The phrase "falling off the back of a lorry" conjures up images of cartoon frolics or shady dealings, but anyone who has suffered this type of accident takes the matter very seriously indeed. These accidents can be caused by a defect with the lorry or trailer; when getting on or off the vehicle, or by problems with the load. Any failure by the employer to provide a safe system of work that leads to an employee suffering an injury can result in that employee making successful accident compensation claim.

A trailer (whether open, curtain sided, enclosed or refrigerated) might be slippery with water, ice or snow, and on occasion oil or grease. Whatever the substance, this creates the risk of slipping and the possibility of an accident at work claim arising. Older trailers may have worn uneven surfaces, with gaps or holes in the floor creating tripping hazards. Some flatbed trailers have holes so containers can be attached, but when there is no container these holes are not always covered and this creates a potential danger. There should be a safe means of storing items such as loose straps, ropes or cables; otherwise they can cause tripping accidents. Trailers that have curtains or fixed doors should have a means of securing these, to prevent movement in the wind. Whatever the cause of the slip or trip, you could fall against the load, onto the trailer's surface or even worse to the ground below and suffer serious injuries.

You may not have been involved in the loading process and may be unaware of how the load was stacked or secured. Items may be strapped to pallets and the strapping could be loose or badly attached. Any straps trailing on the floor create an obvious hazard. Some loads are stacked high and when unloaded become unstable and fall without warning. Accident claims also arise if you are required to drag pallets using the strapping, which might break causing you to lose your balance and fall.

Not every work accident claim is successful, especially if the injured person was negligent. Care needs to be taken when you get onto or down from the back of the lorry or trailer (or when getting in and out of the cab). To help you gain safe access to the back of the vehicle there should be small ladders or adequate footholds and grab handles securely fixed in place, and you must use them. When getting down from the trailer you should avoid jumping, as there is a clear risk of injury. Even trying to slide down from the trailer can result in arms and wrists getting caught in straps or on rigid metal brackets, which could cause torn muscles and tendons or broken bones.

Employers are often found to be at fault if they fail to provide a safe means of access onto vehicles, and if ladders, footholds and grab handles, etc are worn or broken they should be repaired or replaced. road accident compensation caused by defective equipment are almost always successful, resulting in the payment of personal injury compensation.

Whatever the basis of the potential accident at work claim, it is always prudent to take advice from experienced accident claims solicitors to make a successful accident compensation claim. They are usually able to offer a free, no win no fee claims service.