Construction or building site accidents
Claiming compensation for construction or building site accidents
If you have had an accident on a building site or been injured whilst working in the construction business, our specially trained solicitors will be able to help you claim compensation for your injuries.
We offer a free initial consultation and we can see you at home if you are not able to travel. We can act on a no win no fee basis and if you succeed then you get 100% of your damages with no hidden deductions.
All of our solicitors are regularly trained in health and safety law. We pride ourselves on our commitment to cases and our knowledge of key regulations that can assist your case. We act for major trade unions and have a proven track record on all types of cases in a variety of construction industries.
If you think you may have a claim, please call 0870 143 0970 or email: enquiries@rjw.co.uk.
Accidents in the construction industry
2.2 million people work in Britain’s construction industry, making it the country’s biggest industry. It is also one of the most dangerous. In the last 25 years, over 2,800 people have died from injuries they received as a result of construction work and several thousand construction workers are injured each year.
Accidents suffered by construction workers and on building sites
Most construction employees are injured as a result of:
- a slip or trip
- falling from a height
- handling, lifting or carrying
- being hit by moving/falling objects
- being hit by a vehicle
Common causes of construction accidents
- Defective scaffolds
- Falls from ladders
- Safety harnesses failure
- Holes not fenced off or supported
- Roofs not fenced off
- Hit by forklift/ dumper truck
- Chemical spillage
- Tool malfunctions
- Poor layout of site
- Insufficient or no safety briefings
The law and construction/building site accidents
All employers are legally obliged to look after the safety of their employees. They owe a ‘duty of care’ to them and must provide:
- a safe place of work, including safe access and exit
- safe systems of work
- safe plant and equipment
- safe and competent fellow employees
In addition to a general duty of care there are specific strict regulations relating to construction sites in the following areas:
- Construction (Design and Management)
- Safe Use of Work Equipment
- Manual Handling
- Personal Protective Equipment at Work
- Control of substances hazardous to health
- Working at height
The above regulations mean that employers must assess and manage any safety risks connected to certain specific tasks. If a regulation has been breached, this will help you in your claim for compensation.
Is my type of construction work covered by the regulations?
If you work in construction then it is likely that you will be covered. The regulations cover:
- building sites of all sizes
- railways
- docks
- drainage works
- roads
- many others
Criminal liability for construction accidents
Employers can face criminal prosecution for breaching health and safety laws and if accidents happen at building sites.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), is the organisation responsible for enforcing safety regulations in the UK. Where appropriate they will prosecute employers that have breached health and safety law.
Certain incidents must be reported to the HSE by law. If the HSE investigate they will decide whether there is sufficient evident to prosecute.
Evidence from the criminal prosecution can often be very helpful to your case.
What can RJW Solicitors do?
Our construction accident specialist solicitors offer a free initial consultation and can see you at home if you are not able to travel.
All of our solicitors are regularly trained on health and safety law and regulations for building site accidents. We pride ourselves on our commitment to cases and knowledge of key regulations that can assist your case.
We have offices across the country. We act for major trade unions and have a proven track record on all types of cases in a variety of industries.
Our solicitors can act on a no win no fee basis and if you succeed then we pass on 100% of your damages with no hidden deductions.
Work Equipment Regulations