Construction and building site accident compensation claims

What are construction and building site accidents?

Construction accidents can happen in many places, and not just on new builds. They include accidents wherever buildings are repaired, altered or extended. Other examples include civil engineering, demolition works and utility projects.

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

What are the most common types of construction accidents?

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) publishes annual statistics for construction sector accidents. Recent statistics identified the main causes of 61,000 reported non-fatal construction accidents:

• Slip, trip or fall - 26%
• Manual handling injury - 19%
• Falls from height - 19%
• Struck by falling, flying or moving object - 12%

Other types of accident also lead to building site accident claims, including:

• Equipment accidents
• Electric shocks
• Vehicle-related accidents
• Exposure to dangerous substances

The construction statistics also include work-related illnesses and conditions that develop over time. The main categories include musculoskeletal disorders (pain in the back, knees etc.), asthma, cancer, COPD, dermatitis, and stress, depression or anxiety. 

You may be able to claim construction injury compensation if you have suffered due to a one-off accident or developed an illness or condition over a period of time. Call us on or request a call back for advice on your particular circumstances.

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

Construction site accidents can happen for many reasons. There are a huge number of hazards, and it's your employer's responsibility to ensure that you're kept as safe as possible in your workplace.

The following are some of the most common causes of construction site injuries:

Not carrying out appropriate risk assessments

Employers must carry out risk assessments to identify potential dangers to workers. They should then take reasonable steps to remove or reduce risks that might cause harm.

For example, a risk assessment may highlight a risk of injury from falling objects. A system of exclusion zones, warning signage and procedures for securing materials might reduce the risk. 

A lack of safety training

Employers should provide suitable health and safety training to workers who lack the necessary skills, knowledge or experience to work safely. Where this isn't done, an injury and possibly a construction accident lawsuit is more likely. Workers who are new, inexperienced or exposed to a new or increased risk may especially need training.

Poor site conditions

Poor site housekeeping can cause many types of accidents, including a slip, trip or fall. Hazards include building materials and waste left in unsafe places, wet, slippery or uneven surfaces, trailing cables and changes in level. Employers should identify and address these issues. Where a failure to keep a site safe causes you an injury, you may have a right to make a building site accident claim.

Poor electrical safety

Electrical safety may have improved due to the use of cordless power tools, but the risks are still there. There's a risk of electric shocks and burns from damaged cables and faulty equipment. Wet conditions also create a risk requiring protection from correctly-rated fuses, circuit breakers or other devices.

Working without a break

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

By law, you're entitled to regular breaks and your employer should be aware of this. Failing to take a break could cause you to become tired, which can then lead to accidents and injury, not only to yourself but to others too.

Find out more about the rest breaks you're entitled to at work here.

Repetitive work

Carrying out the same task for too long can contribute to a repetitive strain injury (RSI). This can happen when someone repeatedly uses the same hand or arm action. Using hand-held power tools for prolonged periods can also lead to an RSI, or a condition known as hand-arm vibration syndrome or ‘vibration white finger'.

Faulty equipment

Faulty equipment is another common cause of injuries on construction sites. It's important that equipment is thoroughly tested for safety before use, as even a small defect could cause the equipment to be dangerous.

Equipment on a construction site includes everything you use to do your job, whether that be scaffolding, safety harnesses, ladders or machinery. 

Again, it's your employer's responsibility to notice any faults, regularly inspect equipment and replace equipment when necessary.They have specific responsibilities under the PUWER equipment regulations to check that equipment is suitable and safe for its intended use. This includes ensuring that the correct safety devices are in place.

Poor manual handling practices

The HSE has clear advice for construction workers about manual handling injuries: “Do not accept these injuries as an inevitable part of your work.” But despite manual handling regulations, injuries happen when rules to keep you safe aren't followed.

Some examples of poor practices that can cause injury are:

• Not assessing the risk of injury - 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 measures such as storing heavier items at waist height rather than on the floor

Measures like these could have avoided some of the many manual handling injuries suffered by construction workers each year. If your injury was one of them, you may be able to make a manual handling claim for construction injury compensation.

A lack of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Employers should where possible remove the risk of an accident altogether. But where this isn't possible, following PPE Regulations can be the second line of defence against injury.

Workers should wear suitable PPE for the task they are performing. It includes high-visibility workwear, head protection, ear defenders, safety boots, gloves and respirators. Where there's a lack of PPE compliance, the potential for injury and construction site accident claims might increase.

Exposure to dangerous substances

Dangerous substances and chemicals are often present at construction sites, and they can cause serious health problems which may not become apparent until later in life. For example, asbestos can cause cancer and is potentially deadly.

If the proper safety precautions haven't been taken or you haven't been provided with the correct training or safety equipment to minimise the risks to your safety, then you may be able to claim compensation for your injury.

Inadequate safety measures when working at height

Unfortunately, workers aren't always given the protection they need. Building site accident claims for falls from scaffolding, ladders, roofs and other heights are all too common. A lack of guard rails, harnesses and other fall protection systems can contribute tofall from height accidents.

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 give employers rules to follow. The HSE's‘Working at height' guide provides specific advice on suitable safety equipment.

Poor traffic management

About 90 people a year are seriously hurt as a result of vehicle-related accidents on construction sites. This is why employers should organise sites so that workers can move around safely.

Systems should separate workers on foot from vehicles as much as possible. Employers also have a responsibility for ensuring that anyone operating a forklift othervehicle is fit and competent to do so.

We can help if a construction accident caused you an injury 

If the cause of your injury isn't in the list above, don't worry. We may still be able to help you with a building site injury compensation claim. 

You can get in touch with our friendly advisors on or request a call back. They'll be able to let you know whether they think you have aconstruction accident claim and can answer any questions you have.

Who is responsible for making construction sites safe?

We know that you might be feeling like your accident was avoidable if you'd done something differently, or perhaps that accidents are just part of your job. But that's not always true.

Your employer and site manager have a responsibility, or a legal ‘duty of care', to make sure the construction site you work on is safe and that you're protected from avoidable accidents, as outlined by the Health and Safety Executive.

Their responsibilities include providing you with the correct, suitable and up to date safety equipment and advice and adhering to any guidelines and regulations outlined by the government. This includes the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

Employers have information about their responsibilities from the Health and Safety Executive and ROSPA. There's no reason why employers shouldn't understand and meet their obligations. Your safety should be their priority, and where things go wrong due to negligence you have a right to claim damages. 

If your employer has failed to meet the standards outlined in any of the regulations protecting you, or has failed to provide you with safety equipment or the correct training, then it's likely your accident isn't your fault, and therefore you may be able to claim.

Construction injury compensation claims are also sometimes brought against someone other than the employer. Fault could lie with a site manager or site owner. Claims involving defective equipment might be brought against the manufacturer or supplier.The construction injury lawyer handling your case will help you establish who was at fault.

We know that you may be unsure as to whether you're eligible to make a construction injury compensationclaim, but we're here to help. We're able to provide free advice, with no obligation to start a claim. Just call us on  or request a call back. If we think you have a claim, we'll let you know and you can decide what to do next.

What if you were partly to blame for your accident?

If you were partly responsible for your accident, you may still be able to claim. A ‘contributory negligence' claim might reflect your role in what happened. For example, if you were 30% to blame, you may get 70% of the compensation you'd receive if someone else was wholly responsible. 

So even if you think you were partly at fault, it's worth contacting us to find out whether you can claim. To find out more about your eligibility for building site accident compensation, call us for free on or use our secure online form to arrange a call back.

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

We believe that your health is always the immediate priority after an accident. Please seek the care you need from your GP, a minor injuries unit or A&E as soon as possible to minimise your suffering.

You should also report what happened to whoever is responsible for site safety. If you can, make sure it's recorded in the accident book as it could be important evidence in your construction accident compensation claim. Let your trade union rep know what happened too, if you're a member. 

When you contact us, it will help if you have started to gather information and evidence of the accident. But please don't worry if you don't have all the information listed below. Contact us anyway to start your building site accident claim today.

Information that could help your construction accident solicitors build your case includes:

• 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 footage is legally obligated to give you this
• Details of any medical treatment you received
• Details of your financial losses, such as time off work and treatment costs

Starting your claim couldn't be easier: just call us on or request a call back. We'll listen to what you've been through and let you know if we think you could make a claim. If you're eligible, we'll put you in touch with a specialist construction accident lawyer. They will make your claim and support you through the process.  

Can I make a construction or building site accident compensation claim?

You may be able to make a building site accident claim if your injury was due to someone else's negligence. This usually means that an employer failed to provide a safe workplace. But if anyone else was negligent, you may have a case for building site accident compensation.

You can usually claim if your injury or illness diagnosis was in the past three years. There's no time limit if you lack the capacity to claim for physical or psychological reasons. You can also claim on behalf of someone else if they are unable to claim for those reasons, or if they are under 18.

Claiming will usually be on a no win no fee basis that  means you have no financial risk from making a claim.You'll face no upfront charges and your solicitor covers all the costs during the case. You'll pay nothing at all if you lose - and if you win, your contribution to costs will be at a level agreed before your claim begins. 

If you need more information or wish to make a building site injury claim, contact us for free on or fill in our secure online form to arrange a call back. You can take as much time as you need to tell us what happened, with no rush and no pressure to make a claim. If you do want to go ahead, we'll put you in touch with specialist construction accident solicitors to progress your claim. 

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

If you're self-employed or a contractor, you have the same legal rights as an employed worker. You can make a construction accident claim against the employer just the same as a company employee.

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 to make a claim for construction accident compensation. 

You also share the same employment rights as other workers in an 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?

In order to make a successful construction injury claim, you will need to prove that:

• Someone had a duty of care for your safety, which is likely if you were injured at work
• There was a failure in an employer's general duty of care, or a breach of specific health and safety regulations
• The negligence caused your injury or illness

Your construction injury lawyer will guide you through the claims process. They will also help you gather the necessary evidence for your claim.

Will I need to attend a medical examination?

You may need to attend a medical examination or assessment so that your solicitor can seek the maximum amount of compensation for you. The medical will help to build evidence of the extent of your injury and the prospects for recovery.

With your permission, your solicitor may also have your medical records reviewed by a doctor or other expert. They may use this information when building your case for compensation.

How much compensation are you entitled to after an accident?

The amount of construction injury compensation you could receive depends on the severity of your injury and the impact it has had on your life, your future and the lives of those around you.

We know that your injury may have caused you to have to take time off work, and this can be expensive and add more stress to your situation. In some extreme cases it may even jeopardise your mortgage, rented accommodation and savings.

When you make a claim this will be taken into account and your compensation will be negotiated to cover this financial loss and stress.

If your injuries are particularly severe or life changing, then you're likely to receive compensation to cover the impact your accident will have on your future. For example, if you're no longer able to work, or can only work on restricted hours then the long term financial impact of this will be considered. Your construction accident lawyer will assess the future financial impact of your injury when seeking compensation for you.

Some other costs that may be considered if you've suffered a serious injury are:

• The cost of care and support you might need
• Adaptations to your home, car or daily routines
• Compensation for your inability to continue spare time activities, for example if you played a sport
• Any handicap your accident may have caused to your working life, such as lack of future job or educational opportunities

When you make a claim with us your solicitor works hard to get you the maximum amount of compensation you deserve for your injury. They also consider whether your loved ones are entitled to compensation as part of your claim. For example, they may have cared for you during treatment and recovery. They could be compensated for their time, particularly when that care was given freely.

If you'd like an idea of how much your building site accident claim might be worth, you can try our industry-leading compensation calculator today.

Alternatively, you can call us on or request a call back to talk about your experience and we can help you take the next steps in securing construction injury compensation.

How could compensation help?

You can use compensation to help you get your life back on track. A financial award can help compensate you for your pain and suffering, and for financial losses.

Some ways that compensation might help include:

• Replacing lost income for time off work
• Help to pay bills that may have mounted up if you've been off work 
• Medical treatment, including prescription costs, rehabilitation and counselling
• The cost of other care and support you might need

How long do I have to start a claim after my accident?

You can usually make a building site accident claim for an accident within the last three years. If negligence caused you an illness rather than a sudden injury, you can claim up to three years from when you became aware of it.

The three-year time limit will apply in most cases, but there are two main exceptions:

• For someone who was under 18 at the time of the accident, the three-year limit begins on their 18th birthday. They have until their 21st birthday to claim.
• There's no time limit for someone who lacks the physical or psychological capability to make a claim. This could be due to the effects of the accident, or an underlying condition unrelated to the accident. 

If you need to discuss how these time limits affect you, please contact us on or request a call back. If you're eligible and you want to claim, we'llconnect you with a personal injury solicitor specialising in construction accident claims.

How long will my 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 fault is clear and straightforward may settle sooner than others. 

If the claim does take longer, it may be possible to make your compensation payments in stages. This could replace some lost income or help with the costs of treatment.

Will I need to go to court?

It's very unlikely that your case will go to court, as the majority of claims settle without a court hearing. In fact, most employers and their insurers tend to avoid going to court and prefer to negotiate a settlement instead.

Your solicitor may however feel that going to court is the best way to achieve a fair settlement. If your case does go to court, your solicitor will help you through the process and negotiate on your behalf throughout the hearing itself.

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

Yes, and at National Accident Helpline we specialise in no win no fee claims. Often known as a conditional fee agreement, it's the contract between you and your construction accident solicitor. 

A no win no fee claim gives you peace of mind that if you don't win your case you have nothing to pay. It's a risk-free way to claim the compensation you deserve.

Once your solicitor takes on your case there are no upfront costs or hidden charges. These are covered throughout your case and you'll pay nothing at all if your case isn't a success. 

If you win compensation, the other side will be required to contribute towards your costs and expenses. A shortfall in their contribution would be deducted from your compensation.

The costs may include an ‘After the Event' (ATE) insurance policy taken out to make sure your claim is risk free. Any legal costs including fixed fees not met by the other side may also need to be covered, and where applicable a ‘success fee' for winning your claim. At the start of your claim, your solicitor will explain and discuss how much you'd need to pay if you win your case. 

You'll know what to expect right from the start, with no hidden surprises. There really is no financial risk stopping you from claiming for the compensation you deserve. No win, no fee, no surprises. It's as simple as that.

How do I start my claim with National Accident Helpline?

You could be eligible for compensation if your construction injury was as a result of someone else's negligence. Call our team of personal injury advisors on or request a call back for advice on your claim. We do also offer a claim online service with our industry leading claim online tool. It allows you to see if you are eligible and if you can start your claim online today.

If you're eligible and you decide to take things further, we'll put you in touch with one of the law firms we work with specialising in construction and building site accident claims.