Scaffolding Accident Claims

Scaffolding accidents

Scaffolding is necessary for a huge number of jobs, particularly in the construction industry. But as with so many types of equipment used in the workplace, accidents can happen when using scaffolding.

There are many ways you might be injured by scaffolding in the workplace. This could include:

Falling off scaffolding
Objects falling off the scaffolding and hitting you
Scaffolding collapsing and hitting you
Scaffolding collapsing while you’re on it

The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation explained in its 2021 Safety Report that there were 81 safety incidents in 2020.

It also revealed that the main cause of slips or trips was human error, causing 55% of accidents. Meanwhile, poor site housekeeping and ground conditions were both responsible for 19% of accidents.

Falls from a height are a major cause of injuries at work. The Health and Safety Executive has found that they caused the most fatal accidents in the workplace and accounted for 8% of all non-fatal accidents.

If you had an accident because the scaffolding you were using wasn’t put together properly, wasn’t effectively maintained or wasn’t being used appropriately, you could make an accident at work claim for compensation.

Who will I claim against?

In most cases of an accident at work, you’ll make a claim against your employer. This is because it’s their responsibility to keep you safe at work.

Your employer must follow the law around safety. When it comes to scaffolding, this can include following the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

When you make a claim, it will be your employer’s insurer who pays your compensation if you are successful. This means you won’t directly affect your employer’s finances.

We understand that you might have concerns about claiming against your employer. But it’s illegal for them to end your employment for claiming. If they do, you could make a claim for unfair dismissal.

It’s not only workers who can be injured in accidents involving scaffolding. If you were a member of the public who was hurt by an object falling from scaffolding as you walked past, for example, you could make a personal injury claim against the company responsible for the scaffolding.

What will my claim cost?

If our solicitors think you have a claim, they will usually work with you on a No Win No Fee basis. This is a standard funding arrangement for personal injury claims and means you won’t have to pay anything if your claim is unsuccessful.

A No Win No Fee agreement also means that you don’t have to pay anything upfront to start your claim. This leaves you free to focus on your recovery, rather than thinking about paying for the claim.

Only pay a fee if you receive compensation

Our No Win No Fee solicitors will take a success fee from the compensation you are awarded for a successful claim in the form of a percentage of your damages. This could be up to 25% but it won't be more than that, except in cases of road traffic accidents. Changing laws mean our solicitors will now take a payment of 30% of the final compensation amount plus VAT for all road traffic accident claims.

First4Lawyers are an award-winning claims management company with a track record of delivering service that our clients love.

Is there a deadline for making a claim?

You usually have three years to make a claim after a scaffolding accident. Although this sounds like a long time, the best thing to do is start your claim as soon as possible.

That’s because you might find it easier to get hold of certain things that could help to prove what happened. This could include any CCTV footage, if there was any nearby. It could also include medical reports and records of your injury in the work accident book.

If you’re not sure whether you have a claim for your scaffolding injury, just get in touch with the team at First4Lawyers. We’ll have an initial chat about what happened and let you know if we think you have a claim.

How much compensation will I receive for a scaffolding accident?

The amount of compensation you could be awarded for a successful scaffolding accident claim will depend on your injury and how long your recovery is expected to take. That means your claim might be worth a different amount to someone who had a similar accident.

Your compensation will be split into two parts: general damages and special damages.

General damages compensate you for the pain and suffering your accident has caused you. Our compensation calculator could give you an idea of what you might be entitled to in general damages.

Special damages cover any financial impact the accident has had on you. This could include a loss of earnings if you’ve been unable to work, as well as any medical treatment, mobility aids or even home modifications.

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Head

Upper body

Arms

Hands

Lower body

Feet

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Area of body

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Brain Injury

Hair

Eye

Ear

Nose

Cheek

Jaw

Teeth

Neck

Chest

Shoulder

Back

Arm

Elbow

Hand

Wrist

Leg

Knee

Hip & Pelvis

Foot

Ankle

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Type of injury

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Minor brain or head injury

In these cases brain damage, if any, will be minimal.

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Minor brain damage

Where a good recovery has been made but symptoms such as poor concentration and memory problems continue.

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Moderate brain damage

Where ability to work is reduced and there is a risk of epilepsy.

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Severe brain damage

The injured person is very seriously disabled and is dependent on others.

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Epilepsy

Epilepsy has been caused as a consequence of the injury.

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Psychiatric damage

Affecting the ability to cope with life and/or work or affecting relationships with family and friends.

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Moderate PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)

The injured person largely recovers within two years.

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Severe PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)

Injury causes effects that cause significant disability for the foreseeable future, or permanently.

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Damage to hair

In consequence of defective permanent waving etc. where effects are dermatitis or hair loss leading to distress and effects on social life.

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Less serious damage to hair

Where hair has been pulled out leaving bald patches, or stress-induced alopecia with full recovery within two years.

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Minor eye injury

Resulting in pain and temporary interference with vision.

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Minor but permanent damage

Permanent impairment of vision in one or both eyes.

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Loss of sight in one eye & reduced vision in the other

Total loss of sight in one eye and reduced vision or other problems with the other eye

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Loss of sight in one eye with little or no damage to the other eye

Total loss of sight in one eye only.

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Total loss of one eye

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Total blindness

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Occasional or mild tinnitus

Mild tinnitus with some hearing loss

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Moderate tinnitus

With noise induced hearing loss, or moderate to severe tinnitus, or noise induced hearing loss alone.

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Severe tinnitus

With noise induced hearing loss

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Loss of hearing in one ear

With or without associated problems such as tinnitus, dizziness or headaches.

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Total deafness

With or without the speech being affected, or tinnitus.

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Loss of smell

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Loss of taste

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Simple undisplaced fracture

Full recovery with no surgery required.

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Displaced fracture requiring surgery

Where recovery is complete after surgery

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Serious or multiple fractures

Injuries requiring a number of operations and/or resulting in permanent damage.

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Simple fracture, no surgery required

Simple fracture of the cheekbone, which will fully recover without surgery.

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Simple fracture requiring surgery

Simple fracture of the cheekbone requiring some reconstructive surgery, but with full recovery and little or no cosmetic effects.

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Serious fractures requiring surgery

Serious fractures causing lasting effects such as burning/prickling sensation or an element of disfigurement.

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Simple fracture

Requiring immobilisation but recovery is complete.

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Serious fracture

Serious injury causing permanent damage, such as difficulty eating or opening the mouth.

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Multiple fractures

Very serious multiple fractures requiring prolonged treatment. Permanent effects such as severe pain, restricted eating.

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Loss of or damage to back teeth

Assessed per tooth.

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Loss of or serious damage to one front tooth

Single tooth only.

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Loss of or serious damage to two front teeth

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Loss of or serious damage to several front teeth

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Significant, chronic tooth pain

Extends over a number of years, including significant deterioration of overall condition of the teeth.

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Whiplash

Where full recovery takes place between nine months and one year.

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Moderate neck injury

Fractures or dislocations which cause severe immediate symptoms and chronic conditions, leading to impaired function or limitation of activities.

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Severe neck injury

Injuries usually involving serious fractures or disc damage leading to disability, such as substantial loss of movement or loss of function in one or more limbs.

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Lung cancer

Caused by asbestos

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Asbestosis

Varying levels of respiratory disability and reduced lung function (1-10% and in excess of 10%)

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Mesothelioma

Severe pain and impairment of the pleura (lung lining) or the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity), affecting function and quality of life.

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Pleural thickening

Causing respiratory disability attributed to asbestos exposure.

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Traumatic injury to chest, lungs or heart

Causing permanent damage, impairment of function, physical disability and reduction of life expectancy.

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Minor shoulder injury

Such as soft tissue damage causing considerable pain but recovery almost complete within two years.

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Moderate shoulder injury

Such as frozen shoulder causing limitation of movement and discomfort for up to two years.

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Dislocated shoulder

Causing pain in shoulder and neck, aching in elbow, weakness of arm and hand.

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Severe shoulder injury

Involving damage to the brachial plexus and resulting in significant disability.

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Fracture of clavicle (collarbone)

Temporary or permanent disability as a result of a fracture.

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Minor back injury

Such as strains, sprains, disc prolapses and soft tissue injuries.

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Moderate back injury

Such as disturbances of ligaments and muscles causing backache, or compression fracture.

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Severe back injury

Injuries causing severe pain and disability, including impaired bladder, bowel and sexual function.

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Simple fracture of the forearm

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Serious fractures to one or both forearms

Resulting in significant or permanent disability

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Loss of one arm - amputated at the shoulder

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Loss of one arm - amputated above the elbow

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Loss of one arm - amputated below the elbow

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Loss of both arms

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Minor or moderate elbow injury

Most elbow injuries such as simple fractures, laceration and tennis elbow, not resulting in permanent damage or impairment.

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Serious elbow injury

Injuries causing impairment of function but not involving major surgery or significant disabilty

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Severely disabling elbow injury

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Minor hand injury

Injuries such as deep lacerations, soft tissue wounds or crush injuries, all recovering within six months.

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Severely fractured fingers

Resulting in impairment of grip or reduced mechanical function. Partial amputations resulting in deformity.

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Thumb injury - serious or very serious

Injuries such as a thumb being severed and re-attached, leaving it with little use, amputation of the tip or at the joint of the thumb. Nerve damage or fracture resulting in impaired grip or dexterity.

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Loss of thumb

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Amputation of little finger

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Amputation of index or middle finger

Amputation resulting in very little use and weak grip.

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Loss of one hand

Amputation due to crush injuries, or loss of a significant part of the hand due to traumatic injury.

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Loss of both hands

Serious injury resulting in extensive damage to both hands, effectively leaving them with little use.

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Vibration White Finger (VWF or HAVS)

Caused by repeated vibration, damage to hands including impaired grip, dexterity and frequent pain.

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Minor wrist injury

Such as an uncomplicated fracture with full or virtual recovery.

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Serious wrist injury

Injuries resulting in significant permanent disability, but some useful movement remains.

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Moderate wrist injury

Injuries causing some permanent disability, such as persistent pain and stiffness.

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Severe wrist injury

Resulting in complete loss of function in the wrist, for example when an arthrodesis has been performed.

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Simple leg fracture

Such as a broken femur, tibia or fibular

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Serious leg injury

Serious fracture or injuries to joints or ligaments, scarring, instability and lengthy treatment required.

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Severe fracture

Fractures where a full recovery is not made.

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Amputation of leg - below the knee

Loss of a leg below the knee

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Amputation of leg - above the knee

Loss of a leg above the knee

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Loss of both legs

Both legs being lost above the knee, below the knee, or where one leg has been lost above the knee and the other below.

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Modest knee injury

Torn cartilage or meniscus, laceration, twisting and bruising. May be full recovery, or continued aches and pains.

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Less severe knee injury

Injury or damage causing mild disability or continuing pain, discomfort or limited movement that may require future surgery.

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Severe knee injury

Fractures, joint or ligament damage causing constant pain, impairing movement and agility. Requiring prolonged treatment, the injured person will be prone to osteoarthritis.

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Minor injury to pelvis or hip

Including fractures where there is full recovery within two years.

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Moderate injury to hip or pelvis

Significant injury but any permanent disability is not major. Injury may require a hip replacement.

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Severe injury to hip or pelvis

Such as extensive fractures resulting in substantial disabilities.

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Minor foot injury

Simple metatarsal fractures, ruptured ligaments.

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Moderate foot injury

Displaced metatarsal fractures resulting in permanent deformity.

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Severe foot injury

Fractures to feet resulting in restricted mobility and /or considerable continuing pain.

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Loss of one foot

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Loss of both feet

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Severe injury to toes

Crush or multiple fractures to two or more toes, resulting in permanent disability.

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Amputation of the big toe

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Amputation of all toes

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Minor ankle injury

Undisplaced fractures, sprains and ligament injuries.

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Moderate ankle injury

For fractures and ligament tears resulting in moderate disability, such as difficulty walking on uneven ground or on stairs.

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Severe ankle injury

Injuries involving long periods of treatment, long period in plaster and some permanent disability.

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Result

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You could claim upto £11,890*

Result

There are other types of compensation you could be awarded through your accident such as loss of earnings or damage to property. The estimates given here are simply for your personal injury claim.

First4Lawyers' solicitors will be able to give you the best idea of the amount you should expect from your individual injury.