• Helping farmers and farm workers in Belfast and Northern Ireland since 1993
• Solicitors specialising in agricultural and farm accident claims
• Affordable and 100% independent legal advice
• Simple claim process with expert legal support at every stage
• Free, no-obligation legal advice on your claim

More than 51,000 people work on farms across Northern Ireland. But these cornerstones of our local economy can be dangerous places to work. Farm workers are less than 7% of Northern Ireland’s workforce, but 16% of all reported workplace injuries are in the agriculture and food sector. Since 2017, 40% of all workplace fatalities in Northern Ireland were on farms.

Heavy machinery, vehicles, animals, working at heights, repetitive work and exposure to chemicals all put farmers at risk. Employers have a legal obligation to keep farm workers safe at work. If you’ve been injured because your employer didn’t meet their duty of care to you, you’re entitled to make a farm accident claim.

Farm accidents cause a wide range of injuries. These result in farm accident injury claims for things like:

• Lacerations, Burns & Scars – Machinery, tools and other sharp equipment can cause damage to the skin, muscles, tendons and nerves.
• Broken Bones – Fractures to ribs, limbs and other bones can be the result of falls, machinery or livestock accidents.
• Crush Injuries – Crushes can be caused when a farm worker becomes trapped by farm machinery or livestock.
• Farmer’s Lung – Inhaling dust or mould spores from hay and grains over a prolonged period can cause allergic alveolitis.
• Skin Cancer – Daily and extended exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer.
• Mesothelioma – The use of asbestos in roofs, gutters and pipes puts farm workers at risk of asbestos-related diseases.
• Head & Brain Injuries – Often sustained in falls, machinery accidents and livestock accidents.

Anyone who has suffered a farming accident due to somebody else’s negligence is eligible to make a farm accident claim.

Claiming for Yourself – If you were injured on a farm through no fault of your own, you’re entitled to claim compensation.

Claiming on Behalf of Someone Else – If a loved one was injured on a farm through no fault of their own, you may be able to claim for them. You can claim on behalf of children aged 18 and adults who have suffered a brain injury or don’t have the mental capacity to make a claim.

We know that a farm accident can have a damaging and disruptive effect on your life. That’s why we make the process for claiming compensation simple and straightforward. Here’s what you can expect:

Step 1: Contact Reid Black
Get in touch for free initial legal advice on your farm accident claim. We’ll guide you on the best way to progress your claim.

Step 2: Gathering Information and Evidence
We’ll then help to gather all the evidence we need to support your claim. This might include medical records, Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland reports, and evidence from the scene of your farm accident.

Step 3: Medical Assessment
Next, we’ll arrange for you to be examined by an independent medical professional. We want to know the full extent of your injuries and any long-term effects.

Step 4: Compensation Negotiations
Once we have a clear picture of your injuries, we’ll open negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurer to secure the maximum compensation amount you’re entitled to.

Step 5: Compensation Payout
We’ll continue to support you until we’ve made sure the compensation has reached your account promptly.

You usually have three years from the date of your accident to make a farm accident claim in Northern Ireland.

18 years old and over – You need to claim within three years of your accident or of being diagnosed with your illness.

Under 18 years old – You need to claim before your 21st birthday.

These time limits are extended if you or the person you’re claiming for don’t have the mental capacity to make a claim, or if the negligence that caused your accident only becomes known later. In all cases, it’s best to get in touch with us as soon as possible after a farm accident.

Every farm injury claim is different so the amount of compensation you receive will depend on the circumstances of your accident and a range of factors. These factors will be considered in the general damages and special damages you are awarded.

General Damages – Compensation for the pain and suffering you endured in the farm accident and since, as well as the impact on your quality of life. For example, you might not be able to work, drive or take part in your favourite hobbies in the way you did before the accident.

Special Damages – Compensation for the financial impact of your farm accident. This includes loss of earnings, medical and rehabilitation costs, adaptations to your home, and care provisions.

For decades, we’ve been helping farm workers and farmers in Northern Ireland to secure the compensation they deserve after suffering accidents on farms. Our experienced solicitors will be with you every step of the way to take the lead with your farm accident claim and help you to get on with your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get in touch today to discuss your farm accident claim. We’ll offer free initial legal advice to help you plan the best route towards the compensation that’s rightfully yours.