The nature of working as a window cleaner can pose a number of hazards and risks which can in some cases result in lifechanging injuries. Not only are there fall risks with working at height, but oftentimes adverse weather conditions and complex machinery can also pose some associated risks of causing injury in your role. Window cleaner accident claims can arise where it can be shown that you suffered an injury as a result of someone else’s negligent actions, and these types of claims can be beneficial if you’re giving some thought to seeking compensation.
Here at Accident Claims, we understand that seeking personal injury compensation can’t undo the harm caused by your accident, but it can help fund the costs of ongoing medical expenses, or lost wages. During a time where recovery should be your main focus, you shouldn’t have to face the distress of physical pain and suffering alone. In most cases, these physical ailments can often be worsened by ongoing financial worries, but with the help of a specialist No Win No Fee solicitor, you could receive compensation that is inclusive of all the harm caused by your injury.
Read on to learn how to bring a claim, or contact our advisors today to get started
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- Call us on 0800 073 8801
- Complete our online contact us form
- Speak to an advisor using the live chat
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I Make A Compensation Claim As A Window Cleaner?
- What Compensation Can A Window Cleaner Get For An Injury At Work?
- Examples Of Accidents That Might Occur When Cleaning Windows
- What Injuries Could Be Sustained In A Window Cleaner Accident?
- How Can I Bring A Window Cleaner Injury Claim?
- Window Cleaner Accident Claims With A No Win No Fee Solicitor
- More Information
Can I Make A Compensation Claim As A Window Cleaner?
You could make a compensation claim as a window cleaner if it can be proven that a third party’s negligent actions led to your injury. In order to demonstrate this, we must show that:
- A third party owed you a duty of care (a legal responsibility to ensure your safety)
- They breached the duty that was owed to you
- This breach resulted in your injury
If you are employed as a window cleaner, your employer owes you a duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HASAWA). In accordance with this legislation, employers must take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of their employees. This can include ensuring that employees are given appropriate training for their role, and providing personal protective equipment (PPE) where necessary.
If they fail to do so, as this results in you suffering an injury, you may be able to claim compensation.
Can I Make Window Cleaner Accident Claims If I’m Self-Employed?
Window cleaner accident claims can be made even if you’re self-employed, so long as your claim fulfils the eligibility criteria established above. These types of claims differ as you wouldn’t claim against your employer, rather it would vary depending on who was liable for the accident.
To explore whether you could make a window cleaner accident claim as a self-employed individual, contact our advisory team today. They can discuss this with you in more detail, and provide a free case consultation with no obligation.
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What Laws Protect Window Cleaners?
In addition to the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, other acts of law also offer protections to window cleaners or those working at height, such as the Work at Height Regulations 2005. This outlines steps that employers must take as safeguarding measures to protect those working at height. Some of these measures include performing regular risk assessments to prevent the risk of death and injury caused by a fall from height.
Additionally, employers under the regulations must ensure that any work is adequately and properly planned, and that all employees working at height are competent and properly trained. Employers can do this by considering weather conditions, checking that the place where work at height is to be undertaken is safe and planning for emergency procedures.
As well as this, all equipment must be regularly inspected and maintained, ensuring that it is appropriate for the job needed.
For further information about the duty of care owed to you as a window cleaner, you can speak with an advisor today. They can explore any questions you might have, and if you have a valid claim then they can connect you with one of our expert accident at work solicitors.
What Compensation Can A Window Cleaner Get For An Injury At Work?
The amount of compensation a window cleaner could get for an injury at work depends on the type of injury sustained, as well as the severity and the wider impact that your injury can has had on your daily life.
Typically, compensation can be inclusive of two heads of loss, with different purposes. General damages are compensation for both the physical and mental impacts of your injuries; this head of claim can consider things like the extent of physical pain and suffering, as well as taking into account any loss of amenity caused by your injuries.
The second head of loss, special damages are compensation solely for the economic losses caused by your injuries; we discuss this in depth below.
However, you might wonder how general damages are valued. Professionals can consider previous similar claims, as well as referring to documents including the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) which is a framework that offers guideline compensation brackets for certain types of injury.
We have used figures taken from the JCG in our table below. Please note that the first entry has not been taken from the JCG, and that these are only guidelines and not any guarantee of compensation.
| Injury | Notes | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Various Severe Injuries + Special Damages | A number of serious injuries and special damages such as costs of ongoing professional care, lost income and home adaptations | Up to £1,000,000+ |
| Paralysis | Tetraplegia (a) - significant brain damage where physical pain is ongoing and there is an impact on the senses | £396,140 to £493,000 |
| Brain Damage | Very Severe (a) - there may be some ability to follow basic commands, and little or no evidence of any meaningful response to environment. | £344,150 to £493,000 |
| Moderately Severe (b) - very serious disablement, with substantial dependence on others and a requirement for ongoing constant care | £267,340 to £344,150 | |
| Back Injury | Severe (i) - damage to the spinal cord and nerve roots | £111,150 to £196,450 |
| Severe (ii) - associated loss of sensation, impaired mobility and bladder and bowel function | £90,510 to £107,910 | |
| Neck Injury | Severe (i) - incomplete paraplegia or causing permanent spastic quadriparesis. | In the region of £181,020 |
| Severe (ii) - serious fracture or damage to soft tissues or ruptured tendons. | £80,240 to £159,770 | |
| Shoulder Injury | Severe (a) - associated neck injuries and damage to the brachial plexus. | £23,430 to £58,610 |
| Serious (b) - dislocation of the shoulder and damage to the lower brachial plexus. | £15,580 to £23,430 |
What Special Damages Could I Get For My Accident?
The amount of compensation you could get as special damages will depend on the financial implications of your injuries. For example, if you suffer a severe spinal injury that necessitates ongoing professional care, special damages can form a large part of your compensation payout.
Some examples of special damages you might receive include:
- Lost income: especially if your injuries have meant you’ve taken time off work, and missed pension contributions. Suffering a window cleaning accident can have also reduced your future employment prospects, so future lost earnings can also be valued.
- Costs of care: depending on the severity of your injuries, you may now require round-the-clock professional care, which can be costly. Associated costs for care can also be claimed within special damages.
- Medical Expenses : ongoing medical expenses such as procedures unavailable on the NHS, continued prescription costs or medical aids such as wheelchairs can also be categorised within special damages.
- Rehabilitation and Recovery: associated costs for rehabilitative aids can also be valued within special damages. Things like physical therapy or psychiatric help can really aid in your recovery.
You will need to gather evidence that proves these losses in order to claim them back, which one of our specialist solicitors could help you compile. Get in touch with us today to explore what special damages you could get for your window cleaner accident claim.
How Is Loss Of Income Calculated For Self-Employed Workers?
Loss of income or earnings can be slightly more difficult to calculate if you’re self-employed. Any lost earnings can be calculated by showing:
- A loss in profitability of the business, or a stagnation or decrease
- That was due to the claimant being unable to work due to their injury, or due to reduced employment prospects that have limited the capacity in which the injured person was able to work
Additionally, to claim any lost income it is imperative that you gather evidence which proves these losses. This can include accounts showing profits and losses, invoices or receipts and tax returns.
To learn more about claiming for loss of income as a self-employed window cleaner, please get in touch with our advisors today.
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Examples Of Accidents That Might Occur When Cleaning Windows
Example of accidents that might occur when cleaning windows include falls from a height, lack of PPE, and defective equipment accidents.
Below we share some examples of when window cleaner accident claims could be made:
- Your employer supplies you with a known defective ladder. One of the rungs breaks while you are using it and you suffer a fractured leg as a result.
- Your employer fails to give you any training on working from a height before making you climb up a tall ladder to clean windows. This results in you falling from a height and suffering a severe head injury, resulting in brain damage.
- Your employer fails to provide you with a harness despite the fact that you are working at very tall height; as a result, you suffer multiple fractured bones and a neck injury when you fall.
These are only a few examples of how an injury can be sustained while working as a window cleaner. If you’d like to discuss your own case, our advisors are available to listen and help answer any questions you might have.
What Injuries Could Be Sustained In A Window Cleaner Accident?
Examples of injuries that could be sustained in a window cleaner accident include sprains, fractures and brain damage.
Further examples of injuries that could be suffered include:
- Back injuries or spinal cord injuries
- Fractured bones such as broken legs,
- Head injuries and concussions
- Neck injuries
- Fatal accidents
- Lacerations
Not only could you sustain physical injuries, but also psychiatric distress or damage following your accident. For example, you could develop increased anxiety levels, or experience post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of your accident, even if you didn’t sustain any physical injuries.
To learn more about what injuries you could seek compensation for, please get in touch with our advisory team today. They can offer free advice and support.
How Can I Bring A Window Cleaner Injury Claim?
In order to bring window cleaner injury claims, you must hold evidence which proves how someone else’s negligent actions led to your injuries. Generally, this can include documents such as:
- A copy of your training record from your employer
- Copies of your accident report in the workplace accident book
- Medical records, such as any prescriptions or treatments you received following your injury, or even copies of x-rays or scans
- Contact details of anyone who might’ve witnessed the accident
- Video footage of the accident taking place, such as CCTV footage
Additionally, you must start the claiming process within the time limit. This is 3 years, running from the date the accident took place, as set out within the Limitation Act 1980.
Exceptions to this time limit for minors and those lacking the mental capacity to make their own claim. To learn what these exceptions are, you can refer to our work accident claim time limit guide.
Contact our advisors today to learn how our solicitors could help you with gathering supporting evidence and submitting your claim within the time limit.
Window Cleaner Accident Claims With A No Win No Fee Solicitor
Window cleaner accident claims can be made with a No Win No Fee solicitor here at Accident Claims. It is important to note that No Win No Fee refers to the costs of hiring legal representation and not the costs of making the claim itself.
Our No Win No Fee solicitors specifically work under a Conditional Fee Agreement, which offers the following benefits:
- You’d have no upfront payments in solicitors fees for them to begin working on your claim
- No ongoing solicitors fees during the progression of your case
- No payable solicitors fees for their work if your claim were to be unsuccessful
If your claim were successful then a small capped percentage would be deducted from your compensation. This is our solicitors success fee and it is legally limited to ensure that you receive the majority of your compensation.
In addition to the benefits that come with claiming on a No Win No Fee basis, by working with a solicitor from Accident Claims you can expect:
- Support with gathering any evidence
- Explaining complex legal terminology
- Talking you through the claims process
- Communicating on your behalf with the other relevant parties and the courts
- Help with negotiating a compensation settlement
Get In Touch With Accident Claims
Get in touch with us here at Accident Claims today if you still have any questions about the window cleaner accident claims process or would like to receive free advice for your case:
- Call us on 0800 073 8801
- Complete our online contact us form
- Speak to an advisor using our live chat
More Information
Why not read our other guides about:
- How many personal injury claims go to court?
- Start a knee injury compensation claim
- Chest injury claims and how much compensation you could receive
Helpful External Resources:
- What types of accidents are reportable in the workplace from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- How to apply for Statutory Sick Pay from Gov.UK
- Managing a return to work after a period of sickness via the HSE
Thank you for reading our window cleaner accident claims guide.
