Industrial Injury Claims
Make a Factory Accident Claim
The mixture of machinery, hazardous substances and working in close proximity means that factory workers are at risk of injury. Our personal injury lawyers, specialise in serious injury claims. We will guide you through the claims process seeking to win the best financial and care award for you.
“They punch well above their weight. The quality of service they provide equals that of any of the larger top-name firms in this area.”
“This is a really excellent personal injury team that can be regarded as one of the major players in the London claimant personal injury market.”
The manufacturing industry employs 10% of the British workforce but accounts for 25% of all fatal workplace accidents and 16% of reported work accidents.
The factory can be a dangerous environment and whilst there have been improvements in worker safety over recent decades there is still room for improvement.
The main source of safety improvements has been the imposition of European legislation over the last 20 years, which built on the 1961 and 1974 Factories Acts. This legislation covers a wide area of activities in the workplace and ensures that risk assessments are at the centre of operations.
Machinery injuries and strict liability
In factories, machinery poses a particular risk. The regulations mean that if a machinery is defective, for whatever reason, and this causes injury to a worker, then the employer will be liable to pay compensation for those injuries. This is one of the few examples of ‘strict liability’ in UK law, where it is not necessary to prove fault on the part of the defendant. Strict liability is imposed in this situation for the protection of workers – there is an inequality of status between the employee and employer, which would make it difficult for the employee to produce the necessary evidence to prove that a machine malfunctioned because of some negligence on the part of the employer.
So for example, Osbornes acted for Mrs V, a Bulgarian lady who worked in an industrial bakery in London and spoke little English. She was operating a machine on the production line, a machine she was trained on and had no problems with before, when suddenly and without warning part of the machine, a metal block, swung out and hit her on the head, throwing her across the factory floor and knocking her out. She was unable to say what the part was and how or why it ejected from the machine and she had no details of witnesses. Proving fault on the part of her employer would have been extremely difficult, but because the machine had malfunctioned the employers were strictly liable and so she was compensated for the head injury that interfered with her work for the next three years.
Strict liability does not apply to most other work activities, so for most employees, it is necessary to prove the cause of an accident and to show that the employer was at fault in some way. Fortunately, there are other regulations that help, because they impose various safety duties on employers. Legislation controls how machinery and other work equipment is used and how the factory is organised so that worker safety is taken into a consideration. For example, many factories have vehicles such as forklift trucks and pallet trucks moving about on the ‘shop floor’ and there are rules about how pedestrian walkways should be used to keep traffic away from pedestrians. This is an elementary safety procedure but it is surprising how many cases we come across where a factory worker has been injured by a vehicle that has been allowed to operate in an area where pedestrians are moving about.
Hazardous and toxic substances are often used in the manufacturing process, and there are regulations designed specifically to control their use so as to minimise the dangers to health and safety.
Common sense approach
Much is said about the ‘health and safety culture’ and the need to apply a common-sense approach to risks and to reduce the burden of bureaucracy. This may be true in some areas, but in the factory setting, it is vital that there are proper rules, strictly applied, to make sure that employers take their responsibilities for worker safety seriously. So it is a real concern that the Government has rushed through parliament an amendment to the Enterprise Bill to prevent injured workers from relying on the safety regulations in a claim for compensation. If the amendment is made law accident victims will once again have to rely on proving negligence by their employers and we will be left with a Victorian-style safety regime where it will be much more difficult to succeed with a claim against an employer.
"Osbornes always provides work of excellent quality and the advice is sound."
"The firm has the ability to handle the most sophisticated and complex matters."
"Osbornes is always client-focused and works tirelessly to obtain the best outcomes."
'The team deals with multi-million pound, often multifaceted claims, involving such factors as severe brain, psychiatric, gynaecological and spinal injury, major trauma, amputation and fatality.'
"They are a boutique firm with highly experienced partners who are well-respected in the industry."
"The team at Osbornes deals with catastrophic injury claims with the same professionalism as the largest firms, but provides a much more client-focused experience."
"A really first-rate team, well capable of dealing with the most serious and complex injuries."
"This team has carved out an exceptional reputation in catastrophic injury work."
"Osbornes has impressed me with their personal touch for clients whilst offering a first-class handling of catastrophic injury claims. The partners all have vast experience and are highly respected in their field."
"This is a really excellent personal injury team that can be regarded as one of the major players in the London claimant personal injury market."
"Osbornes have managed to recruit a team of outstanding catastrophic injury lawyers who are at the top of the game."
"They punch well above their weight. The quality of service they provide equals that of any of the larger top-name firms in this area"
Ben Posford is fiercely bright, with an unrivalled passion for his clients’ cases. His encyclopaedic knowledge of all things PI is second to none. His foresight and commercial nous have propelled Osbornes into the highest echelons of the market where they rightly belong.
The firm has an excellent and innovative line in cases involving non-English speaking claimants, managed by recruiting paralegals with multi-language skills – an impressive route for expansion of the caseload.
Great expanding team with expertise and respect in the sector. Led by a commercially savvy and business minded team.
A really excellent group of PI solicitors, notable for their individual quality.’
A niche firm that punches well above its weight in the catastrophic injury sector, borne out by the quality of work they obtain.
This combination of experience and diligence reaps massive rewards for clients, Osbornes being well known in the industry as a fantastic firm.
The Osbornes personal injury team now comprises some of the most technically adept and hard hitting lawyers in the business.
Ben Posford is one of London’s best catastrophic injury lawyers, in my view. He is a real brain injury specialist.
Excellent coverage of personal injury, and traumatic brain injury. There is a real specialism in claimants who do not speak English as a first language.
The group is noted for its expertise in matters relating to cycling injuries, and is the official legal partner of the London Cycling Campaign charity.
To complement its strong reputation for high-value and complex personal injury work, the firm continues to develop its 'excellent and innovative line in cases involving non-English speaking claimants'
"Osbornes comprises some of the most technically adept and hard hitting lawyers in the business"
"A small but high-powered team, dealing with cases of significant value and complexity."
"An excellent firm which achieves fantastic outcomes for clients."
"Osbornes Law have captured the magic of keeping the customer service levels of a smaller firm whilst having all the expertise and power of the biggest firms."
"A superb boutique catastrophic injury firm."
"Really good at dealing with people who have suffered a serious injury."
"Affable and charming with very good client-handling skills."
"superb firm with consummate professionals and a human touch."
Osbornes now has a team of highly experienced personal injury lawyers; particularly strong on high-value quantum cases, workplace accidents and claims involving foreign workers injured in the UK.
The team provides fantastic strength-in-depth for personal injury claims. It is also particularly well placed to service clients from Eastern Europe with specialist native language speakers. From the smallest case to a multimillion-pound spinal injury case, Osbornes has the right staff to manage every claim.
Ben Posford remains pre-eminent in his field with expert understanding of litigating cases of the upmost severity. His experience builds on Stuart Kightley’s running of the firm with recent partner additions of Rob Aylott making a fantastic addition.
A firm going from strength-to strength-which retains its client care whilst being able to offer a full personal injury service.
Beneath Ben Posford’s calm and reassuring presence, which clients love, lies a formidable tactical and legal brain. His experience tells and he gets it right at every stage of the process from arranging the best possible rehabilitation, to ensuring, so far as possible, a polite relationship with those acting for the defendant in order to ensure best and early resolution of the claim.
"Clients say he is very impressive, in terms of both his experience and his management of the personal injury team."
"They have an expanding profile in personal injury and clinical negligence and offer a superb, broad service in accidents abroad, enabled by their recruitment of bilingual legal executives who can guide non-English speakers through complex litigation."
"Solid personal injury practice well equipped to advise on high-value and high-profile claims arising from fatalities and severe head and spinal injuries."
"Offers specialist expertise in cycling-related injury claims."
"Offers specialist expertise in cauda equina syndrome cases."
"An exceptional outfit. They take on difficult cases, fight hard and win."
"Stuart Kightley is an incredibly empathetic solicitor who is very knowledgeable about traumatic brain injury."
"Stuart is also very experienced in advising on fatal accidents and workplace accidents."
"They are an outstanding firm to work with. They are consistently impressive in their work."
"Osbornes has a growing influence and impressive work load and is gaining a reputation for handling complex catastrophic work."
"Osbornes often handles claims valued at over £1m, particularly relating to severe brain and spinal cord injuries and niche areas such as cauda equina syndrome and cycling accidents."
"The hard-working, thorough and committed Robert Aylott, who brings significant heavyweight personal injury experience."
"Key team members include the energetic and personable Stuart Kightley who is head of the personal injury department."
"Catastrophic injury cases head Ben Posford is an excellent practical litigator who offers exceptional service."
Thank you for the hard work and patience and for being so patient with my constant questions.
"I have found Osbornes to be thorough, clear and understanding from the initial call. They do exactly what they say they will and with passion! I would recommend them to anyone".
Very good efficient service. Would not hesitate to use again.
I will use Osbornes for any future needs.
I don't think I could have asked for anything more. One of the best dealings I've had with the legal profession.
Sam was excellent and very professional in dealing with our claim.
Head of the personal injury department, Stuart Kightley is a first-rate practitioner, wholly focused on getting his client the best outcome in a pragmatic, sensible and consensual manner.
As a real specialist in spinal cord injuries, Ben Posford is always looking at new angles on how to maximise his cases.
Ben Posford is one of the best catastrophic injury lawyers around.
They provide exceptional service, great knowledge and understanding of the law, excellent client care and tactical nous
Stuart Kightley is praised for his expertise in catastrophic and fatal claims. Clients say he is very impressive, in terms of both his experience and his management of the personal injury team.
My claim was dealt with efficiently and professionally. Communication was excellent, and timely. Shrewd and sound advice was provided at every stage of the claim from beginning through to completion. On the basis of my personal experience I would strongly recommend Osbornes.
I just wish to thank you for your hard work and successful outcome. I am pleased with the result and would recommend you and your firm to anyone in the future.
Ben Posford … is ‘tactically astute’ and ‘one of the best personal injury solicitors around’.
Ben Posford ‘knows how to maximise the value of the claim for his clients’.
Client StoriesVIEW ALL
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19.6.2016Osbornes helps hotel bar man claim compensation
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Worker paralysed at work awarded £120,000 in compensation
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Man who fell in freezer in work accident...
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Essential reading
Personal Injury Accreditations
Insights From our Personal Injury Lawyers VIEW ALL
19.10.2022Award nomination for catastrophic injury lawyers at Osbornes...
The personal injury team at Osbornes are delighted to be finalists at The Personal Injury Awards 2022 in the category of ‘...
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24.11.2021Ben Posford named catastrophic injury lawyer of the...
Osbornes Law are delighted to announce that Ben Posford has been named as ‘Catastrophic Injury Lawyer of the Year’ at...
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23.9.2021Croydon Tram Crash Inquest Recommendations Welcomed
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26.8.2021Osbornes Sponsor Leading Medico-Legal Conference
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London Tube Sign Causes Head Injury
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Compensation Tables for Personal Injury
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31.12.2020Bike Boxes – what are the rules?
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Fatal Accidents In The Workplace
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13.10.2020When To Seek Advice Following An Accident At...
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Pedestrian hit by car on zebra crossing settles...
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15.7.2020Osbornes Law joins legal panel of national road...
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29.6.2020The Dangers of Working on Farms
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Changes to employer’s liability for work accidents
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9.6.2020The importance of parks for cycling
I ventured outside the comfort of my home this past weekend for the first time in 11 weeks. As I walked...
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Senior Catastrophic Injury Solicitor Robert Aylott gains further...
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4.6.2020Compensation for Accidents at Home
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1.6.2020Road Traffic Accidents: Steps to Take if You...
Road casualty statistics are published twice a year by the UK government. The latest figures published at the end of 2019...
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29.5.2020Bringing a Personal Injury Claim – What is ‘No...
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