At Jackson Personal Injury, we work with individuals and across the UK who have been injured due to PPE failures to help them understand their options for PPE failure claims.
When protective equipment is missing, defective, or unsuitable for the task, the likelihood of serious injury increases. We review enquiries and refer eligible cases to a panel of independent, regulated solicitors who outline the next steps.
PPE failure claims may be possible where an injury was caused by faulty, inadequate, or missing protective equipment. Employers are required to assess risks and provide appropriate PPE for the tasks being carried out.
Where this duty is not met, and an employee is injured as a result, compensation may be available depending on the circumstances.
Compensation for PPE failure claims can vary depending on the severity of the injury, recovery time, and the impact on work and daily activities.
Claims may include general damages for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity, as well as special damages for financial losses such as medical expenses, lost earnings, and future care needs. Each claim is assessed individually, and outcomes vary from case to case.
Contact Jackson Personal Injury to check if you may be eligible and to request a free assessment of your PPE failure claim.
PPE failure claims often involve injuries such as:
Burns and chemical injuries – Resulting from inadequate gloves, clothing, or face protection.
Respiratory conditions – Caused by faulty or unsuitable masks and breathing equipment.
Eye injuries – Linked to missing or defective eye protection.
Cuts and fractures – Occurring where gloves, footwear, or protective clothing were inadequate.
Head injuries – Associated with defective or poorly maintained hard hats.
Hearing loss – Developing over time due to lack of effective hearing protection.
PPE failure claims may involve employer negligence where reasonable steps were not taken to provide, maintain, or replace protective equipment.
Employers must ensure PPE is suitable for the task, properly fitted, and kept in good working condition. Where failures in these duties contributed to an injury, this may support a compensation claim.
PPE failure claims can arise when protective equipment does not provide adequate safety for the task or environment, including:
Defective hard hats – Failing to protect against falling objects or impacts due to manufacturing faults or wear.
Poorly fitting masks or respirators – Allowing harmful dust, fumes, or chemicals to be inhaled.
Inadequate gloves – Offering insufficient protection against cuts, chemicals, heat, or hazardous substances.
Faulty eye protection – Leading to eye injuries from debris, splashes, or bright light exposure.
Unsafe footwear – Lacking proper grip or protective features, increasing the risk of slips or crush injuries.
Incorrect PPE selection – Where the equipment provided is unsuitable for the specific task or working environment.
Many PPE failure claims are handled on a No Win, No Fee basis. This usually means there are no upfront legal costs, and you only pay if your claim is successful.
If compensation is awarded, a capped success fee may be deducted, with all terms explained before you decide whether to proceed. This arrangement can make it easier to pursue a claim without financial risk during the process.
Evidence commonly used to support PPE failure claims includes:
Medical records – GP notes, hospital reports, diagnoses, and treatment details.
Photographs of PPE – Images showing defective, damaged, or unsuitable equipment.
Accident reports – Workplace accident book entries or incident logs.
Safety and inspection records – Documentation showing PPE checks or lack thereof.
Training records – Evidence of whether appropriate PPE training was provided.
Witness statements – Accounts from colleagues confirming PPE issues or unsafe conditions.
PPE failure claims can include long-term health conditions such as respiratory illnesses, skin conditions, hearing loss, or other chronic injuries caused by prolonged exposure without adequate protection.
Where an employer failed to address known risks or provide suitable PPE, compensation may be available depending on the circumstances.
Contact Jackson Personal Injury to find out if you can make a PPE failure claim and to speak to our claims team.
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