Construction site accidents and personal injury specialist solicitors

Construction Site Injury

Construction work is physically demanding and so relatively minor injuries may prove to have serious economic impact on the injured worker and his or her family. For example, injured knees, arms, neck, shoulders or back may disable a construction worker from carrying out his or her job and significantly reduce the worker's ability to earn a living and loss of pension. Despite Statutory Regulations implementing health and safety aimed at improving job safety, construction work remains difficult and dangerous for example

Slips trip and falls on construction debris left in walkways and work areas.
Falls from height due to unguarded or uncovered holes and unsafe scaffolds.
More severe accidents caused by inadequate site safety and management.

If you are injured on a construction site, then you should take action as soon as possible to help preserve your rights by:

Reporting the accident immediately,
Seeking immediate medical treatment on site or go to a hospital or GP as soon as possible,
Obtaining names telephone numbers and addresses of any witnesses,
If possible make sure the accident scene is photographed,
Identify the main/principle contractor/s or subcontractors on the job site responsible your injury,
Do not make written statements or discuss you accident with anyone without first speaking to a qualified personal injury specialist..

Construction work is physically demanding which inevitably put contractors/self employed and employed labour at great risk thereby exposing themselves to potential health risks and personal injury on a daily basis. This applies particularly to young people in the construction industry as they do not have the required training and experience. Construction equipment manufacturers are responsible for designing and producing safe hand tools and machinery. Employers are duty bound to maintain them when placed into service for use by the workforce. If they are damaged in any way or are not safe then the chance of a personal injury can increase significantly.

Following the above steps will help you to win your claim and receive suitable compensation.

Manual Handing

Manual handling means more than simply lifting or carrying something. The term is used to describe activities including lifting. lowering, pushing, pulling. carrying, moving, holding or restraining an object. animal or person. It also covers activities that require the use of force or effort such as pulling a lever or operating power tools. According to the HSE, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common cause of occupational ill health in Great Britain, currently affecting 1.1 million people a year and costing society £5.7 billion. MSDs affect the muscles, joints, tendons and other parts of the musculo-skeletal system. In the 2004 TUC safety representatives survey, safety representatives identified MSDs as a major problem. Back strains accounted for 35%, Repetitive Strain Injuries 40% while handling heavy loads 13% of all injuries. Manual handling is responsible for a heavy toll of suffering, much of it endured in silence and never fully reported. Thousands of workers have to leave their jobs each year, thousands more stay on only to suffer further. If a job feels uncomfortable then it is probably doing harm. The aim should be to fit the job to the worker, not the other way round.

Falls from Height

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 applies to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury. They place duties on employers, the self-employed, and any person who controls the work of others and 10 ensure:

All work at height is properly planned and organised;
All work at height takes account of weather conditions that could endanger health and safety;
Those involved in work at height are trained and competent;
The place where work at height is done is safe;
Equipment for work at height is appropriately inspected;
The risks from fragile surfaces are properly controlled; and
The risks from falling objects are properly controlled.

Defective Plant & Machinery

Construction work is physically demanding which inevitably put contractors/self employed and employed labour at great risk thereby exposing themselves to potential health risks and personal injury on a daily basis.

This applies particularly to young people in the construction industry as they do not have the required training and experience.

Construction equipment manufacturers are responsible for designing and producing safe hand tools and machinery. Employers are duty bound to maintain them when placed into service for use by the workforce. If they are damaged in any way or are not safe then the chance of a personal injury can increase significantly.

The term 'machinery' is broadly defined and includes other products such as:

Complex production line
Fork-lift truck
Circular saw
Lifting equipment and lifting tackle
Escalator

The 1992 Regulations as amended require all U K manufacturers and suppliers of new machinery to make sure that the machinery, which they supply, is safe. They also require manufacturers to make sure that machinery meets relevant essential health and safety requirements (these are listed ill detail in the Regulations), which include the provision of sufficient instructions

Crane Accidents

Mobile cranes are a versatile, reliable means of lifting on site. However, it is easy to become complacent about their safe use. Complacency can lead to serious accidents. No lift is small enough to be left to chance. Every lift should be planned and carried out by trained, competent people. If no one has the expertise, contract out the work to someone who has. If a lift is going to be carried out, accidents can be avoided by appointing someone (not the driver) with the expertise to take charge. That person will need to plan and co-ordinate the lift as follows to ensure the crane is:

Able to lift the heaviest load at the required radius with capacity to spare.
Small enough to get on and off the site and to operate within it.
Check that the crane and any lifting accessories have a current thorough examination report.
Make sure a rated capacity indicator (Automatic Safe Load Indicator) is fitted and is in good working order.
Make sure the driver is trained and experienced in the operation of the type of crane being used.

Site the crane in a safe place, so that the driver has a clear view; it is well away from excavations, and overhead power lines, it is on level ground which can take its full weight and its load (timber packing may be needed) - check there are no voids such as drains or basements which could collapse suddenly.

Personal Injury

At Burketts Solicitors we handle all types of personal injury claims that not only cause physical pain, but often emotional and financial hardship through loss of work, medical fees, and stress placed upon families and loved ones. If you have suffered physical or emotional injuries due to the negligence, carelessness, or recklessness of your employer or anyone that owes you a duty of care you may be entitled to bring a personal injury claim to recover damages. Recoverable damages include past and future lost wages, and loss of earning capacity, medical expenses, physical pain and suffering and psychological symptoms.

Our solicitors and investigators use their experience and proven techniques to complete early investigation, careful review of medical records, assisting clients to obtain sound medical advice and examination of injuries, and assessing economic losses. Meeting our client’s objectives and goals are our main priority. by focusing on the cause of the negligent acts and omissions to ensure full and fair compensation is paid.

Back