Case 'Highlights Life-Changing Impact Of Accidents'

The case of a roofing contractor who broke his back while working on a construction project highlights the devastating impact that workplace injuries can have, a lawyer at Irwin Mitchell has suggested.

James Thompson of Wallington, Surrey has been fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,000 over the incident, which saw a 41-year-old man fall through the skylight of a building extension in south-west London in 2006.

An investigation revealed that Thompson, who was supervising work on the site and traded as James Thompson Carpentry and Building, failed to make use of a number of measures which could have prevented the fall.

The injured worker, a former judo fighter and rugby player, can now only walk short distances and will not be able to return to work in the construction sector.

David Urpeth, national head of workplace injuries at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Falls from height are a major category of serious and fatal injuries. Those injured are often left with physical and emotional scars that have a life-changing impact.

“Such risks are perhaps most prevalent in the construction industry, so it is vital that steps are taken to ensure projects are correctly assessed in an effort to prevent accidents.

“Lessons must be learnt from this terrible work accident to ensure that no other construction workers face the same kinds of problems again.”

If you or a loved one has been injured due to a fall from height at work, our expert workplace accident solicitors could help you to secure compensation. See our Fall From Height Claims page for more information.