If you have been injured in a construction accident because of someone else's negligence or a breach of safety regulations, you can usually make a construction accident claim in the UK. Construction is the most dangerous major industry — HSE recorded 35 fatal injuries in the sector in 2024/25 and tens of thousands of non-fatal injuries each year. Employers and site controllers have strict duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. Most claims are funded on a no win, no fee basis, and you have three years to act.
Construction sites carry inherent risks — heavy plant, work at height, excavations, falling materials and power tools — which is precisely why the law imposes strict safety duties on everyone who controls them. When those duties are breached and a worker or passer-by is injured, the injured person can claim compensation. This guide sets out who can claim, the legal framework, the evidence you need and the typical timeline. We are an independent information service, not a law firm.
Who can claim?
Anyone injured on or by a construction site due to negligence may be able to claim. That includes:
- Employees of the main contractor or any subcontractor
- Self-employed tradespeople and agency workers — the principal contractor still owes duties to everyone on site under CDM 2015
- Members of the public — a pedestrian hit by falling debris, for example, can claim against the contractor or site controller
Legal framework
Construction claims draw on several overlapping sources of law:
| Law / Regulation | What it requires |
|---|---|
| Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 | General duty on employers to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of employees and others affected by their work |
| Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 | Specific duties on clients, designers and contractors to plan, manage and monitor construction work safely |
| Work at Height Regulations 2005 | Hierarchy of controls for any work at height: avoid it, prevent falls, minimise consequences |
| Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 | Equipment must be suitable, maintained and used safely; workers must be trained |
| Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 | Employers must assess and reduce risks from lifting and carrying |
| Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 | Employers must hold at least £5 million EL insurance cover |
A breach of these regulations is strong evidence of negligence and can form the basis of your claim.
Common construction accidents
HSE data for 2024/25 shows falls from height account for around 53% of worker deaths in construction, with roofing, scaffolding and maintenance tasks particularly associated with fatal falls. Other common incidents include:
- Being struck by a moving vehicle or plant on site
- Being hit by a falling object (tools, materials, debris)
- Contact with moving machinery or power tools
- Collapse of structures, trenches or excavations
- Manual handling injuries from lifting heavy materials
- Exposure to hazardous substances (dust, asbestos, chemicals)
How much compensation?
Compensation depends entirely on the injury. Minor sprains or simple fractures may settle for a few thousand pounds. Severe injuries — traumatic amputations, spinal cord damage, serious head injuries — can exceed £200,000 for general damages alone, with special damages (lost earnings, ongoing care, rehabilitation, equipment) potentially adding substantially more. Awards are guided by the Judicial College Guidelines (17th edition, 2024).
✓ Employers' liability insurance pays
Your claim is against your employer's liability insurer, not your employer personally. UK employers are legally required to hold employers' liability insurance (minimum £5 million cover). Making a claim should not affect your employment — dismissing you for it would be unlawful.
Time limits
You generally have three years from the date of the accident to bring a claim. For diseases that develop gradually (such as asbestos-related conditions), the three years may run from the date of knowledge — when you first knew or ought to have known the condition was linked to your work. Children's three years start at 18.
Getting help
We are not a law firm. Use the SRA register and the Law Society "Find a Solicitor" to locate an accredited personal injury solicitor with experience in workplace and construction claims. Citizens Advice provides free guidance. You can also report unsafe sites directly to the HSE.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim for an accident on a construction site?
Yes, if you were injured because of someone else's negligence or a breach of health and safety regulations. This applies whether you are an employee, a subcontractor, a self-employed worker or a member of the public. Your employer or the site controller has legal duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
What if I am self-employed on the site?
Self-employed workers can still claim. The principal contractor and the client have duties under CDM 2015 to manage site safety for everyone on site, not just employees. If their failure caused your injury, you may have a claim against them.
How much compensation for a construction accident?
It depends on the injury. Minor injuries may settle for a few thousand pounds, while severe injuries such as spinal damage, amputations or serious head injuries can exceed 200,000 pounds. Compensation includes general damages for pain and suffering plus special damages for lost earnings, care and treatment costs.
How long do I have to claim?
Three years from the date of the accident under the Limitation Act 1980 in England and Wales. Similar three-year limits apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland. For industrial diseases that develop gradually, time may run from the date you first became aware the condition was linked to your work.
What are the most common construction site accidents?
HSE data for 2024/25 shows falls from height account for about 53 percent of fatal injuries in construction. Other common accidents include being struck by a moving vehicle or falling object, contact with moving machinery, collapse of structures, and manual handling injuries. Non-fatal injuries on construction sites run to tens of thousands each year.
Will I lose my job if I claim against my employer?
It is unlawful for an employer to dismiss you or treat you unfairly for making a personal injury claim. The claim is handled by your employer's liability insurer, not personally by your employer. Employers are legally required to hold employers liability insurance with a minimum cover of 5 million pounds under the Employers Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969.
Get help from official, free sources
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) — check a solicitor is regulated
- The Law Society — Find a Solicitor — accredited PI specialists
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE) — report unsafe sites, safety guidance
- Citizens Advice — free, impartial guidance on your rights
Related guides: accident at work claims, ladder and fall from height claims, lifting injury claims, crush injury claims, how to make a claim, and no win, no fee explained.