An accident book is used on a construction site to record details of any accidents that occur. This is a legal requirement. The details that must be recorded include:

• The date and time on which the accident happened
• The name of the person who was injured.
• Any witnesses
• The type and nature of the injury
• The cause and full circumstances of the accident

You should make sure that these details are entered into the accident book by you or a work colleague as soon after the accident as possible. The accident book is often a valuable source of evidence when an injury claim is made. You should also see a doctor straight away and make sure that the doctor knows that your accident happened at work and exactly how it happened. Try and get witness statements from your work colleagues and take photos of the accident location.

Due to the nature of construction sites, the potential for serious injury is high. Construction site accidents have led to all kinds of serious injuries, including –

• Brain injury
• Head injury
• Back injury
• Crushing injuries
• Amputation
• Fractures
• Burns

Accidents can be embarrassing and stressful and you may feel that you were to blame but this is often not the case. You may not have been given the right tools and equipment for the job. You may not have been shown how to work safely. Your job may not have been risk assessed properly or correctly supervised or the machinery may not have been fit for purpose. A guard may have been missing on a machine or the system of work used may have been unsafe.

Some of the most common causes of construction site injuries include

• Falls from scaffolding and ladders
• Lifting and handling heavy objects
• Being struck by a vehicle
• Electrocution
• Faulty machinery/equipment
• Being struck by falling objects

Deaths on site also happen. A wrongful death claim can be made where the family of the person who died can bring a legal action against those at fault. This can be really important if you were financially reliant on your loved one’s income.

You should not be afraid to exercise your rights. You should not lose your job or be treated less favourably for claiming what is rightfully yours. Remember that it your employer’s job to make sure that you are not exposed to risks in the workplace. The employer informs their insurer and we will deal with their insurer company about your claim, not your employer.

It is against the law for your employer to treat you any differently or for you to lose your job because you are bringing a claim.

The compensation you receive can be a significant help particularly if you are not able to work or will be off work for some time. You are also helping to stop the same kind of accident happening to someone else.

If you have been unable to work because of your injuries and do not receive sufficient pay, you will be out of pocket. Your financial problems will get worse if you cannot return to work or can only work on light duties or in a reduced capacity.

Your damages award is intended to recover all of your financial losses. It is not just your loss of earnings. You can claim the cost of private medical treatment, travel expenses and aids and equipment can also be reimbursed. A claim will also include compensation for your pain and suffering and the way in which your life has been affected by the accident.

If so, you must decide what to do next. We will never pressure you into making a claim. If you want us to investigate, we can handle the whole process for you. We will sent a letter to your employer and then usually they send this letter to their insurer, who takes over dealing with the matter. We know it might seem daunting, especially if you are still struggling with your health. But rest assured, we do all the hard work for you and handle all contact with your employer delicately.

Not only will we get you the maximum amount of compensation, we will also help you access the best treatment and rehabilitation available. This is essential where injuries are serious.

If you are injured as a visitor to a construction site, you could bring a claim under the Occupier’s Liability Act. This is another type of personal injury claim which allows you to be properly compensated for your injuries and financial losses.

Find out more about public place accidents.