Fall at Work Compensation Claims

The most common yet arguably most preventable accidents that happen in the workplace are falls, slips, and trips. A severe fall at work can often lead to unavoidable time off work. The Health and Safety Executive reported that over the 2023-2024 period, like the previous year, over 30% of non-fatal workplace incidents involved an employee who fell at work.

Employees should feel safe and comfortable while at work, and employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace and to minimise the risk of accidents occurring.

If you have sustained an injury due to a fall as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to make a fall at work compensation claim. We operate on a no-win, no-fee basis. We believe that if a claim is unsuccessful, a client who has experienced an injury should not be inconvenienced further. Information about this can be found on our funding page. 

What injuries can be expected from a fall at work?

After a fall, injuries typically occur, especially when in a busy environment like the workplace. These injuries range from minor cuts, bruises, and grazes to more traumatic injuries such as fractured or broken bones and damage to the spinal cord.

In more extreme cases, if the head has been impacted by the force of the fall, disorientation from a concussion or life-threatening brain injury can also be an unfortunate result of a fall at work.

The situation in which a preventable accident causes significant consequences on your day-to-day can be incredibly distressing. Beacon Law can support you with legal advice to best navigate this unpleasant time.

Common accidents that can lead to a fall at work

• Workplace Hazards. For example, a wire or a box can easily cause a trip if you are not carefully watching your step. Unsuitable floor coverings, such as carpets or floorboards that are not properly attached, can also become loose and pose a hazard.
• Unsafe equipment. It is easy to lose your footing and fall from unsafe equipment like a step, a ladder, or a forklift and cause subsequent injury. Equipment should undergo frequent checks and be operated as directed by a workplace safety guide.
• Uneven Surfaces. A change in a floor level or a slight slope, even the presence of an overgrown plant, can cause a fall at work.
• Slippery surfaces caused either by unsuitable weather or spillage of liquid such as oils or other substances can leave workers prone to slip and fall. Floors can also be left wet after cleaning services.
• Poor lighting. If the workplace is poorly lit, this can cause accidents during general tasks and when walking around the workspace.
• Inappropriate footwear. Many companies have rules setting out the correct footwear to be worn whilst working to avoid unsuitable shoes causing a fall. If your employer does not provide you with appropriate footwear, they could be liable.
• An accident caused by a colleague. An accident caused by someone else’s negligence at the workplace is quite common if they aren’t willing to follow health and safety rules in an appropriate manner.

Employers’ responsibilities

Employers should recognise that their employees’ safety should be a high responsibility, as this ensures a positive and risk-free environment in which everyone can work at their best capability.

Appropriate guidelines and rules should be made accessible for employees to refer to if they are questioning whether a practice could put them at risk of potential harm. The Health and Safety Act 1975 requires the employer to make this a priority and provide up-to-date training to all members of staff.

In the case an accident at work occurs, it is also the employer’s duty of care to report this to The Health and Safety Executive to ensure it is recorded in the correct manner. Workplaces should have an accident book to log information surrounding accidents such as the time, place, and result in case an employee needs to file a claim. This can be crucial evidence to present if a claim is hindered by an employer’s liability insurance.

Every employee who becomes injured as a result of an unsafe work environment has a right to submit a workplace injury claim for compensation. 

What is the fall at work claims process?

During your initial consultation, an injury lawyer from our team will provide you with legal advice about fall at work claims and will inform you about the relevant limitation rules.

Our personal injury lawyers will then ask you for details about your accident and the initial injuries that were suffered as a result. This will help us to assess the likelihood of your claim being successful.

In the early stages of your claim, it’s essential to gather evidence to support your case. This may include CCTV footage of the incident, medical records, accident reports, photographs of your injuries, and witness statements.

Your injury lawyer may also request that you undergo an independent medical examination to obtain a detailed report on the nature and extent of your injuries. These medical reports serve as crucial evidence for your claim. Even if you’ve already received emergency medical care, a more comprehensive assessment may still be required to ensure the reports are accurate, thorough, and reliable.

If we think that your accident claim would be likely to succeed, we will offer a no win, no fee basis; if your claim is unsuccessful, you will not be required to pay any legal fees. 

Is there a time limit to this process?

When making a fall at work claim, proceedings to claim injury compensation should commence within three years of the date the accident occurred. However, The Limitation Period Act 1980 allows exceptions to this rule if:

• The claimant was under the age of eighteen when the accident took place. In this situation, the claimant now has until their twenty-first birthday to pursue the claim.
• The injury developed over time and wasn’t immediately evident. The three-year rule will, in this case, begin from the date that you realised the injury was due to someone else’s negligence.
• The fall caused the mental incapacity of the victim. If an employee experienced severe damage to their brain after a fall at work, an extension may be allowed to compensate for lost time due to their inability to mentally participate. 

Estimated compensation figures – How much could I receive?

A final figure of compensation to be received by a victim of an injury at work is always evaluated using influencing factors such as the severity of impact on both financial and physical attributes.

It can be difficult to estimate a claim sum for a fall at work as the nature of the fall and how it took place can affect the compensation received.

Our injury specialist lawyers, provided with the right information, can provide some clarity to your situation with an estimated figure that you may be able to claim supported by legal advice.

Compensation is split into two categories:

General Damages

General damages will include the pain and suffering caused by the fall or slip at work:

• Minor injuries such as small abrasions, cuts and bruises to the body will be considered.
• Moderate injuries such as a sprain or breakage and fracture of bones may incur higher compensation.
• Severe injury, which includes spinal damage, trauma to the head, and permanent brain damage, usually receives the highest amount of compensation.

Special Damages

This covers financial losses related to the injury, such as:

• Loss of income because of reduced earning capacity.
• Medical costs over the injury timeline.
• Therapy costs, both physical and mental, was necessary.
• Money that has been spent on any adaptations made to your living situation or workspace to better support your post-injury. 

How can Beacon law assist?

The expert team at Beacon Law is highly trained in handling all aspects of personal injury claims, such as a fall at work. After evaluating the contributing factors to the injury, we can ensure that this hard-to-navigate process is pursued concisely and streamlined to increase the possibility of compensation.

Our specialist personal injury solicitors know that post-injury, a resolution to suit your wishes after a difficult period is deserved as soon as possible. We value our clients’ experiences and promise to provide the best advice as well as possible recovery treatment through our association with medical professionals.

If you have experienced a workplace accident which was not your fault and require dedicated advice from a firm that cares, contact us today by completing the contact form below to find out what fall at work compensation you may be able to receive. Alternatively, you can email info@beaconlaw.co.uk or call us at 03301332857 to get in touch.