Claim compensation for a building site accident?

If you work in the construction industry and have had an accident that wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to make a building site accident claim.

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Building Site Accident Claims

Building site accident claims allow construction workers to secure compensation if they were injured due to unsafe working conditions or employer negligence.

Working on a construction site is one of the most dangerous jobs that you can have. Potential health and safety risks include heavy lifting, machinery accidents, falls from height, and electrocution.

At InjuryClaims.co.uk, the experienced personal injury solicitors we work with will handle your case on a no win no fee basis, so there are no upfront costs, and you only pay a fee if your claim is successful.

Call 0800 470 0474 today or request a call back for a free claim assessment and find out within minutes if you have a valid compensation claim.

Key points about building site injury claims

Am I eligible to claim?
You may be entitled to claim if you were injured on a building site due to unsafe practices or lack of safety equipment.
Who is responsible?
Your employer, site manager, or contractor may be liable if they breached health and safety duties.
Is there a time limit?
Yes, the time limit is generally 3 years from the date of the accident or diagnosis of injury.
How much can I claim?
Compensation will depend on the type and severity of your injuries and may include earnings lost and rehabilitation costs.
Will I get a no win, no fee service?
Yes, claims are handled on a no win, no fee basis, so you only pay a fee if the claim succeeds.

If you would like to speak to a legal adviser about making a claim, call free on 0800 470 0474 or click here to request a call back.

Find out if you can claim

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By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy. With no win no fee you typically pay 25% of your compensation if your claim is successful, but the fee can vary. Termination fees may apply if you fail to co-operate with your solicitor.

Table of Contents

Can I make a building site accident compensation claim?

Yes, you may be able to make a construction accident claim if you were injured due to someone else’s negligence. To determine if you are entitled to compensation, a legal adviser will offer you a free case assessment to check whether:

Did the accident happen within the last three years?
Was someone else responsible for it?
Did the responsible party owe you a legal duty of care?
Did they breach this duty by acting negligently?

If the answer to these questions is yes, you will be paired with an experienced personal injury solicitor. They will guide you through the claims process and ensure your case is handled professionally.

Who is responsible for building site safety?

If you work on a building site, your employer has a legal duty of care to protect your health and safety. This includes:

Conduct risk assessments.
Take reasonable steps to eliminate or minimise hazards.
Provide adequate safety equipment and training.
Ensure tools and machinery are safe for use.

Key legislation that applies to construction injury compensation claims includes:

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 – All work must be carefully planned and coordinated.
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 – Sets out the general duties of employers to ensure the health, safety, and welfare at work.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 – Ensure safety when working at height.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 – Protect against exposure to dangerous chemicals, fumes and dust.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 – Ensures machinery is adequately maintained.

Failing to comply with these regulations may lead to an employer being liable for compensation if that failure caused injury.

Common types of building site accidents

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 50,000 workers in the construction sector sustained a workplace injury in 2024/25. These were commonly due to workplace accidents, such as:

Slips, trips and falls on the same level caused by uncovered holes, trailing cables, and untidy work areas.
Being struck by falling objects, such as bricks, roof tiles, and tools.
Scaffolding accidents resulting from improperly assembled scaffolding, tripping over tools or a lack of safety rails.
Vehicle and machinery accidents, including crane accidents, digger accidents and excavator accidents caused by mechanical failures or operator error.

Other potential building site accidents include the following:

Manual handling and heavy lifting.
Accidents caused by inadequate training.
Electrical accidents.
Exposure to hazardous substances.
Injuries sustained due to a lack of personal protective equipment.
Accidents caused by faulty equipment.

If you had an accident at work due to someone else’s negligence, a specialist solicitor could help you start a building site injury claim.

How much compensation for construction injuries?

The compensation you could receive if you were injured in a construction accident is made up of two parts:

General damages – An amount for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by your injury.
Special damages – This award covers the losses and expenses you have suffered due to the accident (such as loss of earnings, medical bills and treatment costs).

General damages are awarded based on the recommendations from the Judicial College. You can get an idea of how much you could receive by referring to our online compensation calculator.

All construction worker injury claims are judged on a case-by-case basis and will vary based on several different factors. To find out how much compensation you could be entitled to, call 0800 470 0474 today for a free case assessment.

Time limits to start a building site injury claim

The Limitation Act 1980 sets a three-year time limit to make a construction site accident claim, starting from either:

The date of the accident.
The date your injuries were diagnosed, known as the date of knowledge.

The date of knowledge applies to injuries that develop over time, such as tendonitis and other musculoskeletal disorders.

Exceptions include:

Child injury claims – Can be made by a parent or legal guardian at any time before the child’s 18th birthday.
Claimants lacking mental capacity – A litigation friend could claim personal injury compensation for them at any time.
Fatal accidents – The three-year time limit will generally start from the date of death.

It’s best to start your construction site accident claim as soon as possible to give your solicitor plenty of time to secure evidence and build a strong case.

How does a building site compensation claim work?

There are a few steps you should take if you have suffered an accident or injury at work and you want to make a claim:

If you suffered a serious injury, seek immediate medical care. If not, talk to your GP or go to a minor injury unit as soon as possible.
Notify the site manager, and the details of the accident are recorded in the site accident book (and ask for a signed copy of it).
Gather witness details and as much evidence as possible, such as photographs of the accident scene, hazards and your injuries.
Talk to a personal injury lawyer as early as possible. They will assess liability, gather supporting evidence, and help you start a construction accident claim.

Your solicitor will send a claim notification form to the defendant and negotiate your building site accident compensation. If liability is denied, they will issue court proceedings and prepare to argue your case in court, but most cases are settled through negotiations.

Can I claim construction accident compensation using No Win No Fee?

Yes, making a construction site compensation claim under a no win no fee agreement is possible. This service gives everybody the chance to start legal proceedings if they have suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, regardless of their financial situation.

No win no fee is the preferred way of funding a building site injury claim. You do not have to pay anything upfront for legal representation, and you only pay your solicitor if your claim is successful.

If you win your construction injury claim, your solicitor will get a success fee of up to 25% of your settlement. If you lose, you do not have to pay them anything.

Types of negligence that could lead to a construction site accident

The many types of negligence that could lead to a construction accident compensation claim include:

Insufficient training to use machinery and tools.
Unsafe working environments leading to slip and trip accidents.
Defective machinery and equipment.
Lack of suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), such as hard hats and safety boots.
Hiring workers without suitable qualifications or background checks.
Lack of fall protection when working at height.
Incorrectly handling or storing materials.
Failure to provide clear signage and warnings about potential hazards.
Not allowing enough rest breaks.
Poor electrical safety may lead to electric shocks and burns.

This list is not exhaustive, and many other types of negligence could lead to accidents and injuries on building sites.

Common injuries seen in building site accident claims

Construction and building site accidents can result in various injuries ranging from minor to severe and life-changing trauma. Some of the most common injuries seen in construction accident claims include:

Soft tissue injuries – Lacerations and abrasions from contact with sharp tools, equipment, or materials.
Fractures – Accidents involving heavy machinery, falling objects, or collapses can lead to broken arms, legs, or ribs.
Crush injuries – Being caught between heavy machinery, vehicles, or structures can result in severe tissue damage and internal injuries.
Electrical shock – Contact with exposed wiring or faulty electrical equipment can cause burn injuries and electrocution.
Amputations – Severe accidents can lead to traumatic amputations of fingers, hands, or limbs.
Head and brain injuries – Falls, impacts, and heavy machinery can cause minor to life-altering head injuries.
Back and spinal injuries – Improper lifting techniques and acute traumas can result in back and spinal injuries, leading to long-term pain and disability.
Chemical burns and injuries – Working with dangerous chemicals can result in chemical burns, eye injuries, and toxic exposure.
Eye injuries – Working with tools, chemicals, or debris without proper eye protection can lead to corneal abrasions and more severe damage, including loss of sight.
Sprains and strains – These injuries to muscles, tendons, or ligaments can develop over time from heavy lifting or after a single incident, such as a fall.

If you or someone you love suffered any injury due to negligence, you may be entitled to seek compensation.

Frequently asked questions

Can I claim for a fatal accident on a building site?

Yes. If a loved one has passed away due to a construction site accident, you may be entitled to claim compensation under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976. A fatal accident compensation award can cover loss of financial support, loss of services, funeral expenses and bereavement damages of £15,120.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 35 construction workers suffered a fatal work accident in 2024/25. Sadly, many of these building site accidents could have been avoided if employers had followed the relevant safety regulations.

Can I still claim if I am self-employed or on a zero-hours contract?

Yes. You can still make an accident at work claim even if you are self-employed or work under a zero-hours contract. A person or company responsible for health and safety on the construction site may still owe you a duty of care, regardless of your employment status.

If a duty of care was breached and you were injured in a construction site accident, you may still be entitled to compensation even if you worked part-time or on a zero-hours contract.

Am I entitled to compensation if I was injured while visiting a building site?

Yes. If you had an accident on a construction site while visiting, you may be entitled to compensation under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. Under this Act, property owners must take reasonable care to ensure you are safe while on their premises.

If the construction site owner has failed to follow good health and safety practices and you had a construction site accident as a visitor, you might be able to make a claim for compensation.

Early action is vital – start your claim today.

When making a personal injury claim, you have three years from the date of the injury or accident to start a claim. But it is always a good idea to obtain legal advice as soon as possible following an accident.

By calling 0800 470 0474, a friendly legal adviser can assess your claim and provide you with guidance on your legal right to compensation. To learn more, enter your details into the contact form below or call the freephone number.

You can find out within minutes if you have a valid building site injury claim and receive answers to any questions or concerns you may have about the process of making a claim.

Last edited on 15th Apr 2026

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.