If you’ve been injured in a factory because of your employer’s negligence, you may be eligible to make a factory accident claim for compensation. Whether you were injured by faulty machinery, defective equipment, or a slip, trip or fall on the factory floor, we could help you make a claim.
To begin, we’ll talk through your case in a free, no-obligation consultation. If your case has a realistic chance of success, we could connect you with one of our experienced personal injury solicitors. Importantly, you won’t need to pay any legal fees unless your case is successful, as all accepted workplace injury claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis.
Call 0800 6524 881 to start your claim today, or read on to learn how factory accident claims work, who can claim, and how much compensation you might be entitled to.
Table of contents
- Am I Eligible To Make A Factory Accident Claim?
- Common Causes Of Factory Accident Claims
- Common Injuries From Factory Accidents
- How Much Compensation Do You Get For A Factory Accident?
- Evidence To Support A Factory Accident Claim
- Time Limits For Claiming Factory Accident Compensation
- Do I Need A Workplace Accident Solicitor To Make A Claim?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Starting The Factory Accident Claims process
Am I Eligible To Make A Factory Accident Claim?
Generally, you may be eligible to make a factory accident claim if:
- Your employer party owed you a duty of care.
- That duty was breached, leading to a factory accident; and
- As a result, you suffered an injury.
For example, you might have a claim if your hand was injured by a machine because a safety guard was missing, or if you slipped on oil that had not been cleaned up or wasn’t signposted.
To find out whether a claim is possible, contact our advisors today.
Common Causes Of Factory Accident Claims
We can’t list every single accident in factories that might lead to a compensation claim here, but we have provided several examples:
- Faulty or poorly maintained machinery. Accidents caused by factory machinery, tools or equipment that were not properly inspected, maintained or repaired.
- Slips, trips and falls. Such as from slipping on water, oil or other spillages, or tripping over cluttered walkways, trailing cables or uneven flooring.
- Lack of training. Where a factory worker has an accident because they, or a colleague, were not properly trained to do the job safely.
- Lack of suitable PPE. Where protective equipment such as gloves, safety boots, eye protection, hearing protection or masks should have been provided but was not.
- Exposure to hazardous substances. Being exposed to chemicals, dust, fumes or other substances that can cause burns, breathing problems, dermatitis or other health issues.
- Falling objects or unsafe storage. Being struck by materials, tools or products falling from shelves, racking, pallets or work areas.
- Workplace vehicle accidents. Factory accidents involving forklift trucks, pallet trucks or other moving vehicles used in factory/loading areas.
Please call today if you would like advice on whether your injuries could result in a factory accident compensation claim.
Common Injuries From Factory Accidents
Factory accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, including but not limited to:
- Crushed limbs or even amputations from heavy machinery.
- Burns from chemical spills or contact with hot machinery.
- Cuts and lacerations from sharp tools or damaged equipment.
- Sprains, strains, and pulled muscles from manual handling or repetitive tasks.
- Broken or fractured bones from a fall at work.
- Head and brain injuries from falling objects.
- Hearing loss or tinnitus from constant loud noise.
- Vibration-related injuries caused by unsafe working practices over time.
If you’ve suffered any of these or other injuries in your accident, please call our claims advisors for free advice.
How Much Compensation Do You Get For A Factory Accident?
There isn’t a fixed amount of compensation for factory accidents, as it’s meant to put the claimant back in the position (as far as possible) they would have been in if the accident had never happened.
Generally, factory accident compensation is calculated on:
- General Damages
Compensation for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity (the impact the injury has on your everyday life).
This includes factors such as how painful the injury was, how long it took (or will take) for you to recover, whether you’ll live with ongoing pain, or if you can’t do certain things anymore (like drive, work, or even play with your kids).
- Special Damages
These cover your financial losses, such as:
- Lost wages (including future loss if you can’t return to the same job).
- Medical expenses (physio, prescriptions, private treatment).
- Travel costs (to hospital or therapy appointments).
- Adaptations to your home or vehicle.
- Care or assistance provided by family members.
- Equipment or mobility aids.
Sometimes, people decide to settle early before they realise how much recovery or rehabilitation will actually cost. Therefore, you’ll usually have a medical assessment arranged by your solicitor to ensure your claim is properly valued.
Factory Injury Compensation Calculator
Without knowing the details, it’s impossible to say how much compensation you’ll get. However, our calculator below can give you some idea of what certain injuries might be worth.
Remember, these are only estimates. Any actual settlement will depend on your specific situation.
Evidence To Support A Factory Accident Claim
The amount of strong evidence you have can make all the difference between a successful claim and a failed one. Therefore, try to do as much of the following as you can:
- Report the factory accident. Ensure it’s recorded in the accident report book, and request a copy for your records.
- Take photographs. Capture the scene of the accident in a factory, including any hazards, before anything is cleared away.
- Seek medical treatment. Get treatment at A&E or a minor injuries unit, as these medical records can help prove the severity of your injuries.
- Track expenses. Keep receipts and records of any costs related to your factory injuries, such as travel or medical expenses.
- Collect witness details. Write down the names and contact information of anybody who saw the accident happen.
- Request CCTV footage. If the accident was caught on security cameras, ask for a copy. This could include footage from other areas, such as offices within the factory.
- Request investigation reports. If the factory or workplace conducted its own investigation into the accident, obtain a copy of this report.
Don’t worry if you don’t have everything right away, as a solicitor from our team could help track down anything important.
Time Limits For Claiming Factory Accident Compensation
You may be aware that there is usually a 3-year time limit for workplace accident claims. In most cases, this period starts from the date of the factory accident. However, for injuries that take time to develop (such as industrial deafness or occupational asthma), the time limit could begin from the “date of knowledge”.
In cases where the claimant has lost the mental capacity due to a serious life-changing industrial accident, the time limit won’t usually apply. A friend or relative can make the claim on their behalf by acting as their litigation friend. You can learn more about litigation friends and how the process works here.
As time limits vary, it’s always best to check with a solicitor from our team so you don’t miss your opportunity to claim.
Do I Need A Workplace Accident Solicitor To Make A Claim?
To make a successful factory accident claim, you’ll typically need to prove how the accident happened, who was to blame, and what injuries you suffered. This isn’t the easiest thing to achieve, especially when you’re dealing with your employer’s insurance company.
We believe you’ll have a better chance of being compensated if you have a solicitor on your side. If your claim is accepted, we’ll appoint a No Win No Fee accident solicitor from our team. They’ll work with you to gain a full understanding of how you have suffered. They’ll then build a strong claim that sets out why and how much you should be compensated.
All communication will be handled for you, and you’ll get regular updates from your solicitor. If you have any questions, they’ll be there to answer them for you. Importantly, they won’t settle for the first compensation offer if they believe it doesn’t cover your suffering fully. Instead, they will discuss it with you and then go back and fight for a higher settlement.
With professional help, you’ll have a much better chance of getting a fair settlement that truly reflects what you’ve been through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we’ve answered some common questions people ask about factory accident claims.
Can I claim if my injury happened more than three years ago?
Usually, you’ve got three years to start a factory accident claim, but there are exceptions. If your injury or illness took time to appear, for example, hearing loss or industrial disease, the time limit may start from the date you were diagnosed. It’s always best to check with a solicitor to see if you’re still eligible.
What if the accident was partly my fault?
You may still be able to claim compensation even if you were partly at fault. However, your compensation could be reduced in proportion to your share of responsibility, a principle known as contributory negligence.
What if I was an agency or temporary worker?
Even if you were employed as an agency worker or on a short-term contract, the factory owner/operator still owes you a duty of care under health and safety laws. If unsafe conditions, poor training, or faulty machinery caused your injury, you could be entitled to compensation just like a permanent employee.
Can my employer fire me for claiming against them?
No, not usually. Your employer should not dismiss or treat you unfairly for simply making a legitimate injury claim. Also, claims are usually handled through insurance, not directly against your employer.
How much will it cost to make a claim?
If your factory accident claim is accepted on a No Win No Fee basis, there’s nothing to pay upfront and no legal fees if the claim isn’t successful. If you win, a capped success fee (up to 25%) is deducted from the compensation to cover legal costs.
Starting The Factory Accident Claims Process
If you’re ready to start a factory accident claim today, or just want to check whether you have a case, we’re ready to help. You can call 0800 6524 881, use our live chat, or fill out a quick callback form on this page. A friendly claims advisor will listen to what happened and give you free, no-obligation advice.
Where a claim looks strong enough, and you decide to go ahead, we’ll connect you with an experienced solicitor specialising in workplace accident claims. They’ll handle the paperwork, talk to the insurers, and fight for the best outcome for you, all on a No Win No Fee basis.