What happens if I am injured on a ladder while at work?
Employers must provide ladders that are safe, ideally with grips on the steps. The condition of ladders should be routinely monitored. If any faults are found, the ladder must be repaired or replaced.
Workers should be given comprehensive health and safety training for working at height, including training beforehand for using ladders at work. It doesn’t matter whether you will be working on ladders all day every day, or if it is a one-off task – your employer needs to ensure you have sufficient training and that training is renewed on a annual basis. If you have not been given proper training for using a ladder, and have subsequently fallen, you can make a claim for compensation.
Risk assessments for working on ladders should be carried out by your employer, and you need to stick to these.
If you are injured at work on a ladder:
Seek medical attention immediately
Report your accident to your workplace as soon as possible, and ensure it is logged in the accident book
Ensure that the ladder is removed from use and is not repaired until an independent assessment has taken place to find any faults
If possible, take photographs of anything you think contributed to the accident
Collect the details of any witnesses. Our lawyers will be able to contact them for a witness statement which will support your case
You may also be able to get CCTV footage of the accident
Ask you employer for a copy of the accident report form
If you go to hospital ask for records of your X-rays and other medical information that will help build you claim
Copies of wage slips and other associated costs will help
After you’ve contacted us, we’ll set up a free initial consultation to discuss your case and whether you have a legal claim. We’ll discuss what funding options are available to you to pay for your claim, including No Win No Fee agreements *.
Our lawyers will look into your case in detail, gathering evidence from independent medical professionals and health and safety specialists. These experts will analyse why your accident happened and can determine any future implications to your health. They’ll also advise us on the care you’ll need in the future and any precautions that need to be implemented in your workplace.
Who Can Make A Claim?
According to HSE stats, falls from height made up 8% of the most common accidents reported at work. Falls from height are one of the biggest causes of workplace fatalities. The Health and Safety Executive state 29% of fatal workplace accidents were caused by falls from height.
We could help you make a claim if you’ve been injured in a ladder fall at work, whether you’re an employee, contractor, a member of the public in the surrounding area or if you were a visitor on the work site.
Even if you’re a casual worker or self-employed, you might still be considered as an employee under UK law, giving you the same rights as other workers when it comes to health and safety.
If you’re an agency worker who has been injured in a ladder accident, both the agency you work for and the operatives of the business you’re working on behalf of should take responsibility for your safety. They should work together to make sure that precautions are in place to protect you.
We can also help with claims being made on behalf of others including:
On behalf of a child who has been in an accident before their 18th birthday
For someone who doesn’t have the mental capacity to handle their own case
On behalf of a loved one who has unfortunately passed away
If you’ve sadly lost a loved one in a ladder accident, we can help you with:
Recovering compensation for their pain and suffering, to account for financial losses caused by their death and to cover funeral expenses.
Representing you at inquest
Getting you the answers and apology you deserve from those responsible
What can compensation pay for?
There is no set value of compensation that can be claimed for a ladder accident or fall from height. The amount of compensation is determined by the seriousness of the injury, the long-term diagnosis, loss of income and more. For example a simple sprained wrist with a few days off work, is not as complex as a spinal injury sustained falling from a ladder.
Compensation can make a real difference to your life, guaranteeing that you can access the healthcare and support you need to make the best recovery you can. By making a claim with us, we can get you funds which can help pay for:
Private healthcare treatment
Physiotherapy
Psychological therapy
Expenses (such as travel costs to hospital appointments)
Loss of income
Household adaptations
We’ll seek expert opinions on what care you’ll need and will make sure that the compensation you’ll receive can cover their suggestions.
If your employer accepts responsibility for your ladder accident, we can help you get early compensation in the form of interim payments. These funds will be taken from your final settlement and can help pay for ongoing care costs and expenses, before your claim has settled.
How long do I have to make a claim?
You’ll normally have three years to make a claim from the date of your ladder accident or the point at which you realise that the fall has caused serious damage that may have implications on your future ability to work. However, there are some exceptions to this rule:
Under 18s –you can claim on behalf of a child who was on work experience or working part-time. No time limits apply in these circumstances until the child turns 18. When the child turns 18 they can make their own claim but the three year time limit will then applyMental capacity – you can make a claim on behalf of someone who doesn’t have the ability to do so themselves, including when someone has suffered a serious head/brain injury as a result of their fall from a ladder accident. No time limits apply in these circumstancesFatal claims – if you’re claiming on behalf of a loved one who died falling from a ladder, you’ll either have three years from the date of their death or the date of the accident to make a claim.
If you have any concerns about the time limits for claiming compensation, we’ll be able to talk through your options. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
