Man Seriously Injured In 2010 Incident

Fred Lewis Scaffold Company has been fined £10,000 and order to pay costs of £19,000 after a worker suffered serious injuries in a fall from height in Stoke-on-Trent.

Gary Hampton, 28, suffered multiple leg, hand and back injuries in the incident in April 2010, when he fell seven metres through the fragile roof of a factory in Newstead Industrial Estate while installing scaffolding at the site.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive revealed that the firm failed to prepare for the job correctly and also failed to adequately supervise or train employees in relation to the work.

Irwin Mitchell’s specialist workplace injury team represent people who have been injured in accidents at work, including a number of people who have suffered serious injuries in falls from height.

Stephen Nye, a workplace injury expert and Partner at the national law firm’s Birmingham office, said: “Falls from height caused by serious safety failings are among the most common reasons why we are contacted for help.

“This terrible case demonstrates why firms need to ensure they are doing everything they can to keep their workers safe from harm when working at height, providing the best possible training and supervision to ensure all potential risks are considered.

“Time and again we see the same problems have devastating, life-changing consequences for workers. Employers in the construction industry need to learn lessons from these types of work accidents.”

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