What Are Common Injuries For Construction Workers And When Can You Claim?

What are the most common injuries for construction workers? The construction industry is not without its hazards and risks. According to statistics for injuries at work reported under The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 and published by the Health and Safety Executive HSE, Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety, in 2022/23, 135 workers suffered a fatal accident at work, 45 of these happened in construction. This article will discuss typical construction injuries and who could be eligible to make an accident at work claim.

In order to make a personal injury claim for an injury that resulted from a construction accident, you must be able to satisfy the below criteria:

  • You were owed a duty of care at the time and place of the injury.
  • This duty of care was breached,
  • You can prove that your injuries were because of this.

In tort law, these three points define negligence, and so if you can prove negligence occurred, you could have a valid personal injury claim. Clearly, establishing liability is a vital part of the claims process.

All employers owe each and every employee a duty of care under Section 2 of the Health and Safety At Work, etc Act 1974 (HASAWA) to take reasonable and practicable steps to ensure employees’ health and safety while working. However, if working on a construction site, there may be other parties that also owe you a duty of care apart from your employer.

We look section by section at the common causes of construction site injuries. In conclusion, we explain the advantages of starting a personal injury claim with a No Win No Fee solicitor.

Common Injuries For Construction Workers

Learn How To Claim For Common Injuries To Construction Workers

At Public Interest Lawyers, we can offer a free eligibility case check about your claim. If it seems a strong case, our advisors can connect you with a member from our panel of personal injury solicitors offering their services through a type of No Win No Fee agreement.

To find out more, simply:

  • Call our advisors on 0800 408 7825 for a free consultation.
  • Fill out our ‘contact form’ online.
  • Start the conversation right now through our live chat feature below.

Jump To A Section

  1. Falls From Height
  2. Defective Machinery Or Equipment Accidents
  3. Injuries From Slips Trips And Falls
  4. Manual Handling Accidents
  5. Ground Collapses
  6. Electrocution
  7. Accidents That Involve Moving Vehicles
  8. What To Do If You Are Involved In A Construction Accident
  9. How We Can Help You Claim Construction Accident Compensation
  10. Learn More About Claiming For Construction Industry Accidents

Falls From Height

Our first section looks at falls from height. Construction sites can present numerous height risks and may entail frequent work to be carried out at an altitude. As buildings are being erected or demolished, the floors and surfaces are in a constant state of change, and this means a fall at work could happen.

But how could a fall from height be due to a failure of those in charge to adhere to health and safety legislation correctly? Here we look at fall-from-height accidents that could result in you sustaining an injury:

  • Serious brain injury after you were asked to use a faulty ladder or unsafe scaffolding that collapsed, which had been reported.
  • Spinal and pelvic fractures because you fell through a roof, as your employer had not provided you with a safety harness when working at a height.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which enforces workplace safety standards, details the ways that work at heights should be carried out. Furthermore, the Work At Heights Regulations 2005 must be followed by employers and those in control of any work at height activity.

You’ll find numerous links throughout this article to legislation and other helpful information as you read. But don’t hesitate to speak in person if you prefer.

Defective Machinery Or Equipment Accidents

Common causes of injury for construction workers can involve defective machinery or equipment. Because of this, part of the duty of care is to ensure jackhammers, power tools and motorised vehicles are all regularly checked for safe use. If the machinery or tools are not checked to the expected safety standards, it can be possible to trap digits or limbs and suffer:

Fatal injuries can also occur through faulty machinery. If a partner or relative lost their life on a construction site, you could be able to claim compensation. Speak to our advisors about your grounds for claiming compensation on behalf of a loved one.

Injuries From Slips Trips And Falls

Common injuries for construction workers could happen through slips, falls and trips which can happen in a variety of different ways on site. Surfaces can be slippery or strewn with debris, cables, tools and materials. Also, potholes can appear, and excavations may be taking place that could cause an employee to lose their footing.

It is important to bear in mind that not all construction site accidents are the fault of the employer or personnel in control of the space, and employees have a duty under Section 7 of the HASAWA to prevent harming themselves as much as possible. However, injury could occur if:

  • Pathways are not kept as clear as possible.
  • Suitable footwear was not provided
  • Spillages were not promptly attended to.
  • Unavoidable changes in floor or step height were not indicated.
  • Trip hazards like ropes, cables and wires are left in the way.

Manual Handling Accidents

Manual handling (the moving of materials by hand) is a common part of construction site activity. Bricks and other heavy objects need to be moved constantly and common injuries for construction workers can be damage to the back, as well as neck injuries whilst moving them.

The Manual Handling Operation Regulations 1992 legislation explains how employers need to assess manual handling tasks in the workplace regularly. Failure to risk assess could cause injuries to employees such as:

  • Tearing a ligament
  • Pulling a muscle in the neck.
  • Fractures or lacerations to the wrist or fingers.
  • Suffering lower lumbar back injury (such as a slipped disc)
  • Damage to the knees and ankles.
  • Damage caused by twisting and stooping whilst carrying a weight incorrectly through lack of training.

Did your employer fail to assess the limits for lifting? Perhaps they failed to provide the correct equipment needed to carry heavy objects safely. Or did they fail to ensure training was provided in the correct ways to bend, lift and carry? If so, speak to our team about your manual handling injuries and whether you have a valid personal injury claim.

Ground Collapses

Ground collapses and trenches giving way can happen on construction sites. This is caused when the ground surface undergoes excavation and becomes unstable. It is essential that employees have the correct training, safety equipment and that the work is risk-assessed. Without it, a person can be:

  • Crushed under the weight of debris and soil.
  • Get hit by falling machinery and tools.
  • Suffer fractures and lacerations from trench supports caving in on them.

These injuries can cause head trauma, lacerations, bruises and eye damage if the correct PPE is missing. If a trench collapsed on a construction site and left you injured, get in touch with the team to discuss the eligibility of your claim.

Electrocution

Construction sites can also involve exposed wire cables and electricity feeds. Because of this, electric shock injury can be a source of common injuries for construction workers. Given the nature of this hazard, it can be possible to sustain very serious injuries, which include:

  • Death from high voltage encounters.
  • An electric shock of a lower voltage causes unconsciousness.
  • Serious burns.
  • Nerve damage

To prevent the risk of electrocution, live wires should not be left unattended. In addition to this, site employees need to be aware of safety procedures around electricity. Furthermore, only qualified workers should be installing electrical areas and have the proper testing equipment to do so.

Accidents That Involve Moving Vehicles

Construction sites also contain numerous vehicles and mobile machinery. This includes bulldozers and forklift trucks, which are working on surfaces far from smooth. Because of this, collision with a moving vehicle can be a common cause of injury on construction sites. Some scenarios include when the driver is not trained on its correct use. Or if the vehicle is faulty.

To prevent this, employers need to carry out regular maintenance of moving vehicles and ensure only trained and qualified drivers in hi-visibility attire operate them. Collision with a moving vehicle has the potential to cause very serious injuries such as head and back trauma, organ damage, soft tissue damage, lacerations and musculoskeletal injuries.

What To Do If You Are Involved In A Construction Accident

The foundation of your personal injury claim after a construction site accident is evidence. This will help clarify your eligibility. Also, it can aid in the calculation of compensation amounts owed. Therefore, it is useful to collect as much from the following as you can:

  • Request any CCTV footage that shows the accident.
  • Obtain copies of medical records from the hospital or your GP.
  • Ensure the accident is recorded in the on-site accident log or, if serious enough to qualify, through the RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013).
  • Approach any witnesses to the accident and obtain their contact details. This is with a view to getting a statement at a later date.
  • Take photos of your injuries and the area where it happened.
  • Make a note of the registration number of any faulty workplace vehicles involved.
  • Retain all documented proof of expense associated with the injuries. This includes things like paid invoices, receipts, bank statements and pay slips that show a loss of earnings from time off work.

Is There A Time Limit In Construction Site Accident Claims?

Under the Limitation Act 1980, there is normally a three-year time limit to personal injury claims. Exceptions apply to people under 18 who cannot make a claim as a minor and the time limit begins on their 18th birthday.

Also, people who lack the mental capacity to represent themselves can see the time limit paused completely. The three-year time frame can re-activate from any date when mental capacity returns.

A litigation friend can be a relative, solicitor or guardian appointed by the courts to start a claim on behalf of both these parties while the time limit is paused.

If we can help clarify time limits for a compensation claim for you or a loved one, please get in touch with the team on the number above.

Evidence is crucial for a personal injury claim, so keep anything that might support it. If you choose to work with a solicitor, they can help you review all the information and determine what is relevant and useful to your claim.

How We Can Help You Claim Construction Accident Compensation

To find out if you could claim for common injuries to construction workers, call an advisor from our team. They will assess for free if you have an eligible personal injury claim for an accident at work. Although you are not obliged to work with a personal injury solicitor, you might be keen to benefit from their expert advice. So, if you have a valid accident at work claim, the advisors can connect you to a solicitor from our panel.

Our panel of personal injury solicitors offer their services under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) which is a type of No Win No Fee contract. This means there are no upfront or ongoing fees for solicitors’ services. If the claim succeeds, a small percentage, legally restricted success fee is taken. If the claim fails, you do not need to pay the success fee.

Working with a member of our panel means that you can access excellent legal representation in your claim. In addition to helping gather evidence, they can explain complex legal jargon and ensure that all claim or court deadlines are met. Furthermore, they are experts at using the available evidence to calculate the maximum amount of compensation owed.

Our advisors could be able to pass your claim on to a member of our panel today. Contact us now to find out more by:

  • Calling on 0800 408 7825 for your free case check.
  • Fill out our ‘call back’ form on the website for a same-day response.
  • Alternatively, use the ‘live support’ facility below

Learn More About Claiming For Construction Industry Accidents

In conclusion, thank you for reading this article about common injuries for construction workers. We hope it has helped clarify your options, and we encourage you to get in touch for more free guidance and information. Below you will find a mixture of other articles from our website and some external resources to help:

External sources you may find useful: