Falls from Height Accident at Work Solicitors in Sunderland, Newcastle, and the North East

What Counts as a Falls from Height Accident at Work?

A falls from height accident at work occurs when a worker falls from an elevated position due to their employer’s failure to provide a safe working environment. Employers have a legal duty under the Work at Height Regulations 2005 to prevent falls by ensuring that all work at height is properly planned, supervised, and carried out safely.

Falls from height accidents at work can include:

• Falls from ladders due to inadequate securing or instability
• Falls from scaffolding caused by poor construction or maintenance
• Falls through fragile roofing materials or skylights
• Falls from elevated platforms or mezzanine floors
• Falls from vehicles, trailers, or loading bays
• Falls into unguarded openings or excavations
• Falls caused by the absence of edge protection or guardrails
• Falls resulting from inadequate personal protective equipment
• Accidents due to insufficient training for working at height

Steps to Take After a Fall from Height at Work

If you have been involved in a fall from height at work, it is vital that the accident is reported and recorded in the workplace accident book as soon as possible. The record should be detailed, accurate, and include full information about how and where the fall occurred, the height involved, and the injuries sustained.

Seek immediate medical attention following your fall, regardless of how your injuries initially appear. Falls from height can cause internal injuries, spinal damage, and head trauma that may not be immediately obvious. A thorough medical assessment is essential both for your health and for supporting your legal claim.

Where possible, photograph the area where the fall occurred and take note of any witnesses. You should then contact a specialist personal injury solicitor such as Thompson & Co Solicitors as soon as possible, as early legal advice is crucial in falls from height cases.

Falls from Height Accident at Work Compensation

If your fall from height claim is successful, you may be entitled to compensation for the pain, suffering, and loss of amenity caused by your injuries. You may also be able to recover a range of financial losses arising directly from the accident, such as:

• Cost of medical treatment, surgery, or ongoing rehabilitation
• Loss of earnings during your recovery
• Future loss of earnings if your injuries affect your long-term ability to work
• Travel costs to and from medical appointments
• Care and assistance provided by family members or professional carers

Keeping a thorough record of all expenses and retaining receipts will help to maximise the financial element of your compensation claim.

Falls from height often result in severe and life-altering injuries, including spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, multiple fractures, and in the most serious cases, paralysis. Compensation payouts in such cases can exceed £400,000, and every case is assessed individually. We strongly encourage you to contact our specialist solicitors for a proper evaluation of your claim.

What is the Time Limit for Falls from Height Claims?

In most cases, you have three years from the date of your fall from height accident to issue Court Proceedings. If proceedings are not issued within this three-year period, your claim will ordinarily become time-barred and you will lose the right to pursue compensation.

In limited circumstances, the Courts have the discretion to extend the three-year limitation period where there was a valid and justifiable reason for the delay in bringing the claim. However, this discretion is not guaranteed and should never be relied upon.

If you have suffered a fall from height at work within the past three years, you should seek legal advice immediately to protect your right to claim. If you believe your claim may already be out of time, it is still worth contacting a solicitor, as the Courts may exercise their discretion to allow your claim to proceed.