All employers have a legal obligation to provide a safe working environment, which includes providing employees with the necessary equipment for their tasks. Unfortunately, after 15 years of filing accident at work claims, we can confidently say that these duties aren’t always upheld.
This can be shown in a 2018 case, where our no-win, no-fee solicitors supported a labourer who was injured due to avoidable negligence while at work.
What happened?
In 2018, we represented a labourer who experienced serious injuries while working on a building site.
The claimant was instructed by his employer to remove a roof from a passageway, but was not provided with a ladder or any suitable access equipment to complete the job safely. Instead, he was told to stand on unstable breeze blocks to reach the roof.
As a result, the claimant lost his balance, which caused him to fall from a height and sustain the following injuries:
- A dislocated shoulder
- A hand injury
- Chronic pain
- Permanent damage affecting the brachial plexus
These injuries caused the labourer long-term pain and a loss of function in his arm and hand, affecting his work and quality of life.
The claims process
We decided to pursue a claim against the claimant’s employer for failure to follow health and safety procedures. The lack of safety equipment and instruction in this accident clearly demonstrated a breach of the duty of care that all employers owe to their employees.
The outcome
Proceedings took place with evidence and medical reports to support the case, allowing a settlement to be reached without the need for a trial. The claimant received £100,000 in compensation to reflect the ongoing physical impact of his injuries and the employer’s negligence.
If you have suffered from injuries caused by a fall from height due to your employer’s negligence, contact our compassionate solicitors and start your workplace accident compensation claim today.
