Falling Object Claims
Accidents at work happen in a large number of different circumstances. Being hit by a ‘falling object’ because of the very general nature of the term, might conjure up images of a fairly innocuous or even comical type of accident at work.
The truth is that whilst being hit by a slim and lightweight office file, that falls a few feet from an overloaded office shelf, might cause little more than embarrassment to the victim and even a few chuckles amongst watching colleagues, being struck by other types of falling objects, can cause serious injury. In some cases, it can even lead to the death of the victim.
Examples of falling object claims at work
It is impossible to give examples of every possible type of falling object at work claim. Here are just some;
- Machinery part falls off onto the machine operator
- Falling debris, tools or materials fall from a building where construction or renovation is being carried out
- Unstable load falls from ‘lifting’ machinery such as fork lift trucks, cranes and winching gear
- Files, books or office equipment fall from a high shelf or cupboard
- Luggage falls from overhead locker of an aeroplane onto a flight attendant
- Items falling from high shelving in a warehouse,
- Faulty light fitting falls onto an employee in an office, factory etc
- Heavy objects falling into a maintenance pit in a garage, or onto a road worker carrying out maintenance or underground pipe or cabling work whilst working in an excavation dug into the road
Why would the employer be at fault if I was injured by an object that fell onto me at work?
All employers owe their workers a duty of care. In the case of preventing falling object accidents at work, that means employers must;
- Ensure that employees are properly trained and supervised
- Take means to ensure that the workplace is kept a safe place for all employees
- Take steps to make sure that machinery and other work equipment is properly maintained and repaired or replaced as necessary
- Carry out regular risk assessments and ensure that potential hazards are noted and acted upon’
- Make sure that they provide safe systems of working
- Provide relevant protective equipment to employees as circumstances dictate,
- Cordon off areas near to where overhead work is being carried out
The Working at Height Regulations 2005 , as well as providing employers with information as to what they need to do to protect employees from falls at height, also includes provisions providing protection from falling objects.
What types of injury are caused by failing objects at work?
Falling objects are most likely cause to head injuries to the victim. These consist of only bruises and cuts but more serious injuries can and do occur and sadly fatalities happen in a small, but nevertheless tragic number of cases. Depending on the weight of the object that has fallen and/or the distance, fractured skulls and brain damage are not uncommon types of injury arising from accidents at work caused by objects falling onto the victim.
Other types of personal injury from falling items are;
- Back injuries
- Injuries to the face
- Fractures – to the collarbone, hands, arms and legs
- Whiplash injuries
Contact Mooneerams Solicitors
If you have suffered an injury at work caused by a falling object, then contact Mooneerams personal injury solicitors and talk to one of our accident at work claims solicitors. Mooneerams have successfully recovered millions of pounds worth of compensation on behalf of clients injured in workplace accidents.
This has often included not only compensation (damages) for the pain and suffering caused by the personal injury sustained, but also, depending on the circumstances of each claim;
- Loss of earnings
- Loss of future earnings
- Costs of physiotherapy and other remedial treatment
- Reimbursement of the cost of medical and prescription fees.
Call us even if you are unsure whether you have a valid claim for compensation or not and we will be pleased to discuss the circumstances of the accident with you. We will then advise you whether we think that on the balance of probabilities, you have reasonable prospects of making a successful injury claim. There will be NO CHARGE for this initial advice and there will be absolutely no obligation to pursue the matter further, afterwards.
At Mooneerams, we only act on behalf of injured claimants. That means we never work for insurance companies to defend claims.
Call Mooneerams now on 029 2048 3615 if you have been injured as a result of a falling object at work, within the last 3 years. Alternatively fill in our quick claim enquiry form and we’ll get straight back to you. In most cases, we will be able to assist you by means of a No Win, No Fee arrangement.
