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Fall From Height Claims

A serious fall at work can change every part of daily life in an instant. Falls from ladders, scaffolds, roofs, loading bays and elevated platforms regularly lead to severe workplace injuries across the UK, particularly where proper safety precautions have not been followed.

At Tylers Solicitors, we help people across the UK pursue fall from height claims after accidents caused by unsafe working conditions, poor supervision and failures in work at height safety procedures. 

Whether your injuries happened on a construction site, in a warehouse, during maintenance work or in another elevated working environment, our experienced solicitors can help you understand whether you may be entitled to compensation.

We provide straightforward legal advice with No Win No Fee representation available for eligible claims. Our team understands the realities of work at height accidents and the serious impact these injuries can have on your health, finances and future. §

To speak with a fall from height solicitor, call us on 0800 699 0079, email us at info@tylerssolicitors.co.uk or fill in our online contact form for a free and confidential discussion.

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Falls from height compensation

What Are Fall From Height Claims?

Fall from height claims allow injured workers to seek compensation after suffering injuries in a work at height accident caused by negligence or failures in workplace safety.

Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, working at height refers to work in any place where a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury if suitable precautions were not in place. There is no minimum height requirement for a claim.

A fall from height claim may involve accidents such as:

  • Falling from ladders
  • Falling from scaffolding
  • Roof falls
  • Falling through fragile roof lights or surfaces
  • Falling from mezzanines or loading bays
  • Platform and walkway falls
  • Falling into uncovered openings
  • Falls involving unsafe elevated maintenance work
  • Forklift platform falls
  • Falls caused by unsafe access equipment

 

These accidents can happen across many industries, including construction, warehousing, manufacturing, facilities management, retail, logistics and maintenance work.

All employers have an obligation to minimise workplace accidents — including falls from height. If you’ve suffered a fall from a height due to your employer’s negligence, you may be able to claim compensation. Our experienced solicitors can support you throughout the claims process to ensure you get the full amount you deserve to help you move on with your life.

Read on for more details on your rights following a workplace accident, and contact Tylers Solicitors to start processing your fall from height at work claim. Call 0800 699 0079 or use our simple online contact form today. 

Common Work At Height Accident Scenarios

Falls from height often happen because basic safety procedures were not followed properly.

Ladder Falls

Unsafe ladders remain one of the most common causes of workplace falls. Accidents may happen because:

 

  • Ladders were damaged or defective
  • The ladder was not secured properly
  • Workers were not trained correctly
  • The wrong equipment was used for the task
  • The surface beneath the ladder was unstable

 

A ladder fall accident claim may arise where safer access equipment should have been provided.

Scaffold Falls

Scaffolding accidents can lead to severe injuries, particularly where guardrails, toe boards or fall protection systems are missing.

Unsafe scaffold claims often involve:

  • Incomplete scaffolding
  • Poor assembly
  • Lack of inspections
  • Missing edge protection
  • Unsafe working platforms

 

If your accident happened on a building site, you may also wish to read our Construction Accident Claims page.

Roof & Fragile Surface Falls

Workers carrying out roofing, maintenance or inspection work are often exposed to dangerous conditions.

Falls through fragile roof lights, weak roofing materials and unprotected openings remain a major cause of fatal and serious injuries in the workplace.

Employers and contractors should properly assess these risks and ensure suitable fall prevention measures are in place.

Mezzanine & Loading Bay Falls

Warehouse workers and logistics staff may suffer injuries after falling from elevated storage areas, loading bays or mezzanine floors.

These accidents are often linked to:

  • Missing barriers or guardrails
  • Unsafe walkways
  • Poor lighting
  • Inadequate supervision
  • Unsafe forklift operations
  • Elevated Maintenance Work

 

Maintenance workers, electricians, window cleaners and engineers frequently carry out work at height in changing environments.

Where proper planning and access equipment are not provided, serious accidents can happen quickly.

How Common Are Falls From Height At Work?

Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of fatal workplace accidents in the UK.

According to Health and Safety Executive figures, falls from height accounted for 35% of workplace deaths in 2024/25, with thousands of non-fatal injuries reported each year.

Many of these accidents could have been prevented through proper planning, training and safety management.

When Might An Employer Be Responsible?

Employers have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to protect workers carrying out tasks at height.

This includes responsibilities under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, which require employers to:

  • Assess work at height risks
  • Avoid working at height where possible
  • Provide suitable equipment
  • Ensure equipment is maintained properly
  • Provide appropriate training and supervision
  • Reduce the risk of falls and falling objects

 

A fall from height compensation claim may arise where injuries were caused by failures such as:

  • Unsafe ladders or scaffolding
  • Lack of guardrails or edge protection
  • Poor supervision
  • Inadequate risk assessments
  • Unsafe access routes
  • Failure to provide fall arrest systems
  • Defective equipment
  • Unsafe working practices

 

Liability will always depend on the circumstances of the accident and who was responsible for the relevant safety failures.

Fall From Height Claims

Who Can Make A Fall From Height Claim?

In many cases, the injured worker brings the claim directly. However, other people may also be eligible in certain circumstances.

Claims may sometimes involve:

  • Employees
  • Agency workers
  • Apprentices
  • Contractors
  • Subcontractors
  • Maintenance workers
  • Warehouse staff
  • Self employed workers where another party controlled site safety

 

You may still be able to claim if you remain employed by the company involved.

Where somebody lacks mental capacity following a serious injury, a family member or litigation friend may sometimes act on their behalf.

In fatal cases, family members or estate representatives may be able to pursue a related claim. You can read more on our Fatal Accident Claims page.

In 2023/24, 50 employees suffered fatal falls from height. During the same period, falling from a height was responsible for 36% of all worker fatalities. – HSE & RIDDOR

Common Injuries In Fall From Height Claims

Even relatively short falls can cause severe injuries.

Some of the most common injuries include:

  • Broken bones
  • Pelvic fractures
  • Rib fractures
  • Spinal injuries
  • Head and brain injuries
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Crush injuries
  • Internal injuries
  • Nerve damage
  • Amputations

 

Severe falls can lead to permanent disability, long term rehabilitation needs and loss of independence.

If your injuries are particularly serious, you may also wish to explore our Serious Injury Claims section.

What Should You Do After A Fall From Height?

The steps taken after a workplace accident can make an important difference to both recovery and any future claim.

Report the Accident

The incident should be reported to your employer or site manager as soon as possible and recorded in the workplace accident book.

Seek Medical Attention

Medical assessment is important even where symptoms initially appear minor. Some injuries, particularly head injuries and spinal injuries, may not be immediately obvious.

Medical records will also form important evidence in any fall from height claim.

Gather Evidence

Useful evidence may include:

  • Photographs of the accident scene
  • Images of unsafe ladders or scaffolding
  • CCTV footage
  • Witness details
  • Accident book records
  • Medical reports
  • Proof of financial losses
  • Speak With a Solicitor

 

Early legal advice can help preserve evidence and ensure the accident is investigated properly.

How much could I claim?

What Evidence Is Needed For A Fall From Height Claim?

To pursue a claim successfully, it is normally necessary to show that:

  • A duty of care existed
  • Safety obligations were breached
  • The breach caused injury

 

Evidence may include:

  • Risk assessments
  • Training records
  • Maintenance logs
  • Inspection reports
  • Medical evidence
  • Witness statements
  • Photographs and site records

 

Where severe injuries are involved, specialist medical evidence may also be required to assess long term impact and future care needs.

What Can Fall From Height Compensation Include?

Fall from height compensation is intended to reflect both the injury itself and the wider effect the accident has had on your life.

Compensation may include:

Pain and suffering

  • Loss of earnings
  • Future loss of earnings
  • Medical treatment costs
  • Rehabilitation and physiotherapy
  • Travel expenses
  • Care and assistance
  • Home adaptations
  • Specialist equipment
  • Psychological support where required

 

In severe injury cases, interim payments may sometimes be available before the claim concludes.

Fall From Height Compensation Amounts

The amount of compensation awarded will depend on the seriousness of the injuries, the recovery period and the long term impact on your life.

The figures below are guideline examples based on the original content provided and should not be treated as guaranteed amounts.

Injury Type

Guideline Compensation

Minor injuries recovering within around 3 months

Up to £2,990

Moderate injuries including fractures and longer recovery periods

Up to £31,960

Serious head injuries affecting movement or causing chronic pain

£30,000 to £130,000

Catastrophic injuries including paralysis or severe brain injury

Up to £493,000

Fatal fall from height claims

£550,000+ depending on circumstances

Fall From Height Compensation Calculator

To use the fall from height compensation calculator, select the injury category, affected body area and severity level that best reflect your workplace injuries. The calculator will then provide a guideline estimate based on Judicial College Guideline figures for the injury itself.

This estimate is intended as a guide only and does not include additional losses that may form part of your claim, such as rehabilitation costs, lost earnings, care costs or future treatment expenses.

Once you receive your estimate, you can contact Tylers Solicitors for confidential advice about your circumstances and the next steps available to you.

Need more information? Don’t worry, Lee Kirton or one of our other professional claims solicitors will advise you along the way

Contact us on 0800 699 0079 or via our online contact form to start your claim today!

If your fall from a height caused minor injuries (such as bruising and other soft tissue injuries) that heal relatively quickly, you may still be able to claim compensation.

For injuries that you recover from within three months, you could be eligible for up to £2,990.

More moderate injuries sustained as a direct result of falling from height can significantly impede your everyday life. You may require physiotherapy, and your injuries could take a year or more to heal. Examples include leg dislocation and foot fractures.

You could be eligible to claim up to £31,960.

Head injuries are common in fall from height accidents, and they can vary in severity. For a head injury that affects your movement or causes chronic pain, you could be eligible for between £30,000 and £130,000 in compensation.

Some of the most severe fall from height accidents can lead to life changing disabilities. If paralysis or brain damage occurs as a result of a workplace fall from a height, you could claim up to £493,000.

In tragic cases, falling from a height can be fatal. If you’ve lost a loved one due to a fall from a height at work, you may be able to make a wrongful death claim.

This could be up to £550,000+, depending on the circumstances. Learn more about compensation for wrongful deaths, and please don’t hesitate to contact us for support. Our compassionate solicitors are here for you.

No Win No Fee Fall From Height Claims

Many workplace accident claims are funded through a No Win No Fee agreement.

This means:

  1. No upfront solicitor fees
  2. No legal fees to pay if the claim is unsuccessful
  3. A success fee is deducted from compensation if the claim succeeds, subject to legal limits

 

Funding arrangements will always be explained clearly before your case proceeds.

Why Choose Tylers Solicitors?

Falls from height can cause devastating injuries and long term financial pressure. At Tylers Solicitors, we understand how difficult recovery can be after a serious workplace accident.

Our team provides:

  • No Win No Fee representation
  • Clear legal guidance
  • Support gathering evidence
  • Experience handling workplace accident claims
  • Sensitive handling of serious injuries
  • Ongoing communication throughout your claim

 

Whether your accident involved a ladder, scaffold, roof, mezzanine or another elevated work area, we are here to help you understand your legal options.

Speak With A Fall From Height Solicitor

If you have suffered injuries after falling from height at work, you may be entitled to compensation.

Tylers Solicitors can provide clear and confidential advice about your circumstances and explain whether you may have grounds to make a claim.

Call 0800 699 0079, email info@tylerssolicitors.co.uk or fill in our online enquiry form to speak with a fall from height solicitor today.

Table of Contents

Fall from height claims FAQs

You have three years from the date of the accident to start filing your fall from a height claim. However, because most compensation claims take quite a bit of time to be processed, we recommend that you begin the process as soon as possible.

Naturally, you will have many questions regarding your fall from a height and the claims process. We aim to provide as much information as possible so you know what to expect when you partner with Tylers Solicitors to process your accident claim. 

From how often injury claims go to court and the most common construction injuries to what employers should do in the event of a workplace accident, our blog also has a range of useful resources. 

Please feel free to get in touch with any other queries you may have.

Using ladders and stepladders properly is one of the most efficient ways to prevent workplace accidents.

Employers should carry out risk assessments before any work at height takes place on a ladder. The use of ladders should also be limited to instances where they are safe — for example, when the ladder can be safely secured and is level and stable.

The HSE website has more helpful advice on ladder and stepladder safety in the workplace.

Evidence may include medical records, photographs, witness statements, accident reports and site safety documentation.

In most cases, personal injury claims should normally begin within three years of the accident date or the date you became aware of the injury.

If you’ve suffered a fall from a height and can prove it was not your fault, you can make a compensation claim.

You may also be able to make a claim on another person’s behalf in some cases. If the person who suffered the fall is unable to make a claim — for instance, due to a serious brain injury or being under 18 at the time of the accident — you may be able to submit a claim on their behalf.

Yes — If you have been the victim of an accident in the workplace and the accident results from employer negligence, you can claim ladder fall compensation. You may have suffered a ladder fall injury due to: 

  • The ladder being held up at the wrong angle
  • A ladder being too small
  • Climbing a ladder that has insufficient support
  • Using the wrong type of ladder for the task

Because it is the responsibility of your employer to ensure your safety, it is your right to claim compensation for financial losses you have gone through after your fall.

A fall from height claim may involve falls from ladders, scaffolding, roofs, platforms, mezzanines, loading bays or other elevated work areas.

Employers and those controlling the work environment have legal duties to reduce the risk of falls and provide suitable safety measures.

Yes. Many fall from height claims are handled through No Win No Fee agreements.

Related Claims

Research shows that construction is one of the most dangerous industries to work in. 

If you’ve suffered any sort of scaffold injury at work that isn’t your fault, then you may be owed compensation through a scaffolding injury claim.

If you’ve been a victim of a falling object in the workplace, then you deserve compensation as it’s not your fault. 

If you have suffered any kind of injury while lifting heavy objects in the workplace you could be eligible to make a claim for manual handling compensation.

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NO WIN - NO FEE
For any Accidents at Work Claims, call Tylers Solicitors, a leading personal injury solicitor in Chorley offering compensation claims across the UK. Our experienced team will work with you to get the maximum amount of compensation you’re entitled to, following any kind of injury that isn’t your fault!