Claiming compensation after a workplace fall from height
Accidents at work involving a fall from height are one of the most common causes of serious injury sustained at work and one of the most common causes of fatal workplace accidents.
If you have suffered injury as a result of an accident at work involving a fall from height you may be entitled to make a personal injury compensation claim. You may also be entitled to make a compensation claim if you are the relative of a person who has died as a result of a fall from height accident at work.
Common accidents involving a fall from height at work
- Accidents using ladders – this includes falls from unsuitable or faulty ladders; falls caused by reaching beyond the height of a ladder; lack of a secure handhold due to carrying tools or other equipment; lack of anti-slip feet, stabilisers or other means to safely secure a ladder and using a ladder on or against an uneven or unsafe surface.
- Falls from Machines – when operating, cleaning or maintaining machinery.
- Falls from Vehicles – such as from the back of HGV vehicles.
- Falls from or through roofs or roof-lights – for instance an employee working on a fragile roof which gives way
- Accidents on scaffolding – which has not been erected correctly.
- Falls from unfenced or unguarded drops – any significant drop which has no safety barrier can cause a hazard and allow an employee to fall.
- Using unsuitable equipment – for instance using a chair to gain access to places which are not high but which cannot be reached from the ground
Why do falls from height happen at work?
There are many factors which can cause or contribute to an accident whilst working at height. Some of the most common causes of falls from height work accidents are:
- not having a safe system of work in place for the work at height
- not identifying the risks from working at height
- not providing proper training, instruction and supervision for employees working at height
- not providing proper equipment for working at height
Equipment for working at height
To avoid falls and accidents at work all equipment used for working at height must be:
- suitable for the job
- in good working order
- placed on a level surface
- used by people who have been properly trained
- There is a variety of equipment available for working at height. The most common ones are:
- ladders and stepladders
- scaffolds
- mobile towers
- elevating work platforms
Duty of an employer to prevent falls from height accidents
It is the duty of an employer to protect their employees from all accidents and injuries in the workplace. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 place obligations on all employers to take steps to prevent any of their employees from falling.
The regulations cover employees working ‘at height’ but this covers a wide range of situations from employees working high above ground level in hazardous situations to an employee standing on a chair to change a light bulb. A fall from height can also be at or below ground level.
Employers must do all that is reasonably practical to prevent any of their employees from falling. Read more about employer duties
Personal injury solicitors dealing with accidents involving a fall from height
If you have been injured in a fall from height at work please contact us for further information and advice about making a no win – no fee claim.
If you have been injured as a result of an accident involving a fall at work contact Beckett & Co Solicitors for free, expert, no obligation advice about making a claim for personal injury compensation.
We are happy to discuss your case and advise if you are entitled to make a claim. We offer free advice by phone or by free meeting. To make the process more convenient to you we provide free home visits throughout Lancashire. If you are entitled to make a claim we will act on your behalf on a no win – no fee basis. There are no up-front costs or hidden charges.
