By Daniel Sisko. Last Updated 6th April 2023. Welcome to our guide to claiming for being injured by a falling object. In the sections below we look at being struck by a falling object at work in detail. We explain how people could be injured by injured by a falling object at work, look at some struck by a falling object examples, and explain what can be used to protect workers from falling objects in the workplace. Further to this, we examine who could make a claim for compensation.
I Was Injured By A Falling Object, How Do I Claim Compensation?
Falling object injury claims can be filed providing someone else was at fault. If you were struck by a falling object, you could seek compensation. In this guide, we look at reasons why you could file a personal injury claim against a responsible party such as in an accident at work. We provide free legal advice to claimants. Our team of solicitors has extensive experience in representing injured people.
If your case is assessed by an adviser and is valid, our solicitors could offer you No Win No Fee terms. In short, funding a solicitor to work on your personal injury claim could become affordable. To speak to an adviser straight away, please call 0800 073 8801 today.
If you would like more information on how to make a No Win No Fee falling object injury claim for compensation, please continue reading our guide by clicking on the sections below.
Select A Section
- A Guide To Falling Object Injury Claims
- What Is A Falling Object Injury?
- Time Limit When Claiming For An Injury From A Falling Object
- What Injuries Could Falling Objects Cause?
- Employers’ And Occupiers’ Duty Of Care To Prevent Falling Object Injuries
- What Are The Hazards Of Falling Objects?
- Falling Object Injury Claims Against Employers
- Falling Object Injury Claims For Public Place Accidents
- Claims Calculator: Falling Object Injury
- Special Damages Awarded For Falling Object Injuries
- No Win No Fee Falling Object Injury Claims
- Begin Your Claim
- Helpful Resources
A Guide To Falling Object Injury Claims
If you’ve been injured because of a falling object, as long as you can show negligence on the part of a third party, your personal injury claim could be upheld. Potentially, if you are injured by a falling object, you could suffer injuries that range from spinal injuries to chemical burns and even wrongful death.
This guide provides essential advice on how to go about making falling object injury claims including the claims process and the time limit you could have to claim if you’ve been hit by a falling object. Whether you suffered injuries from falling objects at work or in a public place, we explain who could be held responsible. We also provide advice on the duty of care employers owe those in the workplace.
We have provided a table that offers information on the value placed on specific injuries that could be caused by falling objects. Additionally, we explain what special damages are and what you may be able to claim back for the losses and expenses you incurred.
Could I claim on a No Win No Fee basis if I’m injured by a falling object at work?
Lastly, the guide to falling object accident claims covers how Conditional Fee Agreements work and how you could benefit from having a No Win No Fee lawyer act on your behalf. To find out more, please click on the sections provided below.
For free legal advice and more information on falling object injury claims, please speak to a member of our team. We have years of experience helping claimants make a range of claims. You could request a call by filling in our contact form.
What Is A Falling Object Injury?
You could be injured by a falling object at work, or you could be injured in a public place. This includes in a warehouse, construction site, supermarket, a shop, or a park. The falling object could be a sign that is badly secured, or an item being dropped from a ladder or scaffolding.
Tools pose a problem when they are stored at height in the workplace. Additionally, badly erected ladders or shelving could result in an item falling and injuring a person below.
The type of injuries sustained when struck by a falling object could be minor. However, you could suffer a more serious head injury and this could be life-altering.
Our solicitors are here to assist you if you’ve been injured by a falling object. They work hard to ensure that your case is fully assessed. Once this is achieved, your personal injury claim can go forward.
Call the number at the top of the page today to find out more about falling object injury claims.
Time Limit When Claiming For An Injury From A Falling Object
If you’re hurt due to a falling object, an injury compensation claim must typically be started within 3 years of this date. This is stated in the Limitation Act 1980.
There are two exceptions for this time limit. We’ve listed them below.
- Those who lack the mental capacity to claim – Should the injured party be unable to make their own claim due to a reduced mental capacity, then there is no time limit. However, it would begin if they ever became capable of doing so. Before this date, a litigation friend needs to be appointed to claim on behalf of the individual who sustained the injury.
- Injured children – The time limit for those under 18 is suspended until their 18th However, children cannot make a claim for themselves. Due to this, a litigation friend must also be appointed to claim on their behalf. Before the child’s 18th birthday, there is no time limit to begin this process.
If you’ve been injured due to a falling object, our injury lawyers may be able to assist you with your claim. Get in touch with our advisors for more information.
What Injuries Could Falling Objects Cause?
You may suffer a minor injury when struck by a falling object. However, there are instances when the injuries sustained are life altering or even fatal. This includes sustaining severe injuries to the head. That said, other injuries that could be sustained when struck by a falling object include:
- Head injury, which includes penetrating head injury
- Fracture to the skull
- Traumatic brain injury
- Blindness or slight sight loss
- Eye injuries
- Back/spinal injuries
- Scarring
- Facial disfigurement
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Crushed limbs
- Severe spinal injuries resulting in paraplegia or tetraplegia
Please speak to a member of our team today to receive free legal advice on how to claim compensation for injuries sustained by a falling object.
Employers’ And Occupiers’ Duty Of Care To Prevent Falling Object Injuries
There are laws and regulations that employers must follow to ensure workers and other staff as well as visitors are (as reasonably as possible) kept safe from harm. This includes:
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- The Work at Height Regulations 2005
- The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
These laws should be followed by employers to help prevent avoidable accidents and injuries. The duty of care owed to staff in a workplace means employers could:
- Carry out regular ongoing risk assessments
- Set in place adequate safety measures
- Ensure staff and other workers are sufficiently trained
- Ensure safety guards/mesh and ties are used where necessary
- Set up exclusion zones
- Store items safely
- Provide adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) if necessary
Public places
The main law that requires those in control of premises, property or land (‘occupiers’) to protect the health and safety of visitors is:
- Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957
If a place or space is accessible to the public, it should be made safe. This can be done through:
- Clear, visible signage warning of hazards
- Adequate, timely maintenance
- Sufficient risk assessments
If an employer or occupier fails to take reasonable steps to ensure your safety, and it causes you injury, you could claim.
What Are The Hazards Of Falling Objects?
By law, employers owe the people who work for them a duty of care. Those in control of places accessible to the public also owe visitors a duty of care. That duty of care is to act as reasonably as possible in ensuring the safety of visitors or employees.
Despite this, it is wise to be aware of the hazards of falling objects. These include the object striking you or a loved one or your property. A fallen object could become a tripping hazard too.
Ways to avoid the hazards of falling objects include:
- Ensure all shelving is stable and well secured
- Ensure heavier items/objects are stored on lower shelves
- Give appropriate training to employees on how to stack shelves
- Ensure hand tools are correctly stored, and knives are sheathed
- Use, store and maintain ladders correctly
- Ensure scaffolding is correctly erected and secured
If you need free legal advice on how best to proceed with a claim for compensation having been struck by a falling object and it wasn’t your fault, a member of our team is here to take your call.
Falling Object Injury Claims Against Employers
Some injuries sustained in an accident at work involve hand tools. Tools may be stored at height in the workplace, and when they fall, the injuries you could sustain may be significant.
Laws are there to protect workers and other people from being injured in the workplace. This includes abiding by The Work at Height Regulations 2005 which covers objects falling from heights. Employers have a duty of care to abide by the law and to ensure they take action to prevent the risk of being injured by a falling object.
If you are struck by a falling object in the workplace, the incident should be recorded in the accident book, and a report sent through RIDDOR if it qualifies. This applies to all reportable workplace incidents and near-misses. The responsibility falls to the employer, and failure to do so could result in a heavy fine being levied.
Should you need more advice on falling object injury claims, a member of our team is here to take your call and to offer you free legal advice.
Falling Object Injury Claims For Public Place Accidents
Depending on how the accident occurred in a public space, the body in control could be held responsible. Providing the accident happened in a place that is accessible to the general public, the controller of the area would have a duty to protect the health and safety of visitors.
Examples of those in control of public places include:
- Private landlords
- Businesses
- Local authorities
Falling object injury claims can be valid as long as you can prove third party negligence. As such, you should gather as much proof as you can to support your claim. The type of evidence required could include (if possible):
- Photos of the injuries you suffered
- Photos of where the accident happened before the hazard is removed
- Witness contact details so they can provide a statement later
- CCTV footage
An adviser can provide more advice on how to make a falling object injury claim, so please call today.
Compensation Calculator: Falling Object Injury Claims
Until we can fully assess your claim and the injuries you suffered, it is hard to put an actual value on a claim. That said, the table below provides recommended amounts awarded for specific injuries typically caused by falling objects.
The figures show compensation for injuries only (general damages). On top of this compensation, you could add special damages (compensation for financial loss), which we look at in the following section.
These figures are taken from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). Solicitors may use the JCG to help them value injuries.
| Type of Injury | Notes | Amount Awarded in General Damages |
|---|---|---|
| Brain damage | Very severe brain damage | £282,010 to £403,990 |
| Eye injury | Loss of vision in one eye with some sight loss in other eye (i) | £95,990 to £179,770 |
| Back | Severe (i) | £91,090 to £160,980 |
| Back | Moderate (i) | £27,760 to £38,780 |
| Neck | Severe (i) | In the region of £148,330 |
| Neck | Moderate (i) | £24,990 to £38,490 |
| PTSD | Severe | £59,860 to £100,670 |
| PTSD | Moderate | £8,180 to £23,150 |
| Facial disfigurement | Very severe scarring | £29,780 to £97,330 |
| Head injury | Minor | £2,210 to £12,770 |
If you can’t see your injuries in the above table, our expert advisers could help. A member of our team is here to offer free legal advice on how much your falling object injury claim could be worth, so please call today.
Special Damages Awarded For Falling Object Injuries
Special damages are calculated on financial losses and expenses caused by your injuries. You need to provide evidence in order to claim them back. You could claim the following in special damages:
- Travel expenses, which covers things like getting to and from appointments. This could be for treatment or a meeting with a solicitor.
- Medical costs such as prescriptions, treatments and medication.
- Care costs for being taken care of during your recovery, even if a family member is your carer.
- Loss of earnings for the time you were off work due to your injuries and underpaid or not paid.
- Lost future income if you cannot carry on working.
An adviser can let you know what out-o- pocket expenses you could claim back in special damages, so please get in touch today.
No Win No Fee Falling Object Injury Claims
Finding the funds to pay upfront and ongoing fees to a solicitor can be a struggle. As such, many people believe they cannot afford the services of a solicitor to make a personal injury claim.
However, a No Win No Fee lawyer could represent you when you seek compensation in a falling object injury claim.
With a No Win No Fee agreement, the burden of finding the funds to pay upfront for legal representation no longer applies. Not only could you benefit from free legal advice in an initial, no obligation consultation, but there would be no ongoing solicitor fees to pay either.
Personal injury claims can be complex, so having an expert act on your behalf can make the process easier.
Providing the evidence you have establishes third party negligence and you have a formidable claim, a No Win No Fee solicitor could take your case on. This involves signing a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) which is a contract between the solicitor and you (the claimant).
Essentially, a No Win No Fee agreement means:
- If you lose your claim, you will not pay any solicitor’s fees.
- You pay the ‘success fee’ when you win your claim, and the amount is deducted from the falling object injury compensation you receive. (This fee is lawfully capped so you get the bulk of your compensation.)
A member of our team is here to take your call and to offer free legal advice on claiming compensation for a falling object injury.
Begin Your Claim
For a speedy response and to find out more about falling object injury claims, please get in touch with a member of our team. Our claims lines are open 24/7 but if you prefer, you can also contact us by email or request a callback.
- Call an adviser on 0800 073 8801
- Email us at office@accidentclaims.co.uk
- Request a callback
You can start your falling object injury claim at any time because our claims lines are open 24/7.
An adviser will provide free legal advice and, if you have a formidable claim, put you in touch with one of our No Win No Fee personal injury solicitors.
Helpful Resources
The link below provides information about accidents involving falling objects.
Struck by something falling from height
The NHS website provides valuable information about severe head injuries.
Falling objects can cause serious head injuries resulting in loss of vision. The guide below provides advice on how to claim for loss of sight.
Loss of Sight Compensation Claims
The link below provides essential advice on how to claim compensation for a fatality.
The link below takes you to our guide on claiming compensation for an accident at work.
Injured by a falling object claims FAQs
How common is it for someone to be injured by a falling object?
According to the HSE’s figures for 2019/20 taken from RIDDOR, 11% of workplace accidents are caused when someone is struck by a moving object, which could include falling objects. You can see how this compares to other causes below.
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What to do if something falls on you at work?
If you’ve been injured by a falling object, there are certain steps you might want to take, regardless of whether you want to make a personal injury claim. These could include:
- Getting medical attention – it’s vital that you seek medical advice for any injuries you sustain. That way, not only do you have a record of your injuries, but you also have the most appropriate advice on how to recover.
- Taking photographs – Whether you get a picture of the scene of the accident or of your injuries (or both), photographic evidence could be really useful when it comes to proving what happens.
- Reporting the accident – An accident that causes certain specific injuries needs to be reported under RIDDOR. However, you should also report any accident at work that causes any type of injury, as well as near misses. This way, your employer is aware of what’s happened.
- Get witness details –If you can, try and get witnesses contact details so they could give a statement if required
What can be used to protect workers from falling objects?
Perhaps the most obvious way to protect workers from falling objects would be to provide them with a hard hat. However, there are other methods to protect people being injured by a falling object at work.
Employers could provide safety training to employees likely to have people working above them, to avoid them being struck by a falling object at work. They could also put into place procedures for avoiding areas where work is being completed at height, for example.
What are some examples of being struck by falling objects?
If you’re looking for some examples of being struck by falling objects, such accidents could be caused by:
- Workers who are on ladders and drop an object onto someone
- Incorrectly stacked goods on shelves falling onto a worker
- Poorly maintained roofing falling onto someone
If you believe someone could be held responsible for you being injured by a falling object at work, or in a public place, why not call our team? We could assess your case to see if you could claim.
Can any worker struck by a falling object at work claim compensation?
Not every person struck by a falling object at work would be able to claim compensation. To be eligible to claim, you’d need to demonstrate that your employer breached their duty of care towards you, causing you to be injured by a falling object at work. If you’re unsure as to whether you could be eligible for compensation, why not call our team?
We hope you have enjoyed our guide to claiming for being injured by a falling object.