How Much Can I Claim For An Accident On A Building Site?
By Lewis Cobain. Last Updated 10th November 2023. Within this guide, we are going to look at building site accident compensation claims in greater detail. Accidents on building sites can affect many people, regardless of whether they are employees, workers, or visitors. These accidents can cause life-altering injuries. In cases where you have suffered an injury on a building site, you might be owed compensation.
This guide is designed to provide you with the information and context needed to make such a claim after suffering as a result of a building site accident. In order for a claim to be possible, you must be able to prove that third-party negligence led you to suffer harm, whether that be physical or psychological.
If so, you could have grounds to start a personal injury claim. Read on to learn more. If you would like to speak to an advisor, then you can get in touch with the Legal Expert team using the contact options below:
- Call 0800 073 8804
- Fill out an online contact form
- Chat to us using the pop-up on your screen
building site accident compensation
Select a section:
- Who Is Responsible For Safety On A Building Site, And When Could You Claim?
- Evidence To Support Claims For Building Site Accidents
- How Much Compensation Will I Get For Building Site Injuries?
- No Win No Fee Building Site Injury Claims
Who Is Responsible For Safety On A Building Site, And When Could You Claim?
Who is responsible for your safety on a construction site varies depending on if you are an employee, contractor or visitor. For example:
- If you are an employee or contractor, you are owed a duty of care by your employer. They must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, your safety while working. This is outlined in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
- If you are visiting a building site, accidents should be avoided by the occupier of the premises as per the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. Under this legislation, occupiers have a duty of care to visitors to ensure you are reasonably safe whilst you are on their premises.
A construction accident claim may arise if a duty of care that is owed to you is breached, subsequently causing you injury or harm.
Continue reading to find out what evidence you could use for construction accident claims. You can also contact our advisory team to discuss the eligibility of your case.
Evidence To Support Claims For Building Site Accidents
If you would like to claim compensation for an injury you suffered in a building site accident, you will need to collect evidence that proves your employer breached the duty of care they owe you, leading to your injuries.
Here are a few examples of evidence that could be useful for building site accident claims:
- Contact details from anyone who saw what happened so they can give a statement to your solicitor at a later date
- CCTV or other video footage that captures the accident taking place.
- Photographs of the accident scene
- A copy of letters from the hospital or walk-in centre stating the nature of your injury along with what treatment you required
- A copy of the accident book with details of the incident
If you chose to work with our solicitors on your claim, they could help collect more helpful evidence. Our advisors can also answer your questions about building site accidents and what evidence could be submitted in support of a claim.
How Much Compensation Will I Get For Building Site Injuries?
When you make a personal injury compensation claim for an accident on a building site, the amount of compensation you receive can vary. However, the most important aspect of your claim when deciding how much compensation you receive is your injury’s type and severity.
The below table includes several injury types matched against potential severity and respective average compensation amounts:
| Type of Injury | Severity of Injury | Compensation Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple serious injuries with financial losses. | Severe/Serious | Up to £450,0000+ | Multiple serious physical and mental injuries plus special damages. |
| Brain damage | Very Severe | £282,010 to £403,990 | Full-time nursing care is required due to lack of ability to follow basic commands. |
| Brain damage | Less Severe | £15,320 to £43,060 | There could be no restoration of usual functions. |
| Face Injury | Very Severe Scarring | £29,780 to £97,330 | You are relatively young and the cosmetic effect is severe as is the mental health reaction. |
| Face Injury | Less Significant Scarring | £17,960 to £48,420 | You’ll have a single scar that cannot be hidden or camoflaged. |
| Hand Injury | Serious Hand Injuries | £29,000 to £61,910 | The hand is reduced to around 50 per cent capacity. |
| Hand Injury | Moderate Hand Injury | £5,720 to £13,280 | Permanent disability remains even after surgery. |
| Elbow Injury | A Severely Disabling Injury | £39,170 to £54,830 | The injury is severely disabling. |
| Elbow Injury | Less Severe Injuries | £15,650 to £32,010 | Despite causing impairment of function, your injury does not require major surgery or will not cause severe disability. |
| Shoulder Injury | Severe | £19,200 to £48,030 | The brachial plexus is damaged causing severe disability. |
As evidenced above, the amount of compensation you could receive from your claim can vary to an extreme degree, depending on the type and severity of your injury. This is why your injury’s medical assessment is one of the most important aspects of your claim and deserves close attention.
We offer local medical assessments to ensure that you have the evidence to back up the severity of your injury and thereby maximise the compensation you can claim. For more advice on claiming compensation, please get in touch.
No Win No Fee Building Site Injury Claims
One of our No Win No Fee solicitors could assist you during the construction accident claims process. By offering you a Conditional Fee Agreement, you will not have to pay for your solicitor’s services upfront or while your claim is ongoing. Furthermore, if your claim fails, you will not need to pay them for the work they have provided.
If your construction accident claim succeeds, your solicitor will take a percentage from your compensation. This is known as a success fee, and the law caps the percentage that this fee can be.
For more information regarding personal injury claims for building site accidents, you can contact our advisors. After discussing your case, they may also connect you with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors. You can reach our advisors by:
- Calling 0800 073 8804
- Completing our contact form for a free call-back.
- Using our 24/7 live chat widget on your screen.
Helpful Links
- HSE Health and safety in the construction industry
- NHS Back Pain
- Mental Health Resources – NHS
- Citizens Advice – Accident at work advice
- Accident At Work Compensation Claim Time Limits Explained
Thank you for taking the time to read our building site accident compensation guide.
