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Accident at work

Defective equipment injury claims

Have you been injured due to defective equipment at work? Slater and Gordon is a leading injury compensation specialist, offering a No Win No Fee service to the vast majority of our clients.

Meet the personal injury claim experts

Many of our personal injury solicitors are considered leaders in the field with a significant amount of expertise.

Tracey Benson, head of serious injury south

Tracey Benson

Head of Serious Injury - South

Matthew Tomlinson

Head of Serious Injury - North

Expert profile of Richard Gaffney

Richard Gaffney

Principal Lawyer

Richard Crabtree

Richard Crabtree

Principal Lawyer

One of the UK’s leading specialist law firms.

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The legal 500
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What is defective work equipment?

Whether you're working in the construction or serving in the military, engineering or manufacturing, you have a right to expect the equipment you use at work is safe.

Unfortunately, poor maintenance and inadequate safety procedures mean that some equipment is defective, and therefore likely to cause injuries. Other causes include:

  • Inadequate maintenance
  • Irregular inspections
  • Missing safety guards
  • A lack of personal protective equipment
  • A lack of health and safety assessments

What type of injuries are caused by defective work equipment?

Due to the wide variety of equipment used in industry and the military, there are many types of serious injury that can occur due to defective equipment. Some of the most common include:

Whatever the injury that you or a loved one sustained due to defective equipment, if someone else's negligence was to blame - or even partly to blame – contact us to discuss the possibility of making a No Win No Fee compensation claim with an expert lawyer.

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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What should I do if I’m hurt using a piece of faulty equipment at work?

If you’ve suffered an injury due to defective work equipment, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention, whether this is first aid at your place of work or by phoning for medical assistance. If your injury is severe, dial 999 as soon as possible.

When you are able, you should also let your work supervisor know, and they should fill out an accident report form to ensure your injuries are recorded.

You should also keep a record of all your communications with your supervisor and employer regarding your injury, as well as making a note of any witnesses and any visits to medical professionals. You may need this information at a later date if you decide to make a defective equipment claim for compensation.

Who is responsible for maintaining equipment at work?

If your employer owns and provides the equipment that you use, then they're responsible for making sure that it's properly maintained and safe to use. Even if they contract maintenance out to a third party, every employer has a duty of care to their employees, meaning that in most cases, any claim for injury compensation will be made against the employers' liability insurance that every employer is legally obliged to hold.

Why should I choose Slater and Gordon?

Employers have a moral and legal obligation to ensure the health and wellbeing of their employees to the best of their ability, particularly in incredibly hazardous environments such as farms. While it is nearly impossible to entirely remove the risk of injury, employers must take every reasonable step to prevent accidents from occurring. Where this obligation is not met, the consequences can be severely damaging, both physically and psychologically.

Our industry-leading team of accident at work solicitors have earned top ranking from independent legal guides (Chambers and Partners, and the Legal 500), as well as esteemed positions within the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).

We know that moving forward involves more than just legal advice and compensation, which is why we work closely with medical professionals to determine the impact of your injuries in the long-term and identify any additional support and rehabilitation you may need.

To discuss your case in more detail and find out how we can help you gain access to the compensation and support you deserve, get in touch today.

Talk to us about your case

Call us now on:   0330 041 5869

Why choose Slater and Gordon?

No Win No Fee

We’re no win no fee specialists, meaning there’s no financial risk when making a claim for an accident at work or in a public place.

Talk to the experts

We have teams of legal experts who specialise in representing those who’ve suffered injuries as a result of accidents at work and in public places.

Tailored advice

As specialists in accidents at work and public places, we'll ensure your case is dealt with swiftly, whilst ensuring you receive the maximum compensation.

Your local law firm

We’re a reputable National law firm with expert lawyers in local areas across England, Scotland and Wales.

Speak to one of our personal injury solicitors today

Call us now on:   0330 041 5869

Frequently asked questions

How much compensation could I receive for a defective work equipment claim?

Every injury claim is different, and the amount of compensation you're likely to receive will be dependent upon the seriousness of the injury, as well as how much it might affect your ability to work in the future, and how much any rehabilitation might cost.

However, we take most defective equipment injury cases on a No Win No Fee basis and seek interim payments to help you avoid hardship if you are prevented from working by your injuries.

How long do I have to make a defective work equipment claim?

The general rule is that a claim must be brought within three years of the date of the accident. However, there are exceptions, such as if you're claiming on behalf of someone who has diminishing mental capacity, in the event the accident happened abroad, or in the tragic circumstances where there is a death.

It's therefore important that you speak to a specialist solicitor as soon as you are able.

Could I lose my job if I make a faulty equipment claim against my employer?

No. Under UK law, employers are not allowed to dismiss staff who make a personal injury claim against their business.

We know that many people can feel uncomfortable with the idea of making a claim against an employer, and often it is the thought of the added cost to the business (and the implications for their boss) that concerns them. It is important to remember that businesses in the UK are required to have liability insurance, which will cover the cost of any claim you make against your employer.

Can I make a faulty equipment claim if I use the equipment outside of the workplace?

Yes, you can. The definition of ‘work equipment’ is any machinery or equipment you’ve been provided by your employer to complete your work, and it is their responsibility to ensure the equipment they provide is safe to use.

If you suffer an injury due to defective work equipment, whether this is in a dedicated work building or remote location, you could be entitled to make a claim.

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