Fall at Work Claim – A Guide to Claiming Compensation

If you are involved in a fall at work, you could sustain a variety of different injuries that could affect your ability to work and function normally. Crucially, if your fall at work was caused by your employer’s negligence, you could be entitled to claim compensation for any suffering. This guide on fall-at-work claims sets out how the process works and how much compensation for a fall at work could be paid. We also explore the types of evidence you could use to help prove your case.

We are ready to help if you’re thinking about seeking compensation for a workplace fall. If you call our legal advisors for a free review of your case, they’ll assess your legal options and answer any questions you have. If it looks like a compensation claim is feasible, your case might be passed to an accident-at-work solicitor. If they offer to help, you’ll benefit from a No Win, No Fee service.

To arrange your free initial consultation, you can:

• Call now on 0333 241 2519.
• Use our 24/7 live chat service.

For more about what to do if you’ve fallen at work, read on. If any questions arise along the way, please feel free to call.

What Types of Injuries Can Be Caused by a Fall at Work?

Before we look at the process of claiming compensation for workplace falls, let’s take a look at a few examples of the types of fall-related injuries that you could claim for. They include:

• Broken bones.
• Soft tissue injuries (sprains, strains, tears etc).
• Back injuries.
• Concussions and other head injuries.
• Cuts and lacerations.
• Severe bruising.
• Psychological trauma.
• Spinal cord injuries.
• Fatalities.

If you have suffered these or any other type of injury following a fall at work, you may have grounds to claim compensation for any physical, psychological or financial suffering.

Can I Claim Compensation for a Fall at Work?

Many laws exist that will mean your employer owes you a duty of care whilst you’re working. Predominantly, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 means employers must take reasonable steps to keep everyone safe in the workplace. Other laws like the Work at Height Regulations 2005 may also apply depending on the nature of your work.

Some examples of how employers can prevent falls at work as much as practically possible include:

• Carrying out regular risk assessments to identify any removable hazards.
• Installing safety devices like handrails.
• Training staff on how to work at height safely.
• Providing equipment like ladders that are safe and fit for purpose.
• Providing suitable PPE such as anti-slip footwear where required.

As such, to claim compensation for a fall at work you will normally need to prove that:

• At the time of your accident, your employer owed you a duty of care.
• Due to the negligence of your employer, you were involved in a fall at work in the last three years.
• You sustained an injury or injuries as a consequence of that fall.

If you believe that all of the above apply in your case, you might have grounds to sue your employer for your injuries. Please get in touch if you’d like a legal advisor to check the validity of your claim now.

What Types of Negligence Can Lead to Fall-at-Work Claims?

Here are a few scenarios linked to employer negligence that might enable you to claim compensation for injuries suffered in a fall at work:

• Where you fell from a cherry picker and suffered a traumatic brain injury because you were not given a safety harness by your employer.
• If you fell down stairs at work and suffered a lower back injury because a handrail that was known to be loose gave way.
• You slipped on an unmarked wet floor in the cafeteria, resulting in a concussion and neck injury.
• You fell from an unstable ladder during maintenance work which led to a broken ankle and bruises due to inadequate safety measures.

There are of course many more scenarios that could cause a fall at work injury. If you believe that you should be compensated following such an accident, please call our legal advisors.

What Should I Do If I Sustain an Injury from a Fall at Work?

If you fell over at work which resulted in an injury, here are some essential steps to take:

• Promptly report the incident to your supervisor to ensure that they are aware of your fall and can take necessary actions.
• Even if the injury seems minor, it’s important to get checked by your GP or at a hospital.
• Request that the fall be recorded in the workplace accident report book. Make sure you obtain a copy of the report for your records.

Taking these actions not only helps in addressing the cause of your fall and your injuries but should you decide to pursue a claim for workplace accident compensation, you’ll already have some valuable evidence to support your case.

What Evidence Can Be Used for Fall at Work Compensation Claims?

When making a fall at work claim, you should provide compelling evidence that shows that a) you were involved in a fall, b) your employer caused the accident in some way and c) that you were injured.

Here are some examples of the types of evidence that you might use:

• Photographs of the accident scene particularly those that show any defects that caused your fall.
• Contact information for anyone who witnessed the incident.
• A copy of an accident report form to help prove where and when you had a fall at work.
• CCTV footage if security cameras cover the area where you fell.
• Medical records from a hospital or your GP to help prove your injuries.

If you want a legal advisor to check through the evidence you’ve secured already, please call us now.

How Long Do I Have to Claim Fall at Work Compensation?

The Limitation Act 1980 is a piece of legislation that sets a three-year time limit for personal injury claims. In the majority of cases, this will start from the date that you were involved in a fall at work.

In certain circumstances, the standard three-year time limit for filing a claim can be paused. For instance, if the claimant lacks the mental capacity to manage their legal affairs, the time limit is effectively suspended while this incapacity persists. During such periods, another individual can act as a litigation friend to start and manage the compensation claim on the claimant’s behalf.

To check how long you have to claim for a fall at work, please call our legal advisors.

How Much Compensation for a Fall at Work?

The level of compensation awarded in a successful fall-at-work claim will vary from case to case. That’s because settlements are largely based on the severity of your injuries. This head of loss is called general damages and it covers pain, suffering and loss of amenity.

Therefore, to put a value on this part of your claim, your solicitor will obtain medical records and might arrange for an independent medical assessment. This will help them to fully understand your injuries and prognosis.

On top of general damages, you could also be awarded special damages as part of your settlement. This is compensation for out-of-pocket expenses and financial losses such as:

• The cost of medical treatment including remedial surgery and physiotherapy.
• Travel costs when attending medical treatment for example.
• Loss of earnings including any potential future losses.
• The cost of modifying your home if you’ve been left disabled after a fall at work.
• Support and care costs if you need help at home because of your injuries.

If you work with a solicitor from our panel, they’ll assess your case in detail and do their very best to ensure that all aspects of your suffering are covered by any compensation you receive.

Will I Be Sacked for Making a Fall at Work Claim Against My Employer?

Legally, your employer is not allowed to discipline you in any way if you sue them for a fall at work claim that’s caused a genuine injury. Therefore, you should not be worried about doing so if you’ve been involved in a fall at work that was their fault.

If you were to be sacked, picked on, demoted, bullied or denied training opportunities at work, you might have separate grounds to claim for unfair or constructive dismissal.

If you believe you’ve been unfairly treated in this way, please feel free to call.

Can I Claim if a Loved One Died from a Fall?

Unfortunately, falls from height were the most common reason for workplace fatalities in 2022/23 according to government statistics.

While we realise that no amount of compensation will ever make your loss any better, it could help you deal with any financial implications.

You may be entitled to claim compensation following the loss of a loved one in a fall at work to cover:

• The deceased’s death and their pain and suffering.
• Funeral costs and similar expenses.
• Loss of companionship.
• Loss of the deceased’s income if you were financially dependent on it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call our legal advisors who won’t put you under any pressure to proceed.

Do You Need a Work Injury Solicitor for a Fall at Work Claim?

Taking on the support of a legal specialist could make all the difference when it comes to making a fall-at-work claim. Not only could a solicitor improve your chances of being compensated, but they could also use their legal training and negotiation skills to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

While you’re not obliged to use a solicitor specialising in workplace accidents, if you work with one of ours, they will manage your claim from beginning to end and ensure the process is as smooth as possible. What’s more, they’ll handle all communications so you won’t need to speak to your employer or their insurer about the case.

Finally, it’s important to point out that all accepted fall-at-work compensation claims are managed on a No Win, No Fee basis. That means that you will only need to pay for your solicitor’s work if you receive compensation for your injuries.

To check if you could make a No Win, No Fee fall at work claim with one of our solicitors, please call now.

How Long Do Work Accident Claims Take?

The duration of a work accident claim is dependent on several factors. Firstly, it can take time to properly understand your injuries and how long they’ll take to heal (if at all). For more serious injuries, for instance, multiple injuries or spinal cord injuries, it may take some time to understand your prognosis and care needs going forward. Also, time may be needed for negotiations regarding liability for the accident.

If you suffered a minor injury following a fall at work, you could receive compensation in as little as 4 to 5 months if liability is accepted or proven quickly. Where you’ve suffered life-changing injuries, your claim could take several years to be finalised. However, in these circumstances, you could receive interim payments to help you once liability for your fall at work has been agreed upon.

Contacting Us About a Fall at Work Claim

Please reach out to us if you’d like more information about claiming for a fall at work. To do so, you can:

• Call 0333 241 2519 24 hours a day.
• Use our live chat service.

There’s absolutely no pressure or obligation to start a claim following your consultation. However, if you decide to start a claim, it’s worth reiterating that all accepted fall-at-work claims are managed on a No Win, No Fee basis by our solicitors.