Can I Claim if I Was Struck by Falling Objects at Work?

If you’ve been injured because you were struck by falling objects in the workplace, it might be possible to claim compensation for your suffering. This may be true if you can show that your employer’s negligence caused your accident. In this guide, we look at when being struck by falling objects at work could enable to claim and what evidence you might need to prove your case. We’ll also look at how the extent of your suffering could affect the amount of compensation you’ll receive if the claim is won.

We are ready to help if you would like to begin a claim against your employer. Firstly, we’ll assess why you were struck by a falling object and whether your employer might be liable for your injuries. If they are and you decide to proceed with an accident at work claim, we’ll partner you with a specialist solicitor from our panel. If they decide to proceed with your claim, they’ll manage it on a No Win, No Fee basis meaning you’ll only need to pay for their work if you receive a compensation payout.

To see whether you could receive compensation after being hit by falling objects at work, you can:

• Speak to a legal advisor by calling 0333 241 2519.
• Ask questions via our 24/7 live chat service.

Read on to find out more about the types of incidents caused by falling objects at work that could enable you to claim or give us a call with any immediate questions.

How Many Workers Are Hit by Falling Objects at Work?

According to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics, being struck by a moving object accounted for 11% of the 60,645 accidents in 2023/24 reported by employers in line with RIDDOR (the Reporting of Incidents, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) requirements. Unfortunately, the same category of accidents led to 20 fatalities in the same period.

These statistics don’t just cover falling objects as they include being hit by any type of moving objects (such as debris thrown from machinery) but they do give a good idea about the dangers that falling objects can cause.

Can I Claim Compensation if I Was Struck by Falling Objects at Work?

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 puts a duty of care on employers to try and prevent workplace accidents. Some of the following steps could all help to prevent workers from being hit by falling items at work and for employers to uphold their health and safety obligations:

• Assess the workplace for risks and hazards on a regular basis.
• Train staff on workplace safety.
• Provide hard hats and other forms of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Install warning signs to alert staff to the risk of falling items.
• Mark out safe areas for staff to walk around the workplace safely.
• Use safety netting below areas where there is a risk of falling objects.
• Ensure all racking and shelving is fit for purpose, installed correctly and not overloaded

As such, if your employer has failed to take protective measures and you have been injured by falling objects at work as a result, we could assist you with a personal injury claim, if it can be proven that:

• At the time of your accident, your employer owed you a duty of care.
• An item fell and struck you at work as a result of your employer’s negligence.
• You were injured in the last three years as a result.

You will of course need to prove all of the above if you’re to win a personal injury claim against your employer. As such, we will show you the types of evidence that could help to prove your case later in this guide.

For more information about your options, please contact our legal advisors now.

What Types of Negligence at Work Can Lead to Falling Object Injuries?

Falling object injuries at work can result from various types of negligence, particularly in environments where work is performed at heights or involves the stacking and storing of materials. We can’t describe every act of negligence that could lead to you being struck by falling objects at work. However, we’ve provided a few examples below:

• Improper Storage: Items not securely stored on high shelves and racking or in overhead areas can fall, causing injuries. This includes improperly stacked goods that can topple over easily.
• Lack of Safety Equipment: Failing to provide workers with helmets, hard hats, or other protective gear in environments where there is a risk of objects falling from above.
• Inadequate Training: Not training employees properly on how to safely stack items, secure materials, and handle equipment that could lead to objects falling.
• Poor Maintenance: Neglecting the maintenance of machinery, racks, shelving, and lifting equipment which can lead to collapses or parts becoming dislodged.
• Failure to Secure Tools and Materials: In construction and maintenance environments, failing to secure tools and materials while working at height can result in objects falling and injuring people below.

If you’ve been struck by falling objects at work and believe your employer is responsible, why not call our legal advisors now to see if you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries?

What Evidence Can Be Used for a Claim Related to a Falling Object Injury?

If you decide to claim for injuries caused by falling objects at work, you will need evidence to prove what happened, who was to blame and the extent of your injuries. Here are a few examples of the types of evidence you could use:

• Copies of medical records, scan results and x-rays to prove your injuries.
• Camera footage of your accident (i.e. CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone recordings).
• An accident report form to prove when and where the accident occurred.
• Details of anyone who saw you being hit by falling items.
• Photographs of the item that hit you and where it fell from if possible.

If your case is accepted, your solicitor might try to secure further supporting evidence as part of their service. For instance, they might try to secure a copy of an HSE investigation report if your accident was reviewed.

How Long Do I Have to Claim After Being Struck by Falling Objects?

The Limitation Act 1980 dictates that personal injury claims have a 3-year time limit. In most instances, this begins from the date the claimant was struck by a falling object in the workplace. However, if you were not immediately aware that you had sustained an injury, the time limit might start from the date you became aware.

Additionally, if the injured party lacks mental capacity, for instance, because of a serious head injury at work, there is effectively no time limit until they regain that capacity. If you are making a claim for a fatal accident at work, you’ll have 3 years to claim from the date of death or from when you were made aware of it.

What Compensation Might I Be Entitled to Claim?

As you might expect, the level of compensation paid for being struck by falling objects at work, if your claim is successful, is largely dependent on the extent of your injuries. Therefore, your solicitor will need to collect medical evidence to prove how you’ve suffered. To help with this, they may also arrange for an independent medical assessment to be carried out by a specialist.

You could also receive compensation to cover any costs or expenses linked to your injuries. This could cover any or all of the following:

• Medical treatment and prescription costs.
• Loss of earnings.
• The costs of adapting your home to improve your quality of life if falling objects at work have left you disabled.
• Support costs (in some cases, this could include full-time nursing).
• Future loss of earnings for longer-term injuries.
• Travel costs.

You will require evidence to substantiate this part of your claim. Therefore, it’s a good idea to supply your solicitor with any relevant receipts, wage slips or bank statements when requested.

Can I Claim if a Loved One Died from Being Hit by Falling Objects at Work?

As we pointed out at the start of this guide, some workplace accidents involving moving objects can be fatal. While no level of compensation will help you to deal with your loss, you may wish to claim compensation to help you deal with the financial impact of your loved one’s death.

If you wish to claim compensation for a fatal accident at work, one of our solicitors could help you seek damages to cover:

• Loss of companionship.
• The deceased’s pain and suffering before they died.
• Related expenses including funeral costs.
• Your financial reliance on the deceased’s income or other benefits.

If you would like to know more about how fatal accident at work claims are managed, please call the number above now.

Do You Need a Solicitor for a Personal Injury at Work Claim?

If you start a claim after being struck by falling objects at work, you might find that the process is much easier if you have a personal injury solicitor on your side. Ours have the knowledge to understand exactly how the claims process works and their training could help you to receive a higher settlement than you might expect.

If your claim is managed by an accident-at-work solicitor from our panel, they’ll generally:

• Manage your claim from start to finish.
• Prepare as strong a case as possible before filing it on time.
• Argue your case to counter any objections raised.
• Ensure that you know how the claim is progressing with regular updates.
• Try to secure the maximum level of compensation possible on your behalf.

It’s worth pointing out at this stage that our solicitors offer a No Win, No Fee service for all struck-by object claims they work on. Therefore if your case proceeds and after you’ve signed a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), you won’t pay your solicitor for their services unless you are compensated.

The CFA explains that you’ll have a fixed percentage of any settlement you receive deducted to cover your solicitor’s success fee. Per the Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013, you’ll pay a maximum of 25 per cent as a success fee.

To see if you could make a No Win, No Fee claim after being struck by falling objects at work, please call now.

How Long Will the Claims Process Take?

The time taken to process claims against employers varies from case to case for several reasons.

In theory, some straightforward claims can be processed in less than 5 to 6 months. This would rely on your falling object injuries having recovered quickly and your employer admitting that they caused you to be injured.

Other cases can take up to a year (or more) to be finalised especially if they involve more serious work injuries such as paralysation or brain injuries. In these cases, more time is normally needed to help ensure any compensation offered covers all aspects of your suffering both now and in the future.

In these longer cases, once liability has been agreed upon, interim payments could be paid to help you deal with the financial implications of your injuries.

Contacting Us About a Struck by Falling Object Compensation Claim

We’re ready to help if you believe that being injured by falling objects at work was your employer’s fault. To find out if you might be entitled to claim, you can:

• Contact a legal advisor on 0333 241 2519 for a free initial assessment.
• Connect to our online chat service.

Your case will be reviewed for free and legal advice about your options will be provided. You won’t be under any obligation to claim compensation for being struck by falling objects but if your case is feasible and you do wish to proceed, one of our solicitors could be tasked with managing it on a No Win, No Fee basis.