On a farm, there are various hazards that could pose a risk, such as heavy machinery, animals, and sharp tools. If those in charge do not take reasonable precautions to make farms safe for workers and visitors, and you are unnecessarily harmed as a result, you could be eligible to make a farm accident claim.
This guide explains the eligibility criteria for making a claim for an accident on a farm and explains how compensation could be calculated for successful claims. Additionally, it gives examples of farm accidents that could lead to compensation and explains how one of the solicitors on our panel could help you claim compensation without taking any payment upfront.
Read on to learn more about farm injury compensation claims. Or, to check your eligibility to claim, you can contact an advisor.
- Call us on 0161 696 9685
- Contact us by filling in our online form
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Farm accident compensation claims guide
Select A Section
- What Are Most Farm Accidents Caused By?
- Agricultural Equipment And Machinery Accidents
- What Injuries Could Agricultural Workers Suffer?
- How To Claim Farm Accident Compensation
- Farm Accident Compensation Calculator
- Why Choose Legal Helpline For Your No Win No Fee Claim?
What Are Most Farm Accidents Caused By?
Various accidents could cause injuries on farms. Some of these include:
- Slips, trips and falls
- Manual handling
- Animals
- Falls from heights, such as when working on ladders
- Being struck by a moving object, vehicle or machinery
- Exposure to toxic chemicals, resulting in a chemical burn at work
- Defective work equipment
However, in order to seek compensation, you must be able to prove that a third party breached the duty of care they owed you and caused you harm as a result.
For example, a worker is expected to carry out extensive manual handling as part of their duties. However, they do not receive any training. This results in them incorrectly lifting a load and sustaining a back injury. This is due to the employer breaching their duty of care, as they did not assess the hazard or provide proper training.
If you have been injured due to third-party negligence, contact our team to enquire whether you could be eligible to claim farm accident compensation.
Agricultural Equipment And Machinery Accidents
Machinery and equipment used on a farm can be hazardous and result in serious injuries if faulty or used incorrectly. For example, uneven surfaces mean tractors can be risk of overturning and causing crush injuries.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) sets out a duty to those who own, operate or have control over work equipment, this includes people and organisation. Businesses and organisations also have a responsibility to their employees who use work equipment even if they don’t own it.
As part of their responsibility they must ensure equipment is suitable for it’s intended purpose, safe for use and are used by people who are adequately trained. They must also have adequate health and safety measures in place.
If you did not receive proper training or a piece of equipment was not correctly maintained in due time, and you have been injured as a result, get in touch. Our advisors can help you understand whether you’re eligible to seek farm accident compensation.
What Injuries Could Agricultural Workers Suffer?
There are various injuries you could suffer as a result of a farm accident. Some of these include:
- Crush injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Dislocations
- Amputations
- Burns
- Suffocation
- Brain injuries
- Organ damage
- Psychological injury
Farmers’ Lung
Farmer’s lung is a disease caused by an allergic reaction to mould in some crops, such as hay. It is an example of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, where your lungs develop an immune response to something you breathe in. This results in inflammation of the lung tissue.
The symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Fever
- Joint pains
Respiratory disease is a serious occupational risk for people working in the agricultural industry, such as on a farm. A hazard should be assessed, and as far as is reasonably practicable, the risk should be removed or minimised accordingly by your employer.
If you have experienced any of these symptoms due to negligence, contact a member of our team. They can provide guidance on whether you could make a farm accident compensation claim.
How To Claim Farm Accident Compensation
Following a farm accident, you should seek immediate medical attention. This could not only be beneficial to your health but could also provide medical evidence of your injuries. It is important to gather evidence to prove the negligence that caused the injuries. This could include:
- Accident at work report book – Workplaces with ten or more employees should have one of these to fill in after accidents result in injury.
- CCTV footage – You can request this footage to provide as evidence in support of your claim.
- Photographic evidence – Take pictures of the hazard that caused the accident and your injuries.
- Witness contact details – Witnesses are important as they can corroborate your story.
Additionally, it is recommended to seek legal advice to begin making a farm accident compensation claim. Our advisors offer free legal advice about your potential claim. Call using the number above.
Farm Accident Compensation Calculator
When making a personal injury claim, there are two potential categories of compensation, general damages and special damages.
Compensation for the psychological and physical pain and suffering caused by the injury is awarded under general damages. It also accounts for the impact on your quality of life.
In the table below, figures have been taken from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), to provide guideline compensation amounts for different injuries that are based on previous court settlements. Legal professionals, such as solicitors, can use this text to help them value general damages.
These figures should be considered a guide as each case is determined by its unique details.
| Injury | Details | Guideline Compensation Bracket |
|---|---|---|
| Very Severe Injury Resulting from Brain Damage (a) | The person will show little evidence, if any, of a meaningful response to the environment. There will be a need for nursing care full-time. | £282,010 to £403,990 |
| Amputation of Arms (b) (i) | One arm is amputated at the shoulder. | No less than £137,160 |
| Chest Injury (b) | There will have been a traumatic injury to the chest, lungs or heart, causing permanent damage and other symptoms. | £65,740 to £100,670 |
| Lung Disease (c) | The person will have a disease causing significant and worsening lung function, sleep disturbance and other symptoms. | £54,830 to £70,030 |
| Injuries Affecting Sight (d) | The person will have totally lost one eye. | £54,830 to £65,710 |
| Asbestos-Related Disease (c) | The person will suffer from asbestosis and pleural thickening. | £35,500 to £105,850 |
| Deafness/Tinnitus (c) | The person will have totally lost hearing in one ear. | £31,310 to £45,540 |
| Wrist Injury (b) | There will still be some useful movement, however, the person will suffer from a permanent significant disability. | £24,500 to £39,170 |
| Moderate Back Injury (b) (ii) | There will be a disturbance of ligaments and muscles causing backache. There may also be a worsening of a pre-existing back condition. | £12,510 to £27,760 |
| Chest Injury (e) | There will be residual damage from toxic fume inhalation. It will not be serious enough to affect lung function permanently. | £5,320 to £12,590 |
Furthermore, special damages compensate you for certain past and future monetary losses caused by the injury. For example:
- Care and treatment costs
- Loss of earnings
- Housing alterations
- Travel expenses
It is important to know you must keep evidence of any financial losses that you claim. For example, you may keep travel tickets, bank records, payslips or invoices.
If you have any more questions regarding how much farm accident compensation you could be entitled to, contact one of our advisors.
Why Choose Legal Helpline For Your No Win No Fee Claim
Using a No Win No Fee solicitor when claiming farm accident compensation can mean you don’t have to pay upfront for their services. You also do not pay for your solicitor’s services if your claim is unsuccessful.
On the other hand, if your claim is successful, your solicitor will take a small percentage of the compensation, known as a ‘success fee.’ The law caps the percentage, meaning your solicitor cannot overcharge you.
This type of No Win No Fee service is known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). The solicitors from our panel can offer their services on this basis.
Contact our advisors for an assessment of your potential claim. They could place you in contact with a specialist solicitor from our panel if they find your case eligible.
To get in touch:
- Call us on 0161 696 9685
- Contact us by filling in our online form
- Speak to us via our live chat feature on the page
Related Industrial And Agricultural Accident Claim Resources
Further pages from our site:
- Tinnitus Compensation Claims Guide
- Inadequate Protective Equipment Injury Claims Explained
- Head Injury Claims Guide
External pages to take a look at:
Thank you for reading this guide to claiming farm accident compensation. If you have any other questions, please get in touch on the number above.