Scaffolder receives six figure settlement following accident at work

The client was working as part of a team putting up scaffolding. During the work, he stepped onto a board that had not been properly secured by his colleagues and fell six metres through the scaffolding.

As a result of the fall, he suffered:

• Three fractures to his spinal column
• Damage to a spinal disc
• Four fractured ribs
• A head injury.

Because of his injuries, he spent seven weeks in hospital before eventually being discharged home on crutches.

Early on in the case, his employer admitted liability. This means they accepted that they were responsible for the man’s safety and they failed in this duty. The early admission of liability from the client’s employer meant that Michael Hayward, an associate in our personal injury team, could focus on supporting the client how he needed following the accident and allowed the client to recover. 

The injuries prevented him from working for an entire year. When he was eventually able to return, he was restricted to lighter duties and earned a lower wage than before the accident. As a result, he experienced financial difficulties and required additional support while recovering.

To soften some of the financial pressures caused by his injuries, Michael Hayward secured an interim payment from the defendant. This gave immediate financial assistance while the claim continued.

The team on this case also gathered expert medical evidence from a spinal surgeon and psychiatrist. Following recommendations from the spinal surgeon,  further interim payments were secured to fund specialist physiotherapy aimed at supporting his rehabilitation and recovery.

Although this client was eventually able to return to work, his injuries continued to affect his ability to carry out some of the more physical aspects of scaffolding work, including climbing ladders. This raised concerns about his long-term employability within the industry.

Despite these challenges, he remained focused on his future and began making plans to retrain through a university civil engineering course, with the aim of moving into a more supervisory role.

The defendant’s insurers gave a substantial settlement offer initially. However, the team and the client did not believe the offer properly reflected the impact of the injuries, especially the risks they posed to the client’s future employment prospects.

While further medical evidence could have been gathered, there was no certainty that it would result in a higher level of compensation. Following careful discussions, the client decided he wanted to resolve the claim and focus on moving forward with his future plans.

The team successfully highlighted the ongoing impact the injuries could have on they client’s ability to work in the future. By doing so, they were able to negotiate a significant increase on the insurer’s original offer.

The improved settlement allowed the client to draw a line under the accident, concentrate on his recovery and pursue his plans to retrain and build a new career path.

Our client accepted a six-figure settlement that reflected the impact the accident had on his life and employment, as well as future prospects. The compensation provided financial security at a difficult time and enabled him to focus on rehabilitation and retraining.

Most importantly, the settlement gave him the opportunity to move forward with confidence and pursue a future career in civil engineering after a life-changing workplace accident.

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury in an accident at work, we’re here to help. Our specialist serious injury solicitors can help you access the rehabilitation and support you need to move forward with confidence. Get in touch today for free, confidential advice about your situation.