Personal Injury
At Strange Strange & Gardner, our forensic engineers operate at the intersection of engineering, safety, and law, providing independent, evidence-based analysis in personal injury and accident investigations.
We combine technical expertise in failure analysis, accident reconstruction, material science, and safety engineering to deliver clear, objective reports that support legal proceedings, insurance claims, and dispute resolution.
Our experts are experienced in assessing a wide range of incidents, from slips, trips and falls to complex machinery failures and industrial accidents, providing robust conclusions on causation, liability, and compliance with safety standards.
Our experience includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Slips, Trips and Falls
We provide detailed technical analysis in cases involving slips, trips, and falls, including incidents occurring in workplaces, public areas, and private premises.
Using specialist testing equipment, we assess:
- Slip resistance and surface friction of flooring materials, including pendulum test values (PTV)
- Surface roughness and wear characteristics
- Compliance with relevant British Standards and HSE guidance
- The design, construction, and maintenance of stairs, walkways, pavements, and access routes
Our reports assist in determining whether surfaces were safe, properly maintained, and compliant with accepted safety standards.
Falls from Height
We investigate accidents involving falls from height, including those occurring in:
- Construction sites and industrial environments
- Warehousing and logistics operations
- Fragile surfaces
- Falls through skylights/rooflights
- Domestic and commercial premises
Our analysis considers the adequacy of edge protection, guardrails, and fall prevention systems, compliance with the Work at Height Regulations, and access equipment such as ladders, scaffolding, and platforms.
Machinery Failures & Machine Guarding
We provide expert investigation into accidents involving machinery and equipment injuries and failures, including cases arising from:
- Defective or poorly maintained machinery
- Inadequate or missing machine guarding
- Failures in safety interlocks or emergency stop systems
- Unsafe design or modification of equipment
- Safe systems of work
Our forensic engineers assess whether machinery complied with PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations), the essential health and safety requirements (ESHR), relevant British and European safety standards, and manufacturer specifications and safe operating procedures.
Agricultural and Rural Accidents
We have extensive experience in investigating agricultural accidents, including those involving:
- Tractors and farm vehicles
- Harvesting and processing machinery
- Livestock handling equipment
- PTO shafts and moving mechanical parts
Agricultural environments present unique risks, and our experts assess equipment safety, maintenance practices, and adherence to safe systems of work in often challenging conditions.
Manual Handling and Repetitive Strain Injuries
We undertake detailed ergonomic assessments of workplace activities, including:
- Manual handling tasks
- Repetitive movements and strain injuries
- Workplace layout and task design
- Work related upper limb disorders (WRULD)
Our reports evaluate compliance with HSE guidance and manual handling regulations, identifying whether tasks posed foreseeable risks of injury.
Railways and Trackwork
Our team has significant experience in railway accident investigation, including involvement in major incidents such as the Potters Bar rail crash. We provide expert analysis in relation to:
- Rail manufacture and material performance
- Track systems, including switches and crossings
- Rolling stock, bogies, and braking systems
- Maintenance procedures and inspection regimes
- Failures involving doors, components, and safety systems
If you would like to instruct an expert or discuss a potential personal injury matter, please contact Strange Strange & Gardner to speak with our team.
