Injured by Faulty Equipment at Work?

If you were hurt while using faulty machinery, broken tools, unsafe equipment, or equipment that had not been properly maintained, you may be wondering whether your accident at work could be a claim. You do not have to work that out alone. You can start by telling us what happened.

You may recognise your situation if:

• You were asked to use broken or faulty equipment at work.
• A machine, tool, or vehicle did not work properly and caused an injury.
• A guard, safety switch, warning label, or protective part was missing or broken.
• The equipment had not been checked, repaired, or maintained properly.
• You were not trained to use the equipment safely, or you were left to work it out yourself.
• You reported a problem before the accident, but nothing changed.

Not every equipment accident is a claim. But if the equipment, training, maintenance, supervision, or pressure to carry on played a part, it may be worth checking.

Not Sure Whether It Counts?

People often rule themselves out too quickly. You might think the accident was partly your fault, that the injury is not serious enough, or that making a claim would cause problems at work. Those worries are common, and they are exactly why a first conversation can help.

You can explain what happened, what you were asked to do, what training or equipment you had, and what changed after the accident. A free consultation can help you understand whether the situation may be worth taking further.

Useful Evidence to Keep

If you can, keep anything that helps show what equipment was involved and why it may have been unsafe.

• photos of the equipment, tool, machine, or injury;
• the make, model, location, or asset number if you know it;
• messages, repair reports, or notes showing earlier problems;
• training records or instructions you were given;
• names of colleagues who saw the accident or knew about the fault;
• medical records and details of time off work or lost earnings.

Do not worry if some of this is missing. Keep what you do have and explain the story as clearly as you can.

What Happens When You Check?

You can tell us what happened, when it happened, where you were working, and how you were hurt. You can also explain whether the accident was reported, who saw it, and what effect the injury has had on work, money, and daily life.

A free consultation does not mean you have to carry on with a claim. It is a way to understand your options before deciding what to do next.

FAQs: Injured by Faulty Equipment at Work

Can I claim if the equipment broke while I was using it?
It may be worth checking. The key questions are often whether the equipment should have been maintained, inspected, repaired, guarded, or taken out of use sooner.

What if I was told the equipment was safe?
That can be relevant. If you relied on instructions from work and later found the equipment was unsafe, a claims specialist can help look at the facts.

What if I did not take photos at the time?
Photos can help, but they are not the only evidence. Accident book entries, witness details, repair records, medical notes, and messages may also matter.

More Accident at Work Examples

For the broader overview, see our main guide to accident at work claims. You can also read about lifting injuries at work or slips, trips, and falls at work.

So if you are not sure where you stand …

If something about the workplace, the task, the equipment, or the way the job was managed helped cause your injury, it may be worth checking. You can start by telling us what happened and using the free consultation route to find out whether there may be a way forward.