Scaffolding accident claims

When scaffolding is involved, the risk to your safety increases. Your employer has a duty to look after you and when they fail, it’s likely you can claim compensation.

If you've been hurt in a scaffolding accident that wasn't your fault, you could make a claim. Chat to my friendly team on 0800 047 3006 for free impartial advice. They’ll quickly tell you if you could make a no win no fee scaffolding injury claim.

Whether you go ahead? Well, that’s completely up to you! If you do decide to claim, you'll be connected with one of our expert scaffolding accident solicitors in moments.

Simply put, a scaffolding accident is any accidental injury caused by scaffolding. While people often link scaffolding accidents to of a fall from height, it can actually cover any accident involving a raised platform.

These accidents don’t just impact workers on the structures, but passers-by harmed because of the scaffolding. The structure could be faulty, workers may be improperly trained, or required the safety measures may not be in place.

It's true that most scaffold accidents do happen on building sites, but you can still claim if yours happened elsewhere, so don't feel put off if your story is slightly unusual.

Your employer has a legal duty to put your safety first but, of course, accidents still happen. The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation tell me there were 87 scaffolding accidents in the UK in 2023. I've been around for enough dog years now that I've seen it all, but here are the most common causes:

• Faulty or poorly maintained scaffolding: for example, rotten planks or rusty tubes. Claims for injuries suffered as a result of these can be made under the Employer's Liability Defective Equipment Act 1969.
• Obstacles: tools or cables left on walkways can prove a major trip hazard.
• Weather: if you're asked to work in adverse conditions such as high winds, rain or freezing temperatures, you may not be safe and could claim if you get hurt.
• Poorly laid flooring: if planks are raised, uneven or left with gaps, you're at a much higher risk of a scaffolding accident.
• Lack of safety measures: it's your employer's responsibility to make sure things like barriers, lights and warning signs are all used where needed.
• Lack of PPE: personal protective equipment (PPE) like hard hats and harnesses may be a legal requirement, depending on the scale of the scaffolding. If it is not provided and you are injured, you could have grounds for a claim.
• Workplace conditions: building sites and other industrial settings tend to be busy and noisy. I've known scaffolding accidents occur due to overcrowding and a lack of training on how to communicate.

• Slips, trips and falls on the same level: accidents in this overall category made up nearly a third of all non-fatal workplace injuries in Great Britain in 2023.

• Falls from height: these can cause fatalities and major injuries. They often happen due to missing handrails, obstacles or uneven flooring.

• Scaffolding collapse: perhaps due to faulty scaffolding or overloading. These accidents have the potential to harm anyone in the vicinity.

• Impact from falling objects: for example, tools falling from the scaffolding to the ground. These can also lead to serious injuries and can impact passing pedestrians as well as workers.

These accidents can cause a wide range of injuries. Whether you class yours as serious or minor, it doesn't matter to me. I'm here to chase down the compensation you deserve. Injuries can include:

• Breaks or fractures
• Arm and hand injuries
• Head and brain injuries
• Loss of limb(s)
• Cuts and abrasions
• Sprains
• Eye injuries
• Loss of hearing

The most serious scaffolding accidents can even lead to loss of life. This is called a fatality claim. If your loved one has died because of a scaffolding accident that wasn’t their fault, you may be able to claim on their behalf. Chat to the team as soon as you’re ready to learn how it works.

Don't see your specific scaffolding injury here?

There's no need to panic – these are just some common examples. Give us call and we'll talk it through. 

Yes! If you were injured and someone else was at fault, or your employer didn't do their duty in looking after your safety, you could make a claim.

Not sure if you're barking up the wrong tree? That's what I'm here for. Just give us a call on 0800 047 3006 and you'll speak to one of my friendly advisors.

The first thing to remember is that your employer is legally required to protect you under the Health and Safety Work Act 1974. If they fail in that duty – for example, by asking you to work in unsafe weather conditions – then you can make a claim.

I've seen other cases which are less straightforward, where it's not as immediately obvious who was responsible. But I'm like a dog with a bone – I won't stop until I get to the bottom of what happened with your scaffolding accident. Give me a call on 0800 047 3006 and I can get started.

No! Just like me, the law is well and truly on your side here, under the Employment Rights Act 1996 and the Equality Act 2010. I know that it can feel uncomfortable to make a claim against those who pay your wages but, if their mistake or negligence caused your scaffolding injury, you have the right to do so. You cannot be sacked or treated differently for seeking compensation, so don't let that stop you.

"You simply cannot be punished for seeking compensation after a workplace accident. Employers are required to have insurance in place to cover these claims, ensuring you get the justice you deserve without the risk of retaliation."

John Kushnick, Legal Director for Underdog.

The physical pain from an injury is hard enough to deal with but when it starts to impact your finances too, well, that's really ruff. You may have to take time away from your job in order to recover, for example, or you might have to fork out for treatment and for travel to receive that care. Compensation can help you cover these costs.

Don't forget, you could also be stopping the same from happening to someone else. When you claim, you're raising awareness of mistakes and making it less likely that another scaffolding accident will occur. I'd say that's a pretty good reason!

Just like every underdog, each scaffolding accident is unique, so I'm afraid it's hard for me to give you an exact answer before I know all the details. But any settlement is usually calculated to cover the direct impact on your everyday life as well as things like loss of income suffered as a result of your injuries.

My team will be able to give you an idea of how much your claim could be worth.

The claims process is pretty straightforward, it tends to go like this:

1. Get in touch - To get started, give my team a call on 0800 047 3006. You'll get free, impartial advice with zero pressure on whether to go ahead.
2. Speak to our panel of solicitors - If my team thinks you have a claim and you want to go ahead, you'll speak to one of our expert scaffolding accident solicitors. They're all part of my trusted UK network, so you can count on them the same way you do me. They'll let you know if they can take your case – and it's very rare that they can't or won't.
3. Your team investigate your claim - You'll explain what happened and how your injuries have affected you. You may be asked to provide any evidence that might support your claim, such as photographs, medical records or details of witnesses.
4. Your claim is submitted - Your legal team will put everything into a claim notification form (CNF). This gets sent to the other side's insurance company, letting them know that you intend to claim. They usually have 21 days to respond to the CNF and a further three months to do their own investigation.
5. Liability is accepted or denied - If the other side accept they were to blame for your scaffolding accident, your legal team will start negotiations about your compensation. If they deny responsibility, your team will fight your case.
6. Negotiations are successful or you go to court - When the other side denies they were responsible, your team will continue to negotiate with the hope of settling without going to court. But if an agreement still cannot be reached, a judge will decide your case. However, this is very rare.
7. Your claim is settled - If you win, you'll get your compensation from the other side's insurer and your legal team will take their pre-agreed cut from that amount. Payment usually takes around a month. And I've got your back so, if you lose your no win no fee claim, there'll be nothing for you to pay.