Work-related injury news
08/02/2011

Work-related injury puts Bristol man in wheelchair

A young construction worker, who fell through the roof of a farm building while it was being dismantled, may seek compensation from the building companies which employed him now that they have been found liable for a lack of safety precautions on the site.

The building site accident occurred at a farm at Corston, near Bath in July 2008, when the 26-year-old victim suffered a six-metre fall as the roof sheeting on which he was standing collapsed under his weight.

The crash onto a concrete floor caused head and spine injuries, meaning the man now has to rely on a wheelchair for mobility.

The building worker, from Cleeve, near Bristol, had been sub-contracted to complete the job by C W Pearce, of Martock, which, in turn, had been subcontracted by D B Gibbons (Construction) Ltd, of Bristol, for the cow shed project.

Both businesses pleaded guilty at Bath and Wansdyke Magistrates Court to breaching health and safety regulations. Pearce was fined £12,000 with £500 costs and Gibbons was fined £14,000 plus £3,500 costs.

A Health and Safety inspector said the fall could have been avoided either by taking safety measures or by not going on the roof at all.

The self-employed victim and his family may now consult a no win no fee lawyer regarding possible compensation for the life-changing fall from height.