Can I Claim For Falling Down Stairs At Work?

Wondering if you can claim for falling down stairs at work? If you have been injured at work due to someone else’s negligence, then you may be entitled to make a claim for personal injury compensation.

To make a successful claim against your employer, you must prove that they owed you a duty of care, that your employer breached their duty of care and that you suffered an injury directly resulting from the breach. Understandably, not all instances of falling down stairs will result from employer negligence, so it is important to be able to establish a breach of care in order to look into making a claim.

Our team of personal injury solicitors are experts in assisting clients in making accident at work claims. If you fell down the stairs at work due to negligence then you may be able to make a claim for personal injury compensation. Please get in touch with our team today to discuss your potential claim in more detail.

Injuries that can be caused by falling downstairs at work

Injuries caused by falling down stairs can include:

• Bruises and Contusions: Impacts on the steps, walls, or railings can cause bruising on various parts of the body.
• Sprains and Strains: The sudden movement can lead to sprains or strains in the ankles, knees, wrists, or other joints as you try to catch yourself during the fall.
• Fractures: Broken bones are common, especially in the arms, wrists, legs, ankles, ribs, and collarbone. The force of landing can cause significant trauma to bones.
• Head Injuries: If you hit your head during the fall, you might suffer a concussion or more severe traumatic brain injuries. This can lead to symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea, or even cognitive issues.
• Back and Spinal Injuries: Falling down stairs can cause injuries to the back and spine, such as slipped or herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, or spinal cord injuries, potentially leading to long-term pain or mobility issues.
• Dislocations: The impact from the fall can cause joints like the shoulder, knee, or hip to become dislocated.
• Cuts and Lacerations: Sharp edges of the steps or objects along the stairwell can cause cuts and scrapes, which may need stitches or medical attention to avoid infection.
• Internal Injuries: In severe falls, internal organs might be damaged, potentially leading to internal bleeding. This type of injury requires immediate medical evaluation.

In all cases, no matter the cause of your falling down a flight of stairs, you should always ensure you receive appropriate medical care as soon as possible.

Your employer’s duty of care

If you are to make a claim for falling down stairs at work, then you must prove that your employer has breached their duty of care towards you. Employers have a legal duty of care to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of their employees.

This duty is covered by various laws and regulations that outline how employers must manage workplace safety and prevent accidents, including falls.

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

• Employers must take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the safety and well-being of their employees. This includes providing a safe work environment, safe systems of work, and necessary training.
• Employers must also ensure that the workplace, equipment, and practices do not pose health or safety risks to employees.

Risk Assessments

• Employers are required to conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards in the workplace. This includes hazards related to stairs, such as poor lighting, lack of handrails, slippery surfaces, or cluttered steps.
• Once risks are identified, employers must take appropriate steps to mitigate them, such as installing non-slip surfaces, improving lighting, or implementing safety training.

Reporting and Recording Accidents

• Employers must maintain an accident book to record any workplace injuries. Serious incidents must also be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 2013.

Provision of Training and Information

• Employers have a duty to provide adequate training to employees regarding workplace safety. This includes informing them of potential hazards, proper use of equipment, and emergency procedures.

Maintenance of the Workplace and Equipment

• Employers must ensure that the workplace is maintained in a safe condition. This includes routine inspections, maintenance of staircases, proper installation of handrails, and prompt repair of any hazards (e.g., broken steps, loose carpets).

Safe Working Practices

• Employers should establish safe working practices and protocols to reduce the risk of accidents. This includes setting rules for carrying heavy objects on stairs, using proper footwear, and not running on staircases.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• If necessary, employers must provide appropriate PPE to employees, such as anti-slip footwear, to minimise the risk of accidents.

If an employer fails to fulfil their duty of care and an employee is injured as a result, the employer may be held liable in a claim for compensation.

Proving your claim

To be successful in your claim for compensation, you must prove your employer acted negligently, so it can be helpful to gather evidence to demonstrate that your employer’s negligence caused or contributed to the accident.

Examples of evidence to prove your claim can include:

Medical Records: Keep detailed records of medical evaluations, treatments, and expenses from your injury. Medical records will serve as evidence of your injuries and the severity of the impact of the fall.

Witness Statements: If there were any witnesses to the fall (colleagues, visitors, etc.), obtain their contact details and ask them to provide written statements. Witness accounts can corroborate your version of the events and highlight any hazardous conditions.

Photographs and Videos: If possible, take photos or videos of the accident scene as soon as possible after the incident. Capture details like the condition of the stairs (e.g., broken steps, wet or slippery surfaces, clutter), poor lighting, missing handrails, or other hazards that may have contributed to the fall.

Obtain CCTV Footage: If your workplace has surveillance cameras, request access to CCTV footage showing the fall. This can provide a clear and objective record of the incident.

Review Workplace Safety Policies and Procedures: Review your employer’s safety policies, risk assessments, and maintenance logs. Look for evidence of negligence, such as failure to carry out regular risk assessments, ignoring reported hazards, or lack of adequate safety measures like handrails and non-slip surfaces.

What compensation could you receive?

If you fall down stairs at work due to your employer’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation that typically includes two main categories: general damages and special damages.

General damages cover the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injury. The amount awarded depends on the severity of your injuries, how long the pain persists, and the impact it has on your quality of life. General damages also cover any loss of amenity, such as loss of enjoyment in life and being unable to participate in activities you previously enjoyed before the accident.

The amount awarded for general damages is usually based on injury severity, medical assessments, and guidelines from the Judicial College, which provides estimates for various types of injuries.

Special damages compensate for the financial losses and expenses directly resulting from your injury. This can include any private medical treatment, travel expenses, loss of earnings, and any other out of pocket expenses related to your injury.

Our team of personal injury claim solicitors can advise you on the potential compensation you may be entitled to. Please get in touch with us today to find out more.

How can Beacon Law assist?

Wondering if you can claim for falling down the stairs at work? Our solicitors can advise you on your options when you get in touch with us. We have helped many of our clients claim for slip and fall injuries and obtain the compensation they deserve.

We have years of experience in assisting those who have experienced all types of injuries from accidents that were not their fault. If you are wondering if you can claim compensation for a fall, whether it was an accident at work or in a public setting, please get in touch today.

You can request an initial consultation by completing the online help form, and an experienced solicitor will contact you to discuss your case. Alternatively, you can call us at 0330 1332 857, use our live chat, or use our contact details at the bottom of the page, and we will be happy to assist you with your query.

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