We are pleased to report a recent successful personal injury claim that underscores the vital importance of workplace safety and the employer’s duty to protect their employees.

On 8 April 2022, our client, who was employed as a welder/fabricator, was working at a site in Chapeltown. During his duties, he and his colleagues attempted to lift a girder onto a plastic scaffold platform that had been erected by the site foreman to assist in positioning the girder. As our client climbed the scaffold and began lifting the girder, the platform suddenly collapsed, resulting in significant soft tissue injuries to his spine, elbow, wrist, and shoulder.

A post-accident investigation revealed that one of the scaffold legs had broken, causing the collapse. Despite initial claims by the foreman that the incident was our client’s fault, it became evident that the root cause lay elsewhere.

Safety failures

Our client's injuries, losses, and expenses were directly linked to the negligence and breach of duty by the employer. Several critical failures contributed to the accident, including the absence of a safe procedure for lifting the girder, the use of an inadequate plastic scaffold, lack of proper inspection and maintenance of the equipment, insufficient safety gear, and inadequate training and supervision.

This case highlights the crucial need for employers to comply with safety regulations and prioritise the well-being of their employees. The employer’s failure to provide a safe working environment and proper equipment led to their liability for our client’s injuries.

Our client’s successful claim serves as a powerful reminder that safety must always be a top priority in the workplace. Employers are obligated to take all necessary precautions to prevent harm to their employees.

Katrina Elsey, the senior associate who handled this claim, commented, “This case underscores the critical importance of workplace safety and the duty of employers to safeguard their employees. Every effort must be made to ensure lessons are learned from accidents such as this, so businesses and their staff can move forward and look to a safer future.”

If you’ve been injured in an accident at work, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact us for confidential, no obligation advice. Call Switalskis on 0800 138 0458 or email help@switalskis.com