This page is for workers injured by collapsing, defective or unsafely erected scaffolding. We explain who can claim, what your employer must do to keep you safe, the kinds of injuries we see, what evidence helps, and how the claims process works in practice.
Who Can Claim
You may have a claim if you were injured in the course of your employment and your employer (or another party with a duty of care to you) failed to take reasonable steps to keep you safe. This includes employees, agency workers, apprentices, and in many cases contractors and self-employed workers carrying out work on premises controlled by another business. The duty applies whether you were a long-serving permanent member of staff or had only just started.
Common Causes
- Scaffolding erected by uncertified personnel
- Missing guard rails or toe boards
- Defective or worn components
- Failure to inspect under Work at Height Regulations 2005
Common Injuries
- Falls from scaffolding platforms
- Crush injuries from collapsing structures
- Spinal and head injuries
- Multiple fractures
Your Employer’s Duties
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, your employer must carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments, provide safe equipment and a safe system of work, give appropriate training and supervision, and provide personal protective equipment where necessary. Specific regulations may also apply depending on the nature of the work, including PUWER 1998, the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, the Work at Height Regulations 2005, COSHH 2002, and CDM 2015. A breach of these duties — where it caused or materially contributed to your injury — will usually support a claim.
What Evidence Helps
- Accident book entry, RIDDOR report, or internal incident report
- Photographs of the scene, equipment, and your injuries
- Names and contact details of witnesses
- Your medical records (GP, A&E, hospital, occupational health)
- Risk assessments, training records and method statements
- Your wage slips and any sick pay records, to evidence loss of earnings
- Receipts for treatment, travel, and out-of-pocket expenses
If some of this is missing, do not assume you have no claim — a solicitor can use formal disclosure, GDPR data requests and witness evidence to build the picture.
What Compensation May Cover
- General damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity
- Past and future loss of earnings, including pension loss where significant
- Medical and rehabilitation costs, including private treatment where reasonable
- Care and assistance from family members
- Travel costs to medical appointments
- Adaptations to your home or vehicle, where required
Time Limits
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the general rule is that you have three years from the date of the accident — or from the date of knowledge if your condition developed gradually — to bring a claim. In Scotland the equivalent period is also three years. Different rules apply to children and to those lacking mental capacity. Do not delay in seeking advice; evidence and witness recollection deteriorate quickly.