Have you been injured while working on or visiting a construction site? Slater and Gordon are leading construction accident lawyers, offering a No Win No Fee service to almost all of our personal injury clients.
Can I claim construction accident compensation if I’ve been injured on a building site?
Suffering an accident on a building site can be frightening, painful, and deeply disruptive. Many people are unsure where they stand, what support is available, or whether they are even allowed to bring a claim.
If you or someone you care about has been injured on a building site, you don’t have to face the situation alone. At Slater and Gordon, we understand how stressful this time can be, which is why we offer clear, compassionate advice and a proven track record in securing construction accident compensation. Our dedicated construction accident solicitors are here to guide you through the process, explain your rights, and help you secure the support and compensation you deserve.
Why choose Slater and Gordon’s construction accident lawyers?
As one of the UK’s leading law firms for workplace and construction accident claims, we understand the pressures faced by construction workers and contractors, and we pride ourselves on our supportive and practical approach. Our specialist construction accident solicitors have years of experience handling claims arising from building site injuries, from minor accidents to life‑changing incidents.
Our experts have earned top rankings from reputable independent legal guides such as Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500.
Many of our team also hold esteemed positions within the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), such as Vice President, Senior Litigator and Brain Injury Specialist.
We’re also accredited by the Law Society's Lexcel program, which underscores our commitment to the highest standards of professionalism.
Our solicitors work closely with medical professionals to assess injuries and determine the necessary future care and rehabilitation, which enhances our ability to negotiate fair compensation on your behalf.
We’re partnered with various charities that assist those who have experienced serious injuries, so we can guide you toward ongoing support for you and your family. This includes, but is not limited to, After Matters, Headway, and the Spinal Injuries Association.
What are my legal rights to construction accident compensation if I’ve been injured on a building site?
These laws require building sites to be properly planned, risks to be assessed and managed, and workers to be given suitable training, supervision and protective equipment. Work areas should be kept safe, machinery maintained, and hazardous activities properly controlled.
If you have been injured because these duties weren’t met, you may have the right to bring a construction accident compensation claim. You don’t need to prove that someone intended to cause harm. It's enough to show that reasonable steps weren’t taken to protect you.
Can I claim compensation if I've had an accident at work?
If you’ve been involved in an accident at work that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. Watch our video of Karolis who tragically lost his foot following an accident at work in a sawmill.
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Who is responsible for construction site safety?
The honest answer to this question is that quite a lot of people are responsible. This includes the construction company, the architect, the constructions regulations coordinator and the site manager. Having said that, it's always possible that your injury may have been caused by an independent contractor working on the site, or even an equipment manufacturer, in the case of a faulty tool or piece of plant.
The key fact is that if your injury has been caused by someone else's negligence, you will generally have a right to make a construction accident compensation claim.
Slater and Gordon's safety pledge aims to support those injured on construction or building sites by providing key resources and information to ensure no one has to suffer in silence.
What sorts of construction injuries can I claim for?
Despite all the advances that have been made in workplace health and safety in recent years, construction sites are still among Britain's most dangerous places to work. Accidents and injuries occur all the time, and many of them are caused by other people not following all the safety rules.
The most common incidents that may lead to a construction accident compensation claim include:
If any of these failures - or any other negligent actions - have caused you to sustain an injury on site - talk to one of our construction site injury lawyers about starting a claim today.
I used Slater and Gordon for an accident at work claim. They were very professional and quick. When you needed to get in touch with them there was never a problem. Definitely would use them again.
Client testimonial (for Tom Mulcock)
Really helpful and always on the other side of the phone if needed. Quick and easy service.
Client testimonial (accident at work case)
Following an accident at work, which has left me wheelchair bound and in need of an above knee amputation in the future, I am delighted that my solicitor, Tracey Benson, at Slater and Gordon has steered my case through to a successful conclusion. I am now in possession of my dignity and self-belief again.
5* Trustpilot Review (for Tracey Benson)
How is compensation for building site accidents calculated?
Compensation for building site accidents is designed to help put you, as far as possible, back in the position you would have been in had the accident not happened. In practice, this means recognising both the pain and suffering caused by your injuries and the financial impact the accident has had on your life.
Construction accident compensation is broken into two categories: general damages and special damages.
General damages awards compensation for the injury itself. The amount you are owed is determined by the severity of each injury and how quickly you are likely to recover. If you are not expected to make a full recovery, your continuing ongoing difficulties are also considered. Medical expert evidence is used to support this claim.
Special damages awards compensation for any financial loss you incur due to your injuries. This could include lost wages if you’ve been unable to work, the cost of treatment or rehabilitation therapies, travel costs, mobility aids and adaptations, and any care you have required (even if provided by family members). If your injuries are likely to have a long-term or permanent impact, you may also be able to claim for any changes in future earning potential.
How do I make a construction site injury claim?
Making a construction site injury claim often feels daunting, but the process is more straightforward than many people expect when you have the right support.
To start your construction accident claim, call us on 0330 041 5869 or get in touch online to speak to a member of the team about the details of your case.
We’ll assess your case and, if we think you have a claim, we’ll talk you through the process and your funding options (most of our building site injury and construction accident claims are pursued on a No Win No Fee basis).
To support your claim, we’ll help you gather all the relevant evidence, including health and safety records and obtaining copies of your medical records (with your permission)
Once we’ve collected all the initial information we need, we’ll submit a Letter of Claim to the responsible party. Your solicitor will keep you up to date with your claims progress and will handle all negotiations, working hard to secure the best possible result.
We will arrange for you to have a medical examination with an independent expert who specialises in providing medical evidence to the court.
As part of your claim, we’ll advocate for you have access to the best quality treatment and rehabilitation such as physiotherapy, where appropriate, to maximise your chances of a full recovery and future independence.
In most cases, negotiations will lead to a successful conclusion of a claim. However, there are occasions when a settlement cannot be reached, and the matter must go to court so a judge can rule on the case.
Talk to us about your construction site injury claim
Frequently asked questions about construction accident claims
What should I do after a construction site accident?
What you do immediately after a construction site accident can make a real difference to your recovery and your claim. Your health always comes first, so seeking medical attention as soon as possible is essential, even if the injury initially seems minor.
Reporting the accident to your supervisor or site manager is also essential. Construction sites are legally required to keep records of workplace accidents, and this creates an official account of what happened. If you can, try to note exactly how the accident occurred while it is still fresh in your mind.
Making a construction accident claim can be an important step in your recovery. Your claim can provide crucial resources and support to ensure you have access to the right treatment and rehabilitation without having to worry about financial pressures. To help with your case, you should try to keep evidence, such as photographs of the accident scene or your injuries, and the contact details of any witnesses.
When you’re ready, our leading construction accident solicitors can help you understand what steps to take next and protect your position. Contact us on 0330 041 5869 or get in touch online to learn more.
What is employers' liability insurance?
Employer’s liability insurance is an insurance policy that every employer in the UK is legal required to have. It covers the cost of any compensation and the employer’s legal fees if an employee suffers an injury or illness due to the employer’s negligence.
Any construction accident claim you make will be made against your employer’s insurance policy, and it will be the insurer who handles the majority of your claim, not your employer themselves.
How much construction accident compensation could I claim?
Every construction accident claim is different, and the final figure for compensation depends upon the seriousness of the injury, as well as the financial losses caused by your injuries, such as how much it might affect your ability to work in the future, and how much any rehabilitation might cost you.
However, we take on most building site accident claims on a No Win No Fee basis and may seek interim payments to help you avoid hardship if you are prevented from working because of your injuries.
How long have I got to make a building site injury claim?
The law states that the time limit in which to bring a claim for construction accident compensation is generally three years from the date the accident occurred. However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as if the person injured is under the age of 18 or has diminished mental capacity, or in the event of someone's death.
Also, if you were injured while working abroad, the time limits differ in different countries, so it's always important that you speak to specialist construction accident lawyers with expertise in accidents at work as soon as possible.
What evidence should I collect after a building site accident?
Evidence plays a key role in any building site injury claim. Alongside medical evidence obtained from your medical records and independent examination, photographs of the accident location, machinery involved or unsafe conditions can be important, as well as images of any visible injuries.
Witness statements from colleagues who saw the accident or were aware of unsafe practices can help support your account. Accident book entries, training records and any communication about safety concerns may also be relevant.
You don’t need to collect everything yourself. Our expert construction accident solicitors are experienced in obtaining records and documents that you may not be able to access easily. If you’re unsure what evidence exists, speaking to one of our construction accident lawyers sooner rather than later can help secure it.
Can I claim for a construction site accident if I was working on a zero-hour contract?
Many people worry that working on a zero‑hour contract means they aren’t entitled to compensation. In most cases, this isn’t true. If you were injured on a construction site while working under a zero‑hour arrangement, you may still be able to make a construction accident compensation claim.
What matters most is whether the party responsible for the site owed you a duty of care. In many situations, employers and site operators are required to protect all workers on site, regardless of the type of contract in place.
A construction accident lawyer can look at the nature of your working arrangement and advise you clearly on your rights. At Slater and Gordon, we regularly help workers on zero‑hour contracts pursue building site injury compensation claims with confidence.
Can I claim for a building site accident if I’m a self-employed contractor?
As with workers on zero-hour contracts, being self‑employed doesn’t automatically prevent you from making a building site accident claim. Many self‑employed contractors assume they must accept the risk of injury as part of the job, but the law offers protection here too.
If another party controlled the site or was responsible for safety, and their failure led to your injury, you may be entitled to construction accident compensation. This could include the principal contractor, site owner or another company operating on site.
Even where responsibility is shared, our dedicated construction accident lawyers can assess whether you still have a valid claim, helping you to identify who owed you a duty of care and whether it was breached.
Will I need to attend a medical examination as part of my claim?
Yes, in most construction accident claims, you will be asked to attend an independent medical assessment. This is a standard and important part of the process, as the report prepared by the medical expert will evidence the extent of your injuries and their impact on your life and ensures that any compensation you are awarded accurately reflects what you have been through. If you have suffered several injuries, you will need to be assessment an independent medical expert in each speciality field.
The examination will be carried out by an independent doctor who will assess your injuries, record your symptoms, and give their expert opinion on your expected recovery and any long-term effects.
Depending on your circumstances, the appointment could be held face-to-face or via a video call. Your dedicated construction accident lawyer will arrange the appointment and explain what to expect.
Will I still be able to claim if I was partly responsible for my construction accident?
It’s common for people injured on building sites to worry that making a claim would be impossible if they were partly responsible, but this isn’t necessarily the case.
If responsibility for the accident is shared, you may still be able to recover construction accident compensation due to the principle of contributory negligence. This means your compensation may be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility, rather than refused altogether.
For example, if you didn’t wear protective equipment that was provided to you or you failed to follow site safety procedures, your compensation may be reduced to reflect the contribution you made to your injuries. Our construction accident lawyers can review the circumstances carefully and discuss with you the possibility of making a successful claim and the amount of compensation you may be owed.
How long will my construction accident compensation claim take?
The length of a construction site accident claim can vary depending on the complexity of the case, the severity of the injuries and whether responsibility is disputed.
Some straightforward building site injury compensation claims can be resolved relatively quickly, particularly if the other side accepts responsibility early. More complex cases, such as those involving disputes over responsibility or serious injuries, may take longer. This is because it won’t always be possible for medical professionals to determine how long your recovery may take or if there will be any long-term or permanent effects straightaway.
Your construction accident solicitors will aim to progress your claim as efficiently as possible while ensuring your compensation reflects your full recovery. We strive to keep our clients consistently updated, so they always know where they stand.
Will I need to go to court to make a building site injury compensation claim?
It’s unlikely that you’ll need to go to court as part of a construction accident claim. Most cases are settled outside of court through negotiations with your employer’s insurer once we’ve gathered and assessed all the relevant evidence.
In rare cases where responsibility for the accident and your injuries (known as liability) is disputed or we’re unable to reach an agreement on a fair settlement, court proceedings may need to be started. Even then, your dedicated construction accident lawyer will continue to negotiate with the other side, and it’s often possible to reach a settlement before the final court hearing.
If court involvement does become necessary, your solicitor will guide you through the process with reassurance and support, advocating for your rights and keeping your best interests at the heart of the case.
I used Slater and Gordon for an accident at work claim. They were very professional and quick. When you needed to get in touch with them there was never a problem. Definitely would use them again. Client testimonial (for Tom Mulcock)
Really helpful and always on the other side of the phone if needed. Quick and easy service. Client testimonial (accident at work case)
Following an accident at work, which has left me wheelchair bound and in need of an above knee amputation in the future, I am delighted that my solicitor, Tracey Benson, at Slater and Gordon has steered my case through to a successful conclusion. I am now in possession of my dignity and self-belief again. 5* Trustpilot Review (for Tracey Benson)