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Fall From Height Work Injury Claims
Have you suffered an injury as a result of a fall from height whilst at work?
A Fall From Height Claim is any compensation claim made when an injury is suffered because of a fall from a high platform. At work, this can be a roof, ladder, or scaffolding.
Working at height can undoubtedly be dangerous, and possesses a significant Health & Safety risk, even to the most experienced workers. In view of this risk, any employer requiring individuals to work at height must take the proper measures to safeguard the safety of its employees.
Even against the backdrop of highly regulated working practices and despite the best efforts of diligent employers, accidents can and do still happen. When working at height, the slightest mishap can have disastrous consequences, and compensation can become necessary.
If you or a loved one have sustained an injury during an accident in the workplace involving a fall from high platforms, such as a roof, balcony, crane or ladder, it is clear the injuries could be very significant.
In the immediate aftermath, thinking about making a claim for compensation may not be front of mind, but the solicitors at Sheldon Davidson Solicitors can help in numerous ways.
Our specialist lawyers are committed to helping our clients to recover, rehabilitate and return to a quality of life as soon as possible. We can help you reach medical specialists which may not have been forthcoming. We can also negotiate interim compensation payments before the final compensation award is fully settled.
Over the years, we have helped hundreds of tradespeople, crane operators, factory workers and people from all walks of working life and all parts of the UK, claim and win the compensation they deserve following an accident at work, such as those involving falls.
Talk to our Fall From Heights solicitors today, we are serious about personal injury claims.
What are my employer’s responsibilities about Work At Height Accident prevention?
As with any workplaces that present a risk of accidents, and especially because of the potential gravity of injuries from working at height, your employer is responsible for your safety. They owe you a duty of care to ensure your safety at all times.
The Working at Height Regulations 2005 clearly outlines the safety measures and requirements that every employer needs to meet for any work to be carried out at height. These requirements include:
- A thorough risk assessment is carried out prior to the commencement of any work
- Employees have received full and proper training and are competent at height
- The required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is supplied and in use
- All surfaces are dry, sturdy and there are no trip, slip and fall hazards, or obstacles present
- All equipment in use is in good working order
- A proper emergency protocol is in place for possible accidents
Despite these regulations and the legal requirements for employers, accidents in the workplace do still happen and falls from height are an all too common occurrence and they also tend to result in serious or fatal injuries.
Our Fall From Height claims solicitors can help you collect and document evidence of any possible breach of the safety regulations, and prove your employer’s negligence to validate your fall at work claim for compensation.
What are some common causes of fall injury when working at height?
There are many examples of work that involve working at height. Too many to name, but there are common types of accidents involving falls from height in the workplace. These include, but are not limited to:
- Falls from a ladder
- Scaffolding accidents
- Working in poor weather conditions (such as high winds)
- Unsafe surfaces and obstacles that cause slips, trips and falls
- Cherry Picker accidents
Many other circumstances may cause a fall while working from height, and may indicate the negligence of the person in charge of health and safety protocol in the workplace.
What are some common Work at Height injuries?
Because of the severity of fall accidents at work, there are a variety of injuries that can happen as a result of such accidents. They can range from minor injuries, to serious, to fatal injuries. Some we have dealt with during work at height injury claims include:
- Back and Spinal Injuries
- Brain Injuries or Head Injuries
- Paralysis
- Fractures and Broken Bones
- Fatal Accidents
This may not be an exhaustive list, but it can give you an idea of how severe these injuries can be, and the range of consequences that can happen from a fall from height at work. Whatever injuries you or a loved one may have suffered, our Falls From Height solicitors can help you reach the best outcome possible, and hold the employer accountable if there is evidence of negligent behaviour.
Are you eligible to claim compensation for your injuries?
The only way to know this for sure is to contact one of our expert work injury lawyers. We will listen to your story and answer any immediate questions. We will be able to tell you with some degree of certainty after an initial consultation whether you have a case.
Put simply though, if you or a loved one has fallen from a height whilst at work, suffered injuries or worse, as a result, and you believe someone else was at fault, then if the accident has occurred in the last three years then there is a high likelihood that you are entitled to financial compensation.
Call one of our expert lawyers today for a free and impartial consultation. Once we have heard the circumstances of the accident we will be able to tell you with a degree of certainty whether there is a case to be answered and the likelihood of success.
You will find that first and foremost our lawyers are compassionate and understanding of the trauma yourself or your loved one has suffered, and our approach is always considerate of this.
The team at Sheldon Davidson Solicitors includes a dedicated department of work accident solicitors in Manchester. We pride ourselves on our warm and personal approach. We will act as your voice and put all our legal might into securing justice and the financial compensation you deserve.
What evidence do I need to support a Fall From Height Claim?
In any claim for financial compensation, the task for the lawyer is twofold. Firstly, the liability for the accident needs to be established. In the case of falls from height at work the onus is to prove that the employer was negligent in some way and secondly evidence needs to be provided to put a value on the claim.
In establishing liability, the following evidence can prove crucial and the more detailed the evidence the stronger the case will be:
- A full and proper record in the accident book: what actually happened, how the accident occurred, the injuries sustained, action taken to seek medical help etc. All employers are legally required to maintain an accident for every injury no matter how minor.
- Any photographs of the working area, equipment in use, the scene of the accident and the injuries sustained.
- Witness testimonies
- Records of all medical treatment received as a result of the accident and all medical expenses incurred.
Can I be fired for making a Fall From Height Claim?
Any work accident claim can trigger some anxiety for workers worried about repercussions from their employer. However, the law protects employees who are making a legitimate compensation claim for a work accident against their employer.
Any attempt by your employer to retaliate towards you because of an ongoing compensation claim is punished by law, and firing you on this basis will likely represent constructive or unfair dismissal. You cannot be treated any differently, have your hours cut, or be excluded by any work-related training or activity because of a claim you are making against your employer.
You should also not be worried about hurting the business. Any amount of compensation you may receive will be paid out of your employer’s liability insurance.
Do I have a time limit to make a Fall From Height Claim?
As with all personal injury claims made in the United Kingdom, you may be subject to time limits to bring your claim against an employer for a fall from height.
You will typically need to start your claim within 3 years of the date of the accident. There are, however, some exemptions to the rule.
We regularly act for clients who may have not realised the full extent of the injuries right away, or may have suffered further consequences at a later time. In these cases, your claim could be valid up to 3 years from what is known as the “date of knowledge”. This is the date in which the full extent and consequences of the accident have been discovered and properly diagnosed.
There could be other exemptions to your time limit. Do not hesitate to contact us for an assessment of your claim, and start your Fall From Height Claims right away.
Why choose us?
Established in 1997, we are a leading specialist personal injury, accident and medical negligence law firm acting for claimants who are victims of non-fault incidents.
Our team of Accident at Work Claims Solicitors in Manchester, act regularly for clients across Greater Manchester including Ashton, Bury, Bolton, Radcliffe, Prestwich, Middleton, Failsworth, Rochdale, Oldham and Whitefield.
Our Injury at Work Lawyers, experienced in fall from height accident claims, can support your needs wherever you live in Wales, England & Northern Ireland.
We specialise in no win no fee personal injury compensation claims, which means if you don't win, you won't have to pay.
Call us for free now using the number at the top of the page or complete the online contact form and a member of our team will get back to you.
Sheldon Davidson Solicitors are a Lexcel accredited law firm. The Lexcel standard is only awarded by the Law Society to firms who meet the highest standards of practice management and customer service. With Sheldon Davidson's Personal Injury Solicitors Manchester you can be confident that your claim is in safe hands.