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Read more about falls from height below, or use our free legal advice service opposite to ask us a question or to get started making a claim.

Claim Compensation For A Fall At Work

Falls from height are one of the most serious types of work injuries, historically proving to be the top cause of workplace fatalities, and the second largest cause of major injuries. The Health and Safety Executive have advised that during 2008/9, 35 workers suffered fatal accidents falling from height, representing a 50% decline since 2001/2, attributable to improved safety legislation and standards. However, 4654 major injuries were recorded by the HSE as resulting from a fall from height, an increase from 4066 in 2001/2. This is attributed to a sharp rise in falls from lower heights of under 2 metres, along with a higher incidence of falls from vehicles. Other types of falls from height have continued to decline since 2001/2, including falls from ladders, though they remain the most common agent involved and account for almost a third of all reported falls from height incidents.

Typical Causes Of Falls From Height Accidents

Ladders and stepladders are used in a variety of professions, from window cleaning to shelf stacking. Ladders (and scaffolding) may be unsuitable for the job being undertaken, or may not have been maintained properly. The rungs of the ladder may be wet, slippery, dirty or defective, causing the climber to fall. The ladder may also be poorly positioned, causing it to wobble, or it may have been fixed on soft or sloping ground. Falls from roofs are also common, as they are mostly fragile and susceptible to collapse under the force of human body weight. Falls from roofs are particularly dangerous in the fact that a worker may often plunge straight down into a building's interior. Falls from machines occur most often when vehicles are being loaded and unloaded. They are also very serious, as the worker may fall and either strike the machine on his way, or fall directly straight into it.

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Who Is Affected By Falls From Height Injuries?

Building, roofing and scaffolding work produce the majority of falls from height injuries, though many other occupations are at special risk. Painters and decorators, window cleaners and window dressers all use ladders or platforms on a daily basis both indoors and outdoors. Almost anyone else can be at risk when working at any height, depending on the safety measures taken by the employer. An office worker changing a light bulb can be placed at the same risk of serious injury as a worker in a more traditionally dangerous occupation. In certain other industries however the risk of working at height is accepted as being essential. Ship and dock yard workers for example cannot being a claims against their employer for a fall from height. Falls from heights can result in severe injuries, including head injuries, back and spinal injuries, injuries to hands and wrists, and fractures to the feet, ankles and legs.

Employers Must Take Steps To Prevent Accidents At Work

Your employer has a duty to prevent you from sustaining this type of work related injury by ensuring that you are properly trained, have the right work equipment and that the job has been properly risk assessed. Risk assessments will need be ongoing and regular as the work develops over time. The most important piece of legislation is the Work at Height Regulations, in force since 1st April 2005. The first duty these regulations place on an employer is to prevent employees working at height wherever practically possible. Where working at height is unavoidable, the correct (i.e. safest and fully operational) equipment for doing the job must be provided, along with personal protective equipment where necessary. All other safety measures to prevent falls must be implemented. Your employers duties are set out under the following workplace regulations:

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Work at Height Regulations 2005
Work at Height (Amended Regulations) 2007
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

Falls From Height Claims And Compensation Awards

Employers are often found to be liable for their failure to recognise a danger, failure to provide safe equipment or a safe system of work, and failure to ensure this system is followed. Employers also commonly fail to provide the necessary instruction, training or supervision that their employees require before beginning work at height. The severity of the injury sustained following a fall from height, and the corresponding level of medical treatment required will determine the level of compensation awarded to the successful claimant. Bartletts Solicitors are specialists in the field of fall from height injury claims. We work on a no win no fee basis meaning if you win your case your employer's insurance company will pay all of your legal fees.