What To Do After An Accident On Building Site

If you’ve been involved in an accident on building site, knowing what to do next can feel overwhelming.

Whether it was caused by faulty equipment, unsafe working conditions, or a lack of proper training, it’s vital to take the right steps to protect your health, your rights, and your ability to claim compensation.

At Grieves Solicitors, we specialise in helping injured workers get the support and justice they deserve after a building site accident.

Reach out to us today on 0800 0747 644 or complete a Free Online Enquiry to tell us more about your situation.

“To describe the quality, professionalism and efficiency of the service it is out of this world.

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Prioritise Your Health And Safety

Your health is the immediate priority. Even if your injuries seem minor, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries—like concussions, internal bleeding, or musculoskeletal damage—may not present symptoms straight away.

If you’re seriously injured, ensure someone calls 999 or 112 and gets emergency assistance. If you can, move to a safe location to avoid further harm. Colleagues should be alerted and steps taken to secure the area, especially if there’s risk from exposed wiring, collapsing scaffolding, or unstable machinery.

Getting medical treatment not only protects your wellbeing but also creates an official medical record of your injury, which is key evidence in any legal claim.

Report The Incident Immediately

It’s essential that the accident is reported to your employer or site manager as soon as possible. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers must log all workplace accidents, especially those resulting in injury.

Make sure the incident is recorded in the site’s accident book. This should include details such as:

• The time and date of the accident
• Where it happened
• How it happened
• What injuries were sustained
• Any actions taken afterward

Always request a copy of this report for your own records. If your employer refuses to document the incident, make a written record yourself (such as an email) and send it to your manager to ensure a clear paper trail.

Gather Evidence While It’s Fresh

Evidence can make or break a claim, and on a busy building site, details disappear quickly. Where possible, do the following:

• Take photographs of the accident scene, any hazards (e.g. wet floors, faulty scaffolding), your injuries, and any equipment involved.
• Collect witness statements or at least names and contact details of colleagues who saw what happened.
• Preserve physical evidence, like damaged protective gear, tools, or materials.
• Record the timeline of events, including what happened just before and after the incident.
• Keep all documents related to your injury: hospital discharge notes, prescriptions, follow-up appointments, and receipts for treatment or travel costs.

The stronger your evidence, the easier it is to demonstrate what happened and who is responsible.

Understand Your Rights As An Injured Worker

UK law gives you the right to work in a safe environment. Employers in the construction industry have a legal duty to:

• Carry out regular risk assessments
• Provide appropriate training and supervision
• Supply adequate personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Maintain tools, machinery, and site safety features (like scaffolding and signage)

If they’ve failed in these duties and you were injured as a result, they may be liable for your injuries. You are also protected under law from retaliation. It is illegal for an employer to dismiss or treat you unfairly for making a personal injury claim.

Many workers worry about jeopardising their job, but compensation claims are usually handled by the employer’s liability insurance, not directly from the business owner’s pocket.

Get Legal Advice As Soon As Possible

Timing is crucial. In most personal injury cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to make a claim. However, the sooner you seek advice, the easier it will be to gather strong evidence and start the claims process.

At Grieves Solicitors, we offer a free initial consultation to help you understand your options. We’ll listen to your situation, explain your rights, and outline the steps involved. Our team operates on a no win, no fee basis, so you won’t have to pay a penny upfront—and you won’t pay anything at all if your claim isn’t successful.

What Can Compensation Cover?

Compensation is designed to help you get your life back on track. It can cover:

• Loss of earnings if you’ve had to take time off work
• Future loss of income if your ability to work has been affected long term
• Medical expenses, such as physiotherapy, surgery, or counselling
• Travel costs for hospital appointments or treatment
• Pain and suffering, including emotional distress
• Care and support, if you need help at home while recovering

Each claim is assessed individually, and the amount awarded will depend on the severity of your injury and its impact on your life.

Why Choose Grieves Solicitors?

With over 20 years of experience in personal injury law, we understand the unique challenges faced by construction workers. We’ve helped clients recover compensation for:

• Falls from height
• Equipment malfunctions
• Electrocution and burns
• Crush injuries
• Repetitive strain and manual handling injuries
• Injuries caused by poor site management

Our solicitors are approachable, supportive, and always on your side. We don’t use confusing legal jargon and we keep you informed every step of the way. Most importantly, we fight hard to secure the best possible outcome for you and your family.

Don’t Wait—Let Us Help You Take the First Step

An accident on building site can turn your life upside down, but you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. At Grieves Solicitors, we’re here to provide expert guidance, practical support, and strong legal representation when you need it most.

Our caring and supportive team are here to listen and advise on 0800 0747 644. Or you can complete a Free Online Enquiry to set up a free consultation or tell us more about your story. Your consultation is free, and there’s no obligation to proceed—but it could be the first step towards the compensation and peace of mind you deserve.

Here at Grieves Solicitors, Personal Injury Specialists, we offer a no win, no fee solution to funding your claim (a conditional fee agreement) which means that you do not have to worry about legal costs and expenses.  You can read about our no win, no fee agreement here.