Injuries From Building & Construction Sites in Leeds
According to the Health and Safety Executive, the UK’s construction industry accounts for just 5% of the country’s workforce, but is responsible for 10% of reported major injuries. Clearly, even with modern health and safety regulations, building sites can be dangerous places. If through no fault of your own you have suffered an injury whilst working on site, you may be eligible for compensation by making a building site accident claim.
Have You Had an Accident on a Building Site?
At Accident Claims Leeds, our team have helped many victims of construction accidents get the compensation they deserve. Our specialist work injury lawyers have the experience and expertise to help get you the best possible result as quickly as possible.
What Duty does your Employer Owe You?
Your employer has a legal duty to take steps to minimise your risk of injury, whilst on site. This can include:
- Carrying out risk assessments for all work
- Providing you with safe working methods in writing
- Checking and maintaining scaffolds and hoists
- Providing you with appropriate machinery and tools
- Ensuring all machinery and tools are safe
- Providing you with training e.g. lifting heavy objects
- Issuing safety kit, including goggles, ear guards, hard hats, dust masks, safety boots, safety gloves and high-visibility jackets.
Where possible, work should be carried out from ground level. The use of scaffolds and towers should be minimal, and fall restraints and safety netting supplied. Only trained workers should operate cranes and other vehicles.
If in failing to fulfil this duty, you suffer an injury, your employer may be deemed negligent.
What Building Site Accidents can you claim for?
Common occurrences that can lead to a claim are:
- Falling scaffolding – scaffolding which has not been checked or erected properly might cause you to fall, or might strike you if it collapses;
- Lifting – lifting heavy items without training can cause you to damage your joints and muscles;
- Tools – unsuitable equipment that has not been maintained can cause you injury;
- Electrical – powered tools that are not PAT tested might be faulty and electrocute you.
This is not exhaustive. Other grounds for a claim might be if you slip or trip due to debris that has been left on site. If dangerous working practices are allowed on site, or if one of your co-workers makes a mistake that causes your injury.
How Much is Your Building Site Accident Claim Worth?
The guidance that applies to general personal injury claims also applies to building site injury claims. Generally, you can claim compensation for:
- Your pain and suffering
- Your loss of earnings, if you have to take time off work
- Future loss of earnings, if you cannot return to work, or if you can only do a job that is lower paid
- Expenses in replacing your property that has been damaged by your accident
- Expenses you otherwise would not have, for example the cost of attending medical appointments
- The cost of care that has to be arranged for you (either professional care or care provided by a family member).
Four Important Steps to Take
To protect your health as well as any entitlement to compensation, there are four things you should do if you suffer a building site injury:
- Most importantly, see a doctor. Get a written report of your injuries and the treatment you are prescribed.
- Record your accident in the accident report book. This can be used as evidence.
- Keep receipts of bills and expenses that relate to your injury. These expenses can usually be claimed back from your employer’s insurer.
- Try to get supporting statements from co-workers who witnessed your accident.
How Long does a Claim Take?
Due to the value of building site accident claims, insurers often try to reject them. Accordingly, your claim may take some time to resolve. However, you can rest assured that our workplace accident solicitors will be with you every step of the way, from the beginning until the end.
Contact Our Specialist Personal Injury for Leeds
If you think you have a valid claim for a building site accident, call our team and speak to one of our specialist work accident lawyers today. Call our accident at work solicitors** on 01132 234 466^ or contact us online.