Construction and building site accident compensation claims

What are construction and building site accidents?

Construction accidents can happen in many different places. It could be a building site where existing structures are being repaired, altered or extended. It could be a development site where new buildings or projects are underway. Other environments linked to civil engineering, demolition works and utility projects also come with risk.

Workers in every trade suffer injuries in site accidents. Whether you're a bricklayer, labourer, electrician, plumber, carpenter, joiner or in any other profession, you could be entitled to building site accident compensation.

What are the most common types of construction accidents?

The Health and Safety Executive publishes annual statistics for construction sector accidents. The most recent figures, published in November 2024, show there were 51 fatal injuries to workers in 2023/24. Falls from a height dominate these statistics, representing more than half of fatal injuries to construction workers.

The same report estimates an average of 47,000 non-fatal injuries in construction in 2023/24. The most common non-fatal injuries were:

• Slips, trips or falls on the same level - 25%
• Falls from a height - 20%
• Manual handling, lifting and carrying - 18%
• Struck by falling, flying or moving objects - 12%

Other types of accidents we often hear about when it comes to construction injury claims include those involving:

• Equipment and machinery.
• Electric shocks.
• Moving vehicles (such as vans, trucks and forklifts).
• Sudden or sustained exposure to dangerous substances.

If you've suffered due to a one-off building site accident or developed an illness or condition over a period, we're here to help. Call us on  or request a call back to speak to one of our friendly helpline advisors.

What are the main causes of accidents on construction and building sites?

Building site accidents happen for many reasons. Some are freak accidents that couldn't have been prevented. But most happen for reasons that could (and should) have been avoided. It's your employer's responsibility to ensure you're kept as safe as possible on the job. They may have failed to do that in the following scenarios.

Not carrying out appropriate risk assessments

Employers of all kinds must carry out risk assessments to identify potential threats to their workers. Reasonable steps must then be taken to remove or mitigate any risks that could cause harm.

For example, an assessment may highlight a risk of injury from falling objects. Precautions such as exclusion zones, warning signage and procedures for securing materials should reduce the risk. Without the risk assessment and following actions, it's a construction accident waiting to happen.

A lack of safety training

Employers should provide the appropriate health and safety training to all employees who need it for their work. Workers who are new, inexperienced or exposed to a new or increased risk may especially need training.

Where proper training isn't provided, the risks of an accident or injury are higher and construction accident claims might be in order.

Poor site conditions

Poor site management can lead to many types of accidents, including slips, trips and falls from a height. Common examples include:

• Building materials and waste left in unsafe places.
• Wet, slippery or uneven surfaces without signage.
• Changes in level.
• Trailing cables.
• Machinery and equipment left on.

Employers should identify and address these issues, whether they concern the overall workplace culture or certain individuals. If an unsafe work site caused you harm, you may be entitled to make a building site injury claim.

Poor electrical safety

Electrical safety has improved with the use of cordless power tools, but there are still risks to contend with. Electric shocks and burns from damaged cables and faulty equipment are more likely if inspection and maintenance schedules aren't followed.

Working without a break

Working while tired can be incredibly dangerous on a construction site, particularly if you're responsible for operating heavy machinery or moving vehicles.

By law, you're entitled to at least one uninterrupted rest break if your working shift is more than six hours in a day. Your employer should be aware of this. They must also give you enough breaks to ensure your health and safety aren't at risk if your work is 'monotonous'.

Failing to take a break, or not being allowed to, increases the chances of a building site accident harming you and your colleagues.

Repetitive work

Carrying out the same task for too long can contribute to repetitive strain injury (RSI). This usually happens when someone repeats the same action with their hand or arm.

Using hand-held power tools for prolonged periods can also increase the risk of RSI. Similarly, conditions such as hand-arm vibration syndrome and ‘vibration white finger' may develop.

Faulty equipment

All equipment and machinery must be safety checked at suitable intervals because even a small defect could put someone in harm's way.

Equipment on a construction site includes safety equipment and everything you use to do your job. This could be scaffolding, safety harnesses, ladders and anything else relevant to your role. 

Again, it's your employer's responsibility to notice any faults, regularly inspect equipment and replace it when necessary. They have specific responsibilities under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

Poor manual handling practices

The HSE has clear guidance for construction workers about manual handling injuries. They state: “Do not accept these injuries as an inevitable part of your work.” Unfortunately, they often happen when the regulations designed to keep you safe aren't followed by your employer.

Some examples of poor practices that can cause building site injuries are:

• Not assessing the risk of injury correctly (the HSE's manual handling assessment charts provide guidance).
• Not training workers in manual handling best practice.
• Not considering a worker's size and strength when asking them to lift something.
• Workers lifting or carrying especially heavy loads alone or without mechanical lifting equipment.
• Not implementing protocols such as storing heavier items at waist height rather than on the floor.

Simple measures like these could have helped you or someone else avoid a painful manual handling injury. A construction injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve.

A lack of personal protective equipment (PPE)

If employers can't entirely remove the risk of an accident, they must follow PPE regulations as the second line of defence against building site injuries.

Workers should be given suitable PPE for the task they're performing. This could be high-visibility workwear, fall protection, head protection, ear defenders, safety boots, gloves, respirators or a combination to provide maximum protection.

Where PPE isn't provided, is faulty, or doesn't meet the safety standards required, the risk of construction injuries and industrial illnesses increases.

Exposure to dangerous substances

Dangerous substances and chemicals are often present in construction settings. These can cause immediate issues (for example, if breathed in or swallowed) or serious health problems which may not become apparent until later in life. For example, asbestos found in many older buildings can increase the risk of cancer.

If the proper safety precautions haven't been taken and you've suffered the consequences, you may be able to claim with the help of our partner construction accident solicitors.

Poor traffic management

About 93 workers are seriously hurt each year in vehicle-related accidents on construction sites. About seven people die on average each year too. This highlights the importance of proper traffic management on-site, so workers can move around safely.

Workers and vehicles should be kept apart as much as possible. Employers also have a responsibility to ensure that anyone operating a forklift or any other vehicle is fit and competent to do so.

Whatever the reason behind your construction site accident, we can help 

If the cause of your injury isn't listed above, don't worry. We may still be able to help you with a building site injury compensation claim if it's clear that someone else was to blame.

Call our friendly helpline advisors on - they'll tell you more about the process and if you've got a strong case for a construction accident claim. If you do, they'll match you with one of our partner accident-at-work specialists who can start your claim.

Who's responsible for construction site safety?

We know you might be feeling like your accident was avoidable if you'd done something differently. But that's not always true. Perhaps you've always believed that accidents are just part of your job in the trades. That shouldn't be the case.

Your employer and site manager have a responsibility - a legal ‘duty of care' - to make sure the construction site you work on is as safe as possible. They must take all reasonable steps to protect you from avoidable accidents, whether that's providing you with the correct protective equipment or checking the safety of the equipment you're using.

These responsibilities and more are outlined in key government regulations, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. There's no reason why employers shouldn't understand and meet their obligations. Your safety should be their priority, and when things go wrong due to negligence, you have a right to claim construction accident compensation. 

Building site injury compensation claims are also sometimes brought against someone other than the employer. The fault could lie with a site manager or site owner. Claims involving defective equipment might be brought against the manufacturer or supplier.

The construction accident solicitor we choose for you will help you establish who was at fault. Take the first step today by calling us on or arranging a call back.

What if I was partly at fault for my construction accident?

Even if you were partly responsible for your accident on a building site, you may still be able to seek compensation. A ‘contributory negligence' claim will reflect your role in what happened while considering other factors.

For example, if you were 30% to blame, you may get 70% of the construction injury compensation you'd receive if someone else was considered entirely responsible.  

So, even if you think you were partly at fault, it's worth reaching out to us to find out whether you can make a construction accident claim.

What should I do if I'm injured in a construction site accident?

Your health is always the immediate priority after an accident at work or anywhere else. Seek the care you need from your GP, a minor injuries unit or A&E as soon as possible to minimise the damage caused and your suffering.

When you can, report what happened to whoever is responsible for site safety. They should make sure it's recorded in an official accident book because it could be important evidence in your construction accident compensation claim. If you're a member, let your trade union rep know what happened too. 

Before contacting us, it will help if you have started to gather information and evidence of your accident and injuries.

What evidence can I use to make a construction site accident claim?

Your construction injury lawyer may ask for the following to help build your case:

• The date, time and place of the accident. 
• A copy of the entry in the accident book.
• Contact details for any witnesses of the accident.
• Pictures or video of where the accident happened (ideally showing anything that contributed to it).
• CCTV footage of the accident if available (whoever has this is legally obligatedto let you see it if requested although there are exceptions).
• Details of any medical treatment you received.
• Details of your financial losses, such as time off work, travel expenses and treatment costs.

Don't worry if you don't have all the information listed above, your construction accident solicitor or legal team can help with this. 

Am I eligible to make a building site accident compensation claim?

You may be able to make a building site accident claim if your injury was caused by someone else's negligence. In these cases, this usually means an employer failed to provide a safe workplace or mitigate known risks. But if anyone else was negligent, you may still have a case for injury compensation.

With most accident and injury cases, you have three years from the date of the incident to settle your claim or start court proceedings. After that, you've officially missed the 'limitation period'. If an illness or condition linked to your construction work becomes apparent down the line, this time limit will start from that point. If you're claiming on behalf of someone else, this standard time limit might not apply.

If you're not sure whether you'd be able to claim with one of our partner construction site accident lawyers, call us on to check. Our friendly helpline advisors will tell you more and answer any questions.

Can I claim if I'm self-employed or a contractor?

Self-employed tradespeople and contractors have the same legal rights as employed workers. You may be able to make a construction accident claim against your employer just the same as a company employee would.

If you're an agency worker, the agency and the company operating the site share responsibility for your safety. The construction site accident lawyers we work with have years of experience in these matters and can help you seek a fair outcome.

Can I claim if I'm on a zero-hours contract?

Casual workers, including those on a zero-hours contract, have the same rights as other workers. If this relates to you, you can still claim construction accident compensation if your employer fails to keep you safe at work.

You also share the same employment rights as other workers in another important way. The law prevents someone from firing you or ending your contract if you make a building site accident claim for an injury caused by another's negligence.

What do I need to prove in a construction accident compensation claim?

To make a successful construction injury claim, you'll need to prove that:

• Someone had a duty of care for your safety, which is likely if you were injured at work.
• The person or organisation with a duty of care failed to uphold it or breached specific health and safety regulations.
• This negligence and the accident caused your injury or illness.

Your construction injury lawyer will guide you through the claims process, explaining every stage. They'll also help you gather the necessary evidence for your claim.

Will I need a medical examination?

You may need to attend a medical examination or assessment to give your legal team the evidence they need to build your case. An expert medical opinion can provide more detail about the extent of your injury and your prospects for recovery. This should help you to get the full amount of construction accident compensation you deserve.

With your permission, your solicitor or legal team may also have your medical records reviewed by a doctor or another expert. They may also use this information to build your injury claim.

How much construction accident compensation could I get?

The amount of construction injury compensation you could receive depends on various factors that your legal team will consider. These include:

• The type and severity of the injury or illness you've suffered.
• The degree of negligence involved in your building site accident.
• The impact your injury or illness has had on your life.
• The medical expenses and travel costs you've had to pay.
• The time you've taken off work and the earnings you've lost.
• Any future financial losses you expect to suffer.
• Any ongoing care needs you may have going forward.

Your construction accident solicitor and legal team will work hard to get you the maximum amount of compensation you deserve. They'll also consider if any loved ones are entitled to compensation as part of your claim. For example, they may have cared for you during treatment and recovery.

If you'd like an idea of how much your building site accident claim might be worth, you can try our quick and easy compensation calculator today. These figures are based on the latest edition of the Judicial College Guidelines.

How could building site accident compensation help?

Construction injury compensation could help you get your life back on track after an accident on-site. Payouts are designed to compensate you for your pain and suffering, and for any financial losses. This could help with:

• Replacing lost income for your time off work.
• Paying bills that may have mounted while your income has been reduced.
• Covering the costs of any medical treatment you've paid for, including prescription costs, rehabilitation and counselling.
• Contributing to the cost of care, support and home adaptations you'll need going forward.

How long do I have to start a construction accident claim?

• Claiming for someone under 18: If someone over the age of 16 but under 18 has started as an apprentice or labourer on a building site, you could claim for them as their parent or guardian. You have until their 18th birthday to make a building site injury claim on their behalf. If the claim isn't settled by their 18th birthday, they then have until they turn 21 to either settle or start court proceedings.
• Claiming on behalf of someone who lacks 'mental capacity': Someone may lack the 'mental capacity' to manage their claim after a serious or life-threatening construction site accident. There is no time limit in effect while this is the case. If capacity is regained at any point, the three-year time limit to settle or start court proceedings starts from that date and won't stop, even if they lose mental capacity again.
• Claiming for someone who's passed away: If your loved one has passed away following a building site accident, injury or illness, you have three years from the date of their death or from the date it was discovered that an accident or illness was the cause. Within this period, the claim must either be resolved or legal proceedings must have commenced.

How long does a construction accident compensation claim take?

Every claim we handle is different and that makes it hard to say how long your compensation claim might take. Cases where the fault is clear may settle sooner than others. Timelines generally vary depending on:

• The type, severity and length of your injury or illness.
• Whether the other party is willing to admit liability or not.
• If any delays occur (such as receiving medical records or accident reports).

Your legal team will keep you updated at every stage of the process. If you have any questions or concerns, they'll be more than happy to answer them and put your mind at ease.

Will I need to go to court for a building site injury compensation claim?

The majority of claims are settled without going all the way to a court hearing. Most employers and their insurers tend to avoid going to court and prefer to negotiate a settlement instead.

If your construction accident solicitor or legal team feel that going to court is the best way to achieve a fair settlement, they may do this on your behalf. You might not even have to attend a court hearing. If anything changes, your legal team will explain everything and ease any concerns you may have.

Can I make a no win no fee construction accident claim?

We accept most building and construction site accident claims on a no win no fee basis. This means your settlement pays for any expenses not covered by the other side if you get the compensation you deserve.

If you don't win, you still shouldn't have to pay anything - that's the benefit of no win no fee.Your legal team will arrange a no-upfront-cost insurance policy for you. This protects you from financial risk, because if you lose - you pay nothing. However, you must stick to the terms and conditions of the agreement to ensure you're covered. We always make sure there's no upfront cost or any hidden fees or charges

If we can't take your building site injury claim on a no win no fee basis, we'll explain why as early as possible. Your legal team should outline your options going forward. Before contacting us, if you have a few minutes, feel free to use our claims checker to see if you might be eligible.  

Why trust National Accident Helpline with your construction accident compensation claim?

Don't accept being injured on a building site as 'part of the job'. If your employer fails to protect you, we're here to help you get the construction accident compensation you deserve. Here are some of the reasons you can trust our accident-at-work specialists:

• We're authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, so you can be sure your case will be handled with the highest professional standards.
• Any construction site accident lawyer we connect you with is registered with The Law Society in England and Wales or the Law Society of Scotland.
• We're proud of our 'Excellent' rating on Trustpilot and the thousands of positive reviews left by people we've helped over the years.