If you were hurt on a building site because safety rules weren't followed, you can usually claim compensation. There are no upfront fees, and agency workers and subcontractors can often claim too.
It's a claim for compensation for an injury on a building site caused by someone else's failure to keep the site safe. That could be your employer, the main contractor or another company working on the site.
Construction work here is covered by the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (NI) 2016, which set out who is responsible for planning and managing safety on a site. Work at height has its own rules, in the Work at Height Regulations (NI) 2005.
In Northern Ireland, a breach of health and safety regulations that causes an injury can be the basis of a claim in its own right, under Article 43 of the Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978, unless the regulations say otherwise.
In England and Wales, that changed in October 2013, and injured workers there generally have to prove negligence.
Three years from the date of the accident in most cases, under the Limitation (Northern Ireland) Order 1989.
You pay nothing to start your claim and nothing while it runs.
We only handle personal injury and clinical negligence claims, from first advice through to court if it comes to that.
If your claim succeeds, the other side pays your legal costs and you keep 100% of your compensation.
Our legal insurance covers the costs if your claim doesn't succeed.
We'll look at what happened and tell you honestly whether you have a claim. There's no pressure to go ahead.
Workplace claims are run by Paul Kearney, a solicitor advocate and former barrister, with trainee solicitor John Deeney.
We help clients across Northern Ireland, in person or by phone, email or video.
It's a legal claim for compensation if you were injured while working on a construction site due to unsafe conditions, faulty equipment, or employer negligence.
Yes. Even if you're not directly employed by the site operator, you may still be entitled to compensation.
Common examples include falls from height, being struck by falling objects, machinery accidents, electric shocks, and exposure to hazardous materials.
Yes. Report it to your employer or site supervisor as soon as you can, and make sure it goes in the accident book.
Seek medical attention, take photos if you can, gather witness names, and speak to a solicitor to explore your options.
Yes, you usually have 3 years from the date of the accident to make a claim.
Possibly. If your employer or another party also contributed to the accident, you may still be eligible for partial compensation.
Usually your employer's insurer. Employers in Northern Ireland must hold employer's liability insurance, so compensation doesn't come out of their own pocket.
You can claim for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost income, future loss of earnings, and rehabilitation costs.
This depends on the severity of your injury, financial losses, and how your life has been affected. We can give a clearer estimate after reviewing your case.
Most claims settle without going to court. If yours does go to court, we represent you.
Yes. If the accident caused anxiety, PTSD, or other psychological harm, this can form part of your claim.
You may still be able to claim, especially if PPE was not provided or enforced by your employer.
Yes. If defective tools, vehicles, or scaffolding caused your injury, you could have a strong claim.
If your injury was due to another worker's actions, you may still be able to claim from the employer's insurance.
Yes. Your claim may cover the cost of physiotherapy, counselling, or long-term care if needed.
Yes. Even if you've resumed work, you can still claim for the injury, time off, and related losses.
We may still be able to trace the responsible party. Speak to us to find out your options.
Yes. Medical records, incident reports, and witness accounts are helpful. We can help gather the necessary evidence.
We only handle personal injury and clinical negligence claims. There are no upfront fees, our legal insurance covers the costs if your claim doesn't succeed, and if it succeeds you keep 100% of your compensation.
Kearney Law Group Ltd is a solicitors' practice regulated by the Law Society of Northern Ireland. Registered in Northern Ireland, company number NI663222. Registered office: Bishop Street Chambers, 26–28 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6PR.
Kearney Law Group only handles personal injury and clinical negligence claims.
We act for clients across Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Derry, Lisburn, Newry, Craigavon and Bangor. See all the areas we cover.
Contact us to arrange your free first conversation.
Belfast: Scottish Provident Building, 7 Donegall Square West, Belfast BT1 6JH
02890 912 938
Derry: Bishop Street Chambers, 26–28 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6PR
02871 362 299
Email: [email protected]
Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday 8am – 8pm
Friday 9am – 5pm
