British Scaffolder Receives Substantial Amount Following Injury

A British scaffolder severely disabled following a workplace accident received a substantial sum in compensation after help from his trade union.

According to Thompsons Solicitors, the 35-year-old worker spent four years in a hospital after suffering serious brain damage in an accident while working for Powertherm Access Services. The employer eventually settled the claim out of court almost five years after the man dropped 20 feet when a scaffolding gantry, designed to hold weights of up to a ton, collapsed with just him on it. WCxKit

The platform had reportedly been built using the wrong type of bolts and the bolts failed when the worker stood on it causing him catastrophic injuries and his family was initially told he would not survive.

Despite making considerable improvements the man is still severely disabled. His brain injury affected his ability to walk, talk and use his upper limbs. However he has made significant improvements and is now able to walk with assistance, talk and has use of his upper limbs.

Following his accident his mother contacted his trade union, Unite, which instructed its lawyers Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim for compensation. Thompsons was able to secure several interim payments from Powertherm Access Services before settling the claim out of court.

Powertherm is now trying to recover those costs from Belgian contractor Montage Vermeesen who was responsible for building the platform.

\
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. Contact: [email protected] or 860-553-6604.

WC Roundtable LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?homeNewMember=&gid=1922050/

Return to Work Calculator: http://www.LowerWC.com/transitional-duty-cost-calculator.php
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker or agent about workers’ comp issues.
©2010 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law.