Fall at Work Claim

Common Causes of Fall Accidents at Work

Falls can occur in a wide variety of work environments, from construction sites to offices. 

Some leading causes of falls at work include:

• Slippery or wet floors,
• Uneven surfaces,
• Lack of handrails,
• Obstacles in walkways, 
• Poor lighting,
• Faulty work equipment or machinery.

Some slips, trips and falls are caused by the victim’s own error and misjudgement. But some are the result of another person’s negligence or inability to follow reasonable health and safety procedures.

The cause behind most incidents fall into one of the following categories:

• Wet Floors
• Spillages
• Falling from height
• Loose cables, scattered boxes and other trip hazards
• Uneven pavements

Common Injuries 

The effects of slips, trips and falls vary significantly in severity, varying from:

• Bone fractures,
• head injuries,
• Spinal damage,
• Ankle or wrist sprains,
• Fractured fingers and wrists,
• Twisted knees,
• Lacerations and open wounds,
• Burns and scalds,
• Fatal injuries.

Head injuries have the potential to cause brain injuries and can be life changing injuries. 

Injury to the spine can cause irreversible damage to the spinal cord, resulting in permanent disability, prolonged pain and, in extreme cases, paralysis.

Brain injuries that are caused by slips, trips and falls are known as traumatic brain injuries. The effects of brain injury can be severe. 

A brain haemorrhage is a type of brain injury that can be caused by a blow to the head, such as that sustained in a slip, trip or fall. Brain haemorrhages are characterised by severe bleeding in and around the brain and can be fatal. 

Victims of brain haemorrhage that do survive are often left with severe damage to one or more parts of their brains.

How common are workplace injuries?

Slips, trips and falls in the workplace are extremely common, affecting more than 111,000 UK workers every year.

Almost every working environment is susceptible to these types of accidents. In some cases, it is simply due to the employees' own negligence. 

In many cases, however, poor working conditions or a failure to abide by health and safety regulations can result in employees injuring themselves due to a slip or trip at work.

Statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show slips and trips as the single most common cause of injuries at work. They can account for over a third of all major work injuries. 

It is estimated that these injuries cost employers over £512m a year in lost production and other costs.

Every employer has a legal and moral duty to ensure their employees are safe and protected at work under the General Health and Safety legislation. 

Most importantly this ensures that all employers do everything they can to minimise the risks of potential hazards.

Steps to Take After a Fall at Work

If you have been injured in a slip, trip and fall at work, follow these steps:

1. Report the accident to your employer as soon as possible.
2. Seek medical attention for your injuries.
3. Ensure you keep a record of all medical treatments and expenses related to your injury.
4. File an accident at work compensation claim. 

Read more in our free Guide to making an accident at work claim.

Making a fall at work accident claim

If you have suffered as a result of a fall at work, you could be entitled to take legal action.

The financial compensation awarded for your accident is intended to cover costs during your recovery, including:

• Rehabilitation charges,
• Medical costs,
• Loss of pay.

Additional compensation can also be awarded to compensate for long-term effects of a serious accident, including:

• your physical injury, 
• psychological damages, and 
• mental distress.

Keep in mind that in workplace injury cases, compensation is paid to reimburse innocent victims for the suffering they have wrongly endured.

How much Injury Compensation I get?

Payouts for slip, trip and fall claims typically range from as little as £500 to £115,000 or much more depending on the claimant’s personal circumstances.

To work out how much money you should be paid, the courts consider a number of factors, including: 

• the extent of the your injuries, and 
• the overall impact the accident has had on your life. 

Your own financial circumstances will also be reviewed. If they have lost money because of the accident, this money will be reimbursed as part of your compensation package.

Working out how much compensation you are likely to receive can be tricky. However, our compensation calculator may be able to help. Like the courts, the calculator will consider your personal circumstances. It will then generate a compensation sum that reflects what you are likely to be entitled to.

Start your claim with Grieves Solicitors

Our specialist Slip, Trip and Fall team at Grieves Solicitors can help you claim financial compensation for the injuries you have suffered.

We will provide all the legal advice and guidance you need to ensure you receive the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries, helping you pay medical fees and any ongoing care costs.

We operate on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis, which means you won’t pay a penny unless your claim is successful. Our legal fees are claimed from the opposing side’s insurers at the end of the process.

Our Slips, Trips and Fall Solicitors regularly act for clients across Yorkshire and now cover the whole of England and Wales.

Our team of experienced Personal Injury Accident Solicitors can support your needs wherever you live in England and Wales. We serve clients across the UK.

We understand that making a claim may seem daunting at first. But we are happy to talk over those queries or concerns with you to allay any fears you may have about bringing a compensation claim. 

We are only too happy to help.

Call our Freephone 0800 0747 644 or completing our Free Online Enquiry and let us explain your rights and your options.

“A big thank-you to all at Grieves for the help and support you have given me you have not only changed me and my Partner’s life but my little Girl’s too”.

Q&A