The Incident
Our client was working as a roofer when he fell from scaffolding, leaving him with serious injuries, including a life-changing spinal injury. His injuries were as follows:
- Acute fracture through T9 vertebral body with cord compression
- Minimally displaced wedge/impaction fracture of T10 vertebral body
- Left T9 and T10 transverse process fractures
- Comminuted fracture of the head of the left 9th rib
The Aftermath
As a young man, the incident has had a significant effect on our client’s life. Our client had to adjust to living with serious spinal injuries and being wheelchair dependant, as well as living independently for the first time, due to his parents’ home being unsuitable for his needs. This all had a huge impact on the client and his immediate family.
The Case
The case was handled by Partner and Serious Injury Solicitor, Claire Hutchinson. The case was a complex one, particularly in relation to liability, and The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) were involved in investigations. The case was complicated further by the fact the client had no memory of the incident, complicating the liability investigations. In addition, liability was denied by the defendant.
The Outcome
Despite the challenges of the case, we were able to secure a substantial settlement of almost £2.7M.
The compensation gave our client some peace of mind in relation to financial security and being out of work. It has also meant that he can fund specialist rehabilitation and physiotherapy sessions, as well as make adaptations to his home to improve accessibility.
