Farming Injury & Accident Claims | Thorntons Solicitors Scotland

Farming and agriculture is considered a high-risk occupation due to the use of heavy machinery, dangerous chemicals, livestock and the unpredictable nature of the workplace. We discuss some of the more common farming accident types below.

Figures published in the Health and Safety Executive’s report Fatal injuries in agriculture, forestry and fishing in Great Britain 2017/18 show 33 people were killed as a result of farming and other agriculture-related activities during the year. Nearly half of the agricultural workers killed were over 65.

If you or a family member are injured in a farming or agricultural accident, there may be grounds for a personal injury claim. Thorntons’ specialist Personal Injury team can help you claim compensation for the injury.

Farming incident issues

There are various types of accidents that are commonly seen in farming and agricultural working.

Livestock incidents

Being injured by cattle is the most common cause of serious and fatal injuries on farms. This highlights the dangers of working with animals and shows the importance of your farming employer ensuring safe systems of working to protect employees dealing with livestock.

Your employer has a responsibility to assess the risks of any task they want you to do and devise and implement a safe method for you to carry it out. If there is no safe system and this results in you suffering an injury due to a livestock accident, then you can claim compensation.

Farming vehicle accidents

The second most common type of farming and agricultural accidents involves moving and overturning vehicles. Quad bikes or All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) often feature in serious and fatal injuries.

Your employer has a duty to ensure your work vehicle is appropriate for your work, is maintained correctly and you have been properly trained to use it. In addition, the working environment should be suitable for vehicular use to reduce the risks of workers suffering an injury.

Dangerous working conditions

The nature of farm work often means working outdoors thereby exposing workers to poor weather conditions. Farm work is strenuous physical activity that can lead to injury or painful conditions such as backache.

Harvest is one of the most dangerous times of the year for farmers, with long hours and heavy machinery making the potential for fatal or serious accidents on a farm higher than usual.

Farming and agricultural work also involves using dangerous machinery, working at height or in pits and silos, working with chemicals and substances which generate dust, and dealing with noxious or dangerous gases.

Your employer has a duty to take reasonable care for your health and safety while you are working. So if you are injured when engaged in farming or agricultural work and your employer has not taken reasonable care, they may be liable to pay you compensation.

Public risk

Members of the public are equally at risk when visiting farms or upon farmland in the event that dangers associated with livestock, the terrain (including farm buildings and courtyards) and vehicle movements are not adequately controlled. Safeguards in the interest of public health and safety to avoid injury on a farm might include restricting access to certain areas or posting clear warnings.

How can Thorntons help?

Thorntons Personal Injury team understand the risks inherent in the farming and agricultural working environment and the impact for individuals if they suffer a farm injury. Not only do those affected have to deal with the physical and mental impact of their injury, they and their family may have to face financial stress from loss of wages and long-term employment worries.

We will support you throughout the claims process, helping you get the compensation you are entitled to for your farming injury. We also work on a no win no fee basis so you can pursue your farm accident compensation claim with no financial risk. You can start your claim today by calling us free on 0800 731 8434 or complete our enquiry form.