The door at your workplace has been broken for a while — and now someone’s been hurt.
Everyone knew about it. Including your employer. That doesn’t mean you can’t claim — it means you probably should.
Can I Claim for a Faulty Door Injury at Work?
Yes — and the fact that the door had been faulty for a while actually helps your case, not hinders it. Your employer had a legal duty under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 to keep that door maintained and safe. If they didn’t, that’s their failure — not yours. Even if everyone knew about it. Even if you’d been through it dozens of times before. Carter & Carter Solicitors handles these claims on a No Win No Fee basis across England and Wales.
💰 Compensation from £1,500 upwards — every case assessed individually | ⏱ Timeline: 3–6 months typical | ✅ No Win No Fee — call 0800 652 0586
Key Facts: Faulty Door Injury Claims at Work
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Your employer has a legal duty under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 to keep all doors — and their mechanisms — in safe working order. That duty doesn’t go away because everyone got used to the problem.
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For powered and automatic doors, PUWER 1998 adds a further requirement: regular inspection by a competent person, with written records. No records? That absence is itself evidence against your employer.
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Compensation starts at £1,500 upwards for straightforward injuries. Every case is assessed on its own facts — the nature of the injury, time off work, and any lasting effects all feed into the final figure.
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The door’s maintenance inspection log is often the most important piece of evidence in these claims. We request it from your employer at the outset — most cannot produce one showing regular checks were carried out.
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You have three years from the date of injury to bring a claim. Evidence and witnesses are far easier to secure the sooner you act — don’t wait.
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Not all claims need an engineering report. Where the fault was visible and already known to your employer, we can often establish liability through factual evidence alone.
We act nationwide: Based in Whaley Bridge on the edge of the Peak District, we handle faulty door injury claims across England and Wales. Everything is dealt with remotely by phone, video call, or email — you never need to travel anywhere. If you’ve been seriously injured and prefer a face-to-face meeting, we can arrange a home visit. Call 0800 652 0586 to discuss your claim from wherever you are.
You Have Better Odds of Winning AND Higher Compensation. Here’s Why.
Faulty door injury claims turn on detail. The specific mechanism that failed. The maintenance record that doesn’t exist. The wording of a prior complaint that went unanswered. These things matter — and they get missed when a junior solicitor is managing thirty files at once.
At Carter & Carter, your claim is handled directly by either Chris Carter (qualified 1993, 30+ years in personal injury) or David Healey (qualified 2005, 20+ years experience). No junior solicitors. No paralegals making the important decisions. Just two senior solicitors who do this every day. That direct attention means nothing gets missed — and your compensation reflects everything you’re actually owed.
Most firms charge 25% of your compensation regardless of work done. When your claim concludes without us needing to issue court proceedings, we charge 10%. Approximately 99% of claims conclude without a final court hearing. You keep more. See exactly what you’ll pay — and why our fees are different →
Imagine a warehouse in Stockport. There’s a fire door at the back of the loading bay that’s been playing up for the best part of a year. The overhead closer — the hydraulic mechanism at the top of the door — has lost its tension. The door swings shut too fast. Someone worked out that if you hold the handle a fraction longer as you go through, it gives you just enough time to clear. Word spread quietly. Just hold it a bit longer. People adapted. Life went on.
Then one Tuesday morning, a new starter — two weeks in — carried a box through that door. He didn’t know about the technique. The door slammed on his right hand. Two fractured fingers. Six weeks off work.
When he asked about making a claim, his manager said: “Everyone knew about that door. It’s not like it was a secret.”
That’s The Workaround Trap. And it’s the most destructive belief in workplace door injury claims — because it’s completely backwards.
When your colleagues develop a way of navigating a broken door, that isn’t proof the door was manageable. It’s proof your employer knew it was dangerous and chose not to fix it. The workaround is the witness. Your employer’s prior knowledge doesn’t protect them from liability — it establishes it. Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, they had a direct legal duty to keep that door safe. Not a general duty to be careful. A specific, enforceable obligation. They either met it or they didn’t.
If you’re thinking “but everyone knew — including me” — that thought is the exact reason you should pick up the phone. Because that thought is costing you a claim you deserve.
Why Your Employer Is Responsible — Not You
Your employer is legally responsible for a faulty door injury at work in England and Wales. Under Regulation 17 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, every employer must ensure workplace doors are properly constructed, regularly maintained, and kept in safe working order. That isn’t a vague general duty. It’s a specific legal requirement — and if the door that hurt you wasn’t being maintained, that requirement was being broken every single day before your accident.
For automatic and powered doors — sliding doors, revolving doors, fire doors with powered closers — the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) adds a further obligation. These doors must be inspected by a competent person at regular intervals. Those inspections must be recorded. A door closer that slams shut out of control isn’t just a fault — it’s a PUWER compliance failure. Two separate legal duties. Two separate routes to establishing your employer’s liability.
We know exactly what you’re thinking. That you’d been through that door dozens of times. That you knew it was stiff, or fast, or unpredictable. That you should have been more careful. That thought feels persuasive. It isn’t. Your awareness of a hazard does not cancel out your employer’s duty to fix it. A workforce that has quietly learned to navigate a faulty door has given their employer repeated, unmistakeable notice that something was wrong. That notice runs in your favour — not theirs.
The structure is simple. Your employer had a legal duty. They failed it. You were hurt as a result. That is a valid claim — regardless of how long the door had been faulty, regardless of whether you reported it formally, and regardless of how many people knew about it.
The Inspection Silence: Your employer was required to keep records showing the door was regularly inspected and maintained. One of the first things we do on instruction is formally request those records. Most employers in faulty door claims cannot produce a maintenance log — and that silence is one of the most useful pieces of evidence in establishing liability.
Why Faulty Door Claims at Work Are Different — And Why That Matters
Workplace door injury claims sit in a specific part of the law that is easy to misidentify. If a door in a shop, hotel, restaurant, or other public space injures you, your claim runs under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 — the claim is against whoever controls that premises. If a door at your workplace injures you, your claim runs under employer liability law — Regulation 17 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and, for powered doors, PUWER 1998. Different defendant, different legal duty, different evidence. Knowing which framework applies from the start is what shapes how the claim is built.
There is also something specific about the mechanism that causes the majority of workplace door injuries: the overhead door closer. The hydraulic or pneumatic device fitted at the top of the door that controls how fast it shuts. When these closers fail — and they do fail quietly, gradually, over time — the door slams with uncontrolled force. Fingers, hands, and wrists get caught in the pinch point. Fire doors are the highest-risk category because the closer carries the tension needed for fire containment. We know to ask about the closer mechanism at first interview because it’s the most common fault type in these claims.
What this means for your specific claim: building it on the correct legal framework and identifying the right defendant from the start are what determine whether a claim proceeds cleanly or gets bogged down in avoidable disputes. The workaround your colleagues developed isn’t an embarrassment to explain away. It’s documented evidence that your employer had notice of the fault. We know how to use it.
You didn’t cause this. The door being “always like that” is not a reason you can’t claim. It’s a reason you should.
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The Workaround Trap
Your colleagues knowing about the faulty door doesn’t protect your employer — it proves they had notice and did nothing. Prior knowledge is liability, not a defence.
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The Right Legal Framework
Workplace door claims and public place door accidents are entirely different legal matters with different defendants and different duties. Identifying the correct framework from the start shapes every aspect of how the claim is built.
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Your Strong Position
Employer liability law under the Workplace Regulations 1992 gives you a direct, enforceable claim — backed by the maintenance log your employer is required to hold and which we request immediately upon instruction.
“When everyone at work knows how to avoid the broken door, it doesn’t mean it was safe. It means your employer had no excuse not to fix it. The workaround is the witness.”
Chris Carter — Director, Carter & Carter Solicitors
What Affects Your Faulty Door Compensation — And Why a Minor Injury Still Has Value
Compensation for a faulty door injury at work starts at £1,500 for straightforward claims and rises depending on your specific circumstances. Every claim is assessed individually — the figures used by courts and legal practices in England and Wales are drawn from the Judicial College Guidelines, which set reference ranges based on the nature and severity of the injury. There is no fixed amount. What matters is an accurate picture of everything your injury has cost you.
The most common faulty door injuries — trapped fingers, hand and wrist impacts, crush injuries from overhead closers — vary considerably in their lasting effects. A finger fracture that heals fully within eight weeks sits in a different position to one that leaves permanent stiffness or reduced grip. Both are valid claims. Neither is trivial. Door injuries disproportionately affect workers in manual roles — construction, warehousing, hospitality, healthcare — where a compromised hand or finger has a measurable impact on earning capacity that goes well beyond the initial injury.
There are two parts to your compensation. General damages cover the pain, suffering, and impact on your daily life. Special damages cover everything else: the income you lost while off work, travel to hospital, physiotherapy, any private treatment, and any future impact on your ability to earn if the injury hasn’t fully resolved. For workers whose jobs depend on their hands, the special damages element can be the larger of the two. The value of your claim is determined by the nature and extent of your injury and the losses that flow from it — not by any other factor.
What we look for on every faulty door claim — the maintenance log, evidence of prior complaints, the history of the fault — is relevant to establishing that your employer is liable. That liability evidence is what gets your claim off the ground. The compensation itself is then calculated on your injury and your losses, assessed properly and in full.
You do not need to have been hospitalised. You need to have been failed — and the facts of your situation need to reflect that clearly. That’s what a proper assessment does.
Most firms charge 25% of your compensation regardless of how straightforward the claim was. When your claim concludes without us needing to issue court proceedings — meaning less work and less risk for us — we charge 10%. Approximately 99% of claims conclude without a final court hearing. You get more of what you’re owed. See exactly what you’ll pay at /why-work-with-us/ →
💰 58 of our clients talk about the result they received — read what they say →
Evidence for Your Faulty Door Claim — You Probably Have More Than You Think
The most important piece of evidence in most faulty door claims isn’t a photo or a witness statement — it’s the maintenance inspection log your employer was legally required to keep. We request that on your behalf from the outset. Beyond that, the evidence picture for workplace door claims is usually more complete than people expect. Here is what matters, in order of priority.
🔴 CRITICAL EVIDENCE — Secure this first
The maintenance inspection log
Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, your employer was legally required to carry out and record regular inspections of the door. We write to your employer immediately upon instruction requesting all maintenance and inspection records. If they cannot produce them, that absence is itself evidence of a compliance failure — and one of the most useful things we can establish early in your claim.
The accident book entry
If an accident book entry hasn’t been made, do it now — even if some time has passed. If your employer has one already from the day of the injury, ask for a copy. This creates a formal record establishing the date, location, and circumstances of what happened.
🟡 STRONG EVIDENCE — Gather what you can
Photographs of the door and its mechanism
Take photos of the door itself, the overhead closer or mechanism, and any visible wear or damage. If the door has since been repaired, photograph it anyway — the repair itself is evidence that a fault existed. Date-stamped phone photos are perfectly sufficient.
Witness details
Colleagues who knew about the faulty door — who used the workaround, who heard warnings, who saw its condition — are among your most valuable witnesses. You don’t need formal statements at this stage. Names and contact details are enough for now.
🟢 BONUS EVIDENCE — Helpful if you have it
Prior complaints or repair requests
Emails, texts, or written requests where someone flagged the door fault to management before your accident. Even an informal message asking for it to be looked at carries weight. Check sent emails and group chat threads — these directly establish prior knowledge.
Medical records
Your GP records, A&E discharge notes, or occupational health records documenting the injury. If you haven’t seen a doctor yet, do so — a medical record creates the evidential link between the accident and your injury that any claim needs.
What we need from you — and what we handle: Your job is to preserve what you can and report the accident formally. We handle the formal requests — writing to your employer for the maintenance log and sending the Letter of Claim immediately upon instruction. You don’t need to arrive with a complete evidence file.
We’ve acted for clients who had no photos, no witness statements, and no prior complaints on record — just a GP visit and a clear account of what happened. Imperfect evidence doesn’t prevent claims. But acting sooner gives you a stronger position. The door mechanism will be repaired. Colleagues move on. Memories fade. Don’t wait.
⚠️ Before you do anything else — read this.
Three mistakes consistently damage faulty door claims. All three are avoidable. All three happen before people speak to a solicitor.
Three mistakes that damage faulty door claims:
First: not making a formal accident book entry on the day. Verbal reports are easily forgotten or disputed later. A written accident book entry — or a follow-up email to your manager confirming the details — creates a record that cannot be undone. If you haven’t done this yet, do it today.
Second: accepting that “everyone knew” means you can’t claim. Your employer or their insurer may say this. It isn’t true. Prior knowledge doesn’t shield them — it implicates them. Don’t accept this line. Don’t repeat it. It’s a defence tactic, not a legal reality.
Third: settling before your injury has fully resolved. Hand and finger injuries from door mechanisms can have effects that aren’t immediately clear — stiffness, reduced grip, nerve sensitivity. Accepting an early offer before you know the full picture almost always undervalues your claim. Wait for medical clarity before agreeing to any figure.
Don’t accept too little. Don’t wait too long.
Should You Claim? Here’s When It’s Clear.
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You were injured by a faulty, defective, or poorly maintained door or door mechanism at your workplace in England or Wales.
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The door fault existed before your accident — it wasn’t a one-off failure that no one could have anticipated.
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Your employer or colleagues were aware the door had a problem — whether or not a formal complaint was ever made.
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You suffered a physical injury — a trapped finger, impact injury, crush, laceration, or strain — however minor it may seem to you.
If two or more of these apply — you have a basis for a claim.
The risk to you is zero. Carter & Carter takes faulty door claims on a No Win No Fee basis — if you don’t win, you pay nothing. No upfront costs, no ongoing charges, no bill if your claim doesn’t succeed. That’s been our promise since 2007 and it’s legally binding.
You have three years from the date of injury under the Limitation Act 1980. Evidence fades, doors get repaired, colleagues move on. The sooner you act, the stronger your position. Call 0800 652 0586 for a no-obligation conversation today.
What You Should Do Right Now
Report the accident formally
Make or request an accident book entry today. Then follow up by email to your manager confirming the details — date, location, what happened, and the door fault that caused it. Written confirmation cannot be disputed later.
Photograph and preserve
Take photos of the door, the overhead closer or mechanism, and any visible damage or wear — before the door is repaired. Note the names of any colleagues who witnessed the accident or knew about the fault. We handle all formal document requests on your behalf once instructed.
See your GP or return to A&E
If you haven’t seen a doctor yet, do it today. A medical record creates the evidential link between the accident and your injury that every claim needs. Don’t delay this even if the injury feels manageable — the record needs to exist.
Call Carter & Carter — today
Call 0800 652 0586 and either Chris or David will speak with you directly. We’ll listen to what happened, give you an honest assessment of your claim, and tell you straight if we think you have a case. No obligation. No pressure. Upon instruction we send the Letter of Claim to your employer and request the maintenance records immediately.
Not ready to call? Complete our online enquiry form →
If you’ve read this far, you already know whether this applies to you. Most people in your situation do. They just needed someone to lay it out plainly — to confirm that what happened to them was their employer’s failure, not theirs, and that the door being “always like that” is not a reason to stay quiet about it.
Below, we’ve answered the questions people most commonly ask at this stage. If your question isn’t there, call 0800 652 0586 directly. Chris or David will give you a straight answer.
People Also Ask About Faulty Door Claims at Work
Can I claim if I already knew the door was faulty before my accident?
Yes — and your prior knowledge doesn’t weaken your claim. Under Regulation 17 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, your employer had a legal duty to keep that door maintained and safe. If colleagues developed a workaround, that’s evidence your employer was aware of the problem. Awareness without action is negligence — and it runs in your favour, not theirs.
Who is responsible when a faulty automatic door injures a worker?
Your employer. Automatic and powered workplace doors fall under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), which requires regular inspection and maintenance by a competent person. If the automatic door was defective and your employer cannot produce inspection records showing it was properly maintained, they are in breach of that duty. The claim is against your employer, not the door manufacturer — unless a specific manufacturing defect caused the fault.
Can I claim for a fire door injury at work?
Yes. Fire doors are subject to the same Regulation 17 duty as any other workplace door, and the overhead closing mechanism that keeps fire doors shut is the most common source of serious workplace door injuries. If the closer was defective — snapping the door shut with excessive force — your employer’s failure to maintain it is the basis of your claim. Call 0800 652 0586 for a straight assessment.
How long does a faulty door injury claim take?
Most straightforward faulty door injury claims resolve within three to six months. Claims involving more serious injuries, disputed liability, or employers who contest the maintenance record position can take longer. Carter & Carter sends the Letter of Claim immediately upon instruction and moves quickly to request evidence — acting promptly at the start helps keep timelines manageable. Approximately 99% of claims settle without a final court hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions — Faulty Door Injury Claims
I didn’t report the door as faulty before my accident — does that stop me claiming?
No. Your entitlement to claim does not depend on whether you personally made a formal complaint beforehand. Under Regulation 17 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, your employer’s duty to inspect and maintain the door exists regardless of whether you reported it. What matters is whether the door was defective and whether your employer knew — or should have known — about the problem. A workforce that developed a workaround around the fault is itself evidence of prior knowledge, with or without a formal report on file.
How much compensation could I receive for a faulty door injury?
Compensation starts at £1,500 upwards for straightforward claims and rises depending on the nature and extent of your injury and the losses that flow from it. Every claim is assessed individually — the key factors are the severity of the injury, how long you were off work, whether there are any lasting consequences such as reduced grip or permanent stiffness, and what income and costs you lost during recovery. For workers in manual roles where hand and finger function directly affects earning capacity, the overall figure can be significantly higher. Call 0800 652 0586 and we’ll give you an honest assessment of what your specific claim is likely to be worth.
What if I don’t have much evidence — can I still claim?
Yes. We’ve acted for clients who had no photographs, no witnesses, and no prior complaint on record — just a GP visit and a clear account of what happened. The most useful evidence in most faulty door claims is the maintenance log your employer should have kept under Regulation 17 — and we request that on your behalf as one of the first steps upon instruction. Imperfect evidence at the start doesn’t prevent a claim. Acting promptly gives us the best chance of securing what you need before the door is repaired and memories fade.
Will I have to go to court?
Almost certainly not. Approximately 99% of the claims Carter & Carter handles settle without a final court hearing, typically within three to six months for straightforward cases. The No Win No Fee agreement means we only take on claims we believe will succeed — if we accept your claim, we’re already confident it has solid prospects. If a case does proceed to court, which is rare, your solicitor handles everything. You are kept informed at every stage and nothing happens without your agreement.
What will it cost me to make a claim?
Nothing upfront and nothing if you don’t win. Carter & Carter operates exclusively on a No Win No Fee basis — formally a Conditional Fee Agreement — which means if your claim is unsuccessful, you pay us nothing. When claims settle without court proceedings, which is approximately 99% of cases, we charge 10% of your compensation. We’ve published our fees upfront since 2007 because we think you should know what you’re paying before you sign anything. See the full fee breakdown at why-work-with-us →
Do I have to come to your office in Derbyshire?
No. We’re based in Whaley Bridge on the edge of the Peak District, but we handle claims across all of England and Wales. Everything is handled remotely by phone, video call, or email — you never need to travel anywhere. If you’ve been seriously injured and prefer to meet face-to-face, we can arrange a home visit. Call 0800 652 0586 to discuss your claim from wherever you are.
How long do I have to make a claim after a door injury at work?
Three years from the date of your injury under the Limitation Act 1980. That sounds like plenty of time — but evidence fades, doors get repaired, and colleagues move on. A claim built on fresh evidence is a stronger claim. If you’re thinking about it, the right time to call is now rather than in two years. Call 0800 652 0586 for a no-obligation conversation.
What is the difference between a workplace door claim and a door injury in a public place?
They’re entirely different legal claims. A door injury in a shop, hotel, restaurant, or other public space runs under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 — the claim is against whoever controls the premises. A workplace door injury runs under employer liability law — Regulation 17 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and, for powered doors, PUWER 1998. Different defendant, different legal duty, different evidence, different outcome. Identifying the correct framework from the outset is what shapes how the claim is built and who it is brought against.
Ready to find out if you have a claim?
Chris or David will speak with you directly — no call handlers, no obligation. A straight answer about your situation, today.
Why Carter & Carter Handles Faulty Door Claims Differently
Four things that make a genuine difference to your claim.
We Know This Territory
Workplace door injury claims sit at the intersection of employer liability law, PUWER 1998, and the specific mechanics of overhead door closing systems. We know which mechanisms cause the majority of injuries, what a compliant maintenance log should contain, and how to use an employer’s prior knowledge of a fault as evidence. That specific knowledge shapes how a claim is built from the first interview.
Your Solicitor — Not a Call Centre
Your claim is handled directly by David Healey (Senior Solicitor, qualified 2005, 20+ years’ experience) or Chris Carter (Managing Solicitor, qualified 1993, 30+ years’ experience). No junior solicitors. No handoffs. No referrals to a claims management company. You speak to a specialist from the first call to the final settlement — and you have their direct number from day one. That’s how we’ve operated since 2007.
Three Specialised Practice Areas — That’s It
Carter & Carter specialises exclusively in workplace injuries, occupiers’ liability, and allergy claims. We don’t handle conveyancing, divorce, or wills. We don’t take every claim that comes through the door. We’re selective — because we absorb the cost if a claim fails, and that means we only take on claims we believe will succeed. Focused specialisation means we know this territory in a way that breadth of practice doesn’t allow.
Clear, Fair Fees — Published Before You Ask
No Win No Fee since 2007. If your claim doesn’t succeed, you pay us nothing. When your claim settles without us needing to issue court proceedings — meaning less work and less risk for us — we charge 10% of your compensation. If proceedings become necessary, that rises to 25%. We’ve published this on our website from the beginning because we think you should know what you’re agreeing to before you sign anything. Less work for us. Lower fee for you. See the full breakdown →
Related Guides
Accident at Work Claims Hub
All workplace injury claims covered in one place — from slips and trips to faulty equipment and manual handling accidents across England and Wales.
Faulty Equipment at Work Claims
A defective door closer is faulty equipment. If other workplace machinery or tools caused your injury, this guide covers your rights under PUWER 1998 and employer liability law.
What Our Clients Say
248+ five-star reviews from real clients — organised by what they were worried about before they called Chris or David. Read what people in your situation actually experienced.
Why Carter & Carter Gets Better Results
Our fee structure, our approach to workplace injury claims, and why senior solicitors handling claims directly changes the outcome for clients.
Or return to our main accident at work claims hub to explore all workplace injury topics.
David Healey
Senior Solicitor | Qualified 2005 | 20+ Years’ Experience in Personal Injury Law
David Healey is a Senior Solicitor at Carter & Carter and handles faulty door injury claims and a range of workplace accident claims across England and Wales. He has been practising personal injury law since 2005, and his approach has always been the same: give clients a straight assessment of their claim from the first call, move quickly to secure evidence, and handle every stage of the claim personally.
Faulty door claims require specific knowledge — of the legal frameworks that apply to powered versus manual doors, of the maintenance obligations under Regulation 17 and PUWER 1998, and of how to use an employer’s prior knowledge of a fault as evidence rather than a complication. David handles these cases directly. Nothing is passed to a junior or delegated to a paralegal.
“If you’re sitting there thinking ‘everyone knew about that door — including me — so I can’t claim’, that belief is almost certainly wrong. And it’s costing you. Give me a call and let’s look at the actual facts.”
Direct line: 0800 652 0586
“My case was taken on even though another solicitor said I had no case, and thanks to Carter & Carter Solicitors I did win compensation for my injury at work.
Mr Farrington