There are a lot of personal injury claims for accidents at work in this country. Let’s take a look at Britain’s major industry, construction, which employs over two million people. Compared with the rest of the European Union, the accident rate here in the United Kingdom compares very favourably, but accidents at work are far too common. In the British construction industry alone there have been nearly 3,000 fatalities over the past 25 years. During that period, many more workers have suffered serious injury as well as industrial related illnesses.

In general terms, a construction accident can be any form of industrial accident that takes place on a building site. The most common incidents are scaffolding related or connected to falls from height of either personnel or materials. Work accidents involving power tools, cement mixers, equipment used for lifting gear, for example fork lifts and cranes, and all manner of other faulty pieces of equipment regularly occur on construction or building sites.

Building sites are not only a potential danger to those working on them. Even someone walking past a site can fall victim to personal injury. Different laws cover building workers and innocent passers by, but either way, both are entitled to make compensation claims for personal injury.

Health and Safety is the responsibility of the employer. He should take responsibility for the application of health and safety regulations and make sure the workers receive adequate training and supervision. He should also ensure the building site has insurance cover. If you are unlucky enough to suffer an accident at work, here is what you should do.

First, after the injured person has been seen to by first aiders or other medical agencies, the person in charge should be informed of the accident. It is important that a detailed information as possible is entered into the site accident book. This will be crucial when you make your personal injury accident claim.

You should also keep a written record of every other piece of evidence you can gather together to prove that the employer is responsible for the accident. You should also look at whether there any witnesses to what happened? And has this type of accident happened before at your place of work? You will need to take up the services of a solicitor who specialises in this kind of work to make the claim for compensation on your behalf. The solicitor will advise you how much you should claim for and what chances your claim has of being successful.

The compensation you receive is not only to recompense you for the accident at work. The compensation is also based on an assessment of any loss of current and future earnings while you are laid off, trauma and damage to personal belongings through the work accident. You could be awarded a substantial sum. Your solicitor may be able to work for you on a no win no fee basis, saving you additional costs at what is a stressful time for you.

Do not be reluctant to pursue a personal injury claim against your employer for fear of repercussions. If you are certain your employer was remiss in his health and safety procedures and that led to your accident in the work place, then push on with your personal injury claim. By taking this stand you may eliminate the chances of a similar accident at work happening again. You owe that to your work colleagues.