Falling object injury
compensation claims

If a falling object injury has set you back, we'll help you move forward

Objects falling from heights can pose a significant hazard, especially in environments such as construction sites or areas with stacked materials. These incidents can lead to severe injuries like head traumas, fractures, and spinal damage. The risk increases if materials or stock has not been stored securely, inadequate safety measures are taken, and suitable PPE is not provided.

If you or a loved one has been affected by such an accident, a personal injury solicitor can assist you in making a claim for the No Win, No Fee compensation you deserve.

With approximately 6,500 serious injuries from falling or moving objects each year, you are not alone

Numerous falling object accidents happen in public places or private residences every year. However, a large majority of serious accidents of this type occur in the workplace.

Injuries from falling objects are common and as such, are addressed in a specific section 13 of The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (legislation.gov.uk).

11% of non-fatal injuries at work involve a moving or falling object (Health and Safety Executive (HSE)).

If you decide to make a falling object injury claim, your personal injury solicitor will take you through every step of the claims process. Your solicitor will be with you until you win your claim and get the compensation you need to move forward.

Do I qualify for falling object injury compensation?

You will usually be eligible to claim compensation if you have been injured in the following circumstances:

• in the last 3 years,
• by someone elses actions or negligence, and
• they owed you a duty of care.

Use our injury claim calculator to find out if you can claim. Alternatively, you can speak to a claims advisor on 0800 376 1001 and find out if you have a claim in minutes.

Can I claim if I feel I was partly responsible for my accident?

Determining who is to blame for an accident is not always black and white.

In our recent 2024 Public Liability Injury Claimant Survey, 17.45% of respondents believed they may have been partly (or wholly) responsible for their injuries.

Claims are possible even when your actions partially caused the accident. In instances of 'contributory negligence', claims are usually settled with a split liability agreement.

Read more:

Can I claim if I feel I was partly responsible for my accident?

How long after a falling object injury do I have to start a claim?

For most injury claims, you have up to 3 years from the date of your injury to start the claims process.

The 3 year limitation period does not apply to minors (under 18s). A parent, guardian or litigation friend can start a claim on a child's behalf up to their 18th birthday and the child has until their 21st birthday to claim for themselves.

How much compensation can I claim for a falling object injury?

The amount of money you could claim for your injury will depend on:

• the seriousness of your injury, and
• any financial losses or costs you have incurred.

At the start of your claim, your solicitor will consider the many ways your injuries have affected your life. Your solicitor will take these considerations into account to calculate the correct compensation award.

General damages

General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA).

Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College (judiciary.uk) and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.

How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?

Special damages

Special damages are for financial losses and expenses you have incurred because of your accident. In addition to paying for loss of earnings, including lost overtime, holiday pay, benefits and pension contributions, special damages can cover any care costs and medical procedures you need, such as diagnostic imaging tests, surgical intervention and physiotherapy.

Read more:

A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim

Psychological trauma following an injury or illness

Although psychiatric injuries are less obvious than physical injuries and illness, mental health conditions can be no less debilitating.

Our 2024 Public Place Injury Claimant Survey reveals the extent of psychological trauma, with 29.03% of claims involving a psychological injury, 70.97% of which related to a physical injury.

Injuries from falling objects, especially in public or work settings, can lead to anxiety and fears including kinemortophobia (fear of falling objects). These anxieties can trigger PTSD in severe cases.

Compensation for psychological harm can help you access mental health support and therapies not always available through the NHS.

Our compensation calculator can estimate your compensation for psychological injuries. Or you can call us on 0800 376 1001 to speak to a specialist advisor.

Who is responsible for falling object accidents?

In a workplace setting the responsibility for accidents lies with the employer and/or site manager. Employers are governed by a number of regulations which should ensure the health and safety of their employees.

Regulations include, amongst others:

• The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• The Working at Height Regulations 2005
• Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
• The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).

The legislation contains relevant provisions such as:

• Providing risk assessments, adequate safety measures and staff training
• Preventing or stopping objects from falling, which could include attaching ties or safety lines, placing suitable guards or safety mesh below, using exclusion zones, storing objects safely, using covered platforms, only placing equipment at height that is absolutely necessary
• Providing suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as safety helmets and hard hats

The employer's duty of responsibility extends from the employer to the public if the work setting presents a risk to pedestrians or those nearby. An example would be an accident involving an item falling from a scaffold or ladder and injuring a member of the public.

For other accidents involving falling objects in another public or private setting, responsibility lies with the owner of the land or property. This could be a shop keeper whose sign fell onto a passer-by or a building owner where something dropped from a window or balcony.

How did your injury happen?

Claiming compensation for a falling object injury is dependent on how your injury occurred. Click the icons below for more detail:

Public places Work accidents Road accidents Other accidents

Citations

Author:
Howard Willis, Personal injury solicitor

About the author

Howard Willis qualified as a solicitor in 1984 and has specialised in personal injury for over 25 years. He is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and is a recognised Law Society Personal Injury Panel expert.