Factory Accident Claims

Common factory accidents

Factories can house a number of hazards, from heavy machinery to moving vehicles. This makes factories responsible for a significant amount of accidents at work.

The Health and Safety Executive has found that manufacturing is one of the most hazardous industries for workers, with 15 people losing their lives while working in 2022/23. 

As there are so many different kinds of factories and different activities that take place inside them, there are many kinds of accidents and injuries that can happen.

Among the most common factory accidents are:

• Slips, trips and falls
• Objects falling from above
• Manual handling injuries
• Defective equipment or machinery
• Injury from insufficient personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Forklift truck accidents
• Burns

Many factory jobs also expose workers to hazardous chemical or materials, carrying a risk of industrial disease.

If you’ve suffered from an accident in a factory, you could be able to make a claim for compensation.

Who is responsible for a factory accident?

Your employer is required to ensure your workplace is safe. If they have not done so, you could be in danger of suffering an accident in your factory.

The law dictates that your employer has to carry out a risk assessment and put in place any actions that will prevent the identified hazards from causing harm. If this has not been carried out, factory workers are at risk of being injured.

Your employer has to provide the necessary protective equipment and gear and ensure that working practices are safe and people are working safely. They should also make sure they are maintaining equipment and vehicles to an appropriate standard.

They must also train all employees in safe working practices and in how to use certain machinery, vehicles and equipment. If your employer has not done so, you could be able to make a claim for compensation.

Preventing factory accidents

In all factories, your employer should carry out risk assessments to identify threats to safety. These should be written down and referred to when looking at ways of improving safety.

You can also play your part in preventing future factory accidents. Ensure you are following all health and safety guidelines and legislation. You should also make sure you are carrying out your work in the safest way possible.

Keep an eye on your colleagues and if they’re not working safely, address it with them.

If your employer has not done what is required of them, you can take it up with them. If they want to avoid an accident, they will have to take action.

Why should I make a factory accident claim?

If you’ve suffered an accident in a factory, you could have a claim for an accident at work. Although you may have concerns about the possibility of claiming against your employer, you don’t have to worry. You will be claiming against your employer’s insurer – not directly against them.

There can even be benefits to making a claim. It can highlight what went wrong to your employer, which can help them identify the problem that caused the accident in the first place. This can help them prevent it happening to anyone else in the future.

It can also help other organisations to address their safety concerns. If they’re paying attention to what’s happening elsewhere in the industry, they can learn from your employer’s mistakes and ensure they keep their own employees safe.

How long do I have to claim?

In most cases, you’ll have three years from the date of the factory accident to make a claim for compensation.

You should make sure you start the process of claiming as soon as possible. This is because it will be much easier to access key evidence soon after the accident. This can include visual evidence, like CCTV and photographs, and any medical records after you’ve sought treatment.

You could also find it easier to remember exactly what happened. The same might be true for any witnesses to your accident. You will therefore be able to give your solicitor a full explanation of what caused your accident and how you have suffered as a result.

How much compensation will I receive?

Your accident – and the resulting injury – is unique. This means that, without a consultation, we won’t be able to say exactly how much you might be entitled to in compensation.

However, our compensation calculator could give you a rough idea of what you might be awarded for a successful claim.

We recently helped Mr Hart claim £1,700 for a burn to his foot that occurred in the factory he worked in.

Any compensation you’re awarded will cover the pain and suffering you’ve experienced as a result of your injury, as well as any financial losses you’ve suffered. This includes any loss of earnings if you’ve been unable to go to work. It can also cover anything you’ve had to spend on medical care to treat your injury.

What should I do after a factory accident?

If you have suffered a factory accident that wasn’t your fault, like Mr Hart, just get in touch and find out how First4Lawyers could help you make a claim for compensation. Just give us a call, request a call back or start your claim online.

Our compassionate and understanding claims advisors will have an initial discussion about your injury before introducing you to our expert solicitors.

They specialise in accidents at work so will know just what you’re going through and understand the difficulties you may face in pursuing a claim against your employer.