Construction accident claims

A construction accident at work can leave you with serious injuries. If your employer or site operator failed to follow health and safety rules and you were hurt as a result, you may be entitled to make a construction accident compensation claim.

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Author

Stephen Hussey

Associate, Head of Personal Injury

Last Updated

21st July 2026

Can I make a construction accident claim

You may be able to make a construction accident claim if your injury was caused by another party’s failure to keep you safe on site. Under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, employers and site operators have a legal duty to protect you, whether you are employed, self-employed or working as a contractor. Our specialist No Win No Fee solicitors have the experience to guide you through the process with clarity and care.

Construction sites can be a high-risk environment, but that doesn’t mean that you should accept suffering an injury that could have been avoided. Injuries might happen if risk assessments are missed, sites are managed poorly, you are forced to use faulty or badly maintained equipment, or you have a lack of proper training to carry out your duties safely. If any of these contributed to your injury, you may have grounds to claim.

Even if you feel partly responsible, or you’re unsure what went wrong, you may still be eligible. Usually, claims can be brought forward up to three years after your injury. The simplest way to check is to speak with one of our specialist construction accident solicitors for clear, honest guidance with no pressure to proceed.

Example of a construction accident claim

Imagine a construction worker who falls from scaffolding that had not been properly secured. The fall causes a serious leg injury, leaving them unable to work for several months. If essential safety checks were missed and the site was not properly managed, this could be a valid construction accident compensation.

Common construction accident claims we support

What compensation can help with

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Recovering lost income and covering future care.

Compensation is financial protection that helps you rebuild stability after an injury. Whether your construction accident caused a minor injury that kept you off work for a short period, or a serious injury that has changed your daytoday life, a claim can support your recovery and help you manage the financial and practical consequences.

Compensation is not just a payout, it is about making sure you have the right support in place, both now and in the future. For people with lifechanging injuries, it can also help fund longterm care needs, specialist equipment or prosthetics.

A successful construction accident claim may help fund:

Medical treatment, surgery and hospital costs
Rehabilitation, physiotherapy and occupational therapy
Psychological support and counselling
Loss of earnings, both current and future
Care and support needs at home
Travel costs related to your treatment and recovery
Home adaptations or specialist equipment if needed

Understanding the potential value

We secured almost £2.7 million for a young roofer who fell from scaffolding and sustained lifechanging spinal injuries. The settlement reflected the severity of his injuries, the specialist rehabilitation he needed and the long-term impact on his ability to work. In another case, we achieved a significant five-figure settlement for a worker who suffered a fractured spine and psychological trauma after a fall on site, ensuring he could access physiotherapy, CBT and the financial support needed to move forward. Every construction accident claim is valued on its own circumstances. We will look at the nature of your injury, how it affects your daily life and independence, and what support you will need in the future.

Understanding interim payments

In some cases you don’t need to wait for your claim to conclude to get help – and interim payments may be available. Interim payments are released while your claim is still ongoing, helping to ease financial pressure so you can focus on your recovery and get the support you need. WE know that serious construction injuries can leave you unable to work, needing rehabilitation, or requiring support with daytoday tasks. When this happens, the financial impact can be immediate and difficult to manage. Your recovery should take priority, and where possible, we’ll look to secure interim payments on your behalf.

Expertise you can trust

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Specialist construction accident claims solicitors

We have decades of experience handling serious construction accident claims.

Why choose Fletchers for your construction accident claims

Construction accidents can cause serious injuries that require careful investigation and a clear picture of how your life has been affected. Our workplace injury solicitors work alongside leading medical and technical experts to build the strongest case possible. With recognition from The Legal 500 and Chambers, you can be confident your claim is supported by a trusted and experienced team.

Expertise you can rely on

Specialist accident at work solicitors with over decades of experience in serious personal injury
Dedicated Employers and Public Liability and Serious Injury teams with a strong track record in construction accident claims
Proven experience securing lifechanging settlements for construction workers, including multimillionpound awards for clients with serious spinal and orthopaedic injuries
Ranked among the top personal injury law firms in the UK by Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners
Personal service from a team that takes time to understand your situation and what matters most to you
Access to leading medical experts to support your recovery and strengthen your claim
No win, no fee – so you can pursue your claim without financial risk

You’re not alone

We understand what you’re going through.

A construction accident can be sudden and life-altering. When people come to us after a fall from height, a scaffolding failure or an incident involving unsafe equipment, they are often facing serious injuries, reduced mobility or the need for long-term treatment. Some are adjusting to life with permanent disability, while others are dealing with the shock of losing their independence almost overnight.

We understand the significance of a construction accident and the toll it can take on you and your family. Many people tell us they feel overwhelmed by the changes to their independence, confidence and career, and worried about whether they will ever get back to the life they had before the accident.

We have supported many people in this position, people who were simply trying to make sense of what had happened and looking for someone capable of guiding them. That is what we are here to do. We will handle every part of the process, keep you informed at every stage, and work to secure compensation that reflects the full impact of your experience, so you can focus on what matters most.

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Rehabilitation support

We go beyond legal advice to support you, not just your case, making sure the right care and practical help are in place throughout the compensation claim process.

A message from our Rehabilitation and Wellbeing Team

We work alongside Fletchers Solicitors’ legal experts – listening carefully to your needs, helping you understand what support is available and creating a personalised recovery plan.

Led by rehabilitation manager Julie Chorlton, we bring together expertise across healthcare, therapy and welfare support, and can help arrange access to treatment and financial support. We also work with accredited mental health professionals, giving you and your family access to counselling quickly.

OUR REHABILITATION & WELLBEING TEAM

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FAQs about construction accident claims

What are construction accident claims?

Construction accident claims are compensation claims made by workers, or their families, who have been injured on a building site because someone else failed to keep them safe. This could involve poor risk management, ignored safety rules or faulty equipment.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), around 50,000 construction workers suffered a nonfatal injury between 2022/23 and 2024/25, and 35 people were killed in construction work during 2024/25 – the highest number of fatal accidents of any industry.

A construction accident claim can help cover lost earnings, medical treatment, rehabilitation and compensation for the pain and disruption you’ve experienced. If your recovery is ongoing, we may also be able to apply for interim payments to ease financial pressure while your claim continues.

How long after a construction accident can I make a claim?

The time it takes to resolve a construction accident claim depends on the complexity of your case, the severity of your injuries, and how straightforward it is to establish liability. We’ll give you a realistic picture of timescales from the outset and keep you updated throughout. Where possible, we’ll apply for interim payments to ease any financial pressure while your case is ongoing.

How long does a construction accident claim take?

The time it takes to resolve a construction accident claim depends on the complexity of your case, the severity of your injuries, and how straightforward it is to establish liability. We’ll give you a realistic picture of timescales from the outset, and keep you updated throughout. Where possible, we’ll apply for interim payments to ease any financial pressure while your case is ongoing.

How do I start a construction accident claim?

The easiest way is to request a call back. A specialist solicitor will listen to what happened and explain your options with no pressure to proceed.

Does it matter which construction accident solicitor I choose?

Yes. Construction accident claims often involve technical evidence, multiple parties and detailed investigations, so specialist experience makes a real difference. Choosing a solicitor without that expertise can affect both the outcome of your claim and the support you receive along the way. It is worth checking that the firm you choose has genuine experience in construction accident cases and a strong track record in serious injury claims.

Do construction accident claims go to court?

Most construction accident claims are resolved without going to court. The majority are settled through negotiation between your solicitor and the other party’s insurers.

If the other side disputes liability or the compensation amount, court proceedings may become necessary, but this is relatively uncommon. If that does happen, your solicitor will prepare you fully and be with you throughout.

Who can make a construction accident claim?

Anyone injured in a construction accident caused by someone else’s negligence may be able to claim, including employees, contractors and selfemployed workers.

Can I claim if I am selfemployed?

Yes. Site operators and main contractors still have a duty to keep you safe, even if you are selfemployed.

Can I change my solicitor during my claim?

Yes. You are free to change solicitors at any stage if you are not confident in the advice you are receiving.

How much compensation could I receive?

Construction accident compensation varies from case to case, depending on the nature and severity of your injury, the impact on your ability to work, and your longer-term care or treatment needs.

Our team will guide you through what you may be entitled to and work to secure the best possible outcome for your situation.

What rehabilitation support is available after a construction accident?

Rehabilitation is a key part of your recovery, and you do not have to wait until your claim settles to access it. Our specialist Rehabilitation and Wellbeing team work alongside your solicitor from the start, helping you access physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychological support and practical assistance. Where the circumstances allow, we will also seek early interim payments to help fund the treatment and support you need while your claim is ongoing.