Factory accident compensation claims

What is a factory accident?

Factory injuries statistics confirm that many thousands of accidents happen in factories each year. Many of them fit the main criteria for making a compensation claim: the accident must have caused you an injury and be fully or partly someone else's fault. In most cases, it must also have happened within the past three years.

Claims are typically brought when employers fail to provide a safe workplace. But it doesn't have to be your employer who was directly to blame - if anyone at work was negligent, you may be able to claim factory accident compensation. 

If you have any questions or feel you might have a claim, either for yourself or on behalf of someone else, contact us for free on . If you can't talk right now, fill in our secure online form to arrange a call back from one of our team. 

You can take as much time as you need to tell us what happened, with no rush and no pressure to make a claim. Once you've spoken to specialist no win no fee workplace accident solicitors that we choose for you, you can decide whether to go ahead with a claim.

What are the main causes of factory accidents?

There are many different causes of factory accidents, from poorly maintained equipment to a lack of proper safety training. To understand the various causes in detail, it helps to look at the different categories of accident identified within factory injuries statistics:

Slips, trips and falls

These account for more non-fatal workplace accidents than any other category, according to Health and Safety Executive statistics. Liquid spillages are a potentially dangerous hazard and employers have a responsibility to mark and clear them up before they cause an accident. 

Other causes of this type of factory accident include obstructions, uneven surfaces and poor lighting. Outdoor hazards include potholes and uneven paving, and a build-up of leaves, moss or mud. The Health and Safety Executive list other causes of this type of accident and supply a handy hazard spotting checklist. 

Falls from height

Falling from ladders, platforms or roofs can cause devastating injuries and factory accident deaths. There is also the risk of falling through a fragile roof, or into an opening in a floor or the ground. In fact, falls from height are the biggest single cause of workplace fatalities according to HSE statistics.

To help employers manage this risk, the Work at Height Regulations 2005 cover a wide range of practices that can improve safety. The ‘Working at height' guide from the Health and Safety Executive includes tips for choosing, maintaining and using suitable equipment.  

Dangerous machinery

Employers have responsibilities under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)to take steps to minimise factory machinery accidents. 

Machinery must be suitable for its intended use and safe to use, clean and maintain. The correct safety devices should be fitted and your employer should provide adequate information, instruction and training before you use any machinery.

As well as PUWER, other health and safety regulations are in place to reduce the risk of factory machinery accidents:

• Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 for pressure equipment working at a maximum pressure of above 0.5 bar.
• Simple pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016 for certain vessels containing air or nitrogen at a gauge pressure between 0.5 bar and 30 bar.
• Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR) for pressure systems carrying steam, fluids or certain gasses. 
• Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) for lifting equipment such as cranes, hoists, forklifts and lifts.   

Forklift truck accidents

According to the HSE, lift trucks feature in about a quarter of all workplace transport accidents. The HSE publishes a code of practice with the legal requirements and guidance for forklift truck safety. 

Lifting or moving heavy objects

Manual handling is an all-too-common feature in factory injuries. Not only do manual handling accidents cause painful back injuries and pulled muscles, but they can also cause nasty cuts and bruises. Laws are there to minimise the risk of injury, such as the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. 

Being struck by falling or flying objects

Employers should take sensible measures to protect their workforce from objects. Stacking items securely is important, along with installing safety netting where appropriate. Machines may need a guard to prevent materials being thrown out at speed. Staff should also wear suitable hard hats and other PPE where a risk is present.  

Electric shocks

The HSE guide to the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 explains how to protect a workforce from electric shock. But despite the regulations, factory accident claims often involve electric shocks. 

There are cases where workers have to use faulty equipment, plugs or sockets. Electrical equipment is also used in wet environments, without the right insulating protection, earthing, fuses or circuit breakers. 

Exposure to chemicals and other dangerous substances

Companies should follow the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) regulations to minimise the risk of substance-related factory accidents. These include regulations to identify hazards and implement measures to prevent harm to health. 

Employers also need to monitor workers and ensure they are following safety procedures. If they don't, and an accident happens, there could be a legitimate case for factory accident compensation.

Have you or a loved one been involved in a factory accident?

If an employer failed in their duty of care and you or a loved one suffered, then we can assess whether you have a case for compensation. When you feel able to talk, we have a dedicated team of experts ready to help you. Simply call us for a no-obligation chat on or fill in our secure online form to arrange a call back at a time that suits you.

What should I do if I have been injured in a factory accident?

The first priority after an accident is to get the medical care that you need for your injury. Then you can contact us so we can assess whether you may have a case for factory accident compensation. The sooner we hear from you, the sooner we can assess whether you can claim. You may also find it easier to provide accurate information about what happened now, rather than later on.

You should also report the accident to your employer, making sure it's recorded in the factory's accident book. They must report many types of factory accident to the HSE under the RIDDOR reporting regulations. 

It will help your claim if you can gather information and evidence of the accident. But please don't worry if you don't have all the information listed below - contact us anyway to get your factory accident compensation claim moving.

Information that could help your claim includes:

• The date, time and place of the accident 
• A copy of the accident's entry in the factory's accident book
• Contact details for anyone who saw the accident
• Pictures of the area where the accident happened, ideally showing anything that contributed to the accident 
• CCTV footage of the accident if available - your employer is legally obligated to give you this under personal data law
• Details of any medical treatment you received for your injuries
• Details of any financial losses you have suffered as a result of the accident, such as prescription costs, time off work and so on

Starting your claim couldn't be easier: just call us on or request a call back. We'll listen to what you've been through and let you know if we think you could make a claim. If you're eligible, we'll put you in touch with specialist factory accident solicitors who can make your claim and support you through the process.

What responsibilities does my employer have to keep me safe?

Factories can be among the most dangerous places to work, according to workplace and factory injuries statistics. In the UK manufacturing sector there's an average of 3,100 major injuries per year. Factory accident deaths are another tragic consequence of safety failures. 

This is why it's especially important that factory owners live up to their duty of care to keep you as safe as possible from factory injuries. Employers must comply with requirement of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and other regulations to keep you safe.

Examples of ways in which your employer should keep you safe include:

• Providing you with the correct training for your role
• Maintaining equipment in a safe working order
• Providing the correct safety equipment
• Keeping the floor free from tripping hazards
• Carrying out risk assessments and taking reasonable steps to prevent accidents

We may still be able to help you if the cause of your accident isn't shown above. There are other ways in which your employer may have failed in their duty of care to you.

To find out whether you are eligible for a factory accident claim, contact us on  for free, with no obligation to make a claim. If you can't talk right now, you can fill in our secure online form to arrange a call back at a convenient time.

Am I eligible to make a factory accident claim?

You may be eligible for factory accident compensation if someone else was fully or partly responsible for your injury. That could mean that your employer failed in their duty of care to you. 

But even if your employer was not directly at fault, you may still be able to claim. If any employee contributed to your factory injury, you may be able to claim against your employer. 

This is because of vicarious liability, where employers are responsible for their employees' actions. If somebody else's negligence led to your injury, you may have a case for compensation - even if it's not clear which colleague was at fault.

Sometimes you may be able to claim against someone other than your employer. In some factory machinery accidents for example, defective product claims are made against the machinery manufacturer or supplier. 

If you're unsure about your eligibility for a factory accident claim, please call us for clarification on or fill in our secure online form to arrange a call back. If we think you're eligible for factory accident compensation, we'll arrange further support with your claim from specialist personal injury solicitors.

How much compensation could I get for my factory accident claim?

If your factory accident compensation claim is successful, your compensation might fall into one or both of these categories: 

General damages cover pain, suffering and ‘loss of amenity'. This means the impact on your ability to do things you used to do, such as everyday tasks and hobbies. A government department in the Ministry of Justice called the Judicial College issues guidelines for levels of general damages compensation.

Special damages are the financial losses you experience as a direct result of your factory injury. This may include loss of earnings and the cost of any care or support you need. It may also cover the cost of any changes you need to make to your home or car following a serious accident.

For an idea of how much your claim could be worth, try our compensation calculator. And if you wish to find out more about this, or about making a factory accident compensation claim, call us for free and impartial advice on . You can instead fill in our secure online form to arrange a call back at a time that suits you. 

How could compensation help?

Factory accident compensation could be a real help if you are suffering with the impact of a factory injury. The compensation you receive may help to cover the costs of your injury and the impact it has had on your life. It could help you recover more quickly, or support you through a longer term recovery.

You can use compensation to replace income you lose while unable to work, or to pay for medical treatment such as physiotherapy or rehabilitation. You would receive the compensation directly as a financial award, and you decide how you use it.

What are the time limits for making a claim?

You can normally make a factory accident claim when the accident happened due to negligence and was within the last three years. Alternatively, you can claim up to three years from when you first became aware of an injury, illness or condition caused by working in a factory.

There are some exceptions to this time limit:

• If you were under 18 at the time of the accident, the three-year limit begins on your 18th birthday. You have until your 21st birthday to claim.
• There is no time limit if you lack the physical or psychological capability to make a claim. This can be due to the effects of the accident, or underlying conditions not related to the accident. 

If you are unsure about how these time limits affect you, please contact us on  or request a call back. We'll be happy to answer any questions you have. If you do wish to make a claim and we think you're eligible, we'll put you in touch with a specialist personal injury solicitor.  

Can I claim on behalf of a family member?

Yes, if you are a parent, guardian or close family member of an injured person, you can act on their behalf. You can also do this for a friend. This could be because they are under 18, or unable to make decisions about the case themselves due to their injuries or a pre-existing condition.

You would do this as a ‘litigation friend': a court-appointed representative of the injured person. Your solicitor can help you make the application to become a litigation friend for someone making a factory accident claim. They will make the process straightforward so that you can focus on being there for the person who's been injured.

Can I make a no win no fee factory accident claim? 

Most of the people we help are able to pursue a no win no fee claim. Also known as a ‘conditional fee agreement', this is the contract between you and your solicitor.

No win no fee means you'll pay nothing at all if you lose, and you'll only pay if you win. This type of claim brings you fair access to justice if you've been hurt in a factory accident that wasn't your fault.

If you win your case the other side will usually be required to contribute towards your legal costs and expenses. If there is any shortfall this may be deducted from your compensation.

Legal costs that need to be covered may include an insurance policy taken out to make sure your claim is financially risk free, known as ‘After the Event insurance' (ATE). You may be asked to cover legal costs including fixed fees not covered by the other side, and sometimes a ‘success fee' for winning your claim. 

Your solicitor will explain and discuss all of this at the start of your claim, so you'll know what costs to expect if you win your case. Any deduction made from your compensation is capped at a level discussed upfront with you, so there will be no nasty surprises.

Will I lose my job if I make a compensation claim?

We understand that making a claim for workplace compensation can feel uncomfortable. However, you're protected under employment law,  so your claim should have no impact on the way you're treated at work. It's illegal for your employer to treat you differently or dismiss you because of your factory accident claim. 

We can also reassure you that it's unlikely that you'll have to talk to your employer about your claim as the case progresses. Your solicitor will usually negotiate directly with the employer's insurance company. 

If compensation is awarded, your employer's liability insurance usually covers the damages. There is very little risk of your employer having to use company money to pay out for a successful compensation claim. We hope this gives you further comfort about making a factory accident compensation claim.

Why choose National Accident Helpline for your factory accident claim?

As the UK's leading personal injury claims company, we offer you a free and advisory service to give you the help you need after a factory injury. We'll never push you to make a claim but if you're interested and you give us your permission, we'll connect you with the right specialist solicitor for your case.

All of the solicitors we partner with can help you make your factory accident claim on a no win no fee basis. This means that if for some reason your case isn't successful, you won't pay a penny.