We acted for a scaffolder in his 50’s, who sustained a knee injury when a temporary ‘step’, made using scaffolding planks, gave way causing him to fall.
Our client was forced to use site materials to make his own step, as his employer had not provided him with the correct equipment. The employer argued that our client was an experienced scaffolder, who should have known better than to improvise in a way that was unsafe and so was the ‘author of his own misfortune’.
Liability was denied throughout. Court proceedings were issued. Following a settlement meeting, we were able to agree that the blame would be split on a 75/25 basis, with our client accepting 25% of the responsibility for the accident.
S J Edney Solicitors obtained compensation of £20,000 in 2017, with the client receiving 75% of this sum.