Machinery and Equipment Injury Claims — No Win No Fee

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.

No Win No Fee: The law limits our success fee to 25% of the compensation for pain, suffering and loss of amenity and for past financial losses, after any state benefits are repaid. Compensation for future losses is not counted. If you win, our success fee is deducted from your compensation. It is a percentage of our basic charges, and the law limits it as set out above. Any After the Event insurance premium is payable only if you win, and is never charged upfront. Your letter of engagement sets out exactly what you will pay for your type of claim, and we explain it before you sign. If you lose, you pay us nothing. This applies as long as you keep to your responsibilities under the agreement. You may have to pay costs if you end your claim early, fail to beat an offer the other side made, or a court finds your claim dishonest or exaggerated; where we have arranged After the Event insurance, it covers some of these costs if you keep to the policy's terms. See exactly what you pay.

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.

This page is part of our Accident at Work Claims service.

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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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What Is a Machinery or Equipment Injury Claim?

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:

• Industrial presses and stamping machines — crush injuries from inadequate guarding or failure to lock out before maintenance
• Lathes, milling machines, and CNC machines — entanglement, ejection of swarf, or tool breakage injuries
• Conveyor systems — entrapment, nip point injuries, or dragging injuries from inadequate guarding of belt-and-roller systems
• Circular saws and bandsaws — laceration and amputation injuries from absent blade guards or absence of push sticks
• Printing machinery — entrapment in rollers, guillotine blade injuries
• Food processing machinery — slicers, mincing machines, and mixing equipment causing entrapment or blade injuries
• Angle grinders and power tools — disc fragmentation, guard failure, or blade kickback injuries
• Injection moulding machines — burn injuries, ejection incidents, or crush injuries from inadequate safeguarding
• Packaging and palletising machinery — entrapment, struck by, and wrap entanglement incidents

What Law Protects You from Machinery Injuries at Work?

Health and Safety at Work
Act 1974

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.

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

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.

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)

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.

Electricity at Work Regulations
1989

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.

Who Can Make a Machinery Injury Claim?

You may be able to make a machinery or equipment injury claim if you are:

• An employee — full-time, part-time, or fixed-term — who was operating or working near machinery that injured you
• A worker or agency worker — machinery risks apply equally regardless of employment status
• Self-employed — working on another party’s premises using their machinery
• A maintenance or service worker — injured while carrying out maintenance, cleaning, or repair on machinery; lock-out and permit-to-work failures are a significant cause of maintenance-related machinery fatalities
• A contractor or visitor — where the machinery was on the occupier’s premises and the occupier failed in their duty to ensure it was safe

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?

How Much Compensation for a Machinery Injury?

General Damages — Compensation for Your Injury

Solicitors use the Judicial College Guidelines, 18th edition (2026) to estimate the value of your injury. Common machinery injuries and their ranges:

Special Damages — Compensation for Your Financial Losses

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.

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How Do You Make a Machinery Injury Claim? (Step by Step)

1. Seek Emergency Medical Attention

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.

2. Report the Accident and Secure the Machine

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.

3. Photograph the Machine and Hazard

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.

4. Request CCTV and Witness Details

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.

5. Contact NJS Law for a Free Assessment

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.

6. We Investigate — Including Engineering Expert Evidence

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.

7. Independent Medical Assessment

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.

8. Negotiation, Settlement, and Payment

We present a full Schedule of Loss and negotiate a settlement on your behalf against all defendants. Most claims settle without going to court. In serious injury cases we apply for interim payments at the earliest opportunity.

What Are the Time Limits for Machinery Injury Claims?

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.

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

£3.7m - A life rebuilt after a devastating workplace accident

Forklift accident · Spinal injury · Employer negligence

Our client was seriously injured in a forklift accident at work. 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

Nichola JohnsonSpecialist Solicitor · Employer & Serious Injury · Qualified 2014

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No Win No Fee Accident at Work Claims — Explained Clearly

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:

• No upfront cost: You pay nothing to start your claim. There are no consultation fees, no retainer, and no disbursements charged upfront.
• No cost if you lose: You pay nothing upfront, and if you lose you pay us nothing.
• A success fee if you win: If your claim succeeds, we deduct a success fee from your compensation. We explain every deduction in writing before you sign.
• ATE insurance: Where we arrange After the Event insurance, it covers the other side's costs and your disbursements if you lose, on the policy's terms.

You can read a full plain-English explanation of how No Win No Fee agreements work at No Win No Fee Claims Page.

Meet Your Accident at Work Legal Team

Our dedicated solicitors specialise in slip and trip claims and have more than 200 years of combined legal 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.

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680,000 workers were injured in the workplace in 2024–25. You may be entitled to compensation.

Why Choose NJS Law as Your Accident at Work Solicitors

Being injured at work can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure of your rights or worried about your job. Our solicitors provide clear, honest advice and manage every aspect of your claim, so you can focus on recovery. We gather the evidence, value your claim and negotiate with the insurer.

Machinery and Equipment Injury Claims – Frequently Asked Questions

Making an accident at work claim can feel overwhelming. Below we’ve answered themost common questions our clients ask. These cover eligibility, time limits, compensation, and what happens if your case goes to court.

What is the difference between a PUWER claim and a product liability claim for machinery?

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.

Can I claim if the machine was CE-marked and supposedly safe?

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.

My employer says I bypassed a safety guard — does this end my claim?

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.

Can I claim if the training I received was inadequate rather than completely absent?

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.

What if I was injured during maintenance rather than normal machine operation?

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.

Can I claim for Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) caused by machinery?

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.

What if the machine manufacturer is based overseas?

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.

My employer says the machine passed its last inspection — can they use this as a defence?

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.

What evidence is needed in a machinery injury claim?

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.

How long do I have to make a machinery injury claim?

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:

Accident at Work: What to Do Immediately -Complete UK Guide-

Injured at work? Learn the key steps to take straight away to protect your health, evidence, and legal rights.

Accident at Work Claims: How Much Compensation Could You Get?

Find out how workplace injury compensation is calculated and what factors can affect the value of your claim.

No Win No Fee Accident at Work Claims – How It Works

Learn how No Win No Fee accident at work claims work and how you can start a claim without upfront legal fees.

Personal Injury Claims: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

A simple guide to the personal injury claims process, from starting your claim to reaching a settlement.

Can My Employer Sack Me for Making a Work Injury Claim?

Understand your rights if you are worried about your job after making a workplace injury claim.

RIDDOR Explained — What Gets Reported and Why It Matters to Your Claim

Learn what RIDDOR is, which workplace accidents must be reported, and how it may support your claim.

Construction Site Accident Claims — A Complete Guide for Injured Workers

Find out your rights after a construction site accident and how to claim compensation for your injuries.

Machinery and Equipment Injury Claims — Your Rights Under PUWER 1998

Learn how PUWER 1998 protects workers injured by unsafe machinery, tools, or workplace equipment.

Falls from Height at Work Claims

Understand when you may be able to claim compensation after a fall from height at work.

How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Take in England and Wales?

Find out what affects the length of a personal injury claim and what to expect during the process.

What Is The Most Common Worksite Personal Injury Claims?

Learn how PUWER 1998 protects workers injured by unsafe machinery, tools, or workplace equipment.

What Is the Average Personal Injury Compensation Payout in the UK?

Learn how personal injury payouts are assessed and why compensation varies from case to case.

Personal Injury Claim Time Limits in England and Wales: A Complete Breakdown

Understand the key time limits for making a personal injury claim in England and Wales.

Can I Claim Personal Injury Compensation If the Accident Was Partly My Fault?

Find out how partial fault can affect your personal injury claim and compensation amount.

General Damages vs Special Damages: Personal Injury Compensation Explained

Learn the difference between compensation for pain and suffering and compensation for financial losses.

Interim Payments in Personal Injury Claims — What Are They and Can I Get One

Find out when interim payments may be available before your personal injury claim fully settles.

Thinking about a claim? Read about Accident at Work Claims and how No Win No Fee works, or send us your enquiry.