Construction Accident Claims

Our solicitors specialise in managing construction accident claims, helping tradespeople and site workers secure the compensation they deserve.

  • We offer a free consultation and claim assessment, so speak to our construction accident solicitors today.

  • No win no fee policy 

  • Regulated by Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) 
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Construction sites are statistically the most dangerous workplaces in the UK. With heavy plant machinery, working at height, and constant pressure to meet deadlines, safety standards can slip. If you have been injured on a building site, you may be entitled to make a construction accident claim to cover your recovery and lost income.

The risks are undeniable. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) confirms that construction remains a high-risk industry. Latest figures show the sector accounted for 35 fatal injuries to workers in 2024/25, the highest number of any industry sector. Furthermore, thousands of serious non-fatal injuries occur annually, with falls from height and trapped limbs being the most common causes.

For a tradesperson, a physical injury is a threat to their livelihood. Whether you are employed, self-employed (CIS), or an agency worker, an injury can mean an immediate stop to your pay.

You have a right to return home safe at the end of your shift. If site management, a sub-contractor, or your employer failed to protect you, our specialist solicitors can help you claim the compensation you need.

What is a construction accident claim?

A construction accident claim is a legal action taken against the party responsible for site safety. This is not always your direct employer; it could be the Principal Contractor, a separate sub-contractor, or the owner of the site.

Construction work is governed by specific, strict legislation, most notably the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM). These regulations place a duty on the Principal Contractor to plan, manage, and monitor health and safety during the construction phase.

Other critical regulations include:

  • PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations): Ensures machinery like excavators, saws, and drills are maintained and safe.

  • LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations): Governs the safe use of cranes, hoists, and lifting tackle.

  • Work at Height Regulations: Mandates proper scaffolding, harness points, and edge protection.

If these regulations were breached, for example, if a scaffold wasn’t inspected (Scafftag) or a machine guard was removed, the responsible party is liable for your injury.

If you are unsure who is to blame for your accident, contact us. We are experts at untangling the web of liability on construction sites.

Common causes of construction accidents

We handle claims for a wide range of site accidents, often caused by a failure to follow basic safety protocols. Common causes include:

  • Falls from height: Falls from scaffolding, ladders, or through fragile roofs remain the single biggest cause of fatal injuries in the sector. We have extensive experience securing compensation for these complex falls from height claims.

  • Falling objects: Injuries caused by bricks, tools, or debris dropped from height due to a lack of toe boards, netting, or exclusion zones.

  • Machinery accidents: Crush injuries, amputations, or lacerations caused by unguarded saws, conveyors, or mixers are severe forms of industrial injury that require specialist legal support.

  • Site vehicle accidents: Being struck by a dumper truck, forklift, or excavator, often due to poor traffic management or a lack of banksmen.

  • Trench collapses: Injuries caused by working in excavations that have not been properly shored up or battered back.

  • Manual handling: Back injuries from lifting heavy materials like cement bags or plasterboard without mechanical assistance.

Can I claim if I am self-employed (CIS)?

Yes. This is the most common myth in construction law.

Many site workers are registered as self-employed under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) or work through agencies. You might think this means you have no rights, but that is incorrect.

Health and safety laws protect everyone on site, not just direct employees. If the Principal Contractor or site manager controls the site, provides the materials, and directs how you work, they owe you a duty of care. If their negligence caused your injury, you can claim against their insurance, regardless of your tax status.

Use our free online claim checker to verify your eligibility in minutes.

What should I do after a site accident?

Construction sites change rapidly. Evidence can disappear overnight. Taking these steps protects your claim:

  1. Seek medical attention: Visit A&E or your GP. This creates a vital medical record of your injury.

  2. Report it: Ensure the accident is recorded in the site Accident Book. If you are self-employed, report it to the Site Manager and your agency.

  3. Take photos: Photograph the scene immediately. Capture the faulty equipment, the lack of barriers, or the unguarded edge before it is fixed.

  4. Get witnesses: Sites are busy places. Get the names and numbers of colleagues or other tradespeople who saw what happened.

  5. Speak to us: Do not accept an early offer from the site insurers without legal advice. Contact our team to ensure your rights are protected.

How much compensation can I claim?

Construction injuries can be severe, leading to high compensation awards. We calculate your claim based on:

  • General Damages: For the pain, suffering, and impact on your life (e.g., the loss of ability to play sports or lift your children).

  • Special Damages: To cover strict financial losses. In construction, this is often the largest part of the claim and includes
     
    • Lost earnings: Past and future wages, including overtime and bonuses you would have earned.

    • Retraining costs: If a serious injury stops you from doing manual work, we can claim for the cost of retraining for a new, less physical career.

    • Rehabilitation: The cost of private physiotherapy or surgery to speed up your recovery.

No Win No Fee construction claims

We handle all construction accident claims on a No Win No Fee basis. This means there is zero financial risk to you. You will not pay any upfront fees, and if your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t pay us a penny. This allows you to pursue justice without worrying about legal bills.

Why choose Claim Time Solicitors?

We understand the construction industry is different from other workplaces. Here is why we are the right choice for your claim:

Experts in site liability: Construction sites involve a complex mix of main contractors, sub-contractors, and sole traders. We have over 20 years of experience in identifying exactly who is legally responsible for your safety, ensuring your claim is directed at the right insurer.

Protecting your livelihood: We know that for a tradesperson, your body is your business. A broken finger might be a minor inconvenience for an office worker, but for a bricklayer, it is a career-threatening injury. We fight for settlements that reflect the true impact on your ability to earn a living.

Fully accredited: You need a team you can trust. We are fully regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and accredited by The Law Society. We provide clear, jargon-free advice and keep you informed at every stage of the process.

Start your construction accident claim today

If you have been injured on a building site, you have every right to ask for fair compensation. We’re here to make that happen.

Construction accident claims are just one area our specialist solicitors handle. You can learn more about our full Accidents at Work Claim service here.

Speak to one of our expert solicitors for a free, no-obligation assessment of your claim.

FAQs

Yes. While you have a duty to look after your own safety, your employer must enforce the rules. If you weren’t wearing PPE, you might be found “contributorily negligent” (partially at fault), which could reduce your compensation slightly, but it does not stop you from claiming if the main cause of the accident was the site’s unsafe condition.

This is a common fear, but blacklisting is illegal. It is unlawful for employers to discriminate against you for making a legitimate personal injury claim. Most claims are handled by insurance companies, not the site owners directly.

Yes. Even if your payment arrangement was informal, your employer still had a duty of care to keep you safe while you were working for them. We can still help you make a claim.

We handle all construction accident claims on a No Win No Fee basis. This means there is no financial risk to you. There are no upfront fees. If we win your claim, we are paid a pre-agreed percentage of the compensation you receive. If your claim is unsuccessful, you pay us nothing.

Challenges faced by claimants?

Our professional team of solicitors will help you overcome the challenges you face in claiming compensation. 

Making workplace accidents compensation claim could be a gruelling task. It demands a lot of patience and is time consuming. 

Some key challenges faced by claimants are: 

Lack of proper tangible evidence

Denial from employer’s side

Authentic medical evidence, complex medical assessments

Time limit as the claimant can only make a compensation claim within 3 years of the accident

Exhausting long legal procedures

Mental and physical stress

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How we can help

The consequences of accidents at work can be drastic. You could be dealing with multiple parties at once. There is an essential need for guidance in such situations so that you can get what you deserve. Claim Solicitors specialises in accident at work claims. Get in touch today and get a free consultation now.

By providing expert guidance

Our team of solicitors make sure you are fully aware of your rights and are well informed at every step... of the legal process. We at Claim Time Solicitors deal with all the critical paperwork on your behalf, meeting all the deadlines and assisting you throughout with a positive approach.

In depth investigation

We conduct a complete examination of the case and dig deep into the case to get the insights... of it and understand the circumstances that led to the accident at work. Our aim is to hold the responsible party accountable for the mishap and create a strong, compelling case on your behalf.

Negotiation and settlement

Our qualified negotiators will play a major role in the settlement process. Our injury at work solici...tors will engage with the insurance company of the employer and make sure you receive your rightful compensation which would cover all your monetary loses that you have incurred.

Client-centered approach

Our priority is our client's well-being, and we work seamlessly to attain success and get you the... justice you deserve. We acknowledge the mental, physical and financial stress our clients go through during the complex legal process. We are here to provide you with assistance and help you claim maximum compensation. Our team of solicitors try their best to contribute to the success of your case in the best possible manner.

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