Legal News

A Hemel Hempstead-based scaffolding company has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), after a worker sustained life changing injuries in a fall from height.

Stewart Thomas from Hemel Hempstead – who was aged 31 at the time of the incident – was working for Hemel Hempstead Scaffolding Limited.

Mr Thomas was carrying out scaffolding work in preparation for the installation of solar panels on a barn roof at Gaddesden Home Farm at Bridens Camp on Red Lion Lane on 25 July 2013, when he fell from the roof of the barn.

The father-of-one was placing scaffold boards along the roof ridge, when he fell through the fragile roof to the concrete floor 8 metres below.

He suffered multiple injuries to his head and neck, including a brain stem injury, a punctured lung, broken ribs and a lacerated liver.

Mr Thomas is now unable to talk, move, or feed himself and requires residential care.

A Health and Safety Executive investigation found Hemel Hempstead Scaffolding Limited had never provided a written method statement or risk assessment for the work.

HSE investigators also found that there were no fall protection measures in place – and there was also no appropriate supervision of inexperienced and trainee scaffolders on the site.

At St Albans Crown Court, Hemel Hempstead Scaffolding Limited of Seymour Crescent in Hemel Hempstead pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

The company was fined £110,000 – and was ordered to pay £22,596 in costs.

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Stephen Manley said:

“The company’s approach to health and safety was poor – they failed to properly and safely plan the work they were contracted to carry out, and failed to supervise inexperienced young workers.

“The particular works would have been unfamiliar to the team and so the lack of thorough supervision was lamentable.

“As a result of their failings, a young father has been left being unable to communicate or look after himself – and he will never be able to play with his young daughter.
“When working at height, there is a high likelihood of serious injury or death if safe procedures are not put in place and adequate steps taken to ensure they are followed.”

Mr Thomas’ mother, Karen Coffey, added:

“I have had to move from my home and family in Hemel Hempstead to Northamptonshire to be near Stewart.

“My other children find it very hard to see Stewart the way he is now, but along with my mother, I visit every day.

“I have also taken a job nearby that keeps me close to Stewart, but also gives me something else to concentrate on.

“My granddaughters are going to miss out so much on the things they would have done and learnt from Stewart.

“Since my son Stewart’s accident, all our lives have been dramatically changed – hopefully we can try and move forward to make Stewart’s life as best we can, with his family close by him.”

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – No win no fee Falls from Height Claims

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can advise those who suffer injury in falls from height caused by negligence on how to make a no win no fee claim for compensation, including falls relating to:

• Accidents at work
• Balcony falls
• Construction accidents
• Diving board accidents
• Elevator/lift accidents
• Falls from faulty stairways and escalators
• Holiday accidents
• Industrial accidents
• Riding accidents
• Sports accidents.

Falls from height claims have to be made within three years of injury – children can claim compensation up to the age of 21.

Duncan Lewis can also advise the families of those who have suffered catastrophic injury or lost their life in a fall from height caused by negligence on how to make a no win no fee compensation claim.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Falls from Height Claims, call Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 0333 772 0409.