Your Guide to Making a Nail Gun Injury Claim in the UK
Nail guns are powerful tools commonly used on construction sites and in trades like carpentry and joinery. When they malfunction or are used without proper safety measures, the injuries can be serious — and sometimes life-changing.
A nail gun injury claim could help you recover compensation if you’ve been hurt at work due to faulty equipment, lack of training, or unsafe working conditions. Whether you’ve suffered a puncture wound, nerve damage, or an eye injury, you may be entitled to claim for your pain, financial losses, and long-term impact.
In this guide, we explain what to do after a nail gun accident, the evidence that helps support your case, and how UK workplace injury law applies.
We’ll also cover how much compensation you could receive, how long you have to claim, and how our team at Stonehewer Moss can support you on a No Win, No Fee basis.
Quick Links:
- What to Do After a Nail Gun Accident
- Evidence for a Nail Gun Injury Claim
- Employer Duties and Liability
- Compensation for Nail Gun Injuries
- Time Limits to Claim
- How We Can Help
Need tailored advice? Speak directly to a solicitor. Call us on 01606 872200 or book your free 30-minute consultation.
What to Do After a Nail Gun Accident
Your health should always come first. If you’ve been injured, seek immediate medical attention, even if the wound looks small. Nail guns can cause deep tissue damage or infection that isn’t obvious straight away.
Once you’re safe, make sure the incident is recorded in your workplace accident book and reported to your employer. If possible, take photographs of the injury and the scene, and make a note of anyone who witnessed what happened. These steps will help if you later decide to pursue a nail gun injury claim.
While it is your employer’s responsibility to ensure a safe working environment, it can be useful to familiarise yourself with best practice guidance. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) nail gun safety guidelines are a good resource that explains common risks and safe handling practices.
Evidence for a Nail Gun Injury Claim
To make a successful nail gun injury claim, you’ll need to show two things: that the accident happened, and that it caused you harm. Good evidence strengthens your claim and helps your solicitor prove liability and calculate appropriate compensation.
What kind of evidence is helpful?
Every workplace injury case is different, but these are some common forms of evidence that can support your claim:
- An official record in the workplace accident book
- Medical records from your GP or hospital visit
- Photographs of your injury, the nail gun involved, and the accident scene
- Witness statements from colleagues who saw what happened
- Training logs or safety records from your employer
Don’t worry if you don’t have all of this. An experienced solicitor can help gather missing information and build a strong nail gun injury claim on your behalf.
Employer Duties and Liability
UK employers have a legal duty of care to protect workers from injury. If you’ve been harmed by a nail gun at work, your employer may be held responsible — especially if they failed to follow proper health and safety procedures.
What are your employer’s responsibilities?
Employers must comply with workplace safety laws, including the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which sets out their general duties to protect employees.
Specific responsibilities relating to equipment and PPE are outlined in two key regulations:
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) — employers must ensure that all tools, including nail guns, are suitable, safe, and properly maintained.
- Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 — appropriate PPE, such as eye protection, must be provided and used where necessary.
If your employer failed to meet these obligations and you were injured as a result, you could be entitled to make a nail gun injury claim. For more about your rights after a workplace injury, visit our Accident at Work Claims page.
Compensation for Nail Gun Injuries
The amount of compensation you may receive through a nail gun injury claim depends on how serious your injury is and the impact it has on your life and work. Minor injuries typically result in lower awards, while more severe or permanent damage can lead to significantly higher settlements.
Compensation is assessed based on physical and emotional harm, as well as any financial losses. These may include lost earnings, medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and any necessary adaptations to your home or job.
Examples of compensation amounts
Here’s a general guide to potential compensation ranges for common nail gun injuries:
| Injury Type | Possible Impact | Compensation Range* |
|---|---|---|
| Minor puncture wound | Short-term pain, no lasting damage | £1,000–£5,000 |
| Hand or finger injury | Reduced grip, scarring, time off work | £5,000–£20,000 |
| Nerve or tendon damage | Long-term pain, limited function | £20,000–£50,000+ |
| Eye injury | Partial vision loss | £25,000–£60,000+ |
*These are illustrative figures. Every nail gun injury claim is assessed on its own facts and circumstances.
Compensation may also cover future losses and ongoing care if the injury has long-term effects. Our solicitors can provide a clearer estimate based on the details of your case.
Time Limits to Claim
In most workplace injury cases in the UK, you have up to three years from the date of the accident to start a nail gun injury claim. This legal time limit is known as the “limitation period.”
If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to claim compensation — even if the injury was serious or caused long-term effects.
Are there any exceptions?
Yes. The three-year time limit may start from the date you first became aware that your injury was linked to the accident, especially if symptoms developed later. This is called the “date of knowledge.”
To protect your rights, it’s best to seek legal advice as early as possible. A solicitor can help you understand how the limitation period applies to your situation and ensure your nail gun injury claim is filed in time.
How We Can Help
A nail gun accident at work can leave you dealing with pain, stress, and uncertainty. But you don’t have to face it alone. If the injury wasn’t your fault, we can help you bring a nail gun injury claim and secure the compensation you deserve.
At Stonehewer Moss, our experienced personal injury solicitors will guide you through every step of the claims process. We’ll assess your case, help gather the right evidence, and handle negotiations with your employer or their insurers on your behalf.
We offer a straightforward, supportive approach — with direct access to your solicitor and clear advice from day one. And with our No Win, No Fee service, there’s no financial risk to starting your claim.
Get in touch for a free 30-minute consultation or call us now on 01606 872200 to find out how we can help you move forward after a nail gun injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you may still be able to make a claim. In cases of shared responsibility (known as contributory negligence), you could receive reduced compensation rather than being excluded entirely. A solicitor can assess how this might affect your case.
If your injury was caused by a faulty nail gun, you may be able to bring a claim against your employer or, in some cases, the manufacturer. Employers have a duty to provide safe, well-maintained equipment.
Keeping photos of the nail gun, especially if it was involved in the accident, can be helpful as part of your evidence. If the tool was faulty, this could strengthen your claim. However, don’t worry if you don’t have it — your solicitor can help investigate.
The timeline varies. Simple claims may settle within a few months, while more complex cases involving serious injuries or liability disputes can take longer. Your solicitor will keep you updated throughout.
Most nail gun injury claims are resolved without the need for court proceedings. Going to court is typically only necessary if the other party disputes liability or settlement terms can’t be agreed.
