Faulty & defective machinery injury claims

An injury caused by faulty machinery at work can change your life in an instant. If you believe the right procedures or equipment could have prevented your injury, you may be able to claim compensation. Our specialist team will guide you through your defective machinery injury claim.

GET IN TOUCH 0330 175 8740

Trustpilot
TOP-RANKED LEGAL EXPERTS CHAMBERS & LEGAL 500
NO WIN, NO FEE

Reviewer

Stephen Hussey

Associate, Head of Personal Injury

Last Updated

15th July 2026

Can I make a defective machinery injury claim?

You can make a faulty or defective machinery injury claim if you were injured at work because of equipment that was unsafe, poorly maintained, or used without adequate training or protective equipment. Injuries like these can have serious personal and financial consequences, especially when you have a right to expect safe, suitable equipment in your workplace.

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) places a legal duty on employers to ensure that all work equipment is safe, suitable for the task, regularly maintained and inspected, and withdrawn from use if found to be unsafe. Employees must also be properly trained and given appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) where needed. These duties apply whether the equipment is owned, hired, or brought in by an employee.

If an employer or manufacturer failed in any of these duties and you were injured as a result, you may be able to make a defective machinery injury compensation claim. In addition to obvious machinery like presses, drills, and lathes, ‘work equipment’ can include vehicles, ladders, knives, coffee machines, lifts, and doors. If you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies – we can help.

Example of a faulty machinery claim

If a factory worker operates a mechanical press that lacks adequate safety guards, their hand might become trapped in the machinery – resulting in a serious crush injury that requires surgery and a lengthy period off work. If the employer failed to fit the required guards, or hadn’t provided adequate training on safe operating procedures, this could form the basis of a valid faulty machinery claim.

Related faulty machinery claims we support

Expertise you can trust

9/10 clients would recommend us
APIL Accredited Experts
4000+ client outcomes achieved in the last 12 months

What compensation can help with

Professional industrial engineer, technician, factory worker wear hard hat, safety glasses. While checking, set up, control machine heavy industry factory. Employee working in manufacturing facility.

Covering the cost of recovery and protecting your financial future.

Machinery injuries can range from crush injuries and loss of limbs, to industrial deafness, loss of vision, and long-term musculoskeletal conditions. The compensation you receive will reflect the full picture, not just your immediate injury. Defective machinery injury compensation claims also consider the effect on your ability to work, your day-to-day independence, and your ongoing care needs.

Making a claim could give you access to the best rehabilitation and treatment providers at an early stage, which can make a real difference to your recovery.

Successful faulty & defective machinery injury claims may help fund:

Medical treatment, surgery, and rehabilitation
Physiotherapy and occupational therapy
Psychological support and counselling
Loss of earnings, including future income if your ability to work has changed
Specialist equipment or adaptations to support your recovery
Ongoing care and support needs
Travel and transport costs related to your treatment and recovery

Understanding the potential value

The value of a defective machinery injury claim depends on the nature and severity of your injury, how it affects your ability to work, your care needs, and the long-term impact on your quality of life. More serious injuries, such as amputations, loss of sight or hearing, or significant crush injuries, can result in substantially higher settlements. Our solicitors will work with you to understand what a fair outcome looks like for your situation.

Understanding interim payments

If your injury is serious and you’re facing immediate financial pressure from lost earnings, treatment costs, or the need for specialist equipment – we may look to secure interim payments on your behalf. Interim payments are not always possible, but we aim to secure these for you when appropriate and when your chances of recovery and rehabilitation are made stronger through the release of early funds. These are payments made before your final settlement is reached, so you don’t have to wait until the end of the claims process to access the support you need.

Specialist faulty machinery solicitors

We specialise in defective and faulty machinery compensation claims.

Why choose Fletchers for your faulty machinery claim?

Faulty and defective machinery injury claims can be stressful and technically complex, often involving multiple regulations, expert evidence, and employer liability disagreements. Having the right specialist team behind you is important. Our solicitors have deep experience in serious workplace injury claims and bring together legal expertise, clinical knowledge, and genuine care to help you achieve the best possible outcome.

Expertise you can rely on

Specialist serious injury and accident at work solicitors with extensive experience in machinery and equipment claims
In-depth knowledge of PUWER, LOLER, PPE Regulations, and wider health and safety legislation
Access to leading independent medical and liability experts to build the strongest possible case
In-house rehabilitation team, helping you access treatment and recovery support from the earliest stage
Ability to secure interim payments to ease financial pressure while your claim is ongoing
Trusted by clients and professionals across England and Wales
Rated excellent on Trustpilot by the clients we have supported
‘No Win, No Fee’, so you can pursue your claim without financial risk

You're not alone

We understand what you're going through.

If you’ve suffered a serious injury through faulty or defective machinery, we know this can have a huge impact on your life. The injury doesn’t just affect you physically; it can disrupt every part of your life. From your confidence and relationships, to your income and sense of identity – everything soon adds up.

We also know that the financial pressures can start to feel overwhelming. You’re likely to need to take time away from work so that you can focus on your recovery, and this means that your income can be significantly affected. Bills still need to be paid and costs at home still need to be covered. Lost wages, medical costs, and the need for specialist equipment all present themselves at a time when life already feels difficult.

Many of the people we support feel exactly the same way. And you don’t need to face this uncertainty alone. Our team is here to listen carefully, explain your options clearly, and take on the complexity of the legal process so you can focus on getting better. We handle everything on your behalf, from evidence gathering and insurance communication to fighting for compensation that truly reflects what you have been through.

Happy amputee doing exercises for upper body strength on exercise machine at gym.

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

People we’ve supported

1/3

VIEW ALL STORIES

FAQs about faulty machinery claims

Who can make a defective machinery claim?

Anyone who has been injured at work due to faulty machinery or equipment may be able to make a claim. The injury must have occurred within the last three years, which is the standard time limit for personal injury claims.

If you are making a claim on behalf of a child, the three-year period doesn’t start until their 18th birthday. There may also be other exceptions to the time limit, so it’s always worth seeking legal advice, even if some time has passed since your injury. The sooner you get in touch, the sooner you can start moving forward.

Does it matter which solicitor I choose?

Yes, solicitor choice is an important decision. Defective machinery injury claims involve complex health and safety legislation, liability arguments, and expert evidence. It’s important to choose a firm with specialist experience in this area, not just general personal injury work.

Choosing the wrong firm at the start can have real consequences for the outcome of your compensation claim.

Can I change solicitor?

Yes. The choice of who represents you is yours alone. If you are unhappy with the legal advice you are receiving, or simply want to make sure you have the right specialist experience behind you, you can switch solicitors at any point.

We are happy to speak with you about your situation and explain how we could help, with no obligation to proceed.

What evidence is needed for a defective machinery injury claim?

The evidence needed for your case will depend on the circumstances of your injury, but it typically includes:

A record of the accident, including any incident report made to your employer
Medical records and evidence of your injuries
Evidence relating to the equipment itself, such as maintenance records, inspection logs, or any previous reports of defects
Witness statements from colleagues or others who saw what happened
Expert reports on the machinery and on your injuries

We will guide you through the evidence we need and handle the process of gathering that evidence on your behalf.

What support is offered during my claim?

From the moment you contact us, our focus is on making the process feel as clear and manageable as possible. We will explain your options honestly, keep you informed at every stage, and handle the legal complexity so you don’t have to.

For serious injuries, we also work closely with rehabilitation and medical specialists to help you access the right treatment and support as early as possible. Our solicitors can also see interim payments where we can, so you are not left waiting until the end of your claim to get the help you need.

Can I claim if the accident was partly my fault?

Even if you believe you were partly responsible for what happened, you may still be able to make a claim. In legal terms, this is known as contributory negligence, which means the compensation you receive may be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility. You are not automatically prevented from claiming.

We will give you an honest assessment of your situation and advise you on the best way forward.