Construction site accidents can result in serious injuries, but taking the right steps after can help secure the compensation you deserve, says Bradley Wright from local solicitors Edwards Duthie Shamash
Accidents at work can happen to anyone. When it comes to the workplace, building sites are unfortunately environments where the chances of suffering an injury are higher than that of many other workplaces. Some 61,000 workers are injured on average per year whilst carrying out their duties on building and construction sites.
Accidents on construction sites can have serious consequences and usually involve life-changing injuries, such as spinal injuries, brain injuries, electrocutions, burns and, in the worst-case scenario, fatalities. The most common types of injury that take place on building sites are falls, usually from ladders or scaffolding that has been erected negligently.
Employers and site managers have a duty of care to ensure all reasonable steps are taken to avoid accidents on building sites, but unfortunately, they can fail in the following ways:
Failing to carryout an appropriate risk assessment on the building site.
Failing to provide employees and subcontractors with sufficient personal protective equipment.
Failing to maintain equipment and machinery efficiently.
Failing to ensure scaffolding and ladders are erected safely and maintained in an efficient state.
Failing to enforce health and safety regulations and failing to train employees appropriately.
If the employer or site managers do not fulfil their duties to provide a safe workplace, then you can make a personal injury claim for compensation.
If you have suffered an accident on a building site, it is vital you seek medical attention. There should be a first aider on site and it is imperative you obtain treatment from them immediately. You must report your injury to your employer or site manager. If they have an accident book, make sure you complete an entry and keep a copy of this. You should take photos and videos of your injury and, more importantly, of the accident site and any defective equipment you were using at the time. Lastly, obtain witness information.
If you are self-employed, you will still be able to pursue compensation as a claim can be made against the site manager or main contractor for whom you have performed duties.
Edwards Duthie Shamash is located at 149 High Street, Wanstead, E11 2RL. For more information, call 020 8514 9000 or visit edwardsduthieshamash.co.uk
