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Accident at Work Claims

Fall From Height Claims

Check if you can claim compensation

If you were injured in a fall from height that was not your fault, at work or elsewhere, you may be able to claim compensation. We will explain your options clearly and help you understand the next steps.

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Your rights

Can you claim for a fall from height?

You may be able to make a fall from height claim if you were injured in the last three years and someone else was at fault. Most of these accidents happen at work, where the Work at Height Regulations 2005 place strict duties on employers to plan the work, provide the right equipment and prevent falls.

If your employer fell short of those duties and you were hurt, you may have a claim. You are claiming against their insurance, not against them personally, and you cannot be sacked for making a genuine claim. If you are not sure, our team can check for you.

Why Many Lead to Compensation

Why falls from height so often lead to a claim

Falls from height are one of the most serious risks at work, and one of the most preventable. They are the leading cause of serious workplace injury in the UK, which is why the law places clear duties on employers to protect people working above ground level.

Because these accidents are usually preventable, an injured worker can often claim where an employer failed to plan the work properly, provide guardrails or a harness, or maintain equipment. Our solicitors will explain where you stand and handle the claim for you.

3 years

is usually the time limit to start a fall from height claim, from the date of the accident, or from when you knew your injury was linked to it. Different rules apply for children. If you are unsure, we can check for you.

Common Causes

Common causes of falls from height

You may be eligible to make fall from height claim if your accident was caused by an employer’s or another party’s negligence.

Ladders and steps

An unstable, damaged or wrong type of ladder, or one used for a job that needed proper access equipment.

Scaffolding and platforms

Poorly built scaffolding, missing guardrails, or unsafe mezzanines and platforms. See our scaffolding claims page for those.

Roofs, openings and vehicles

Fragile roofs, unguarded edges and floor openings, or falls from a lorry or other vehicle during loading.

However your fall happened, if someone else was at fault you may have a claim. Tell us what happened and we will let you know where you stand.

What can a fall from height claim cover?

Falls from height often cause serious injuries, such as head and brain injuries, spinal injuries and multiple fractures. A claim is usually made up of two parts: compensation for the injury itself, and compensation for the financial impact.

Every claim is assessed individually. Your solicitor will explain what your claim may be worth once an independent medical report sets out how the injury has affected you.

A claim can include
  • Pain, suffering and the effect on your daily life
  • Lost earnings, now and in the future
  • Treatment, rehabilitation and travel costs
  • Care, support and home adaptations if needed

For serious injuries, an interim payment can sometimes be arranged before the claim ends, to help with immediate costs such as lost income or adaptations to your home. Your solicitor will explain whether that is possible in your case.

What You Need

Evidence that supports your claim

Clear evidence helps show how the accident happened and how the injury has affected you. You do not need to gather everything before you get in touch.

We can help.

Accident report
The workplace accident book entry, and any RIDDOR report the employer made, with the date and what happened.
Risk assessment and method statement
Whether the work at height was properly planned, and whether the right equipment and training were provided.
Photographs and witnesses
Images of the ladder, scaffold, edge or equipment involved, and details for anyone who saw what happened.
Medical records and losses
Hospital and GP notes, plus payslips and receipts for money you have lost or spent because of the injury.

Worried about your job? You cannot be dismissed for making a genuine injury claim against your employer. If you have concerns, our team can talk them through with you.

Office desk with legal documents, folders, a clipboard, laptop, magnifying glass, and stationery arranged for document review and case preparation.
1
We assess your claim and advise on your options and prospects.
2
We gather the evidence and arrange an independent medical report.
3
We deal with the employer and their insurer on your behalf.
4
We work towards a fair settlement and keep you updated at each stage.
Risk Free

No Win No Fee fall from height claims

You can start a fall from height claim without paying anything upfront. If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not pay a fee for our work, subject to the terms of your agreement.

If your claim succeeds, an agreed success fee is deducted from your compensation. Your solicitor will explain this clearly before you commit to anything.

You will see the full terms in writing before your claim begins.

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before starting your claim.

Can I claim if I fell from height at work?

Yes, if your employer failed in its duty to keep you reasonably safe and that led to the fall. Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, employers must plan the work, provide the right equipment and prevent falls where they can. If they fell short, you may have a claim. You cannot be dismissed for making a genuine claim.

They are the rules that set out how employers must manage work at height. In short, they must avoid work at height where possible, use equipment such as guardrails or a harness to prevent a fall, plan and supervise the work properly, and keep equipment maintained and inspected. A breach of these duties can support a claim.

That often strengthens a claim. Providing suitable equipment to prevent or limit a fall is one of the employer’s core duties. If the right guardrails, harness or access equipment were not provided, or were faulty, that can be central to your case.

You may still be able to claim. Where responsibility is shared, compensation is usually adjusted to reflect each side’s share of the fault, rather than the claim being refused outright. Our team can explain how this might apply to your situation.

For an accident at work, compensation is usually paid by the employer’s insurer. Employers are required by law to hold employers’ liability insurance for exactly this reason, so you are claiming against a policy, not out of an employer’s own pocket.

In most cases you have three years from the date of the accident, or from when you realised your injury was linked to it. For children, the three years usually starts on their 18th birthday. If you are unsure, contact us and we will check whether you are still in time.

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    Most fall from height claims must be started within three years. Tell us what happened and we will explain your options clearly, with no obligation to go ahead.

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