Last Updated on September 9, 2025 by tanya

Injured Installing Solar Panels?

 

How to Claim Your Compensation

Working as a solar panel installer comes with risks and perhaps you’ve been injured installing solar panels? If so, you will be all too familiar with the long hours working at height, handling heavy equipment, and getting the job done in challenging weather conditions.

However, if you’re your employer has been negligent about your safety and you’re injured as a result, you may want to claim compensation. The law protects injured workers, and you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim. Compensation typically covers your injuries, as well as financial losses you may have incurred – such as lost wages.

So, if you have sustained an injury through no fault of yours at work, our team at First Personal Injury can guide you through filing a claim for compensation.

 

Workplace Risks for Solar Panel Installers

Solar panel installation has grown rapidly across the UK due to demand for renewable energy. Unfortunately, the job exposes installers to hazards such as:

 

• Falls from height while working on rooftops and scaffolding.
• Electrocution risks from handling electrical systems.
• Musculoskeletal injuries from lifting panels and equipment.
• Slips and trips caused by wet or unstable surfaces.
• Weather-related hazards, such as strong winds or icy conditions.

 

Employers are required to minimise these risks through training, safety equipment, and risk assessments. If they fail in this duty and you are injured while installing solar panels, you may have grounds to bring a personal injury claim.

 

Ensuring a Safe Workplace

The law protects employees under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Therefore, employers must:

 

• Provide proper training and supervision.
• Carry out regular risk assessments.
• Supply safe equipment and protective gear.
• Maintain a safe workplace environment.

 

If your employer ignores these responsibilities and you suffer harm, the law allows you to pursue compensation. Even if you are self-employed but contracted by a company, you may still have a right to claim against that contractor if they failed in their duty of care.

 

What To Do Immediately After a Workplace Accident

Taking the right steps after an accident strengthens your case and ensures you receive the support you need. Follow this checklist:

 

1. Seek medical attention

Get treated straight away, even if your injury seems minor. Medical records are the cornerstone for a successful claim.

 

2. Report the accident

Inform your employer and ensure the incident is recorded in the accident book.

 

3. Gather evidence

Take photographs of the accident site, unsafe conditions, and your injuries.

 

4. Collect witness details

If co-workers saw the incident, ask for their contact information.

 

5. Keep financial records

Retain all your receipts for medical costs and travel expenses, and keep a written record of lost income due to time off work.

 

How to Claim if You Are Injured as a Solar Panel Installer

Here is a step-by-step guide to filing your personal injury claim:

 

1. Speak to a Personal Injury Solicitor

We work with solicitors who specialise in workplace accident claims. They also operate on a No Win, No Fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs and you only pay if you win.

 

2. Establish Employer Negligence

Your solicitor will assess whether your employer breached their duty of care, such as:

 

• Lack of fall-arrest systems when working at height.
• Faulty scaffolding or ladders.
• Inadequate safety training.
• Failure to supply protective equipment such as harnesses or helmets.

 

Examples of injuries which may strengthen your case may include:

 

• You fell because scaffolding had not been properly secured.
• You suffered a back injury because your employer failed to provide manual handling training.
• You were electrocuted due to inadequate safety procedures around live wiring

 

To succeed in your claim, you must show your employer’s negligence directly caused your injury.

 

3. File Your Claim

Your solicitor will notify your employer’s insurance company and submit your claim. Most employers hold liability insurance to cover such cases.

 

4. Medical Assessment

You may be asked to undergo an independent medical examination to determine the severity of your injuries and long-term impact. Your personal injury lawyer will help you to arrange this.

 

5. Negotiation and Settlement

Most claims are settled out of court. Your solicitor will negotiate compensation for your pain, suffering, and financial losses.

 

What Compensation Covers

The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injury and its effect on your life. Compensation may include:

 

• General damages: Pain, suffering, and loss of amenity (quality of life).
• Special damages: Financial losses such as lost wages, medical bills, travel expenses, and future rehabilitation costs.
• Future loss of earnings if your injury prevents you from returning to work as a solar panel fitter.

As each case is different, your solicitor can provide an estimate on your specific claim.

 

How Long Do You Have to Claim?

If you’ve been injured at work while installing solar panels, you usually have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim. Exceptions may apply if you were under 18 at the time of injury or lacked mental capacity. Acting quickly ensures stronger evidence and a smoother process.

 

FAQs on Workplace Injury Claims

Can I claim if I’m self-employed?

Yes, if you work under a contract for a solar company, they still owe you a duty of care.

Will I lose my job if I claim?

It is illegal for your employer to dismiss or punish you for making a legitimate claim.

Do I need to go to court?

Most cases settle before reaching court, but your solicitor will represent you if necessary.

How much compensation will I receive?

Amounts vary, but serious injuries can result in claims worth tens of thousands of pounds, depending on the long term impact on your life.

 

Why Hiring a Workplace Injury Solicitor Matters

Solar installation accidents can be complex because they involve specialist equipment, high-risk environments, and often subcontracted work. A solicitor with experience in construction and energy sector claims will:

 

• Understand the regulations specific to working at height and electrical systems.
• Gather strong expert evidence to prove negligence.
• Ensure you claim the maximum compensation available.

 

Your Free, Initial Consultation with No Obligation

If you are injured as a solar panel installer, you have the right to seek compensation if employer negligence caused your accident. By acting quickly, recording evidence, and working with an experienced solicitor, you can protect your health and secure financial support going forward.

 

At First Personal Injury, we work with expert lawyers in workplace accidents and we’re here to help you claim the compensation you deserve.

📞 Call us now on 0333 358 2345 📧 Or contact us online and we’ll call you back at a time that suits you for a free, no-obligation consultation.