Construction Site Accident Claims — No Win, No Fee
Last reviewed: June 2026 · EA Personal Injury Solicitors
Construction is one of the UK's most dangerous industries. If you were injured on a construction site due to negligence or a breach of statutory duty, EA Personal Injury Solicitors can help you claim compensation on a no win, no fee basis — if the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation.
TL;DR — Quick Summary
Key Points
- Construction sites carry significantly higher injury risks than most workplaces
- The CDM Regulations 2015 impose strict duties on principal contractors and clients
- Falls from height, struck-by and machinery accidents are among the most common
- Both employees and subcontractors can make claims
- No win, no fee — if the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation
Construction Site Safety and the Law
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) consistently identifies construction as one of the highest-risk industries in Great Britain. The industry accounts for a disproportionate share of fatal and serious workplace injuries each year. Falls from height, contact with moving machinery, being struck by falling objects, and excavation collapses are among the leading causes of death and serious injury on construction sites.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 impose duties on clients, principal designers, principal contractors, contractors and workers. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Work at Height Regulations 2005, PUWER 1998, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations and numerous other statutory instruments also apply. Where these duties are breached and a worker is injured, the responsible party may be held civilly liable for the consequences.
Common Construction Site Accidents
- Falls from height — scaffolding, ladders, roof work, raised platforms and mezzanines
- Scaffold collapses — defective erection or overloading
- Being struck by falling materials — tools, bricks or debris dropped from height
- Trench and excavation collapses — failure to shore or support excavations
- Plant and machinery accidents — excavators, dumpers, cranes and other heavy plant
- Electrical accidents — contact with live conductors or inadequate isolation
- Manual handling — carrying heavy materials without adequate mechanical assistance or training
- Exposure to hazardous substances — asbestos, silica dust, welding fume, isocyanates
- Slips and trips — on poorly maintained or obstructed site surfaces
Who Is Liable?
Liability on construction sites can be complex, particularly where multiple parties are involved. The principal contractor bears overall responsibility for site safety and coordination, and is typically the primary defendant in site accident claims. However, specialist subcontractors may be independently liable for accidents in their areas of work, and the site owner (client) may also bear some responsibility depending on their level of involvement.
Where an agency worker is injured, both the agency and the client may be liable. We are experienced in assessing multi-party construction site claims.
Evidence in Construction Accident Claims
- The site accident report and any RIDDOR notification to the HSE
- Photographs and video of the accident scene, any defective equipment and conditions
- Risk assessments and method statements relevant to the work being done
- Training records and induction documentation
- Maintenance and inspection logs for plant and equipment
- Witness statements from colleagues
- Medical records and specialist reports
- Any HSE investigation reports or improvement/prohibition notices
What Compensation Can Cover
Construction site accidents often involve serious injuries with significant long-term consequences. Compensation covers general damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity, and special damages including lost earnings, rehabilitation, medical costs, future loss of earnings where you cannot return to your previous trade, and care costs.
Typical Compensation Amounts
The figures below are indicative brackets for the injury itself (general damages), based on the Judicial College Guidelines used by courts and insurers in England and Wales. Financial losses such as lost earnings, treatment costs and care (special damages) are claimed in addition, and in serious cases often exceed the injury award.
| Injury | Guideline bracket |
|---|---|
| Moderate neck/soft tissue injury (up to ~2 years) | c. £2,300–£12,900 |
| Simple arm or wrist fracture | c. £6,000–£16,000 |
| Moderate back injury (good prognosis) | c. £12,000–£27,000 |
| Severe back injury | c. £36,000–£160,000+ |
| Moderate brain injury | c. £40,000–£205,000 |
These brackets are a guide only — the value of your claim depends on the severity of your injury, your prognosis and your financial losses. We cannot promise or predict a specific outcome. See our full guide to compensation amounts or contact us for a free assessment of your claim.
No Win, No Fee Construction Accident Claims
We act under a Conditional Fee Agreement. If your claim is unsuccessful you pay nothing. If the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation. Terms are explained clearly in advance.