Construction Site Accident Claims

Who controlled the work that caused the injury?

A construction claim should begin with the actual task and the organisations involved. Your direct employer, the contractor controlling the activity, a site occupier or an equipment provider may have different roles. The investigation must identify an actionable failure and connect it with the accident; a company’s presence on site does not automatically make it liable.

Common issues requiring investigation

Site incidents may involve unsafe access, falling objects, moving plant, excavations, temporary works, manual handling or defective equipment. These are examples of situations to examine, not a statement that every such incident leads to compensation.

The HSA’s construction guidance explains the responsibilities of contractors, including managing work safely and providing site-specific induction. For a claim, the relevant documents and what actually happened on the ground both matter. A general safety statement does not, by itself, show how a particular task was controlled.

Agency workers and subcontractors

Keep the names of the organisation that engaged you, the person who instructed the task and the contractor responsible for that part of the site. Employment and subcontracting arrangements may affect the investigation. Do not assume that being paid through an agency or working as a subcontractor removes the possibility of a claim.

Site records and evidence to preserve

• The site address, project, date, task and location within the site.
• Your employer or agency details and the names of relevant contractors and supervisors.
• Incident reports, witness contacts and photographs obtained without entering unsafe areas.
• Details of the plant, access equipment, tools or materials involved.
• Information about induction, instructions, training, protective equipment and earlier concerns.
• Medical records, treatment receipts and evidence of work absence or reduced earnings.

Sites change quickly. Ask promptly about preserving relevant footage, equipment records and documents. Your solicitor can advise whether engineering evidence is needed. Any HSA investigation is separate from your civil claim and should not be treated as a reason to ignore legal deadlines.

How Lalloo Solicitors can help

We review the circumstances, identify the relevant parties and explain what further evidence may be needed. The medical evidence must connect the injury with the accident and address recovery, treatment and any continuing effects.

Many personal injury claims begin through the Injuries Resolution Board application process. The appropriate route, any settlement discussions and the need for court proceedings depend on the claim. You can also read about assessment and mediation advice.

A claim may include compensation for the injury and supported financial losses, such as treatment expenses and loss of earnings. There is no fixed payment for an accident type: the evidence and individual circumstances matter.

Construction site accident claims: common questions

Related services and guidance