Magnetic Lifter Failure Injury Claims

Written by Tanya Waterworth, Digital Content Writer

About Our Legal Expert: This content is produced with oversight by Michael Jefferies, Managing Director who has over 30 years’ legal experience.

What to Do After a Dropped Load Accident in England and Wales

A personal injury claim can be made in England and Wales after being hurt when a magnetic lifter drops its load at work due to employer negligence. In many cases, it is one of the clearest examples of employer liability under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The decisive factor is almost always whether your employer failed to take reasonable steps to keep you safe. When a magnetic lifter fails, that failure rarely happens in a vacuum. It may reflect a deeper issue, such as poor maintenance, inadequate training, rushed processes, or a culture that prioritises output over safety.

If this has happened to you or a loved, we explain when you may be eligible to claim for compensation and how to make a claim.

What Would Be ‘Employer Negligence’ After a Magnetic Lifter Drops Its Load?

You can usually make a claim if the accident happened because your employer breached their duty of care. Magnetic lifting equipment is classed as lifting machinery under LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998). That means employers must ensure:

• Regular inspections
• Competent operators
• Safe systems of work
• Proper maintenance

If any of these fail, and you’re injured as a result, you may be entitled to make a personal injury claim.

Why Magnetic Lifter Accidents Are Treated Seriously

Magnetic lifters are used in fabrication shops, steel stockholders, engineering plants, shipyards, and heavy manufacturing. So, when they fail, the consequences are rarely minor. Loads can weigh hundreds of kilos. Even a small steel plate can cause serious  injuries when dropped from height.

Three factors make these accidents legally significant:

• Predictability: A dropped load is a known risk.
• Preventability: Proper maintenance and training drastically reduce failures.
• Severity: Injuries may even be life‑changing, which strengthens the argument for compensation.

Real‑World Example

According to the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), work involving a steel sheet became detached from its magnet on a crane and fell on to a worker resulting in serious back injuries. The IMCA reported that the UK Health and Safety Executive investigated the accident and found that the company “had failed to ensure that the lifting equipment was of adequate strength and stability for each load”.

It was further found that the company had failed to ensure that the lifting operation was planned by a competent person, properly supervised and carried out in a safe manner.

What You Must Prove to Make a Claim

To succeed with a personal injury claim for defective equipment, you need to show:

• A duty of care existed
• The duty was breached
• The breach directly caused your injury

In magnetic lifter cases, breaches may often include:

• No LOLER inspection in the last 12 months
• Using the wrong lifting equipment for the load
• Allowing untrained staff to operate lifting machinery
• Poor maintenance or missing safety checks
• Overloading the magnet
• Failing to provide PPE or safe working distances

These are all indicators of employer negligence.

Common Injuries Caused by Dropped Loads

Magnetic lifter accidents may result in severe injuries including:

• Crush injuries to feet, legs, hands
• Spinal injuries from impact or forced movement
• Fractures from falling materials
• Head injuries when struck by swinging or falling loads
• Soft‑tissue trauma that can lead to long‑term mobility issues

These injuries often require extended time off work which makes compensation crucial for financial stability for the injured employee.

What to Do Immediately After the Accident

Taking the right steps straight after the accident can considerably strengthen your claim:

1. Report the Accident

Ensure it’s logged in the company’s accident book. You can use a RIDDOR report if the injury is serious.

2. Seek Medical Attention

A&E or GP records generally form the basis for your evidence, so it’s essential to get medical attention, even if the injury appears minor as it may worsen later.

3. Gather Evidence

This may include:

• Photos of the equipment
• Photos or CCTV of the load and the accident scene
• Witness details
• Training records
• Maintenance logs
• LOLER certificates

4. Keep a Recovery Diary

Known as a symptom diary, this helps quantify pain, suffering, and te overall impact on your daily life.

How Liability Is Usually Determined

In most UK cases, liability falls on the employer because the control:

• Equipment
• Training
• The maintenance schedule
• The working environment

Even if you made a mistake, you may still be able to claim under contributory negligence rules which means you may receive reduced compensation.

What Does Compensation Cover?

A claim for compensation if you’ve been injured in a magnetic lifter failure accident at work may typically include:

• General damages for pain and suffering
• Loss of earnings (including future loss)
• Medical treatment and rehabilitation
• Travel expenses
• Care and support
• Adaptations to home or vehicle
• Specialist equipment

Magnetic lifter injuries often lead to higher‑value claims because of the severity and long‑term impact.

Why These Claims Are Often Strong

Magnetic lifter accidents tend to produce clear evidence trails through:

• LOLER certificates
• Maintenance logs
• Training records
• CCTV footage
• Witness statements
• Risk assessments

When any of these are missing or incomplete, it will usually strengthens the worker’s position.

Quick Check On What May Strengthen Your Claim After A Magnetic Lifter Injury

• Most UK workshops still use older magnetic lifters, many of which pre‑date modern safety standards.
• A surprising number of employers rely on “visual checks” only, which do not meet LOLER requirements.
• Magnetic lifters are often used for convenience, even when a clamp, sling, or vacuum lifter would be safer.
• Operators frequently learn on the job, rather than through formal training.
• Dropped load incidents are under‑reported, meaning systemic issues often go unaddressed until a serious injury occurs.

These patterns may often emerge during claim investigations and can significantly influence outcomes.

Top Tip: A common concern is that you may be dismissed if you make a claim against your employer, so it’s important to know that you are legally protected against your employer taking action against you in such a case. In addition, your solicitor will normally deal with the company’s insurance provider and not your employer directly. Most claims are settled without  having to go to court.

Time Limits for Making a Claim

You generally have three years from the date of the accident to start your claim. Exceptions apply if the injured person is under 18, or there was a lacking in mental capacity. However, for most workers, the three‑year limit is strict.

How We Can Help

If you’ve been injured because a magnetic lifter dropped its load at work, you may be entitled to claim compensation if the accident was due to unsafe working practices and employer negligence.

If you want to find out more about making a personal injury claim, we partner with a panel of personal injury solicitors who are experienced in work accident claims. They offer a free, no-obligation consultation to assess whether you have a valid claim. So, to reach out to our team:

📞 Call on 0333 358 3034 or ✍️ fill out our online contact form.