If you fell from a ladder at work because of your employer's negligence, you can usually make a ladder accident claim for compensation in the UK. Falls from height are the leading cause of fatal workplace injury — HSE data for 2024/25 shows they account for around 53% of construction deaths. Employers have strict duties under the Work at Height Regulations 2005: they must avoid work at height where possible, use the safest equipment available, and only permit ladders for short, low-risk tasks. A breach of these duties is the basis of most claims. You have three years to act.
Ladder falls can cause devastating injuries: spinal fractures, head injuries, broken limbs, even paralysis. The law places a heavy responsibility on employers to prevent them. This guide explains the regulatory framework, when you can claim, how compensation works and the evidence you need. We are an independent information service, not a law firm.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury. They impose a hierarchy of controls:
- Avoid work at height altogether if reasonably practicable
- Where it cannot be avoided, prevent falls using the safest equipment — scaffolding, mobile elevated work platforms (cherry pickers), edge protection
- Where falls cannot be prevented, minimise the distance and consequences — safety nets, harnesses
Ladders sit near the bottom of this hierarchy. They should only be used for short-duration, low-risk work where a safer alternative is not reasonably practicable. If your employer put you on a ladder when scaffolding or a platform should have been used, that is a breach.
Common employer failures
- Using a ladder when safer equipment was reasonably practicable
- Providing a damaged, defective or unsuitable ladder
- Failing to secure the ladder (no footing, uneven ground, not tied off)
- Not training workers in safe ladder use
- Allowing work in unsafe conditions (high wind, wet rungs, poor lighting)
- Not inspecting the ladder before use
How much compensation?
Compensation depends on the injury, not the height of the fall. Under the Judicial College Guidelines (17th edition, 2024), a simple wrist fracture from a low fall may attract £4,670–£8,640 in general damages. Serious spinal injuries with lasting effects can exceed £100,000. Paralysis or fatal injury claims are higher still. Special damages — lost earnings (often substantial if the worker cannot return to a physical trade), treatment, rehabilitation, care, equipment — are added on top.
Time limits
Three years from the fall under the Limitation Act 1980 (England and Wales). Children have until age 21. See our time limits guide.
Getting help
We are not a law firm. Use the SRA register and Law Society "Find a Solicitor" to find a solicitor experienced in workplace and construction claims. You can also report unsafe working conditions to the HSE. Citizens Advice provides free guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim if I fell from a ladder at work?
Yes, if your employer failed in their duty of care. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require employers to avoid work at height where reasonably practicable, use safer alternatives such as scaffolding or mobile elevated platforms, and only permit ladders for low-risk, short-duration tasks. If your employer failed to follow these rules and you fell, you can claim.
How much compensation for a ladder accident?
It depends on the injury. Falls from ladders commonly cause fractures, back injuries, head injuries, spinal damage and in the worst cases paralysis or fatal injuries. Compensation is assessed under the Judicial College Guidelines (17th edition, 2024) for the specific injury. A broken wrist from a low fall may attract several thousand pounds; a spinal injury from a higher fall can exceed 100,000 pounds. Special damages for lost earnings and care are added on top.
What are the Work at Height Regulations?
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 set a hierarchy of controls. Employers must first avoid work at height if possible. If not, they must use the safest equipment available such as scaffolding, cherry pickers or platforms. Ladders should only be used for short-duration, low-risk work and must be in good condition, properly secured and used by trained workers.
Can I claim if the ladder was my own?
If you were working for an employer, the employer's duty to provide safe work equipment applies regardless of who owns the ladder. If they directed you to use your own ladder without checking it was suitable and safe, that could itself be a breach. If you were self-employed and working for yourself, the position is more complex and depends on whether anyone else owed you a duty.
How long do I have to claim?
Three years from the date of the fall under the Limitation Act 1980 in England and Wales. Children have until their 21st birthday.
Get help from official, free sources
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) — check a solicitor is regulated
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE) — work at height guidance, report unsafe sites
- Citizens Advice — free, impartial guidance on your rights
Related guides: accident at work claims, construction accident claims, broken bone claims, back injury claims, spinal injury claims, and no win, no fee explained.