While every employer has a duty to protect workers from harm, construction accidents remain far too common. These incidents range from minor slips, trips and falls to falls from height or being hit by falling objects, which can result in permanent and life-changing injuries. A construction accident can force you to leave work, leave you unable to take part in activities you once enjoyed or take you down a long road to recovery. Beyond physical challenges, this can affect your finances, damage your confidence and lead to emotional difficulties.

This is why, if your injury was caused by someone else's negligence, you might be entitled to make a construction accident claim for compensation. A compensation payment can cover any time you need to take off work, the costs of medical treatment or other expenses relating to your injury, and even your future earnings if your ability to work is affected by your injury.

Switalskis' expert team of construction accident lawyers has worked with many people with similar experiences to yours. We know how it feels to put your trust in an employer and their health and safety precautions, only to be injured in an accident. We also know how to get you support that will maximise your recovery and how to build the strongest possible case for compensation to give you the best chance at a successful outcome.

Every construction accident lawyer at Switalskis is dedicated to securing the full amount of compensation you deserve. We provide clear and empathetic guidance so you're empowered to make decisions, and we'll take on the bulk of the responsibility for your claim so you can focus on your recovery and your future. Making a construction accident claim with us means starting to put your life back on track.

To find out how we can help with construction injury claims, call Switalskis on 0800 138 0458 or reach out to us through our website . You have the right to claim compensation and we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Injuries sustained in construction site accidents are often caused by negligence on the part of employers or other workers. The construction industry is subject to rigorous health and safety regulations, and accidents frequently happen simply because the rules were not followed correctly. All of the following are obligations that every construction site owner and manager has to their employees. Failures to fulfil these duties could constitute negligence and lead to a claim.

Risk assessments

Construction sites must be subject to thorough risk assessments. This process should identify any potential causes of injury and introduce health and safety protocols that mitigate these risks.

Training

Employers must deliver proper training to their employees, and especially those who need to operate heavy machinery or carry heavy objects. In the latter cases, training should comply with UK manual handling regulations.

Equipment maintenance

Equipment used on a building site should be well-maintained and kept in good condition. Otherwise, machines and tools can pose significant risks to construction workers, and lead to injuries that could otherwise have been avoided.

Protective gear

Employers must provide personal protective equipment and make sure it’s used properly. If they fail to do so and construction workers are injured, this can result in them claiming compensation.

Implement safety measures

The Health and Safety Executive has specific rules for particular industries, including on construction sites. Employers must implement the required safety precautions, or the risk of accidents rises significantly.

Supervision

A lack of oversight on construction sites can lead to accidents and injuries, and close supervision is usually essential to effective health and safety protocols.

Switalskis' team is committed to helping anyone who has been injured due to negligence to make a building site accident claim. We know how serious the impact of these incidents can be on your personal and professional life. We'll do whatever we can to prove negligence was to blame and secure compensation for you.

Various types of injuries can come from construction accidents, and it's often possible to make a construction claim whether your injuries were minor or extremely severe. Some of the most common types of construction accidents where we've helped clients to secure compensation include:

• Falls from height: falls from scaffolding, ladders or roofs are among the most frequent causes of severe injuries on construction sites. These accidents can result in fractures, head injuries or spinal damage in serious cases.
• Slips, trips and falls: uneven surfaces, debris, wet floors or hazards like trailing wires or tools can lead to slips and trips. These can result in sprains, fractures and head injuries.
• Falling objects: workers are often injured by tools, materials or equipment falling from height. Injuries range from minor bruises to severe brain injuries if construction helmets are not provided.
• Equipment and machinery accidents: collisions with heavy machinery like cranes, forklifts and diggers can lead to crush injuries, amputations or even fatalities if operators are not properly trained or machinery malfunctions.
• Manual handling injuries: workers who lift heavy materials or equipment can suffer from musculoskeletal injuries. This can lead to a claim if workers weren't given proper training on manual handling.
• Crush injuries: crush injuries can be caused by vehicles, machinery or heavy materials. These injuries may include broken bones, internal organ damage or amputations.
• Burns: construction workers are sometimes exposed to hazardous substances or flammable materials. Burns from fires, explosions or chemical spills can result in severe injuries, including disfigurement or respiratory issues.
• Hearing damage: noise on construction sites can cause long-term hearing damage if workers are not provided with adequate ear protection.
• Repetitive strain injuries: construction workers who are asked to perform repetitive tasks without breaks may sustain repetitive strain injuries.

These types of injuries can lead to compensation claims when the accidents are caused by negligence or failure to adhere to health and safety regulations. Employers have a duty to provide a safe working environment, proper training and adequate protective equipment. When these responsibilities are not met, injured workers may be entitled to claim compensation.

Generally, a construction accident claim must be brought within three years of the incident that caused your injury. If the injury wasn't apparent straight away, the time limit might start from the date you learned of the injury, or discovered that it was linked to your construction site accident. This is referred to as the date of knowledge.

• Children: it's not just workers who can claim for construction accidents. If the accident involved a child, their parents can make a claim on their behalf at any time before they turn 18. After their 18th birthday, the child has three years (until they turn 21) to make a claim for themselves.
• Mental capacity: if the person lacks mental capacity to make a claim for themselves - whether because of the accident or not - the standard time limits may not apply.

It's best to start the claims process as soon as you can following a construction site accident, as this ensures you don't miss any deadlines and makes it easier to gather suitable evidence.

Many people are concerned about making a construction injury claim because they expect it to be expensive. However, it's often possible to make a claim with minimal financial risk. Switalskis pursues construction site injury claims on a no win, no fee basis in the majority of cases. This means there are no legal fees to pay up front, and you won't need to pay at all if your claim is unsuccessful. Instead, we take our fees as a percentage of the compensation you receive. This means you won't have to worry about being able to afford to make a claim, and we'll be incentivised to secure the maximum amount of compensation for you.

We'll discuss your situation and explain how all this works during your free initial consultation, so you can move ahead without any concerns about cost.