Defective & Unsafe Work Equipment Claims

Workplace defective equipment accidents explained

The last thing you expect when you go to work is to suffer a serious accident caused by a machine or equipment that is not safe or working properly.

But you could be one of the many machine operators who are forced to use equipment every day that is worn or faulty and places you at constant risk of losing a finger, a limb or even suffering a fatal injury.

The problem of defective equipment is not confined to any one industry yet injury rates for those who work with plant, machinery, processing or on an assembly line are often shown to be significantly higher than average.

Man in hi-vis work with machinery

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Alison Saul, Director of Personal Injury leads our Personal Injury and Road Accident teams. A fully qualified solicitor with over 15 years of experience and expertise, Alison is dedicated to achieving the highest levels of compensation for her clients as well as ensuring high-quality client care.

Defective equipment claims team

Alison is assisted by her team managers, Philip Waters Lee Quinn, Jenna Hargreaves, and Kathryn Langton. Philip, Lee, and Jenna lead legal teams focusing on Road Traffic Accident cases while Kathryn leads our Personal Injury team. Together they have a wealth of experience in personal injury compensation.

Philip, a qualified solicitor, has over 18 years’ experience in personal injury compensation. Having previously worked for a large insurance company, he has extensive insights on how to engage effectively with insurers to achieve the level of compensation our clients deserve. Philip deals with cases of high value, complex cases, and recently secured £1.6 million in compensation for one of his clients who suffered catastrophic injuries in a road accident.

Lee has over 15 years’ specialist experience in Personal Injury claims and also manages a wide variety of high value, complex cases. Lee has extensive experience of working with insurance companies, acting for both claimants and defendants, and so understands how to secure the highest levels of compensation for the victims of road traffic accidents.

Jenna is a qualified solicitor and has studied to become a barrister. Jenna leads the internal reviews of our case management processes to ensure excellent, efficient case handling and high levels of client satisfaction.

Kathryn, also a qualified solicitor, specialises in accidents at work, public liability and accidents abroad. Kathryn deals with a wide variety of cases, often including accidents that involve serious, complex injuries.

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There are many people injured in accidents each year through no fault of their own and the circumstances will be different in each instance. Our team has extensive experience of successfully managing a wide range of personal injury claims, so we can help you secure the maximum compensation you deserve.

Alison Saul

Director of Personal Injury

What our customers say

“I found the staff to be friendly, helpful, courteous and they kept me well informed on a regular basis”

Mrs. Vora,
Loughborough

“They acted in a sympathetic and professional manner and resolved my case very efficiently”

Mr Dowse
Leeds

For a confidential chat, call one of our experts today 0151 550 5228

10 simple steps to claim

Step
1

Obtaining a full description of your accident

Step
2

Obtaining your medical records

Step
3

Contacting the company responsible for your accident

Step
4

Arranging your medical assessment

Step
5

Collating details of your financial loss

Step
86

Negotiating the maximum settlement possibleProviding you with our valuation of your losses

Step
7

Sending your valuation to the other party's insurer

Step
68

Providing you with our valuation of your lossesNegotiating the maximum settlement possible

Step
9

Issuing Court proceedings

Step
10

Sending you your compensation payment

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Your questions... answered

What are your employer’s responsibilities to protect you from defective equipment?

Your employer is responsible for ensuring vital safety items, such as machine guards and STOP controls, are permanently and securely fitted to the equipment. As a machine operator, you should have been given full training and instructions on what to do if the equipment fails to work, jams or needs to be shut down quickly in an emergency to prevent further serious injury.

Work equipment is considered defective if it does not work as intended and if the defect causes you an injury. Even if the equipment was recently serviced and well maintained, your employer can be held responsible for any injuries you have suffered as a result of defective equipment.

In many cases, it can be shown that an employer has failed in a duty of care to provide:

Regular risk assessments
Routine safety inspections and equipment maintenance
A safe system of work put into place
Appropriate training to correctly operate the equipment

Your employer is responsible for ensuring vital safety items, such as machine guards and STOP controls, are permanently and securely fitted to the equipment. As a machine operator, you should have been given full training and instructions on what to do if the equipment fails to work, jams or needs to be shut down quickly in an emergency to prevent further serious injury.

Work equipment is considered defective if it does not work as intended and if the defect causes you an injury. Even if the equipment was recently serviced and well maintained, your employer can be held responsible for any injuries you have suffered as a result of defective equipment.

In many cases, it can be shown that an employer has failed in a duty of care to provide: