Fall at work claims

A fall at work can result in serious injuries, and uncertainty about what happens next. If your fall was due to your employer's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.

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Author

Jenny Stevenson

Associate & Head of Personal Injury

Last Updated

16th July 2026

Can I make a fall at work claim?

You can make a fall at work claim if you were injured in a slip, trip or fall in the workplace that wasn’t your fault. Falls at work can range from minor trips over a misplaced box or loose wires to serious falls from height – causing injuries that can be life-changing. If that sounds familiar, our specialist team can help.

Your employer has a legal duty to protect your health and safety at work. Several laws set out what they must do, including The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007. For industries where employees work at height, The Work at Height Regulations 2005 set out further specific obligations employers must meet.

If your employer breached any of these duties – for example by failing to maintain safe working surfaces, provide adequate fall protection, or properly train workers – and you were injured as a result, you have the right to claim compensation.

Example of a fall at work claim

Imagine a construction worker who falls from scaffolding that had been incorrectly erected, with a guardrail missing on one section. The fall causes a serious fracture and a lengthy period off work. If the scaffolding didn’t meet the required safety standards and the employer failed to carry out the necessary checks, this could be a valid fall at work claim.

Related fall at work claims we support

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What compensation can help with

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Covering your losses and funding the support you need to recover.

Injuries from falls at work can range from muscle strains and soft tissue damage through to fractures, back injuries, brain injuries and spinal injuries. The more serious your injury, the wider the financial impact tends to be – and compensation is designed to reflect that full picture, not just your immediate costs.

A successful fall at work claim may help fund:

Rehabilitation, physiotherapy and occupational therapy
Psychological support and counselling
Loss of earnings, both current and future
Medical treatment and specialist care costs
Home adaptations and specialist equipment if needed
Travel and transport costs related to your recovery
Ongoing care and support needs

Understanding the potential value

We secured a six-figure settlement for a tree surgeon who fell from height at work. He suffered serious injuries that had a significant impact on his ability to lead his usual lifestyle – and the severity of his injury meant he was unable to continue in his usual job.

When valuing your claim, we’ll consider the nature and severity of your injury, your age, the impact on your ability to work, and the level of care and support you need going forward.

Minor soft tissue injuries will attract a different level of compensation to serious injuries such as fractures, spinal injuries or brain injuries – which can result in significantly higher settlements reflecting the long-term impact on your life.

Understanding interim payments

We understand that waiting for a claim to conclude can put real financial pressure on you and your family – particularly when your injuries impact your ability to work, and care costs are mounting.

Where possible, we’ll work to secure interim payments on your behalf – payments made during the claims process, before a final settlement is reached. These can help cover immediate costs such as medical treatment, rehabilitation or lost income, so you don’t have to wait until the end of your claim to get the support you need.

Specialist fall at work solicitors

Our team have specialised in serious workplace injury claims for almost 40 years.

Why choose Fletchers for your fall at work claim?

Fall at work claims - particularly those involving falls from height - can be serious and legally complex. Having the right team around you makes a real difference to your overall recovery and the outcome of your case. At Fletchers, our Employers and Public Liability and Serious Injury specialists have handled numerous fall at work claims, bringing together legal expertise and genuine care to help every client get the outcome they deserve.

Expertise you can rely on

Specialist accident at work solicitors with over 40 years of experience in serious personal injury
Dedicated Employers and Public Liability team with a strong track record in fall at work claims
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 the impact this has had on your life.

A fall at work can happen in an instant, but we know the effects can last much longer. When you choose us to support your fall at work claim, you’ll be guided by a dedicated team of serious injury specialists – who understand the wider implications this injury will have on your overall wellbeing.

Whether you’ve suffered a soft tissue injury that’s kept you off work for weeks, or a serious fall from height that has changed your life – it’s understandable for the outside pressures to mount up. You may be worrying about lost income, managing your recovery, and working out what to do next – all while you’re still dealing with your injury and trying to recover.

We understand this, and we want to guide you through it. When you pursue a fall at work claim with us, we’ll handle every part of the process and keep you informed at every stage. We promise to help you secure the compensation that truly reflects the impact of what’s happened to you.

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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.

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FAQs about fall at work claims

How long do I have to make a fall at work claim?

If you think you might have a fall at work claim, we’d recommend you seek legal advice as soon as possible. Typically, there is a time limit on making a personal injury claim, which is three years from the date the injury occurred.

There are some exceptions to this, for example, where the injured person is under 18, or where they lack the mental capacity to make a fall at work claim themselves.

How much will it cost to make a fall at work claim?

We understand the strain an accident at work can have on you financially, so we’ll take on your case on a No Win No Fee basis.

Also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), our No Win No Fee structure means that only once your fall at work claim is successful do you pay for the legal services provided. With no financial risk to you and your loved ones, you can focus on your recovery and let us handle the rest.

What evidence do I need for a fall at work claim?

The evidence that helps support a fall at work claim can include an accident book report, photographs of the scene or hazard, witness statements from colleagues, medical records relating to your injury, and any correspondence with your employer about the incident.

Don’t worry if you don’t have everything – we’ll guide you through what’s needed and help gather the evidence to support your case.

Can I claim if my fall at work was partly my fault?

Yes, in many cases you can still make a claim even if you were partly responsible for your accident.

This is known as contributory negligence – which means the compensation you receive may be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility. We’ll assess the circumstances of your fall honestly and advise you on the likely outcome.

What types of injury can I claim for after a fall at work?

You can claim for a wide range of injuries caused by a fall at work.

These include muscle strains, soft tissue injuries, fractures, back injuries, and in more serious cases, brain injuries or spinal injuries. In the most serious circumstances, a fall at work can be fatal, and family members may be able to bring a claim on behalf of a loved one. Whatever the nature of your injury, we’ll advise you on your options.

What support will I receive during my fall at work claim?

From your first conversation with us, we’ll focus on making things feel clearer and more manageable. We’ll explain every stage of the process in plain language, keep you updated on progress, and handle the legal complexity on your behalf.

Where possible, we’ll also look to secure interim payments to help cover immediate costs during your claim, so you’re not left waiting for the support you need.

What is a fall a work claim?

A fall at work claim is a claim for compensation to recover the losses you have suffered as a result of an injury sustained in a fall at work. To be able to make a claim, and for it to have a chance of success, your lawyer must prove that your employer was at fault for your fall.

What circumstances might I be able to claim?

Common causes of falls at work include unsecured or unstable ladders, faulty or incomplete scaffolding, lack of edge protection on rooftops or walkways, missing or inadequate fall arrest systems such as harnesses or safety nets, inadequate training or supervision, unsafe working surfaces, and poor lighting.

Even if you’re not sure whether your situation qualifies, it’s worth speaking to us. We’ll tell you honestly whether you have a case.