Defective Work Equipment Claim Solicitors

A defective work equipment claim is a type of workplace accident compensation claim made when an employee or worker is injured because equipment, machinery, tools, or workplace devices were faulty, unsafe, poorly maintained, or not fit for use. If defective work equipment caused your injury, you could be entitled to compensation where an employer failed to maintain safe working conditions or provide suitable equipment. Compensation can cover physical and psychological injuries, lost earnings, and related expenses. Accident Claims solicitors could help investigate the accident, gather evidence, and explain whether you could claim on a No Win No Fee basis. 

Accidents involving defective work equipment can have a significant impact on your health, finances and ability to work. The effects often extend beyond the initial injury, affecting your recovery, confidence and ability to carry out your normal daily routine. At Accident Claims, our trusted legal specialists have decades of combined experience and have secured over £100 million in compensation for clients. We understand the challenges that can follow an accident at work and provide straightforward legal guidance, helping clients investigate what went wrong and build the strongest possible case for compensation.

• Call  0800 073 8801
• Start a claim with our form. 
• Speak to an advisor about your compensation claim in our live chat. 

Jump To A Section 

1. Can I Make A Defective Work Equipment Claim?
2. Who Will Be Liable For Injuries Caused By Defective Equipment In The Workplace?
3. Types Of Faulty Equipment That Can Be Claimed For
4. What Faulty Equipment Accidents Can I Make A Defective Work Equipment Claim For?
5. Types Of Injuries Caused By Faulty Or Defective Work Equipment
6. How Much Defective Workplace Equipment Compensation Can I Claim For?
7. How Can Accident Claims Help Me With The Process After Being Injured By Faulty Work Equipment?
8. Defective Work Equipment – Claim Compensation With Accident Claims
9. Frequently Asked Questions
10. More Information

Can I Make A Defective Work Equipment Claim?

Yes, you may be able to make a defective work equipment claim if you were injured in an accident at work caused by faulty, unsafe or poorly maintained equipment. To be eligible, you will usually need to show that your employer failed to meet their workplace safety responsibilities and that this failure caused your injury. 

Our solicitors will look at whether you meet the following criteria:

Your Employer Owed You A Duty Of Care

Employers have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees while they are at work. Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers must provide a safe working environment and reduce workplace risks wherever reasonably practicable. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 also require employers to ensure that work equipment is suitable for its intended purpose, properly maintained and safe for employees to use.

Your Employer Breached Their Duty Of Care

To make a defective work equipment claim, you must show that your employer failed to meet their workplace safety responsibilities. This could happen if defective work equipment remained in use despite known safety concerns, maintenance was not carried out appropriately or equipment was not kept in a safe condition. If a defective work equipment accident occurred because your employer failed to comply with their obligations, they may be liable for the injuries you suffered. Accident Claims can help investigate the circumstances of the accident and assess whether workplace safety failings contributed to your injuries.

You Suffered An Injury Because Of The Defective Work Equipment

Finally, you must have suffered a physical injury, psychological injury or illness because of the defective work equipment. Accident Claims can help obtain and review available evidence, such as photographs, accident reports, witness details and maintenance records, to assess if a defect was present, this caused your injury and your employer or manufacturer was responsible.

If you were injured because of defective work equipment, our advisors are here to help. Accident Claims offers free, no-obligation guidance, helping you understand whether you may have a valid claim and what evidence could support your case. Speak to our team today to discuss your accident and receive clear, practical advice about your legal options.

Who Will Be Liable For Injuries Caused By Defective Equipment In The Workplace?

Liability for injuries caused by defective equipment in the workplace will depend on who was responsible for the fault, whether that fault caused the accident and whether it led to your injury. In a defective work equipment claim, this could be your employer, the manufacturer or, in some cases, both.

An employer may be liable for defective equipment if:

• They failed to properly maintain, inspect or repair work equipment.
• Unsafe or defective equipment remained in use.
• Employees were not given appropriate training or instruction.
• They failed to comply with their workplace safety responsibilities.

A manufacturer may be liable for faulty equipment if:

• The equipment contained a design defect.
• A fault occurred during the manufacturing process.
• The product was unsafe when supplied for use.
• Adequate safety warnings or instructions were not provided.

Determining liability is not always straightforward, particularly where both workplace safety failings and manufacturing defects may have contributed to the accident. Defective work equipment claims often require careful investigation and a thorough understanding of workplace safety obligations. Accident Claims has extensive experience handling complex accident at work claims and can provide the trusted legal support needed to identify the correct defendant and pursue compensation with confidence.

Types Of Faulty Equipment That Can Be Claimed For

Common examples of faulty equipment that could lead to a claim include defective machinery, broken work tools, unsafe PPE, faulty electrical equipment, damaged ladders or scaffolding, and malfunctioning vehicles or lifting equipment. A claim may be possible where defective or poorly maintained equipment caused an avoidable injury. 

Examples of faulty workplace equipment that may lead to a claim include:

• Defective machinery that malfunctions, lacks proper guarding or has not been maintained safely.
• Faulty hand tools or power tools that break, cut out unexpectedly or cause injury during use.
• Damaged ladders, scaffolding or working platforms that create a risk of falls.
• Unsafe lifting equipment, such as hoists, cranes, pallet trucks or forklifts.
• Faulty workplace vehicles that are not properly inspected, repaired or kept in safe working order.
• Defective personal protective equipment (PPE), where unsuitable or damaged PPE fails to protect against injury.
• Poorly maintained electrical equipment that causes burns, shocks or other harm.
• Unsafe office or warehouse equipment that causes injury because it is broken, unstable or defective.

Accident Claims can help determine whether the equipment involved in your accident met the required safety standards and whether workplace safety failings caused your injuries.

What Faulty Equipment Accidents Can I Make A Defective Work Equipment Claim For? 

Defective or faulty equipment accidents you could claim for may include machinery accidents, electrical injuries and incidents involving unsafe workplace tools or equipment. Whether the accident involved defective machinery, unsafe PPE or poorly maintained equipment, the solicitors at Accident Claims can investigate whether the injury could have been avoided had the correct inspections, maintenance and safety checks been carried out.

Common examples of defective work equipment accidents include:

• Fall from defective ladders or access equipment – Our expert team can help investigate whether a ladder collapse could have been prevented by reviewing inspection records, maintenance logs and workplace risk assessments. Claims may arise where damaged or poorly maintained ladders caused avoidable falls and injuries
• Machinery malfunction accidents – Being struck, trapped or injured by machinery that unexpectedly malfunctions may support a claim, particularly where faults had been reported or known about. The solicitors at Accident Claims can review maintenance histories, repair records and workplace reporting logs to assess whether equipment failures had not been properly addressed.
• Crush injuries caused by lifting equipment failures – Our solicitors can investigate whether failures to inspect or maintain forklifts, hoists or lifting equipment caused avoidable crush injuries. This may include reviewing servicing records and workplace safety procedures to assess whether defects had been identified but not resolved.
• Electric shock injuries from faulty equipment – Defective wiring, damaged cables or poorly maintained electrical equipment can lead to serious electric shock injuries. Accident Claims’ legal team can investigate whether routine electrical testing, inspections and repairs had been carried out correctly.
• Power tool accidents – The solicitors at Accident Claims can help investigate injuries caused by tools breaking, jamming or malfunctioning during use by reviewing equipment condition, maintenance records and workplace training procedures. Claims may arise where defective or poorly maintained tools caused avoidable harm.
• Injuries caused by defective PPE – Worn, damaged or unsuitable PPE that fails to provide adequate protection can lead to avoidable injuries. Our expert team can investigate whether the correct protective equipment was supplied, properly maintained and suitable for the work being carried out.
• Collisions involving faulty workplace vehicles – Our solicitors can review inspection schedules, servicing records and workplace safety procedures to assess whether defective brakes, steering problems or poor vehicle maintenance caused a preventable accident. Claims may arise where workplace vehicles were known to be unsafe but remained in use.

Accident Claims can investigate whether the accident could have been avoided if the correct maintenance, inspections and safety checks had been carried out, as well as whether failures in equipment upkeep may have caused avoidable harm.

Types Of Injuries Caused By Faulty Or Defective Work Equipment

Faulty or defective work equipment can result in a wide range of injuries, from relatively minor harm to life-changing conditions. These include: 

• Broken bones and fractures.
• Head injuries.
• Brain injuries.
• Back injuries.
• Neck injuries.
• Spinal injuries.
• Crush injuries.
• Soft tissue injuries.
• Tendon and ligament damage.
• Cuts and lacerations.
• Amputations.
• Burns.
• Eye injuries.
• Hearing loss and hearing damage.
• Psychological injuries, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

If defective work equipment caused your injury, let us investigate what happened. We can review the available evidence, assess who may be responsible and explain whether you could be entitled to claim compensation.

How Much Defective Workplace Equipment Compensation Can I Claim For?

The amount of defective workplace equipment compensation you could claim will depend on the nature and severity of your injuries, as well as the impact they have had on your daily life, independence and ability to work.  Compensation is typically divided into general damages, which compensate you for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity (the loss of enjoyment from hobbies) caused by your injuries, and special damages, which compensate for related financial losses. The value of a claim will therefore depend on the specific injuries sustained and the extent to which they have affected your life.

When valuing general damages, solicitors, insurers and the courts often refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). The JCG provides a framework for valuing general damages in personal injury claims based on the nature and impact of an injury. While these guidelines do not determine exactly how much compensation will be awarded, they are an important reference point when assessing the value of a claim.

At Accident Claims, our solicitors can help ensure your injuries are accurately valued by reviewing your medical evidence, considering the long-term effects of your injuries and assessing how they have affected your work and daily life. This helps ensure that all aspects of your suffering are properly reflected when calculating compensation.

The table below contains examples of compensation brackets taken from the JCG. These figures are intended as a guide only, as every defective work equipment claim is valued according to its individual circumstances. The first entry is not taken from the JCG and has been included to demonstrate how compensation can also account for multiple injuries and related financial losses.

Injury	Severity	Description	Compensation Guideline
Multiple Injuries and Recovery of Related Costs	Very Severe	Settlements can include compensation for more than one very severe injury and any related costs, including lost earnings, domestic support, cleaning, care and rehabilitation needs.	Up to £1 million or more
Paralysis	Tetraplegia (Quadriplegia)	Severe paralysis affecting all four limbs. Awards take into account factors such as pain, life expectancy, awareness of disability, communication abilities and the need for ongoing care.	£428,850 to £533,720
Brain Injury	Moderate (i)	Moderate to severe intellectual deficit with personality change, sensory impairment and no prospect of employment.	£198,320 to £289,420
Eye Injury	Loss of Sight in One Eye with Reduced Vision in Remaining Eye (i)	Loss of sight in one eye combined with reduced vision in the remaining eye and a serious risk of further deterioration.	£126,820 to £237,510
Amputation of Arms	Loss of One Arm (ii)	Above-elbow amputation resulting in substantial disability and significant impact on daily life and employment.	£144,860 to £172,970
Knee Injury	Severe (i)	Serious knee injuries involving major ligament damage, osteoarthritis, significant loss of function and possible future joint replacement surgery.	£92,130 to £127,110
Back Injury	Severe (iii)	Disc, vertebral or soft tissue injuries leading to chronic pain, reduced mobility and long-term disability despite treatment or surgery.	£51,230 to £92,130
Hand Injury	Serious Hand Injuries	Significant loss of grip, dexterity and hand function, often involving multiple finger injuries, amputation or severe deformity.	£38,310 to £81,790
Shoulder Injury	Severe	Significant shoulder disability, often involving damage to the brachial plexus and long-term loss of function.	£25,370 to £63,450
Leg Injury	Severe (iv) Moderate	Complicated fractures or severe crushing injuries causing permanent symptoms, limited movement, muscle wasting or vulnerability to further injury.	£36,680 to £51,790

Can I Be Compensated For Financial Losses In A Defective Work Equipment Claim?

Yes, you can be compensated for financial losses if they resulted from your defective work equipment accident. These losses are known as special damages and are intended to compensate you for expenses and financial losses caused by your injuries. 

Depending on your circumstances, this could include:

• Lost earnings from time taken off work – The solicitors at Accident Claims can help calculate lost income by reviewing payslips, employment records and evidence showing how your injuries affected your ability to work.
• Medical treatment and rehabilitation costs – Our expert team can help identify treatment-related expenses, including physiotherapy, prescriptions and rehabilitation costs, using invoices, receipts and medical records to support your claim.
• Travel expenses to medical appointments – Accident Claims’ legal team can help include travel costs linked to your recovery, such as fuel, parking, taxi fares or public transport, supported by receipts and appointment records.
• Care and assistance provided by family members – Our solicitors can assess whether care provided by loved ones should be included in your claim, helping document the time and support needed during your recovery.
• Home adaptations required because of your injuries – The team at Accident Claims can help investigate whether changes to your home, such as mobility aids or accessibility adjustments, should form part of your claim and what evidence may be needed.
• Damage to personal belongings during the accident – Our legal experts can help gather evidence of damaged property, such as phones, glasses, clothing or equipment, using receipts, photographs and replacement costs to support the value of your losses.

Evidence is needed to support these losses and may include payslips, receipts, invoices, bank statements and other financial records. The solicitors at Accident Claims have experience identifying the evidence needed to demonstrate additional costs and help ensure these losses are properly considered as part of your claim.

If a defective work equipment accident has left you out of pocket, speak to Accident Claims today. Our solicitors can help identify all eligible financial losses and ensure they are properly reflected when your claim is valued.

How Can Accident Claims Help Me With The Process After Being Injured By Faulty Work Equipment?

The solicitors at Accident Claims can help investigate whether faulty or poorly maintained equipment may have caused your injury, identify the evidence needed to assess what happened and understand how the accident has affected your health, finances and daily life. Our expert team can also explain your legal options and assess whether you may be able to pursue a claim.

Helping You Obtain Medical Evidence

Accident Claims can help arrange the medical evidence needed to demonstrate the nature of your injuries and the impact they have had on your health, work and daily life.

Gathering Evidence Of The Equipment Fault

Our solicitors can help secure evidence showing how the defective work equipment contributed to the accident, including maintenance records, inspection reports, photographs of the equipment and witness statements. To learn what evidence is needed for a personal injury claim, see our dedicated guide. 

Reviewing Records Relating To The Defective Equipment

Our solicitors can obtain and review accident book entries and other workplace documentation that may help demonstrate the equipment was unsafe, defective or inadequately maintained before the accident occurred. 

Assessing Liability For The Accident

Accident Claims can investigate whether your employer, the equipment manufacturer or another party may be responsible for the defective work equipment accident and advise on your legal options. 

Managing The Claims Process And Time Limits

Accident Claims can manage the legal process on your behalf, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we gather evidence and build your case. Personal injury claims are generally subject to a 3-year limitation period, meaning legal action will usually need to be started within 3 years of the defective equipment causing injury. Our solicitors can explain the deadlines that apply to your circumstances and help ensure important dates are not missed. For more information about limitation periods and the exceptions that may apply, please see our dedicated limitation period guide. 

By instructing Accident Claims early, you can benefit from experienced legal support from the outset. Our solicitors can handle the complexities of a defective work equipment claim, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we work to secure the evidence needed to support your case.

Defective Work Equipment – Claim Compensation With Accident Claims

At Accident Claims, we understand that an accident involving defective work equipment can affect far more than your physical health. The consequences can extend to your ability to work, your financial security and your confidence in returning to the workplace. Our solicitors provide tailored support throughout the claims process, taking the time to understand how the accident has affected you personally. 

Why Choose Our Expert Workplace Injury Solicitors For Your Claim?

Choosing the right solicitor can have a significant impact on how your defective work equipment claim is handled, how effectively your case is presented and how supported you feel throughout the process. Workplace injury claims involving defective equipment often require a detailed understanding of employer responsibilities, workplace practices and the long-term consequences of serious injuries, making specialist legal support particularly valuable. 

Specialist Experience In Workplace Injury Claims
Our solicitors have extensive experience handling accident at work claims involving defective machinery, tools, lifting equipment, workplace vehicles and other equipment used in professional settings.

A Tailored Approach To Your Circumstances
We recognise that no two workplace accidents are the same. Our team takes the time to understand your role, working environment and the wider impact the accident has had on your life.

Direct Access To Experienced Legal Professionals
You’ll receive guidance from legal specialists who understand the challenges associated with defective work equipment claims and can answer your questions throughout your case.

Clear Communication At Every Stage
We believe clients should always understand what is happening with their claim. Our team provides regular updates and straightforward advice without unnecessary legal jargon.

A Commitment To Presenting Your Case Effectively Accident Claims is dedicated to presenting every aspect of your case clearly and persuasively, helping to ensure the impact of your injuries and losses is fully understood.

Can I Claim For Faulty Work Equipment Injuries On A No Win No Fee Basis?

Yes, you may be able to claim for faulty work equipment injuries through a No Win No Fee agreement if your case is accepted by Accident Claims and meets the required criteria. The type of No Win No Fee agreement commonly used for personal injury claims is known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). Under a CFA, you do not pay solicitor’s fees upfront or while the claim is ongoing. If your claim succeeds, a success fee will be deducted from your compensation. This fee is calculated as a percentage of your compensation and is subject to a legal cap. If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not pay your solicitor’s fees for the work completed under the agreement. 

Following a defective work equipment accident, many people are concerned about the cost of obtaining legal representation, particularly if their injuries have already affected their income. A Conditional Fee Agreement can help remove much of this financial uncertainty, allowing you to access specialist legal support without the burden of upfront solicitor’s fees.

Contact Accident Claims

If you are considering a claim after being injured by defective work equipment, contact Accident Claims today. Our team can discuss your circumstances, explain whether a Conditional Fee Agreement may be available and answer any questions you may have about the claims process. 

Call  0800 073 8801

Use our start a claim form and request a call back.

Speak to an advisor about your defective work equipment claim in our live chat. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about defective work equipment claims and accident at work compensation. 

Can I Claim If The Accident Was Partly My Fault?

Yes, you may still be able to claim compensation if the accident was partly your fault, as long as another party, such as your employer was also liable. If you are found to be partially responsible, your compensation is reduced to reflect your share of the responsibility.

Do I Need To Report The Faulty Equipment Before Making A Claim?

No, you do not need to have reported the faulty equipment before making a claim, but doing so may help create a record of the defect and support your case.

Can I Claim If There Were No Witnesses To My Defective Equipment Accident?

Yes, you may still be able to claim if there were no witnesses, provided other evidence is available to support your defective work equipment claim. 

How Long Does A Defective Equipment Workplace Injury Claim Take To Settle?

A defective equipment workplace injury claim can take several months or longer to settle, depending on liability, the complexity of the case and the extent of your injuries.

Do Most Defective Work Equipment Claims Go To Court?

No, most defective work equipment claims do not go to court and are settled beforehand, provided liability is established, evidence is available and negotiations are successful.

Can I Be Dismissed For Making A Faulty Equipment Workplace Injury Claim?

No, your employer should not dismiss you simply for making a genuine faulty equipment workplace injury claim while exercising your legal rights.

More Information

Here are some more Accident Claims guides about workplace injuries:

• Information about claiming for accidents in a company car. 
• Guidance on claiming compensation for understaffing at work injuries. 
• Learn how to claim compensation if you were assaulted at work. 

These external links might be useful:

• Health and Safety Executive guidance on work machinery and equipment. 
• An overview of first aid from the NHS. 
• Government information on claiming Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). 

Thank you for reading our guide on making a defective work equipment claim.