Construction Site Accident Claims — No Win, No Fee

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.

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.