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injured at work by a falling object?
Falling Object Injury Claims: Workplace Injury Solicitors
Have you been injured at work by a falling or moving object?
There are many working environments where employees are exposed to potential dangers and as such, employers are required by law to safeguard against any risk to the health and safety of its employees. That said, however, accidents do happen and being struck by a falling or moving object is a common cause of workplace injury.
If you imagine a construction site or a busy warehouse for example, where forklift trucks are in use and heavy objects are stacked high, it is easy to understand how objects may come to fall accidentally if someone makes a mistake, is not properly trained, or fails to follow proper procedures.
The severity of the injuries suffered by someone who is struck by a falling or moving object can vary widely from minor to fatal in the worst case and RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, diseases, and dangerous occurrences regulations) statistics from 2016 indicate that 10% of ALL workplace injuries recorded, resulted from being struck by a falling or moving object,
10% of ALL fatal injuries suffered in the workplace that year were again as a result of falling or moving objects, equating to roughly 14 deaths. This is an alarming statistic to absorb i.e. that 14 families were left without a loved one in one year alone, as a result of, what is, in many cases an avoidable accident that's occurred at work.
If you or a loved one has been injured at work by a falling object and you feel the accident was the result of negligence on the part of the employer or the result of work colleague's carelessness, then it is highly likely that you are entitled to financial compensation.
Here at Sheldon Davidson Solicitors, we are experts in the field of workplace injuries and our lawyers are highly experienced in managing and winning such cases. If you are still undecided as to whether you can or should claim then pick up the phone for a free, initial consultation today.
You will find that our approach is, in the first place compassionate and considerate of the trauma you or your loved one has suffered. We will listen carefully to your story and give you honest advice as to whether we believe there is a case to be answered and whether there is a high likelihood of success. So, on this basis, there is nothing to lose by having that initial conversation. Rather absolute clarity to gain.
Your employer's duty of care
In the eyes of the law every employer has a duty of care to ensure all employees are adequately protected from danger and injury. There are different regulations that must be adhered to and in case they are not, an employer can be deemed negligent and therefore liable in the case of any claims for damages. These regulations include:
- Health and Safety at work Act 1974
- Working at Heights Regulations 2005
- Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
Similarly, under UK Law there are steps that should be taken to preserve the Health & Safety of employees when working in any environment where there is a risk of falling objects. These steps include:
- Ensuring adequate training has been provided to all (at risk) staff
- Carrying out proper risk assessments and employing risk management practices to safeguard against any potential safety risk
- Setting up exclusion zones / no-go areas
- Provision and supervision of the correct PPE such as hard hats
- Measures are taken to prevent objects falling such as ties, or mesh guards
- Safe storage of goods placed at a height
Evidence to support a falling workplace object injury claim
When making any claim for damages the burden of proof is on the claiming party i.e. you, the client and your legal team to prove that the negligent party i.e. your employer was in fact negligent and failed to safeguard your safety, or that of your loved one, as is required by law. Obviously, the more evidence that can be provided to support this claim, the stronger the case will be. This evidence could include:
- Photographs of the accident site and the site where the objects fell from
- Photographs of the injuries sustained
- Witness testimonies as to what actually happened and ‘normal’ standards of practice around Health & Safety, object storage, staff training, etc
- Accident book records (every employer is required to maintain detailed records of any workplace accident)
- Medical reports of immediate treatment received and any aftercare/outpatient treatment
Get justice and claim the compensation you deserve for your injury
Sheldon Davidson Solicitors are a leading team of work accident claim lawyers in Manchester. Our expert knowledge, long-standing relationships and compassionate approach sets us apart from other injury lawyers and garners heavy praise from satisfied clients. If you choose Sheldon Davidson to represent you, you will gain an ally who will stand in your corner and fight for the compensation you deserve to get your life back on track.
