Legal News

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a construction company, after a worker suffered crush injuries when he was hit and then run over by an excavator.

The incident occurred on the 27 November 2013 while a site at Stanney Lane in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire was being cleared – Complete Demolition Ltd had been contracted to demolish a school on the site to make way for a new leisure centre.

The incident occurred when the driver of a skip wagon was attempting to reverse the skip into an area that was already occupied by a 40-tonne excavator and was manoeuvring out of the way.

However, a worker was standing in the same area as the skip wagon and excavator – and, as the excavator moved, it hit the worker, knocking him to the ground, where its tracks ran over his left foot.

The 45-year-old father of four was severely affected by crush injuries to his foot and has undergone several operations to rebuild it – however, he is still in constant pain and is unable to work.

At Liverpool Crown Court, Complete Demolition Ltd of Stafford House, Westbury Industrial Estate in Hyde pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 – and Regulation 13(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.

The company was fined £40,000, with £7,246.95 costs.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Deborah Walker said:

“This was an entirely foreseeable incident, which could have been avoided.

“The company failed to properly plan for the duration of the works, putting pedestrians at risk.”

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – No win no fee Construction Worker Claims

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can advise construction workers who suffer injury as a result of negligence on how to make a no win no fee claim for compensation, including claims involving:

• Amputation
• Brain injury
• Burns/chemical injury
• Crush injuries
• Falls from height
• Fractures
• Hand-arm vibration
• Industrial disease
• Lacerations
• Paraplegia/quadriplegia
• RSI
• Spinal injury
• Sprains
• Vehicle accidents.

Personal injury claims have to be made within three years of injury or diagnosis of injury.

Duncan Lewis also offers supportive legal advice to bereaved families whose loved one has lost their life in a construction accident caused by negligence.

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