We've been featured in:

  • bbc logo
  • daily mail logo
  • itv logo
  • skynews logo

Faulty Automatic Door Injury Claims Guide – How To Claim Compensation? – How Much Can I Claim?

By Olivia Friar. Last Updated 8th July 2025. Welcome to our faulty automatic door injury claims guide.

Have you suffered a faulty automatic door injury? Whether this happened in a lift, a hotel, a supermarket, or somewhere else, you may be eligible to claim compensation for your injuries if they were caused by inadequate maintenance or unsafe manufacturing.

This guide will explain what you need to know if you are considering making such a claim. Included below is guidance on the safety standards for such doors, as well as potential injuries that could result from an accident involving an automatic door. You will also find information about how to go about making a claim and what personal injury compensation can cover.

If you would like further guidance or help making faulty automatic door injury claims, please do not hesitate to get in touch:

faulty automatic door injury claims

Select A Section

A Guide To Making A Faulty Automatic Door Injury Claim

Automatic doors can be found in a variety of places, including offices, hotels, and shops. While they make entering and leaving places easy, if they malfunction in some way, they could cause injuries ranging from cuts and bruising to amputations.

If you have suffered an injury due to a faulty automatic door, you may be wondering whether you could claim compensation. In this guide, you can find the answers to questions, such as:

  • An automatic door hit me at work, who could I claim compensation from?
  • How much compensation could I receive for my injuries?
  • Do I have to pay upfront for assistance from a personal injury lawyer?

We will also discuss the safety standards related to automatic doors and how maintenance and servicing play a role in keeping these doors safe for their users. Also included below is information about how we could help you claim compensation for an automatic door injury.

What Is A Faulty Automatic Door Accident?

Before we look at faulty automatic door injury claims, let’s look at what these types of accidents could look like.

Convenient and easy to use, automatic doors can be found in many different places, such as supermarkets, retail outlets, office buildings, hotels, cinemas and restaurants, to name but a few. They are usually in operation for long periods, allowing people to pass through. However, this constant operation means they can break down, making regular maintenance and servicing necessary.

If there is an error in manufacturing such a door, or the proper maintenance and repair are not conducted, it could lead to a faulty automatic door accident. Whether you have been trapped in a door that was closing or hit by a door that was opening, the force of the mechanism and the weight of the door could cause injuries. If you have sustained injuries from automatic doors that were not manufactured, maintained or repaired appropriately, you may be able to claim compensation.

Powered And Automatic Door Safety

Next in our faulty automatic door injury claims guide, let’s look at powered and automatic door safety.

There are several responsibilities that parties responsible for commercial/industrial premises have. One of these is the safety of those using their premises, and this includes entering and leaving. If a person responsible for the premises finds that a door is not working properly, it is their responsibility to make sure that the door is not used until such time as it can be serviced or repaired.

They should also ensure that the doors are maintained according to the instructions of the manufacturer. Those responsible for premises should also undertake regular checks as to the safe operation of their doors. If any work needs to be done to install, maintain or repair such doors, they may require the use of a competent contractor to make sure this is done correctly.

A competent contractor is one who understands the risks pertaining to powered doors, as well as the law concerning the supply of the doors. They should install the doors in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and check and adjust them as necessary to ensure they are safe.

For more information on faulty automatic door injury claims, please read on.

What Safety Requirements Are There?

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the UK’s workplace regulator for health and safety, requirements for powered doors mean they should be:

  • Properly designed with consideration being given to the environment they are to be used in, whether vulnerable people would use them, their intended use, and the potential for misuse.
  • Manufactured and put together to the required legal safety standards.
  • Supplied with documentation that includes the instructions for use.
  • Installed and maintained properly by a competent contractor.
  • Inspected and maintained for safety if in a workplace. If in buildings such as residential complexes, powered doors must meet safety standards for persons who are not employed.
  • Checked and maintained, adjusted and repaired to ensure ongoing safety.
  • If found to be dangerous, immediately prohibited from use until safety concerns have been eradicated.

Please continue reading to learn more about faulty automatic door injury claims.

Liability For Accidents And Injuries In Automatic Doors

If you have been injured by a faulty automatic door, you may wonder who could be liable for your door accident claim. This could depend on the reason for the fault in the automatic door. For example, if the failure of a premises owner to properly arrange for someone to service and repair a door led to your faulty automatic door injury, this could lead to them being held liable for your claim.

What Is The Machinery Directive?

The Machinery Directive is an HSE-issued directive covering the safety of machinery at work, including automatic powered doors. Within this directive, automatic doors must be safe for employees and visitors and operated safely. That would mean they would have to be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.

If you were injured in an accident at work due to machinery that was not to the standard required within the directive, you could potentially hold your employer or the premises owner liable. To learn more about making faulty automatic door injury claims, please continue reading.

UK And European Regulations Relating To Automatic Doors

There are various guidelines governing the operation of automatic doors, such as:

  1. BS EN 16005 – This is a European standard that is, effectively, the code of safety that covers automatic doors used by pedestrians. All doors of this type installed from April 2013 are required to comply with these standards.
  2. BS 7036 – This British standard was superseded by BS EN 16005. However, doors installed before April 2013 would be required to comply with parts 1-5 of this. It provides guidance on the provision, safe operation, safeguarding, installation and maintenance of powered doors.

Whatever standard applied to the door you were injured by, if poor manufacturing or maintenance led to you suffering a faulty automatic door injury, we could assess your case to see if you could be eligible to claim compensation.

If you’re unsure who is responsible, one of our knowledgeable advisors will be able to provide guidance tailored to your specific circumstances.

Hand And Wrist Injuries In Faulty Automatic Door Accidents

A hand injury or wrist injury could be considered a common consequence of an accident in an automatic door and could give you grounds to make faulty automatic door injury claims.

Your upper limbs could be the first line of defence if you feel that you are going to be hit by a door, and if you put your hands out to stop a faulty door from closing, it could be that your hand or wrist becomes caught or even crushed. This could not only cause fractures but could also lead to damage to nerves and tendons in the hand and wrist. In severe cases, crush injuries could lead to amputation.

Whether your fingers were caught in a door that malfunctioned, or your hand was trapped or crushed, if someone else could be held liable for your automatic door injury, you could be entitled to compensation.

Back And Spine Injuries In Faulty Automatic Door Accidents

If there was an impact from an abrupt closure of an automatic door, it could cause a person to fall over and give them grounds to make faulty automatic door injury claims.

Depending on how badly the injured party fell, they could suffer injuries ranging from bruises to severe spinal injuries. If you have suffered a back injury, even if it feels only minor at the time, it could lead to continuing pain and suffering over time. Back injuries could also prevent you from undertaking physical activities and could affect your ability to work.

Whether you suffered a minor or severe back injury from a faulty automatic door, claiming compensation could mean you could claim for loss of earnings and physiotherapy costs as well as receiving compensation for the suffering and pain of your injury. We’ll come to this below.

Nose Injuries Caused By Faulty Automatic Door Accidents

As a prominent feature of our face, the nose could also bear the brunt of automatic door accidents and give you grounds to make faulty automatic door injury claims if injured.

While a broken nose may not seem like a serious injury to some, it would certainly cause pain and could cause breathing issues, which may need surgery to fix. If you have suffered a nose injury due to negligent automatic door safety, whether due to a manufacturing error or poor maintenance of the door, we could help you claim compensation for your injuries.

Traumatic Head And Brain Injuries Caused By Faulty Automatic Door Accidents

A head injury could also occur in an accident with an automatic door. The mechanisms in some of these doors could be considered quite forceful, and if your head is hit with enough force, it may leave you with more than just a headache. If you have suffered a heavy blow to the head due to a faulty automatic door, this could, in severe cases, lead to a traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic Amputations Caused By A Faulty Automatic Door Accident

There are two types of amputations that might occur due to an accident with an automatic door. One would be if a crush injury led to a limb or digit not being able to be saved. This would be referred to as a surgical amputation. However, if a door closed with enough force, it could potentially lead to a traumatic amputation of a person’s digits or limbs at the scene of the accident.

Whether your faulty automatic door injury has led to you losing a toe, finger or limb, this could be devastating to deal with. While compensation would not cancel out the loss of a body part, it could go some way towards helping you to move on after such a devastating accident.

To learn more about making faulty automatic door injury claims, please read on.

Foot Injuries Caused By Faulty Automatic Doors

Other injuries from automatic doors may include foot or toe injuries. If your foot or toe has been caught in a faulty automatic door, it could lead to a wide range of issues that could have a marked effect on your life, both in the short and long term. Broken bones may restrict your ability to walk for some time, for example, while complex crush injuries may even lead to you losing your toe or foot if it cannot be saved.

If you have suffered foot or toe injuries due to a lack of proper care and attention to automatic door safety by a liable party, you may be able to claim compensation.

Faulty Automatic Door Injury Claims Calculator

Next in our faulty automatic door injury claims guide, let’s look at the amount of compensation you could be entitled to.

A common question that often crops up with accident claims is ‘how much compensation could I receive for my injuries?’. Unfortunately, you would not be able to get an accurate sum from a personal injury claims calculator, as all claims are assessed on a case-by-case basis. 

In faulty automatic door injury claims, the injured party may need an assessment from an independent medical expert. Your medical notes will be reviewed, and you may need to undergo an examination to confirm the extent of your injuries. 

Our solicitors also use the Judicial College Guidelines to assess the potential value of a claimant’s injuries, which are covered under general damages. That is because the JCG document publishes suggested compensation brackets for a wide variety of injuries and their severities.

We have included some brackets in the table below to provide guidance. However, keep in mind that the top figure isn’t from the JCG, and the table doesn’t guarantee compensation.

InjuryGuideline Compensation Bracket
Multiple Very Severe Injuries and Financial Losses (Like Medical Expenses)Up to £1,000,000 plus
Very Severe Brain Damage£344,150 to £493,000
Paraplegia£267,340 to £346,890
Loss of 1 Arm (i)Not Less Than £167,380
Less Severe Arm Injury£23,430 to £47,810
Below-Knee Amputation of 1 Leg£119,570 to £162,290
Severe (iii) Serious Leg Injuries£47,840 to £66,920
Amputation of Index and Middle and/or Ring Fingers£75,550 to £110,750
Severe Foot Injuries£51,220 to £85,460
Severe Toe Injuries£16,770 to £25,710

If you would like to discuss the specifics of your faulty automatic door injury, please reach out to our team over the phone or via the live chat on your screen. 

Special Damages For Door Accidents And Injuries

You may also claim for special damages as part of your faulty automatic door injury claims. These damages are meant to compensate you for any financial expenses and losses incurred due to your injuries. They could include:

  • Travel expenses – If you travelled to medical appointments or for a meeting with your lawyer, the travel costs associated with these journeys could be included within your claim.
  • Medical expenses – If you have costs for prescription medicines, physiotherapy or counselling, for example, as a direct result of your injuries, these costs could also be claimed for.
  • Loss of earnings – For those with injuries preventing them from returning to work, future loss of earnings could be claimed for.
  • Care costs – For instance, you might have needed help from professionals or loved ones with preparing meals or doing other day-to-day activities

It is crucial that you have evidence of the costs you are claiming as special damages, such as bills, receipts, payslips and bank statements. Such proof can be provided to your solicitor to be included in your faulty automatic door claim. 

Do I Need Evidence To Support A Faulty Automatic Door Injury Claim?

Yes, you will need to obtain evidence to support your faulty automatic door injury claim. Evidence creates a foundation for establishing how the third party was responsible for your injuries. Without sufficient proof, it may be difficult to prove third-party liability or secure compensation for an automatic door injury. 

Some examples of the types of evidence that may support automatic door injury claims include:

  • A copy of your medical records that states your injuries 
  • Photographs of your injuries and the faulty door
  • CCTV footage of your accident  
  • A copy of the accident report book in which your injuries were noted
  • Correspondence relevant to your claim, such as a confirmation that the door was faulty 
  • Copies of hazard investigations, maintenance reports, or a report from the fire brigade if they were called 
  • The contact details of anyone who witnessed how you sustained your injuries. That information can be given to your solicitor in order for them to collect supporting statements

The more proof you have at your disposal, the greater the chance you have of reaching a successful settlement. Understandably, you may still be recovering from your injuries and might be worried about the process of collecting evidence. If you require assistance in obtaining evidence, one of our solicitors can provide whatever help you need with the task of proving a claim. 

For more guidance on the evidence that may support your claim, please reach out to our friendly advisors.

No Win, No Fee Faulty Automatic Door Injury Claims

Are you interested in getting legal help to make faulty automatic door injury claims without spiralling solicitor fees? If so, you may be relieved to know that there is a way to limit those fees.

With the Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) offered by our solicitors, you will not be charged a solicitor’s fee to get started with a claim or to move a case forward. This type of No Win No Fee agreement also ensures you won’t be charged such fees if your claim fails.

Under a CFA, you’ll only need to pay your solicitor a success fee if you win your claim. This fee is a capped percentage of your compensation, ensuring you keep the majority of what you receive.

To learn more about how to make faulty automatic door injury claims with help from our team, please read on.

Why Choose Our Team?

Interested in seeing how Legal Expert could help you make faulty automatic door injury claims?

We recognise that claimants have numerous options available to them when it comes to making a claim, but we believe we are well-positioned to offer a service that eases the stress of pursuing compensation.

Not only could we provide you with answers to questions relating to your case for free, but we could also offer a free case check to see if we think your claim could result in compensation. If we believe it could, we could connect you with a specialist personal injury solicitor with the expertise to fight for the maximum compensation possible for your case.

We have helped many claimants successfully claim compensation for their injuries, and many of our clients have rated our service very highly, complimenting our professionalism and empathy. We’d be glad to provide you with a service that really does take the stress out of making a claim and helps you secure the compensation you deserve.

Start Your Faulty Automatic Door Injury Claim

It’s easy to get help with faulty automatic door injury claims from Legal Expert’s team of friendly advisors. All you need to do to get started is to use the contact details below:

Faulty Automatic Door Injury Claims FAQs

Continue reading for answers to some frequently asked questions about faulty automatic door injury claims.

Is There A Time Limit On Injury Claims?

Yes, there is a 3-year time limit for starting personal injury claims, which typically begins from the date of the accident.

What Can You Claim Compensation For?

There are 2 types of damage you could be compensated for as part of a personal injury claim; general damages (for physical or psychological harm) and special damages (for financial impact). However, as mentioned, you’ll need evidence proving that impact.

How Do I Claim For An Injury?

If you’re interested in making a claim, you can get started by reaching out to our team for a free initial consultation.

Essential References

Please also take a moment to read some of our other articles:

Further resources:

Thank you for reading our guide to faulty automatic door injury claims.

Written by Jeffries

Edited by Billing