Falls From Height Claims — No Win, No Fee
Last reviewed: September 2026 · EA Personal Injury Solicitors
Falls from height are one of the leading causes of serious and fatal workplace injury in the UK. If you fell from scaffolding, a ladder, a roof or another elevated position because proper precautions were not taken, you may be able to claim on a no win, no fee basis; a success fee may be deducted if the claim succeeds.
TL;DR — Quick Summary
Key Points
- The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require employers to avoid, prevent or minimise the risk of falls
- Falls from ladders, scaffolding, roofs and platforms are all covered
- Liability can extend to site owners and principal contractors, not just your direct employer
- Three-year time limit from the date of the accident in most cases
- No win, no fee — if the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation
The Law on Working at Height
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to any work where a person could fall a distance liable to cause injury — this is not limited to great heights and can include falls from a single step or a loading bay edge. Employers, and anyone who controls the way work at height is carried out, must follow a clear hierarchy: avoid work at height where reasonably practicable; where it cannot be avoided, use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls; and where the risk of a fall cannot be eliminated, use equipment or measures to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall should one occur.
Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of workplace fatalities and serious injury reported to the Health and Safety Executive each year, across construction, warehousing, agriculture, maintenance work and many other sectors.
Common Causes of Falls From Height
- Missing or inadequate edge protection — no guard rails, toe boards or covers over openings and voids
- Defective or unsuitable ladders — damaged, incorrectly footed, or the wrong type of equipment for the task
- Scaffolding failures — incomplete boarding, missing guard rails, or scaffolding erected or altered by unqualified persons
- Fragile roofs and roof lights — failure to identify and protect against fragile surfaces
- Inadequate or missing fall arrest equipment — harnesses, lanyards and anchor points not provided, defective, or not used correctly due to lack of training
- Mobile elevating work platforms and cherry pickers — overloading, misuse or mechanical failure
- Poor lighting or weather conditions — work at height continuing in conditions that should have led to work being stopped
- Lack of training or supervision — workers not trained in the safe use of height access equipment
Who Can Be Liable?
Your direct employer is usually the first port of call, but liability for a fall from height often extends more widely. Principal contractors on construction sites, site owners, and any organisation that controlled or supervised the work at height can also be liable, particularly where you were an agency worker, subcontractor or visitor to the site rather than a direct employee. Multiple parties are frequently found jointly liable in fall from height claims.
Evidence in Falls From Height Claims
- Photographs of the location, equipment used and any missing safety measures, taken as soon as possible after the accident
- The accident book entry and any RIDDOR report to the HSE — falls from height resulting in serious injury are usually reportable
- Risk assessments and method statements for the work being carried out
- Equipment inspection and maintenance records, including scaffold inspection tags
- Training records showing (or failing to show) instruction in safe work at height
- Witness statements from colleagues who saw the fall or the conditions beforehand
- Medical records documenting your injuries and treatment
What Compensation Can Cover
Falls from height frequently result in serious injuries — fractures, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injury and, tragically, fatalities. Compensation reflects the severity of the injury and its long-term impact, and can include general damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity, alongside special damages for loss of earnings, medical and rehabilitation costs, care, and adaptations to your home or vehicle where a serious or permanent injury has resulted.
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 Falls From Height 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. We explain all costs clearly before you decide to proceed, and can advise on After the Event insurance to protect you against the other side's costs.