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Construction Accident Solicitors — Scotland
Working on a construction site requires adequate health and safety training. Construction sites are busy environments with numerous hazards, all of which can lead to construction injuries. If your building site or construction accident was due to someone else’s negligence, our construction accident solicitors can assist with filing a compensation claim.
Keeping You Fully Informed
"Watermans were ultimate professionals throughout the entire process. Cassandra worked on my case and was a pleasure to work with, she kept me fully informed and was completely honest throughout to manage expectations. Can’t thank the team enough!"
Z Higgins, Personal Injury Claim
The Short of It
If you have been injured on a construction site in the last three years,
and it wasn't your fault, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
Construction accidents can be caused by
inadequate health and safety training, on-site negligence and human error.
Our building site accident solicitors will guide you
through the process of making a construction accident compensation claim.
Everything we do at Watermans
is about getting you the resolution you need and providing straightforward legal advice. It should be that simple.
The Long of It
Construction Site Accidents
Construction site accident claims
Construction sites are considered one of the most dangerous environments to work in. The work itself is strenuous and often requires working at extreme heights, operating heavy machinery, or handling dangerous materials.
These factors can often lead to construction site accidents, resulting in injuries that range from minor to severe. The most common types of construction site accidents include:
- Lifting accidents
- Falls from heights and ladders
- Safety harness failure
- Contact with forklifts and other heavy machinery
- Tool malfunctions
- Chemical spillages
- Defective scaffolding
Many of these accidents are caused by negligence and human error. By law, your employer or the main contractor is responsible for providing a safe working environment.
If your employer or main contractor violates any health and safety rules that lead to the construction accident, they or their insurer may be liable for compensation for your injuries and damages. This also applies if your accident occurred due to inadequate personal protective equipment or insufficient safety training.
Common Construction Injuries
Common Causes & Types of Construction Injuries
Injuries sustained on a construction site can vary widely, ranging from strains and sprains to serious, life-threatening injuries. Here’s a breakdown of common construction site injuries.
- Strains and sprains: Overexertion, lifting heavy objects, or repetitive motions can cause strains and sprains in various parts of the body. Particularly the back, neck, and shoulders.
- Lacerations and cuts: Working with sharp tools, exposed nails, or jagged edges can result in deep cuts or lacerations that may require stitches or surgery.
- Fractures and broken bones: Falls from heights, being struck by falling objects, or getting caught in between equipment can lead to arm injuries, fractures or broken bones.
- Head injuries: Being struck by falling objects, slips, trips, and falls from heights can cause head injuries ranging from concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
- Burns – Exposure to chemicals, hot surfaces, or electrical currents can cause burns of varying degrees.
- Respiratory issues: Inhaling dust, fumes, or other harmful substances can lead to respiratory problems, such as asthma or lung diseases.
- Hearing loss: Prolonged exposure to loud noises from construction equipment can result in hearing loss or tinnitus.
- Amputations: In severe cases, building site accidents involving heavy machinery or power tools can result in the loss of fingers, toes, or limbs.
Even if your injury does not fall under one of these categories, our construction accident solicitors are still here to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance in claiming the compensation you deserve.
Making a Claim
Who qualifies for building site accident claims?
If you’ve had any construction site or machinery accidents in the past three years, you may be eligible for compensation. This applies to various individuals who may be present on building sites, including:
- Construction workers – Those directly involved in the construction process, such as labourers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and heavy equipment operators.
- Contractors and subcontractors – Independent contractors or subcontractors hired to perform specific tasks on construction sites.
- Site visitors – Individuals visiting the site for work-related purposes, such as architects, engineers, inspectors, or clients.
To qualify for a construction injury compensation claim, the accident must have occurred due to someone else’s negligence, such as the site manager, site owner, or equipment manufacturer. This negligence can take many forms, including:
- Failure to provide a safe working environment
- Lack of proper training or supervision
- Defective equipment or machinery
- Lack of proper safety gear or protective equipment
- Non-compliance with health and safety regulations
If you’re unsure whether you qualify for a construction claim, contact one of our building site and construction accident solicitors today. We can assess your eligibility and guide you through the construction accident claims process.
How do I make a construction site accident claim?
If you have suffered a personal injury from accidents at work within the last three years, follow these necessary steps to make your construction accident claim successful.
- Seek medical attention – It’s important to seek immediate medical attention following the building site accident. It’s essential for your health and provides crucial medical records to support your claim.
- Report the accident – Notify your employer, main contractor, or health and safety executive (HSE) as soon as possible. This ensures there’s a health and safety record of the event, providing additional proof and making the building site accident claim process easier.
- Seek legal advice – Speak to our construction site injury lawyers today to get clear, straightforward advice. We will act on your behalf to secure the construction injury compensation you deserve.
- Gather evidence – We will collect evidence such as photographs of where the accident occurred, witness details, and any relevant documentation (for example, safety protocols and training records).
- Focus on your recovery – Our construction accident lawyers will handle the legal side of things so you can concentrate on recuperating.
At Watermans, we understand the importance of securing compensation for your injury. Plus, we operate on a no-win, no-fee basis, meaning you won’t have to pay any solicitors fees unless we win your case.
It should be that simple.
How Much Compensation?
How much compensation can I claim for a construction site accident?
As with all personal injury claims, there is no definitive answer for how much compensation you could claim for your accident. It will be dependent on the severity of the injury and its effect on you.
In most instances, you may be entitled to claim compensation for a variety of things, including:
- Rehabilitation, hospital, and medical expenses – Compensation will cover expenses related to hospital stays, surgeries, medication, physiotherapy, and any other medical costs related to your injury.
- Lost earnings – If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or limit your future earning capacity, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages and future income.
- Home modification and care expenses – If your injuries require home care services and modifications such as installing ramps or widening doorways.
- Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life – Compensation also covers the pain, suffering, and emotional distress caused by the accident.
- Severity of injuries – More severe injuries, such as brain trauma, spinal cord damage, or amputations, typically lead to higher compensation amounts.
Our experienced construction injury lawyers will thoroughly assess your case to ensure you receive the maximum compensation. Use our online claims calculator to get an estimate of what you may be entitled to.
Why Watermans?
Why should I choose Watermans to pursue my claim?
Watermans make legal services look and feel easy so people can move forward in life. Our legal experts specialise in construction work injury claims, ensuring that those who have suffered injuries receive the support they need.
Whether you’re employed or self-employed, our experienced construction injury lawyers will guide you through the process, handling the complexities so you can focus on your recovery. We fight to secure the compensation you deserve.
We also ensure you have access to additional services, such as physiotherapy and psychological treatment, to aid in your recovery. Whether your accident resulted from a lack of safety measures, failure to follow UK manual handling regulations, or an employer failing to ensure workers were properly trained, we’ll assist with your claim for construction injuries.
Expert Personal Injury Solicitors in Scotland
Our expertise in personal injury covers a wide range of areas, including:
- Accidents at work
- Public liability claims
- Road traffic accidents
- Fatal and serious injury claims
- Cases relating to abuse
We represent thousands of clients throughout Scotland each year, securing millions of pounds in compensation for our clients. We work on a no-win, no-fee agreement so you can pursue your case without financial risk.
Construction Injury Claims - FAQs
Yes, even if you were partially at fault for the construction accident, you might still be entitled to compensation. In Scotland, the principle of contributory negligence applies, meaning your compensation will be adjusted based on your level of fault.
For example, if you were found to be 25% at fault, your compensation would be reduced by 25%. You’ll have to discuss your case with a construction accident lawyer to determine your eligibility for construction accident claims.
The duration of a construction injury claim process depends on the case complexity and injury severity. While some cases may settle within months, others can take years.
Several factors can affect the timeline, including the time needed to gather evidence, negotiate with the responsible party, and, if necessary, pursue court proceedings. Our construction accident injury lawyers will keep you informed of the estimated timelines and progress of your case.
In Scotland, it is a legal requirement for all employers to have Employers’ Liability Insurance. This insurance covers the cost of compensating employees who are injured or become ill due to their work. If your employer does not have this insurance, you can still make a claim. In such cases, your construction site accident lawyer may pursue the claim directly against your employer.
Yes, you can claim compensation for psychological trauma resulting from a construction accident. Psychological injuries, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression, can be just as traumatic as physical injuries.
To make a successful claim, you may need to provide medical evidence of your psychological condition and its connection to the construction accident.
If you witness a construction site accident, your first priority is to ensure the safety of both you and the injured person. Call emergency services if necessary.
If it is safe, document the scene by taking photos and gathering contact details from other witnesses. This can serve as valuable evidence for the injured person’s claim. Report the incident to the health and safety representative or site manager as soon as possible.
Most injury claims are settled out of court without a formal court hearing. Our solicitors work diligently to secure the best possible settlement through negotiations with the responsible party or their insurer.
If liability is disputed or a fair settlement cannot be reached, your case may need to go to court. In such instances, our experienced lawyers will guide you through the court process, ensuring you are well-prepared and represented at every stage.
If you have suffered serious injuries that prevent you from returning to your previous role, you may be entitled to claim loss of future earnings.
This compensation covers the difference between your expected income and your projected income, given your new circumstances.
Your solicitor will collaborate with medical experts and financial specialists to calculate an appropriate amount that considers your age, experience, financial losses, and potential career progression.
Your employer is responsible for ensuring your health, safety, and welfare while you are at construction sites. This includes taking all reasonable steps to prevent accidents and minimise risks. To keep you safe, your employer should:
- Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards
- Ensure that the main contractor has the appropriate qualifications and health and safety measures in place
- Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Ensure all machinery, equipment, and tools are properly maintained and safe to use
- Provide adequate training and supervision
- Implement clear health and safety policies and procedures
- Maintain safe access routes and provide essential facilities, such as toilets
If you believe your employer is failing to meet these responsibilities, you should raise your concerns with your supervisor or the site’s health and safety representative.
It’s illegal for your employer to dismiss or treat you unfairly for making a legitimate construction site claim. If you face retaliation for pursuing a claim, you may have grounds for an unfair dismissal or discrimination claim.
Our solicitors will provide you with clear, confidential advice and support throughout the claims process, ensuring the protection of your rights as an employee.
Everyone deserves quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. That’s why we offer free initial consultations for all personal injury claims. During this consultation, our solicitors will review your case, answer any questions, and provide expert advice on the best course of action.
If we believe you have a valid case to make a claim and you choose to proceed, we will handle your case.
Take the hassle out of building site injury claims with Watermans.
Get in touch with our construction accident solicitors to get straightforward legal advice on your claims today.
Get in touch with us
Everything we do at Watermans is about getting you the resolution you need and making that process straightforward. Start the process by sending us your details below or calling us on 0131 555 7055
Our personal injury claims expert
“Making a claim for compensation can be such a daunting process for people, so I try to make it as straightforward and easy to understand as I can for them.”
Susanne McGraw, Head of Personal Injury