Twenty-Year-Old Instructs Workplace Accident Lawyers To Issue High Court Legal Case And Help Him Access Specialist Rehabilitation

An apprentice electrician who suffered a serious brain injury at work has revealed the “devastating” impact the incident has had on his life. 

Liam Hamilton suffered a traumatic brain injury and fractured skull when he was struck on the head by a load which had fallen off a forklift truck in windy conditions on a building site off Tayfen Road in Bury St Edmunds. He was wearing a safety helmet.

The 20-year-old of Ware, Hertfordshire, was taken to hospital where he underwent emergency brain surgery. Liam spent a month in hospital before being discharged home to live with parents Melanie, 47, and Andy, 58. 

Workplace injury lawyers supporting Liam

Liam has instructed expert workplace injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help investigate the incident and secure him access to the specialist support, and rehabilitation he requires 

Liam, who suffers ongoing cognitive, strength and balance problems, has now spoken for the first time about the impact of his injury and how he fears he will not be able to return to his job as an apprentice electrician. 

High Court proceedings issued

It comes after Irwin Mitchell issued High Court proceedings against Weston Homes plc, whose site Liam was working on when he was injured on 21 February, 2022. 

Expert Opinion

“The last few months and coming to terms with the devastating injuries Liam suffered has been incredibly difficult for not only him, but also his family.

“While thanks to the expertise of the doctors, Liam has started to make some progress, he still faces an incredibly uncertain future and many challenges ahead.

“Understandably he has a number of concerns about how he was injured. Construction companies have a legal duty to ensure the safety of workers on site and we’re investigating whether more could have done to prevent Liam’s injuries.

“We’re determined to provide Liam with the answers he deserves and access to the specialist support he needs to make the best recovery possible. Therefore, we call on Weston Homes to work with us to resolve this case as soon as possible, allowing Liam to focus on his recovery.” Sarah Griggs

Brain injury: Liam Hamilton's story

Liam had just stepped out of a doorway when a load, believed to have fallen from a pallet being carried on a forklift truck, toppled several storeys onto him. 

He was taken to hospital by ambulance. Liam was put in an induced coma for four days. 

Following his discharge he remains under the care of neurosurgeons. In December he suffered a seizure. As a result, he is taking anticonvulsant medication. 

In court documents Irwin Mitchell argue that Weston Homes was responsible for a number of health and safety breaches. These include that it failed to enforce a safe system of moving materials around the site, it failed to properly instruct workers about safe ways of working and that the company didn’t enforce a proper exclusion zone to prevent people being in an area where there was the risk of falling materials.

Weston Homes also failed to carry out sufficient health and safety assessments, provide suitable machinery for lifting materials at height and failed to ensure work at height was only carried out when weather conditions didn’t risk the safety of workers, lawyers argue.

Apprentice electrician reveals impact brain injury has had

Liam, a former Richard Hale school pupil, said: “I can’t remember what happened other than waking up in hospital and being told about the incident. 

“It was then that the severity of what happened slowly started to sink in. Before the accident I was just like a lot of people my age. I enjoyed going out with my friends, watching football, boxing and playing golf. However, that’s all changed now. 

“I’m a lot more reserved and tend to avoid going out to busy places. I find it difficult to balance and struggle with simple things like walking and talking at the same time; things most people take for granted.  

“I have memory and concentration problems and can lose track of what I’m saying mid-sentence. I’m now a lot more reliant on my parents to help me. 

“It has been really difficult to come to terms with what has happened to me over the last year. One of the hardest things is not knowing what the future holds. 

“I really enjoyed my job and loved going to work, but now I don’t know whether it’s something I’ll be able to return to because of my ongoing issues. 

“My job was quite physical and the ongoing balance issues mean I’m not sure if I’d be able to work at height or reach overhead. I’m also worried whether I’d be able to problem-solve some of the issues that the job throws up. 

“Despite everything I try and remain focused on my recovery but it’s difficult having to live with my ongoing symptoms and questions around whether more should have been done to prevent my injuries. 

“While I can’t change what’s happened, I feel that the least I deserve is answers.”

A separate Health and Safety Executive investigation is ongoing into the incident.

Find out more about our expertise in supporting people access rehabilitation following a brain injury at our dedicated brain injury claims section. Alternatively to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.