Injuries caused by industrial machinery and work equipment — including factory presses, conveyor systems, power tools, woodworking machinery, and food processing equipment — are among the most serious and life-altering types of workplace accident. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) impose comprehensive duties on employers to ensure machinery is safe, properly guarded, adequately maintained, and only operated by trained workers.
When an employer fails in those duties — through absent or defective machine guards, failure to maintain, inadequate training, or using machinery beyond its design limits — and you are injured, you are entitled to claim compensation. In some cases a claim may also lie against the manufacturer of the machine under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, where the machine was defective when it left the factory.
NJS Law handles machinery and equipment injury claims across England and Wales on a No Win, No Fee basis.
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PUWER 1998 places strict duties on employers to keep machinery safe. If those duties were breached, NJS Law will hold them to account.
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A machinery or equipment injury claim is a legal claim for compensation against your employer — and in some cases the machine manufacturer or supplier — when industrial machinery or work equipment causes you injury due to a failure to comply with PUWER 1998 or other applicable health and safety legislation.
This type of claim is especially common in manufacturing, food processing, printing, woodworking, textiles, and heavy industry environments — any workplace where powered machinery forms a central part of the work.
Common machinery and equipment types involved in claims include:
The overarching duty on all employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of all employees — including protection from falls when working at any height.
Requires employers to carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments of all workplace hazards — including manual handling tasks. A failure to carry out a manual handling risk assessment, or a risk assessment that is inadequate or not reviewed after the task changes, is a breach of these Regulations.
PUWER 1998 requires machinery to be suitable for its intended use, properly maintained and inspected, fitted with effective guards and other safety measures, protected against specific hazards, and operated only by workers who have received adequate information, instruction, and training.
If the machine was defective when it left the manufacturer, a product liability claim may be brought against the manufacturer or importer. This is a strict liability claim, meaning you only need to show the defect caused the injury, not prove negligence. It can be pursued alongside or instead of an employer liability claim.
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 apply to all electrical machinery and systems. Employers must ensure electrical equipment is safe and properly maintained, and that live working is avoided unless necessary and carried out with suitable precautions.
You may be able to make a machinery or equipment injury claim if you are:
Where a manufacturing defect in the machine is identified, the claim may lie against the manufacturer as well as or instead of the employer — meaning you may still recover compensation even if your employer had maintained the machine properly.
NJS Law instructs independent engineering experts to examine machinery and identify all available defendants. Contributory negligence reduces compensation proportionally but does not end the right to claim. See: Can I Claim If the Accident Was Partly My Fault?
Solicitors use the Judicial College Guidelines, 18th edition (April 2026) to estimate the value of your injury. Common machinery injuries and their ranges:
Injury Type | Severity | Approximate Range |
Finger — loss or partial amputation | Serious | £17,580 – £45,840 |
Hand injury — crush, degloving, or laceration | Moderate to severe | £29,000 – £57,000+ |
Arm — below-elbow amputation | Severe | £102,890 – £130,930 |
Arm — above-elbow amputation | Most severe | £130,930 – £200,000+ |
Wrist injury (lasting impairment) | Moderate | £13,370 – £29,260 |
Eye injury — partial or total loss | Serious to most severe | £49,270 – £283,880+ |
Leg fracture | Moderate to serious | £27,760 – £130,930+ |
Foot injury — crush, fracture | Moderate to severe | £13,740 – £83,790+ |
Head / brain injury | Minor to severe | £2,690 – £379,100+ |
Burns (from defective electrical or thermal machinery) | Moderate to severe | £11,200 – £100,670+ |
All financial losses are recoverable: lost earnings (past and future — particularly important where amputation or serious hand/arm injury prevents return to manual work), medical treatment, rehabilitation, prosthetics, adaptations to home and vehicle, and care costs. In amputation and serious hand injury cases, future loss of earnings and the cost of a prosthetic programme can form the largest part of the claim See: General Damages vs Special Damages and Average Compensation Payouts.
NJS Law has recovered over £6 million for injured workers in 2024–25 alone.
Go to A&E immediately. Machinery injuries frequently involve crush injuries, amputations, or serious lacerations requiring urgent surgical treatment. Ensure medical records describe the machine involved and how the injury occurred.
Report the accident to your employer immediately. Ask them to isolate the machine and prevent it from being used, modified, or repaired before it can be examined. Most serious machinery accidents must be reported to the HSE under RIDDOR 2013.
Photograph the machine — particularly any missing, bypassed, or defective guards; damaged safety interlocks; missing warning labels; or signs of inadequate maintenance. Photograph the machine before any repair is carried out. If possible, have a colleague do this on your behalf.
Request any CCTV footage covering the machine or production area immediately. Collect the names and contact details of colleagues who witnessed the accident or are aware of previous complaints, near-misses, or problems with the same machine.
Speak to one of our specialist employer liability solicitors for a free, no-obligation assessment. We will advise whether the claim lies against your employer under PUWER, the manufacturer under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, or both — and identify the best strategy for your case.
We obtain all relevant documentation — maintenance logs, inspection records, guard-check records, training records, risk assessments, CE marking documentation, and the manufacturer’s operating manual. In complex machinery claims we instruct an independent engineering expert to examine the machine and produce a technical report on whether it complied with PUWER and applicable British or EU standards.
You will be referred to an independent medical expert — typically an orthopaedic surgeon, hand surgeon, or specialist in the relevant injury type — to assess your injuries, long-term prognosis, and any restrictions on your future work capacity. In amputation cases, a prosthetics expert will also be instructed.
We present a full Schedule of Loss and negotiate the best possible settlement against all defendants. Around 95% of claims settle without going to court. In serious injury cases we apply for interim payments at the earliest opportunity.
Under the Limitation Act 1980, there are strict time limits for bringing a personal injury claim. Act within these limits — missing the deadline is the most common reason valid claims cannot be pursued.
Claim Type | Time Limit | Notes |
Standard workplace accident | 3 years from date of accident | The most common scenario |
Industrial disease or occupational illness | 3 years from date of diagnosis (or “date of knowledge”) | Applies where symptoms developed gradually over time |
Child injured at work (or as a visitor) | 3 years from their 18th birthday | A parent or guardian can bring a claim at any time before the child turns 18 |
Person lacking mental capacity | Time limit suspended during period of incapacity | A litigation friend manages the claim |
Fatal workplace accident | 3 years from date of death | Dependants may claim under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 |
For a full explanation of all time limit exceptions and what to do if you are approaching your deadline, see our guide: Personal Injury Claim Time Limits in England and Wales.
For guidance on how long the claim process itself takes once you have started: How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Take?
Case highlight
Our client arrived for work early one morning when his forklift truck struck a pothole hidden under murky water at the loading bay. The impact caused severe spinal injuries, leaving him unable to move. What followed was four years of rehabilitation, specialist hospitals, and legal complexity — with NJS Law by his side throughout.
“Nichola, my solicitor, took on two professional barristers who got my claim going. Without NJS Law, I wouldn’t have gotten this far. They helped me far beyond things I wouldn’t have known about.”
— NJS Law client, £3.7 million settlement
Settlement
£3,700,000
Injury type
Severe spinal injury
Cause
Hidden pothole — employer negligence
Duration
4-year case
Interim payments
Yes — housing, mobility, therapy
Outcome
Full independence restored
Our client suffered serious leg injuries when faulty workplace equipment malfunctioned without warning, causing a heavy load to fall directly onto both legs.
The injuries included broken bones, severe ligament damage, an extended hospital stay, ongoing pain, and long-term mobility issues.
NJS Law successfully showed that the accident was caused by defective or poorly maintained equipment, and that the employer had failed to keep the workplace equipment safe and fit for purpose.
Our client suffered a broken leg after tripping over a wooden pallet that had been left in a cluttered and poorly maintained workspace while they were operating an electric pump truck.
As they tried to manoeuvre safely around colleagues, they fell backwards over the pallet, which had been left leaning against a pipe.
The pump truck then moved forward and trapped their leg.
NJS Law proved that the accident was caused by unsafe workplace conditions, poor housekeeping, and a failure to remove obvious hazards.
Our client was sent overseas for a work project and was repeatedly required to lift and carry heavy items without suitable lifting equipment, assistance, or adequate manual handling training.
The client suffered a serious back injury, required a four-day hospital stay, experienced long-term pain and mobility difficulties, and needed time off work to recover.
Although the accident happened abroad,
NJS Law successfully established that the UK-based employer had breached its duty of care.
Our client suffered a serious arm injury while trying to clear a printer jam at work.
The printer had been positioned tightly against a wall, making it difficult to access safely.
When the client tried to move it into a safer position, they felt sudden pain and heard three sharp snaps in their arm.
The injury caused muscle and soft-tissue damage, required medical treatment and rehabilitation, led to time off work, and resulted in ongoing pain, weakness, and reduced mobility.
NJS Law proved that the employer had failed to provide a safe workplace setup, proper risk assessments, and safe procedures for dealing with equipment faults.
All accident at work claims at NJS Law are handled under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) — what most people call No Win, No Fee. Here is exactly what that means for you:
You can read a full plain-English explanation of how No Win, No Fee agreements work at No Win No Fee Claims Page.
Our dedicated solicitors specialise in slip and trip claims and have decades of combined experience securing fair compensation. We understand how stressful an accident can be and provide clear, supportive guidance throughout the process.
Contact us today for a free consultation and move forward with confidence under our No Win No Fee promise. Taking early legal advice can strengthen your claim and protect your rights.
680,000 workers were injured in the workplace in 2024–25. You may be entitled to compensation.
Being injured at work can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure of your rights or worried about your job. Our expert solicitors provide clear, honest advice and manage every aspect of your claim, so you can focus on recovery while we fight for justice.
Our specialist EL/PL team brings decades of expertise across workplace injury, employer liability, and serious injury claims.
Authorised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (no. 8006550).
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£3.7M forklift settlement · £135,000 Manchester worker · £33,000 overseas injury · £18,000 arm injury. Real outcomes for real clients.
Making an accident at work claim can feel overwhelming. Below we’ve answered the most common questions our clients ask. These cover eligibility, time limits, compensation, and what happens if your case goes to court.
A PUWER claim is an employer liability claim: it establishes that your employer failed in their duty to maintain the machine safely, ensure guards were in place, carry out inspections, or provide adequate training. A product liability claim under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 is a claim against the manufacturer of the machine: it establishes that the machine was defective when it left the factory — regardless of what the employer subsequently did or failed to do. Both claims can be pursued simultaneously where the evidence supports it. NJS Law will identify at the outset which route or combination is appropriate for your case.
Yes. A CE mark indicates that the manufacturer declared the machine complied with essential health and safety requirements at the time of manufacture — it does not guarantee the machine is free from defects, nor does it discharge your employer’s ongoing duties under PUWER to maintain, inspect, and guard the machine. A machine that was CE-marked but subsequently became unsafe through lack of maintenance can still give rise to a PUWER claim. A CE-marked machine that was defective from the outset can still give rise to a product liability claim under the Consumer Protection Act 1987.
No. Under PUWER Regulation 11, employers must not only install guards but must have systems in place to ensure they remain in position — including supervision, disciplinary procedures, and checks. An employer who allows guards to be routinely removed without enforcement, or whose production culture pressures workers to bypass guards to maintain speed, has failed in their duty. A worker’s act of bypassing a guard may contribute to a finding of contributory negligence, reducing the award proportionally, but it does not extinguish the employer’s liability.
Yes. PUWER Regulation 8 requires that training is adequate — not simply that some training was given. If the training was cursory, theoretical rather than practical, not specific to the particular machine or its specific hazards, or carried out so long ago as to be no longer effective, it may not meet the legal standard. Your solicitor will obtain the training records and an expert assessment of whether the training provided was suitable and sufficient for the task.
Maintenance-related machinery accidents are particularly serious — and often particularly strong claims. Employers must have adequate lock-out/tag-out (LOTO) procedures to prevent machinery from being energised while maintenance is being carried out. Permit-to-work systems should be in place for high-risk maintenance tasks. Failure to implement these systems is a significant PUWER and Management Regulations breach. NJS Law handles maintenance-related machinery injury claims regularly.
Yes. HAVS (also known as vibration white finger) is a recognised industrial disease caused by prolonged use of vibrating machinery — angle grinders, jackhammers, chainsaws, and similar power tools. Employers have duties under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 to assess vibration risks, provide low-vibration tools, limit exposure time, and carry out health surveillance. A HAVS claim runs from your date of knowledge — when you first knew or ought to have known your condition was work-related. NJS Law handles HAVS claims.
A product liability claim under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 can be brought against the UK importer or authorised representative of an overseas manufacturer — not just the manufacturer directly. Where a CE-marked machine from an EU or other overseas manufacturer has been imported into the UK, the UK importer accepts responsibility for the product under the Act. Your employer may also be liable under PUWER for putting defective equipment into service. NJS Law will identify the appropriate defendants regardless of where the machine was manufactured.
Possibly, but not necessarily. The strength of this defence depends on: when the inspection was carried out; whether it was carried out by a competent person; what the inspection covered; and whether the defect that caused your accident would have been identified by an adequate inspection. An inspection that was superficial, overdue, or carried out without examining the specific component that failed may not constitute a sufficient discharge of the Regulation 6 duty. An independent engineering expert instructed by NJS Law can assess the quality of the inspection and whether the defect should have been identified.
Key evidence includes: photographs of the machine (especially guards, interlocks, and the point of injury); CCTV footage of the accident (request immediately — overwritten quickly); the RIDDOR report filed with the HSE; maintenance logs and inspection certificates; training records; risk assessments and safe systems of work; any prior incident or near-miss reports relating to the same machine; CE marking documentation and the manufacturer’s operating manual; and medical records. In complex claims, NJS Law also instructs an independent engineering expert to inspect and test the machine.
Three years from the date of your accident in most cases. For a product liability claim under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, there is an additional 10-year absolute longstop from when the machine was first supplied — seek legal advice promptly if the machine is old. For HAVS and other gradual vibration conditions, three years from your date of knowledge. Full time limit guidance: Personal Injury Claim Time Limits
Our solicitors have written a library of plain-English guides to help you understand your rights. Read the articles most relevant to your situation:
Injured at work? Learn the key steps to take straight away to protect your health, evidence, and legal rights.
Find out how workplace injury compensation is calculated and what factors can affect the value of your claim.
Learn how No Win No Fee accident at work claims work and how you can start a claim without upfront legal fees.
A simple guide to the personal injury claims process, from starting your claim to reaching a settlement.
Understand your rights if you are worried about your job after making a workplace injury claim.
Learn what RIDDOR is, which workplace accidents must be reported, and how it may support your claim.
Find out your rights after a construction site accident and how to claim compensation for your injuries.
Learn how PUWER 1998 protects workers injured by unsafe machinery, tools, or workplace equipment.
Understand when you may be able to claim compensation after a fall from height at work.
Find out what affects the length of a personal injury claim and what to expect during the process.
Learn how PUWER 1998 protects workers injured by unsafe machinery, tools, or workplace equipment.
Learn how personal injury payouts are assessed and why compensation varies from case to case.
Understand the key time limits for making a personal injury claim in England and Wales.
Find out how partial fault can affect your personal injury claim and compensation amount.
Learn the difference between compensation for pain and suffering and compensation for financial losses.
Find out when interim payments may be available before your personal injury claim fully settles.
For fast, friendly affordable legal advice. Contact a member of our team today.
