If you have been injured at work due to faulty machinery, lack of training or insufficient safety measures, you could be eligible to make a machinery accident compensation claim.
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Machinery Accident Claims
As an employee, you have the right to work in a safe environment and to receive appropriate training and protective equipment when operating machinery. If your employer breaches these duties and you are injured, you may be entitled to make a machinery accident claim for compensation.
Machinery accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor burns and lacerations to severe crush injuries, permanent brain injuries, amputations, and even death.
If you or somebody in your family suffered a machinery accident at work due to someone else’s negligence, you might be entitled to make a machinery accident claim.
The compensation for a faulty machine accident can cover the pain, suffering and all the financial losses you incurred so you can move on with your life.
A specialist workplace accident solicitor would be happy to discuss your case with you during a free initial consultation and advise you on the claims process and your potential compensation.
Call 0800 470 0472 today or request a call back to find out if you have a valid claim, with no obligation to proceed.
Key points about machinery accident claims
- Eligibility: You may be able to claim if you were injured at work due to faulty machinery or lack of safety precautions.
- Employer Duties: Employers must maintain equipment, provide proper training, and follow relevant safety laws.
- Time Limit: You usually have up to 3 years from the date of the accident to begin a claim.
- Compensation: May cover injuries such as crush injuries, amputations or lacerations, as well as financial expenses such as loss of earnings.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will handle your claim on a no win, no fee basis, so you only pay a fee if successful.
Table of Contents
What are machinery accident claims?
Machinery accident claims are workplace accident claims made by someone who was injured while using, operating or working near machinery due to someone else’s negligence. The claimant could be:
- A permanent employee.
- A contractor.
- A zero-hour worker.
- A self-employed worker.
- A seasonal employee or agency worker.
Regardless of employment status, workers are protected by health and safety legislation while carrying out their job duties. If you suffered an injury due to negligence, such as defective machinery or equipment, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.
Can I make a machinery accident compensation claim?
You may be entitled to make a claim following a machinery accident. Even if you might think that the accident was your fault, your employer may have failed to take all reasonable steps to keep you safe from injury.
The most straightforward way to find out if you are eligible for compensation is to contact a personal injury solicitor. Usually, you can proceed with a claim if you can answer yes to these questions:
- Did your machinery accident take place in the last three years?
- Was somebody else at fault for your injuries?
- Did that person owe you a duty of care, which they breached?
Call 0800 470 0472 or request a call back to receive free legal advice and find out if you have a valid machinery injury claim for compensation.
What are an employer’s responsibilities for machinery at work?
Every employer has the responsibility to provide a safe and healthy environment for employees, which is set out by several pieces of legislation:
- The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
- The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).
- The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.
- The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992.
- The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 and 2011.
These regulations cover all of your employer’s responsibilities. Their primary duties are to:
- Make sure all machinery is safe to use and properly maintained.
- Carry out regular risk assessments and address the risks associated with particular machines.
- Ensure all machinery has proper guards, warnings and emergency stop buttons.
- Provide suitable protective equipment, such as helmets, gloves and eye protection.
- Offer proper training, instruction and supervision on machinery use and safety procedures.
- Make sure only employees with the correct training can use the machinery.
If an employer fails to comply with their duties, they may be liable for injuries caused by faulty machinery at work.
Time limits for faulty machinery accident claims
The claim limitation period is essential to keep in mind. In personal injury claims, including those caused by workplace machinery, the time limit is typically 3 years from the date of the accident or date of knowledge.
The three-year rule does not apply in some circumstances:
- For child injury claims, the three-year countdown doesn’t start until they turn 18.
- There is no time limit to claim compensation on behalf of someone who is mentally incapacitated.
- If the accident was due to a manufacturing or design error, a product liability claim may also be subject to a 10-year long-stop period under the Consumer Protection Act 1987.
- For fatal accidents, the 3-year time limit usually runs from the date of death or date of knowledge.
Although you may have up to three years to claim compensation, you should contact a solicitor as soon as possible after your accident. Preparing a strong case can take considerable time, and most solicitors will not take on a claim with just a few months left before the limitation period.
How do I make a faulty machinery accident claim?
To claim compensation for an accident involving heavy machinery or other types of equipment at work, there are a few steps you should take:
- Seek medical care to ensure your injuries are correctly diagnosed and treated.
- Report the accident to your employer and gather supporting evidence.
- Keep records of your symptoms, losses and the impact on your life.
- Speak to a specialist solicitor to assess your case and compensation prospects.
- Send a letter of claim to your employer and negotiate a settlement (over 96% of cases).
- Issue court proceedings if negotiations fail or liability is denied (very rare).
What evidence will I need to support my claim?
The most important pieces of evidence that can help you make a successful claim include:
- Medical records/specialist reports confirming your injuries and recovery prospects.
- Witness statements and your own testimony.
- A copy of the accident report book.
- Photographs of the accident scene and your injuries.
- Any CCTV footage that might have recorded the accident taking place.
- Proof of financial losses and out-of-pocket expenses.
- Workplace documents, such as training and equipment inspection records.
Your solicitor will assist in collecting everything you need to secure the compensation you deserve.
How much compensation can I claim for an injury caused by dangerous machinery?
While some machinery accidents result in relatively minor injuries, others cause severe trauma resulting in amputations, paralysis and even death. The type and severity of your injury will determine your compensation award, which will include two types of damages:
- Special damages – for related financial losses and expenses, such as private treatments, physical therapy, lost earnings and care costs.
- General damages – for the physical injury and the pain, suffering and loss of amenity it has caused you.
Solicitors and judges use formal guidelines published by the Judicial College to calculate a suitable compensation award for general damages. Depending on the type and extent of your injury, you could get the following compensation according to the 18th Edition of the Judicial College Guidelines:
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Paralysis | Tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia | £429,000 - £534,000 |
| Brain Damage | Moderate brain damage likely to affect the senses, with some dependence on others | £57,000 - £289,000 |
| Amputation Of Arms | Amputation of one arm at the shoulder | In excess of £181,000 |
| Injuries Affecting Sight | Total loss of one eye | £72,000 - £87,000 |
| Scarring To The Face | Facial scarring causing substantial disfigurement and significant psychological impact | £24,000 - £64,000 |
| Leg Injuries | Multiple or complicated fractures or severe crush injuries to one leg | £37,000 - £52,000 |
| Hand Injuries | A moderate hand injury, including crush injuries, penetrating wounds or soft tissue damage | £7,500 - £18,000 |
| Digestive System | A penetrating stab wound, industrial laceration or serious seat-belt pressure injury | £8,700 - £17,000 |
Your solicitor can give you a better estimate of your compensation prospects based on the circumstances of your accident and the severity of your injury. For a free consultation, call 0800 470 0472 or fill in our online claim form to receive a call back.
Compensation Calculator
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How much will it cost to make a machinery accident claim?
If you are eligible to make a machinery compensation claim, you may be able to receive a no win no fee service. That means it will not cost you anything upfront to start your claim, and your solicitor will only charge a fee if the claim is successful.
If your solicitor works on a no win no fee basis, you only pay them if you win the case. The success fee they will get depends on factors such as the amount of time and effort your solicitor invested in the case and is subject to a legal cap of up to 25% of certain parts of your compensation.
What are the main types of machinery accidents?
Workplace accidents involving machinery are a common cause of workplace injuries. The most common types of machinery accidents leading to a claim include:
- Impact or crush accidents – these happen when a body part is struck or caught by machinery or moving parts of machinery.
- Falls from height – you could fall from equipment or from defective stairs, ladders, or scaffolding and come into contact with dangerous parts of machinery.
- Electric shocks – occur from faulty wiring or exposed live parts of machinery or when working near power lines.
- Contact with sharp parts – sharp edges or blades can cause severe cuts, lacerations and even amputations.
- Machine ejections – items ejected from machinery, like log splitters, waste items or components, can also cause injuries.
- Non-mechanical hazards – harmful emissions, vibrations, chemicals, or noise may cause severe injuries and long-term health problems.
What types of negligence can lead to accidents involving machinery at work?
Many different types of employer negligence can lead to you being injured in a machinery accident, including:
- Using defective or poorly maintained equipment.
- Missing or defective safety guards.
- Failure to provide personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Inadequate training or supervision.
- Using the wrong equipment or machinery for the job.
- Untidy work environment, with slip and trip hazards.
- Ignoring health and safety regulations.
Regardless of the cause of your accident, if somebody else was even partially responsible, you could make a machinery injury claim.
How common are accidents involving machinery at work?
Machine-related accidents in the UK continue to affect a significant number of workers each year. According to the Health and Safety Executive contact with moving machinery accounted for 10 deaths in 2025/56.
In the manufacturing industry, contact with machinery accounts for 19% of all fatal injuries and 12% of non-fatal injuries. This makes it the leading cause of fatal accidents and the fourth highest cause of non-fatal accidents.
These figures highlight the serious risks posed by machinery in the workplace and the critical importance of complying with health and safety regulations, such as the machinery safety guidelines published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
What are the most common injuries caused by machinery accidents?
Machinery accidents can result in a wide range of injuries at work, for which a specialist solicitor may be able to help you claim compensation, such as:
- Cuts and lacerations.
- Broken bones.
- Crushed body parts.
- Scarring and disfigurement.
- Burn injuries.
- Eye injuries.
- Hearing loss.
- Back and neck injuries.
- Head and brain injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Internal injuries.
- Repetitive strain injuries (RSI).
- Amputation injuries.
- Fatal injuries.
If you or a loved one suffered any kind of injury due to negligence, you might be entitled to make a machinery accident claim and receive compensation for your pain and suffering.
Is my job at risk if I claim for a work accident involving machinery?
This is a common concern, but under UK law, your job should not be at risk if you make a legitimate claim for a workplace accident and injury. Your employer is legally required to hold a valid insurance policy, and any compensation awarded to you will be paid by their insurer.
If your employer tries to demote you, dismiss you or treat you unfairly simply because you made a compensation claim, this may count as unfair or constructive dismissal. In this case, a specialist solicitor could help you make a further claim at an employment tribunal.
Can I still make a machinery accident claim if I was partly at fault?
Yes, even if you are partially to blame for your injury, you may still be able to make a machinery accident claim. For example, your employer might argue that you used a machine or the PPE incorrectly or recklessly ignored a hazard sign.
If you are found partially to blame for the accident, this is referred to as contributory negligence. In this case, any compensation you receive may be reduced by a percentage proportionate to the amount of responsibility you had for suffering an injury.
Call 0800 470 0472 or request a call back today to find out if you can make a machinery accident compensation claim with a free, no-obligation case assessment.
