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Dangerous machinery claims can be made when an employer’s failure to provide safe work equipment causes an employee to suffer an avoidable injury. You could be eligible to claim if, for example, machinery lacked suitable guards or you were expected to use it without adequate training. Compensation can reflect the injury itself and the financial effect it has had on your life. At Accident Claims, our experienced solicitors are ready to assess what happened and explain whether your case could proceed on a No Win No Fee basis.
Being injured by machinery you used as part of your job can leave you questioning how the accident was allowed to happen. Alongside the pain of the injury, you may be facing time off work or uncertainty about returning to the same role. Whether you have concerns about the condition of the equipment or the protection you were given, speaking with Accident Claims can help you understand whether those circumstances may support a dangerous machinery claim.
From your first conversation with us, our trusted legal specialists will examine how the machinery was being used and whether the safeguards provided were suitable for the task, helping to establish why the accident occurred. Backed by decades of collective experience and over £100 million secured in compensation, we are here to gather the evidence needed to build a clear case around what happened and the effect the injury continues to have on your life.
You can discuss what happened during a free consultation without any pressure to proceed. If you have grounds to pursue accident at work compensation, our solicitors will support you throughout the claims process and handle all correspondence with the employer’s representatives on your behalf.
4.8A dangerous machinery compensation claim is a type of personal injury claim made by someone who has been injured because unsafe machinery caused an accident at work. These claims may be brought when a fault makes the equipment unsafe or when the way it is operated leaves a worker exposed to a danger that should have been controlled.
The purpose of a dangerous machinery compensation claim is to recover compensation for the harm the accident has caused. This includes the injury itself and any psychological harm caused by the workplace accident, as well as the broader financial consequences.
The different types of dangerous machinery depend on the workplace, but they generally include equipment capable of causing serious injury through powerful or exposed moving parts. Machinery used in factories and warehouses can become dangerous when defects are left unresolved, while equipment on construction sites or farms may place workers at risk if suitable guards are not fitted.
Common examples include:
If you were injured by dangerous machinery at work, our solicitors are ready to assess how the equipment was being used and investigate whether a workplace safety failure contributed to the accident. Get in touch today to take your first steps towards finding out if you can claim compensation.
Yes, you can make a dangerous machinery claim if you were injured because reasonable steps were not taken to protect you at work. Employers are expected to manage the risks associated with dangerous machinery, and where those standards are not met, compensation may be available.
Every machinery accident is different, so our solicitors begin by understanding exactly how the incident occurred before advising you about your legal options. Looking closely at the circumstances surrounding the task can reveal whether the danger came from the equipment itself or from the way it was being used. As part of that assessment, we will consider:
Working with dangerous machinery does not mean accepting injury as part of the job. If you’re unsure whether you have a valid claim, don’t try to work it out alone. Speak to our solicitors instead, and we will explain whether dangerous machinery compensation may be available based on the specific facts of your accident.
The main safety regulations that apply to dangerous machinery are the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). Together, these laws require employers to reduce the risks associated with workplace machinery by providing safe equipment and effective systems of work.
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 establishes an employer’s overarching responsibility to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees. Where dangerous machinery is concerned, that means identifying foreseeable risks and taking practical steps to control them before somebody is harmed. If an employer allows unsafe working practices to develop or fails to address known hazards, they may be held responsible if a worker is injured as a result.
PUWER focuses specifically on the machinery and equipment people use at work. The regulations require employers to ensure work equipment is safe throughout its use, while recognising that different types of machinery present different risks. They also require anyone expected to operate dangerous machinery to receive the knowledge and instruction needed to do so safely. When these standards are ignored, and an avoidable accident follows, PUWER can play an important role in establishing how the incident occurred.
If you’re unsure whether your employer met the standards expected under these regulations, get in touch with us. Our solicitors can review the circumstances of your accident and explain how they may affect your dangerous machinery compensation claim.
Dangerous machinery claims often arise because a safety failure was allowed to develop before the accident, such as a guard being removed without replacement or a reported fault being left unrepaired. Once that protection is lost, machinery that could otherwise have been used safely can result in serious harm, as the following scenarios show:
If your accident resembles any of these situations, speak to us about what happened, and we will explain clearly whether you may have grounds to make a dangerous machinery compensation claim.
Injuries caused by dangerous machinery can affect your life by changing the work you can do and making everyday tasks harder to manage. They may also reduce your independence, particularly when recovery is prolonged or the injury results in a permanent disability.
The effect will depend on the injury itself and the demands of your job, as well as the treatment needed to support your recovery, as the examples below show:
Beyond your physical injuries, you may feel anxious about returning to the same environment or lose confidence around the equipment involved. These wider consequences are just as important as the physical harm itself when we consider how the accident has affected your quality of life.
If your machinery accident has changed the way you work or live, speak with us today to share what happened to you confidentially. Our solicitors are ready to carefully evaluate your situation and explain how any lasting impacts you are dealing with can be reflected in your claim.
If your employer blames you for a dangerous machinery accident, you can document your version of what happened and seek legal guidance about your options. Responsibility is not decided simply because an employer says the accident was your fault. Instead, it is based on what safety measures were in place and whether the accident could reasonably have been prevented.
Even if the evidence shows that you were partly responsible, this does not necessarily prevent you from claiming, although your compensation may be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility. When responsibility is disputed, our solicitors build your claim by examining the circumstances in detail rather than relying on conflicting accounts. Maintenance records may show that a fault had already been reported, while the accident book can help confirm how the incident was recorded at the time. We can also review the training you received and compare it with the task you were expected to carry out, creating a clearer picture of whether the risk should have been addressed before you were hurt.
You do not need every document before speaking to us, as many important workplace records will still be held by your employer. Contact us today, and we will explain which evidence could help challenge their account and take steps to secure it as your dangerous machinery claim develops.
The amount of dangerous machinery accident compensation you could claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the impact they have had on your life and the financial losses resulting from the accident. Every claim is assessed individually, which is why 2 people with similar injuries may receive different compensation depending on their circumstances.
General damages compensate for the injury itself, taking account of the pain you have experienced and any lasting effect on your quality of life (known as a loss of amenity). Before valuing this part of your claim, our solicitors will obtain medical evidence that explains the nature of your injuries and how they are expected to affect you in the future.
The table below provides guideline compensation brackets from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), which our solicitors frequently use when valuing general damages. Please use this table only as a guide, and note that the first entry is not from the JCG.
| Injury | Severity | Guideline Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Serious Injuries with Substantial Financial Losses | Multiple severe injuries with special damages for lost earnings, specialist equipment and care costs. | Up to £1,000,000+ |
| Very Severe Brain Damage | Requiring full-time nursing care with little evidence of a meaningful response to their environment. | £372,570 to £533,720 |
| Effective or Total Loss of Both Hands | Damage that is extensive, rendering both hands to little more than useless. | £185,840 to £266,200 |
| Severe Back Injuries (i) | Severe damage to the spinal cord and nerve roots. | £120,340 to £212,670 |
| Severe Neck Injuries (i) | Associated with incomplete paraplegia. | In the region of £195,970 |
| Above-Knee Amputation of One Leg | Factors such as level of amputation and severity of any phantom pains will be taken into consideration. | £138,490 to £181,610 |
| Total or Effective Loss of One Hand | A hand that was crushed and then surgically amputated. | £127,050 to £144,860 |
| Severe Burns Covering 40% or More of the Body | Factors such as the percentage of the body area affected and the psychological impact are taken into consideration. | Likely to exceed £138,490 |
| Serious Foot Injury | Injuries leading to continuing pain from traumatic arthritis. | £33,020 to £51,790 |
| Serious Shoulder Injury | Dislocated shoulder with damage to the lower part of the brachial plexus. | £16,870 to £25,370 |
To estimate what your claim could be worth, you can also use our compensation calculator:
Compensation Calculator
Judicial College Guidelines, 18th EditionThis is a guide, not a guarantee. Injury figures are guideline general damages brackets from the Judicial College Guidelines, 18th Edition. Whiplash figures are fixed tariff amounts under the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021. The compensation you could receive depends on the facts of your case and your medical evidence.
Besides an injury award, compensation following a dangerous machinery accident can include the financial losses your injuries have caused. These losses are claimed as special damages and must be supported by evidence. We’ll explain which records are likely to be most useful and obtain further documentation wherever possible. As part of our valuations, we’ll consider:
The financial consequences of a dangerous machinery accident are not always clear at the outset, especially when your ability to return to manual work remains uncertain. That is why our solicitors will look beyond the immediate costs so that the claim reflects the lasting effect the injury is expected to have on your life. Reach out today to learn more about how we value these types of claims.
4.8The process for dangerous machinery claims begins with your solicitor assessing how the accident happened before gathering the evidence needed to pursue compensation. From there, they will guide the case forward by explaining each development clearly and taking responsibility for the legal work while you focus on your recovery. This involves:
Have you been injured by dangerous machinery? Speaking to our solicitors early gives us an opportunity to preserve important evidence and begin establishing what led to the accident. Get in touch to discuss what happened and find out how the claims process would apply to your case.
By choosing Accident Claims for a dangerous machinery claim, you will be represented by a solicitor with the experience needed to establish how the equipment became unsafe and build your case around the injury it caused. Our solicitors understand that you may be dealing with far more than the legal questions surrounding the accident. From the first conversation, we provide practical support shaped around how you were injured and what the machinery accident has changed for you.
Every dangerous machinery accident is different, which is why our solicitors take the time to listen carefully to how the incident unfolded. Once we understand the task you were carrying out and what happened immediately beforehand, we can give the claim a clear direction and guide it forward.
Throughout your claim, our solicitors will:
Yes, you can claim for a machinery injury on a No Win No Fee basis if your case is accepted by our solicitors under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This allows you to pursue compensation without paying solicitor service fees upfront or while your claim is ongoing. If the claim is unsuccessful, you will also not pay your solicitor for the work carried out under the CFA.
Our solicitors take a portion of the compensation when a claim succeeds. That deduction is a legally capped percentage, so the majority of the compensation remains yours. The terms of the agreement will also be discussed with you in straightforward language, giving you the opportunity to ask questions before deciding whether to proceed.
If you’ve been injured by dangerous machinery and would like to understand whether you could claim compensation, our team is here to help. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your legal options in straightforward language and provide free advice based on your individual circumstances.
4.8More of our guides:
Resources:
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