Factory accident compensation claims

What is a factory accident?

A factory accident happens when something goes wrong in an industrial workplace like a manufacturing plant. Some circumstances are unexpected and unavoidable but many factory injuries happen because employers or site managers fail to take the necessary precautions to keep workers safe.

Accidents at work can happen in factories producing:

• Food and drink products.
• Wood, paper and metal products.
• Chemical and pharmaceutical products.
• Cars, vehicles, trains, ships, spacecraft and other transport products.
• Printed products (such as newspapers and books).
• Electronics and electrical machinery.
• Textiles and leather products.

Claims are typically brought when employers fail to provide a safe workplace. But it doesn't have to be your employer who was directly to blame. If anyone at work was negligent and you suffered an injury because of it, you may be able to claim factory accident compensation.

How common are factory accidents and injuries?

According to the latest figures from HSE, an estimated 51,000 workers suffered non-fatal injuries in manufacturing settings in the period 2021/22 to 2023/24. In 2023/24 alone, there were 16 factory accident deaths.

The most common non-fatal accidents were:

• Slips, trips and falls on the same level - 24%
• Manual handling, lifting and carrying - 20%
• Struck by moving, flying or falling object - 14%
• Contact with moving machinery - 12%

In our years_since years of experience, we've also come across factory accidents and injuries involving:

• Moving vehicles and forklifts.
• Falls from a height.
• Cold injuries and burns.
• Exposure to dangerous substances.

If you've been hurt in a factory environment or developed an illness because of your job, we're here to help make it right. Call us on or arrange a call back with one of our friendly advisors when it suits you.

What are the main types of factory accidents?

Factories and other manufacturing environments feature a range of hazards and risks, from dangerous heavy machinery to potentially harmful pollutants and contaminants. These are some of the most common factory accidents we've come across:

Slips, trips and falls

These account for more non-fatal factory injuries than any other category, according to the latest figures from HSE. Liquid spillages, obstructions, uneven surfaces and poor lighting are all potentially dangerous hazards. Employers have a responsibility to remove them or protect you from the risks before they cause an accident.

Falls from height

Falling from ladders, platforms and roofs can cause devastating injuries and even factory accident deaths. There's also the risk of falling through a fragile roof or into an opening in the ground. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 were designed to help employers manage these risks, covering a wide range of safety practices.

Dangerous machinery

Employers have responsibilities under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) to take steps to minimise the risk of factory accidents involving machinery. This can include conveyor belts, production machinery and any other powered equipment.

Machinery must be suitable for its intended use and safe to use, clean and maintain. The correct safety devices should be fitted, and your employer should provide adequate information, instruction, protective gear and training before you use it.

Alongside PUWER, other health and safety regulations are in place to reduce the risk of factory injuries around machinery:

• Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 for pressure equipment working at a maximum pressure of above 0.5 bar.
• Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016 for certain vessels containing air or nitrogen at a gauge pressure between 0.5 bar and 30 bar.
• Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR) for pressure systems carrying steam, fluids or certain gasses.
• Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) for lifting equipment such as cranes, hoists, forklifts and lifts.

Lifting or moving heavy objects

Manual handling is a common feature of many factory injuries, as it is in construction and other labour-intensive industries. These types of accidents can cause painful back injuries and pulled muscles, as well as nasty cuts and bruises in more serious cases.

Your employer should be following the laws designed to minimise the risk of injury, such as the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992.

Being struck by falling or flying objects

Falling object accidents cause the most fatal injuries (21%) in factory accidents, according to the latest HSE figures. Employers must take sensible measures to protect their workforce from dangerous objects. Stacking items securely is important, along with installing safety netting where appropriate. Machines may need a guard to prevent materials from being thrown out at speed. Staff should also wear hard hats, glasses and other PPE where these risks are present.

Electric shocks

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 are very clear on how to protect workers from electrical hazards. But despite the regulations, factory accident claims often involve electric shocks that have happened because of an employer's negligence. Faulty equipment, plugs and sockets can also be to blame, as can electrical equipment being used in wet environments. Without the right insulating protection, earthing fuses and circuit breakers, an accident is far more likely.

Exposure to chemicals and other dangerous substances

Companies should follow the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) regulations to minimise the risk of substance-related accidents in factories. These include regulations to identify chemical and biological hazards and implement appropriate measures to prevent harm to employees.

Serious factory accidents and fatalities

Unfortunately, some factory accidents lead to serious or life-changing injuries and even fatalities. Manufacturing was the third highest industry behind agriculture and construction for work-related fatalities in 2023/24.

Thankfully, factories and other industrial environments are much safer than they used to be. But safety regulations and protocols aren't effective if your employer doesn't follow them.

If you or someone you love has suffered after a factory accident, we can help

Factory accident compensation can't take away the pain you've felt but it could help ease some of the financial pressure you're experiencing. Take the first step towards putting things right today by calling our friendly helpline advisors on .

What responsibilities does my employer have to keep me safe?

Factory owners and managers must uphold their duty of care to keep you as safe as possible while you're at work. This is a fundamental principle of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Your employer should take all reasonable steps to protect you from avoidable accidents, whether that's providing PPE or testing the manufacturing equipment you're using.

Even if another worker was responsible for your factory accident, your employer could still be liable because of 'vicarious liability'. This essentially means they are responsible for the actions of all their employees to a degree, particularly if other workers or members of the public are harmed in an accident.

If you're not sure who's responsible for your factory accident, call our friendly helpline advisors on . Once they've heard your story, they should be able to tell you if a factory accident claim is a good option for you.

What should I do if I've been injured in a factory accident?

The first priority after a factory accident should always be getting the medical attention you need. Go to your GP for something non-urgent and minor, a minor injuries unit for something that needs medical care sooner, or A&E for factory injuries that are an immediate concern to your health.

Your accident should be reported to your employer, who should then record it in the factory's official accident book - this record might also be useful to you later.

Once you've had the chance to recover, it could be the right time to contact us to see if you have a case for factory accident compensation. The sooner we hear from you, the sooner we can assess your story and the easier it might be to gather evidence.

What evidence do you need to make a factory accident claim?

The information and evidence that could help with your factory accident claim include:

• The date, time and place of the accident.
• A copy of the report in the factory's accident book.
• Contact details for anyone who witnessed the accident.
• Pictures of the area where the accident happened (ideally showing anything that contributed to it).
• CCTV footage of the accident if available (your employer is legally obligated to give you this under personal data law).
• Details of any medical treatment you received for your injuries.
• Details of any financial losses you have suffered because of your accident (such as prescription costs, time off work and travel expenses).

If you've gathered some evidence before calling us, that's great. But don't worry if you don't have all the information needed. Once we've paired you with one of our partner solicitors, your legal team can get your factory accident compensation claim moving.

Am I eligible to make a factory accident claim?

You might be eligible to make a factory accident compensation claim if your injury was caused by someone else's negligence. This could mean an employer failed to mitigate the risks you face in your job or didn't provide a safe working environment. But if anyone else except you was to blame, you may still be eligible.

As with most cases of accidents at work, you have three years from the date of the incident to settle your factory accident claim or start court proceedings. This is called the 'limitation period'.

If you develop an illness because of your work in a factory environment, the usual three-year timeframe starts from the date you discovered this connection. If you're claiming for someone else who can't claim for themselves, the usual time limits might not apply.

We know working out if you're eligible to make a factory accident claim can be quite confusing. But don't worry - we're here to help. Give us a call on and let our friendly helpline advisors assess whether you could benefit from a compensation claim.

How much compensation could I get for my factory accident claim?

There's no quick answer to this question. The amount of factory accident compensation you could be entitled to depends specifically on your case. Various factors are considered, including:

• The severity (and type) of your injuries or illness
• The degree of negligence or carelessness that led to your factory injuries
• The impacts your injuries or illness have had on your life
• The medical and transport costs you've had to pay after your accident
• The time you've taken off work and any lost earnings
• Any financial losses you expect to suffer in the future
• Any ongoing care needs you may need

The solicitor we pair you with from our nationwide panel will always try to get you the full amount of factory accident compensation you deserve. If you'd like to know roughly how much your claim might be worth, try our simple compensation calculator. It gives you figures based on the latest edition of the Judicial College Guidelines.

How could factory accident compensation help?

If you're suffering the consequences of a factory injury, compensation can help in several ways. Firstly, it compensates you for the pain and suffering you experienced during and after your accident. Nothing can take this away but money can make life easier going forward.

Factory accident compensation is designed to cover the impacts your injury or illness has had on your life and the lives of those around you. It could allow you to get specialist rehabilitation to help you recover more quickly or support you through a longer-term recovery.

Compensation can also replace any income you've lost while you've been unable to work and any money you expect to lose in the future. Ultimately, a settlement is paid to you directly and you can decide how you use it.

What are the time limits for making a factory accident claim?

Most claims have to be settled within three years of a factory accident, or for court proceedings to have started. This time limit is called the 'limitation period' - something that applies to most claims for accidents at work and personal injuries.

Give us a call now on if you're nearing this deadline. Our friendly helpline advisors will listen to your story carefully and connect you with one of our partner lawyers if they think you have a claim for compensation.

However, not all factory accident claims are subject to the usual three-year timeline. This can change in some circumstances, for example:

• If you're claiming for someone who lacks 'mental capacity': A serious factory accident may leave someone without the 'mental capacity' to manage their own claim. In these situations, there's no time limit applied while they do. Each case is assessed individually and must be more than someone simply needing assistance. If capacity is regained at any point, even briefly, the three-year time limit starts from that date and won't stop again.
• If you're claiming for someone after a factory accident death: You have three years from the date of your loved one's passing, or from the date it was discovered that an accident or illness was the cause, to settle a claim or start court proceedings. 

Will I need to go to court during a factory accident claim?

Our cases rarely go to court because the majority of claims are settled before that's needed. Most employers and their insurers tend to avoid going to court and prefer to negotiate a factory accident compensation settlement instead.

If your legal team feels that a court hearing is the best way to get you a fair settlement, they may be able to do this on your behalf. If you need to attend (however unlikely), they'll explain everything and tell you exactly what you need to do.

How long does a factory accident compensation claim usually take?

Each claim is unique, so we can't tell how long the legal process might take. Factory accident cases where liability is clear may be settled sooner than others but that's not guaranteed. The timeframe of your claim should depend on:

• The type and severity of your injuries or illness.
• Whether your employer is willing to admit liability or not.
• If any delays occur (for example, obtaining medical records or accident records).

Your solicitor or legal team will keep you updated with any progress during the claims process. If you have any questions, they'll be more than happy to answer them

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

We take on most factory accident compensation claims on a no win no fee basis. This means you should only pay if you win your claim. With a successful case, any expenses not covered by the other side will be paid out of your settlement amount.

If you aren't awarded compensation, you still shouldn't have to pay a penny. Your legal team will arrange a no-upfront-cost insurance policy before starting the claims process. This limits the financial risk for you - covering any legal fees if you don't get a payout, as the insurance policy will then pay for itself. You must stick to the terms and conditions of the agreement to ensure you're covered. You don't have to pay anything upfront and there are no hidden charges.

If we can't take your claim on a no win no fee basis, we'll explain why and explain your options carefully. Feel free to use our claims checker to get a better idea of whether you're eligible today. It only takes a few minutes.

Why choose National Accident Helpline for your factory accident claim?

Falling victim to the dangers of your job or work environment shouldn't be the norm. Your employer has a duty to protect you, no matter how hazardous your workplace is. If they failed in that duty, we're here to help you get the factory accident compensation you deserve. You can trust us because:

• We've been providing confidential, compassionate and expert support for over years_since years.
• We're authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, meaning we always deliver the highest professional standards.
• All the solicitors in our nationwide panel are registered with The Law Society in England and Wales or the Law Society of Scotland.
• See our 'excellent' rating on Trustpilot and the thousands of positive reviews left by people like you.