We are personal injury solicitors specialising in claiming compensation for clients involved in farm accidents. Catherine Smith has experience with these types of injuries, and introduces our services in this video.

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

Farm Accident Claims

British agriculture has one of the worst major accident, occupational ill health and especially fatality records of any employment sector in the UK. The HSE has made agricultural safety a special priority in 2010, with the launch of its 'Make The Promise' Farm Safety Campaign. Figures show that over a ten year period from 1998 to 2008, 461 fatal accidents were recorded within the farming industry (an average of almost one a week). While farming accounts for 1.7% of the UK workforce, it also accounts for 15-20% of worker fatalities. Furthermore, unlike in other industries, there has been no noticeable decline in farming accidents over the previous decade. The HSE have reported 1584 serious injuries to farm workers in 2007/08, an increase from 1197 such injuries in the previous year. Though fatal injuries declined in 2008/09, this statistic looks like an anomaly based on records from the past decade. HSE statistics also do not include illnesses and deaths resulting from diseases contracted on farms, which would undoubtedly substantially increase the numbers.

Who is Affected by Farm Accidents?

Farm accidents do not only effect farm workers, but also members of the public and children. Indeed farming is the only industry where children are present, often as a matter of course. Of the 461 fatalities in farming over the past decade, 56 of those were members of the public, and 22 were children. The message is stark; farm accidents can effect almost anyone, and can destroy lives, families and even the farms themselves. As the head of farm safety at the HSE has commented, 'The persistently high rates of fatal incidents and work related ill health in the industry are of real concern to HSE, to the representative industry bodies and to many farmers'.

Typical Causes Of Farm Accidents

Along with construction sites, farms are one of the most dangerous of places to work. A wide variety of vehicles, machinery and tools are in constant use, often requiring a high degree of physical exertion to operate. Furthermore, farm animals, especially bulls and cattle, are large and unpredictable. Over 25% of fatal farming accidents result from a person being struck by moving vehicles, particularly tractors, but also combine harvesters, fork lift trucks, diggers and 4x4 vehicles. The second most common cause is falls from height (nearly 20% of fatalities), especially falls from roofs, lofts, trees and ladders. People being struck by moving or falling objects account for 15% of the total of farm accidents, with bales of hay, pieces of wood, trees and masonry common culprits. Asphyxiation (for example in grainage silos and slurry pits) and drowning caused 10% of farming deaths over the past decade, a similar percentage to fatalities caused by injuries from animals. Other recorded causes of deaths on farms include contact with machinery, workers becoming trapped or crushed by collapsing walls or overturning vehicles, and electric shocks. In terms of non fatal injuries on farms over the past decade, the most common cause has been handling, lifting or carrying, accounting for roughly a quarter of all such injuries. The second largest was slips, trips and falls (20%), followed by injuries from falling, flying or moving objects (15%). Injuries caused by animals and contact with machinery each account for around 10% of the total.

Injuries Resulting From Farm Accidents

The most common types of injuries sustained in farm accidents are (in descending order of prevalence): fractures, concussion and internal injuries, crushings and contusions, asphyxiation, poisoning and gassing, and injuries caused by electricity. It is important to note that not all farming injuries result from physical accidents. A variety of hazardous substances which can cause serious illnesses unless properly stored and handled are used on farms, including pesticides, chemicals and animal medicines. Dust is a common trigger of respiratory disorders, such as occupational asthma and 'Farmer's Lung'. Asbestos is often found in farm buildings, especially roofs and insulated pipes, leading to potentially fatal cancers such as Mesothelioma. Loud machinery used on farms can cause haring loss unless protective equipment is provided. Finally, the long term use of vibrating tools and machinery can result damage to the nerves and blood vessels in the fingers, hands and body, causing irreparable damage over time.

Farm Accident Claims And Compensation Awards

Farm owners have a duty of care to their workers, as well as the members of the public on their land. They must comply with health and safety standards, and also ensure that their workers are adequately trained in all the tasks they are required to perform. This includes the use of machinery, and the handling of animals and chemicals. Appropriate protective equipment must also be provided at all times. Bartletts Solicitors are specialists in the field of farm accident claims and related illness claims. We work on a no win no fee basis meaning if you win your case the farm owner's insurance company will also pay all of your legal fees.