environment for those invited or permitted to be there.  

Restaurant operators need to be vigilant, display clear warning signs and not only abide by the Occupiers Liability Act 1957 but also their duty of care to customers and those invited onto the premises. 

It is worth noting that this obligation also takes in any surrounding premises for which the restaurant owner is responsible. So, if any incidents were to occur in the restaurant’s car park or the entrance to the restaurant this might also leave open a potential case for compensation. 

accidents in restaurants

Accidents in Restaurants for Staff 

If you are a staff member working in a restaurant, you may also have an accident at work. Restaurant kitchens can be very unsafe places if owners do not maintain and clean them properly. If restaurants aren’t kept safe for staff, and you have an accident, then your employer may be at fault, and you may be able to make a claim. 

Some of the most common accidents in restaurants for staff include: 

  • Slipping in spillages 
  • Burn injuries  
  • Injuries with kitchen equipment 

If you are using any kitchen equipment, such as cookers or knives, and you haven’t had the adequate training to be able to use them, then your employer may be at fault if you have an accident. 

We understand that you might be worried about losing your job or being treated differently if you make a claim against your employer, but this isn’t true. In fact, when you make any type of accident at work claim against your employer, you’re protected by law. This means you can’t be dismissed or treated differently just because you’ve involved solicitors. 

When you make a claim against your employer, it is also worth noting that it is their insurer who pays any compensation. All businesses in the UK must have business insurance in case accidents at work happen. 

How We Can Help 

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes accidents in restaurants. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly experts. 

Accidents in Retail Work

When accidents at work are mentioned, many people naturally think of building sites, warehouses, and factories. Whilst it’s true that these sectors have a lot of accidents at work, a person can have an accident in any profession. Therefore, accidents in retail work may be more common than people realise. 

Causes of Accidents in Retail Work 

There are two main causes of accidents in retail work. These are: slips, trips, and falls and manual handling

Slips trips and falls are the most common cause of any accident at work. According to the Health and Safety Executive, these accidents account for around 40% of all reported accidents in the retail industry. They can happen because of spillages, wet floors, uneven flooring, equipment or stock on the floor, damaged flooring, and much more. 

There are a number of health and safety guidelines that your employer must follow to stop accidents like this happening. 

Manual handling accidents often happen due to inaccurate or inadequate training. If someone does not have the proper training to lift stock or deliveries and they injure themselves whilst doing so, then their employer may be responsible. There are health and safety rules which employers must follow to minimise the risk of these accidents happening. 

Accidents in retail work

Your Employer’s Responsibility 

Employers must make sure that they do everything in their power to make sure their employees do not have any accidents whilst working. There are health and safety guidelines that they must follow to do this. These guidelines include the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. 

Employers must also ensure that they conduct regular risk assessments. These risk assessments cover both working practices and working environment. For example, risk assessments must be carried out on any carpeted areas at work to ensure that they are not damaged and safe to walk on. They must also carry out risk assessments for how the employees work, such as safe lifting and handling. This ensures that employees are trained safely on how to do their jobs. 

If employers fail to carry out these risk assessments and an employee has an accident, then they may be to blame for the accident. 

Claiming Against Your Employer 

When you make a claim against your employer for an accident at work, the claim is made against an insurance policy. This is known as Employer’s Liability Insurance. All employers in the United Kingdom must have this insurance. It protects them when accidents happen, as the compensation comes from the insurance. Therefore, it is the insurance company that pays the compensation; it does not come directly out of your employer’s pocket. 

How We Can Help 

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes accidents in retail work. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly experts. 

Companies Fined After Employee Suffers Leg Injuries at Work

A contractor and a water management company have been fined after a worker was injured when he was hit by a 1.5 tonne water valve. The worker suffered leg injuries at work, and the two companies have been found to be at fault for the injury.

One company had contracted another to connect a 1.5 tonne water valve in a confined chamber at Kielder Reservoir, Northumberland. The valve was suspended from a lorry mounted crane when it swung across the chamber and struck the worker. His injuries include an open compound fracture of his tibia and fibula.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that both companies had failed to risk assess the work and the additional hazards introduced by a change in the scope of work. They failed to implement suitable safety measures and safe systems of work; and provide adequate supervision to the workers.

Speaking after the hearing, the HSE inspector said: “Companies must understand that work activities involving confined spaces, work at height and lifting operations must be subject to a robust risk assessment. Furthermore, risk assessments should be reviewed if the scope of work changes and additional hazards are introduced.

“Companies must also ensure that they have suitable safety control measures and safe systems of work in place to address the identified risks. Appropriate arrangements should be in place to supervise and monitor work.”

leg injuries at work

Leg Injuries at Work

When it comes to leg injuries, there are many different types, of varying severity. Any kind of leg injury has the ability to negatively impact your daily life, no matter how serious. You may find that you are in pain, unable to walk or struggling to perform your usual activities.

If the incident that caused the injury wasn’t your fault, you may be able to make a leg injury claim. Claim types include:

  • Strains
  • Fractures
  • Sprains
  • Leg amputations

If you suffer leg injuries at work, then your employer may be at fault. Employers must ensure that they keep their employees safe from accidents at work. They must conduct risk assessments on any work that their employees undertake to ensure the employees can carry out their work safely.

Employers must also make sure they follow the correct guidance on health and safety in the workplace. They must follow the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) to keep their employees safe from accidents at work.

If you have an accident at work and it is the fault of your employer, because they did not conduct thorough risk assessments or did not follow the correct health and safety guidelines, then you may be able to make an accident at work claim.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes leg injuries at work. Contact us by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly experts.

UKMHA issues safety advice following fatal work accident

According to recent reports, the UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA) has issued its advice to the industry on the importance of following correct procedures relating to tyre wear and inflation. This follows a court case in which the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) successfully prosecuted a concrete company after an agency worker had a fatal work accident when a tyre he was inflating exploded.

The contractor suffered fatal injuries while using an air hose/compressed air to inflate the tyre of an articulated wheel loader.

An investigation by the HSE into the incident, on 28 March 2019, found that the company did not have a safe system of work for inflation of the multi-piece split rim assembly wheels on the articulated wheel loader in place. The compressed air system had not been subject to regular and thorough examination and testing by a competent person.

UKMHA’s recommendation is a CFTS-accredited Competent Person should complete thorough examinations on lift trucks. The CFTS mark is a guarantee that a lift truck will be examined carefully, and that key components such as brakes and steering will also be checked along with the lifting mechanism.

“All MHE must receive a Thorough Examination at least once a year. However, trucks could require examinations more often depending on the type of truck and the application,” added Mr Goss.

“The process is governed by regulations enforced by the HSE. These state that Thorough Examination of industrial lift trucks is required under LOLER 1998, which covers lifting equipment. Additionally, employers must carry out safety inspections of other safety-related items, such as brakes, steering and tyres.”

Fatal Accident at Work Claims

Suffering a fatal accident at work can be devastating. According to the Health and Safety Executive’s latest figures, 142 workers suffered a fatal injury at work in 2020/21. These accidents can have a huge impact on loved ones. Employers must do all they can to minimise the risk of fatal injuries at work.

Your employer is responsible for keeping you safe at work. Your employer must make sure that they meet the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999). They do this by conducting risk assessments to ensure that they keep everyone safe.

If the business you are working for fails in their duty to keep you safe, then they may be responsible for the fatal accident at work.

Claiming on Behalf of Someone Else

If a loved one has suffered a fatal accident at work, you may be able to make a claim on their behalf. In these cases, it is usually the next of kin of the person who has suffered a fatal accident at work who can make the claim on their behalf. Those who represent the deceased’s estate can also make a claim.

We understand that when you lose a loved one, making a claim may be the last thing on your mind. The solicitors we work with are trained to deal with matters such as these. Therefore, they show the utmost compassion and understanding when it comes to making difficult claims.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes fatal accident at work claims. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to our friendly experts.

Christmas Season Accidents at work in Warehouses

As the festive season continues, the amount of work in warehouses also ramps up. Warehouses are busier than ever during the Christmas period, especially since the rise in popularity of online shopping. However, with the extra work comes extra risk; therefore, Christmas season accidents at work in warehouses may increase.

Accidents at Work in Warehouses

Accidents at work in warehouses are very common. In the warehousing industry, there were over 23,000 injuries at work in 2019/20 according to the Health and Safety Executive. There are some injuries that are more common than others, with lifting and handling accidents being the most common.

The main causes of accidents at work in warehouses are:

Lifting and handling accounted for the most accidents to warehouse staff. This is especially true at Christmas when the workload is higher. When you are lifting and handling at work, your manager must make sure that they are following the manual handling safety rules. This is to minimise the risks of accidents at work and keep employees safe.

The other main areas of accident at work that are common in the warehouse industry are being hit by a moving vehicle, being hit by falling objects, slips and trips and falling from height. Your employer can help prevent these types of accidents by following correct procedures and policies.

accidents at work in warehouses

Your Employers Responsibility

It is your employer’s responsibility to ensure you are safe at work. This means that they must follow correct health and safety guidelines to minimise the risk of accidents and to keep all their employees safe. They must carry out adequate and frequent risk assessments on the machinery and equipment, and make sure that staff training is always up to date.

During the Christmas period, employers can also prevent accidents at work happening by ensuring that they have enough staff to manage the increase in workload effectively.

If you are a temporary or agency worker, your employer has as much of a duty to protect you as a full time, permanent employee. This means they must also ensure that your training is adequate and correct before you do the job. They must also ensure they maintain this training.

If your employer does not follow the correct health and safety guidelines, such as the Manual Handling Regulations and the Health and Safety at work regulations, and you have an accident whilst at work, then you may be able to make a claim. All employers must have Employer’s Liability insurance. This covers the business in case accidents at work happen. If you have had an accident and make a claim, then it is the insurance that pays the compensation.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes accidents at work in warehouses. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly experts.

Employees Sustain Serious Burns at Work in Explosion at Vehicle Servicing Centre

According to recent reports by the HSE, a company in Birmingham has been fined after two employees sustained serious burns at work. It happened when flammable brake fluid ignited, causing a fire.

In the accident, two employees used brake cleaning fluid to clean the grease from the walls of a vehicle inspection pit in the workshop. Shortly after they had finished cleaning the walls there was a loud bang and the entire wall of the pit where the brake cleaner had been applied became engulfed in flames.

One employee managed to get out of the pit and ran to help his colleague whose clothing had caught fire, pulling him out of the pit and extinguishing the flames. Both employees received burns to their hands and legs. One sustained 60 per cent burns and had to undergo an emergency surgical procedure to relieve the pressure from the swelling which involved cutting either side of his shins on both legs and his left knuckle going down to his wrist. He subsequently underwent five skin graft operations on his left hand and both legs and spent six weeks in hospital.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident found that the company failed to carry out a risk assessment to consider whether it was possible to eliminate or reduce the risk. They had not considered replacing the dangerous substance with another non-flammable substance or using a different work process. Jet-washing, a safe alternative, was already in use at the company’s other site.

serious burns at work

Serious Burns at Work: Your Employer’s Responsibility

Every employer has a responsibility to provide safe working conditions for your long-term wellbeing. If it’s part of your job to work with chemicals and other substances, then your employer must take extra safety precautions to ensure you don’t suffer serious burns at work. This includes:

  • Storing chemicals in a locked facility.
  • Strictly controlling access to dangerous substances.
  • Offering appropriate splatter guards for those working with fluids.
  • Giving workers the proper protective equipment, such as heat resistant clothing, aprons, gloves, face masks and breathing apparatus.
  • Providing a safe working environment such as:
  • Displaying the appropriate warning stickers.
  • Ventilating the work area properly.
  • Immediate clean-up of any substance/chemical escapes or spills.
  • Training staff on the proper handling and use of chemicals.
  • Providing access to first aid facilities such as eye washing, burn cream and bandages.

Health and safety legislation like The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) address these conditions. You can find other legislation online to see if there are any other conditions linked with a real-life claim. Additionally, speak with The Compensation Experts to get a sense of whether you have a case for a serious burns at work claim.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes serious burns at work. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly experts.

Pets At Home Worker Killed in Forklift Accident at Work

It has been reported recently that a warehouse worker at Pets at Home was killed in a forklift accident at work. The worker died as a result of a brain injury following the accident.

He was injured whilst operating a forklift at the store. He was then rushed to the Royal Stoke University Hospital by air ambulance, but tragically succumbed to his injuries four days later.

An inquest into his death has been formally opened and adjourned for a pre-inquest review. This will take place in February next year.

The forklift driver’s cause of death was given as hypoxic brain injury and accidental mechanical asphyxiation and entrapment.

Area coroner Emma Serrano said: “This gentleman had an accident whilst he was at work while driving a forklift truck which led to the entrapment which led to the accidental mechanical asphyxiation.

“This is not a natural cause of death; it’s a violent or unnatural cause of death. That means an inquest must take place.

“In addition, because he had an accident at work which led to him passing away. This is going to be an inquest which requires a jury.”

forklift accident at work

Forklift Accident at Work Claims

Forklift accidents at work are common. The Health and Safety Executive estimates that, on average, forklift accidents at work make up about a quarter of those that occur due to workplace transport; forklift injuries often happen due to poor supervision and a lack of training.

Forklift trucks also weigh a lot. This means it is not uncommon for forklift trucks to hit people, or for it to fall over. Forklifts are also different to drive than cars; they steer using the back wheels rather than the front, meaning that thorough training is essential to avoid forklift injuries.

According to The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers have a duty of care to their staff. This is to ensure that employees do not have accidents whilst at work.

Employers should carry out regular risk assessments to ensure the safety of the forklift truck for the operator, and everyone else in the workplace. This means that it is the employer’s responsibility to make sure that machinery is safe and in a good working condition. They are also responsible for making sure that everyone who uses the forklift has had the correct training and is wearing the correct clothing (high visibility clothing and head protection are essential to prevent a forklift accident).

Your employer is responsible for ensuring that your workplace meets health and safety needs. This means that they are responsible for protecting employees from forklift injury.

Claiming for A Forklift Accident at Work

Often when people have forklift accidents at work, they are unsure about claiming against their employer. However, every company must have Employer’s Liability Insurance. This insurance covers costs such as forklift accident at work claims. The solicitors that we work with negotiate with the insurance company, rather than directly with your employer.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes forklift accidents at work. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly experts.

Galvanizing Company Prosecuted after Employee Suffers Fatal Injury at Work

According to recent reports, a company that undertakes hot dip galvanizing for the corrosion protection of steelwork has been fined after an employee suffered a fatal injury at work.

The employee was operating an overhead crane adjacent to the molten zinc bath, when a tubular steel brace exploded during galvanizing. This caused it to ‘rocket’ across the workshop floor, fatally striking the employee who was standing in its path. The steel brace failed due to the absence of vent holes to prevent the build-up of pressure inside the hollow steel brace during the galvanizing process.

A quantity of liquid entered the brace during earlier stages of the galvanizing process; when immersed into the 450°C zinc bath, the trapped liquid turned rapidly into steam generating very high internal pressures sufficient to cause failure of the brace. This resulted in a violent explosion which propelled the steel brace across the workshop floor.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company had failed to adequately assess the risk and devise and implement suitable safe systems and methods of work for venting checks. In addition, employees did not receive adequate training or supervision when completing venting checks.

Speaking after the hearing, an HSE inspector said: “This tragic incident led to the avoidable death of a young man.  His death could easily have been prevented if his employer had acted to identify and manage the risks involved, put a safe system of work in place and ensured that employees were appropriately trained and supervised.”

fatal injury at work

Fatal Injuries at Work

Suffering a fatal injury at work can be devastating. According to the Health and Safety Executive’s latest figures, 142 workers suffered a fatal injury at work in 2020/21. These accidents can have a huge impact on loved ones. Employers must do all they can to minimise the risk of fatal injuries at work.

Employer’s Responsibility

Your employer is responsible for keeping you safe at work. Your employer must make sure that they meet the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999). They do this by conducting risk assessments to ensure that they keep everyone safe.

Self-employed staff may also be able to make a claim, as many workers are often self-employed on a contractor basis. This means, importantly, there is still usually a company that they are working for. If the business you are working for fails in their duty to keep you safe, then they may be responsible for the fatal injury at work.

Claiming on Behalf of a Loved One

When a loved one suffers a fatal injury at work, it can be devastating. Compensation will undoubtedly be the last thing on your mind. The solicitors we work with can help with any financial strain that a fatal injury at work may leave you with.

How We Can Help if a Loved One Suffers a Fatal Injury at Work

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes a fatal injury at work. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable experts.

Scaffolding Company Fined After Crane Operator Suffers Electrocution at Work

A company has been fined after a worker suffered a fatal electrocution at work whilst operating a lorry mounted crane. The worker was fatally electrocuted when the crane he was operating struck an overhead powerline whilst he was unloading materials in a field at Cowbridge, South Glamorgan.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the employer had not done a risk assessment in the field where the incident happened. There were also no control measures in place to prevent contact with the overhead powerlines.

The company paid a fine of £160,000 and costs of £45,000.

Speaking after the hearing, a HSE inspector said: “This death was easily preventable, and the risk should have been identified.  Employers should make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from striking overhead powerlines. This death would have been preventable had an effective system for managing unloading materials been in place.”

electrocution at work

Electrocution at Work

Electric shock accidents can occur when somebody comes into contact with an electrical current. This electrical energy flows through the body, causing a shock, which can result in burns, nerve damage, or even death. Some victims of electric shock have permanent scarring and limited mobility.

Electric shocks can also contribute to secondary injuries such as lacerations, fractures, and dislocations. This is because electric shocks can generate such a large amount of force that they can throw a victim off the ground.

Types of Electrocution at Work

There are a variety of different reasons that electrocution at work can occur, with some of the most common claims including:

  • Faulty wiring in a building or an office
  • Failure to provide adequate training or equipment when working with electrics
  • Not undertaking maintenance of electrical equipment
  • Instructing employees without the necessary training or qualifications to carry out electrical work
  • Faulty electrical products

In the case of the worker who suffered an electrocution at work, there was nothing to avoid contact with the powerlines, which is why the court found the employer responsible for the accident.

Fatal Electrocution at Work Claims

Following a fatal injury, dependents of the deceased can make a fatal accident compensation claim. Dependents are:

  • Spouses
  • Partners (must have cohabited for at least 2 years before the accident)
  • Civil Partners
  • Parents (including step-parents and adoptive parents)
  • Children (including step-children)
  • Siblings
  • Grandparents

Those who represent the deceased’s estate can also make fatal accident claims.

When a loved one has a fatal accident at work, claiming compensation may be the last thing on your mind. However, the solicitors we work with can help to ease any financial burdens that these accidents may cause.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes electrocution at work claims. So contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable agents.