£62,388 awarded for injuries from a 35 foot fall | Case Study

£62,388 was awarded to a 18 year old man for injuries caused by a serious fall accident while crossing a factory roof.

Injury details

The claimant who was 11 at the date of the accident climbed on to a factory roof to recover a football Whilst on the roof the claimant stepped on a skylight which was not strong enough to take his weight. It cracked and the boy fell. It was some 35 feet to the floor of the factory and the claimant sustained serious injuries

As well as a fracture to his arm and general scratches and bruises the claimant took a serious blow to the head causing a skull fracture haemorrhaging and a swelling of the brain

The claimant spent 10 days in intensive care and a total of 18 days in hospital.

On returning home his family noticed changes. The claimant was unduly anxious and struggled with memory and fatigue. His parents believed that his mental capacity was diminished.

Allegation

It was alleged that the defendant was negligent under their occupier's liability insofar as they failed to secure and maintain their premises to a sufficiently high standard to prevent accidental injury to persons walking on the roof.

The claimant maintained that he suffered his injuries as a result of the defendant's negligence.

The medical evidence confirmed the injuries sustained and an increased chance of contracting epilepsy. It also confirmed that there would be long term effects as he struggled to deal with the mental problems that he had.

The claimant instructed solicitors to help him with his claim for Personal Injury. The defendants were not prepared to admit liability so the case progressed to a Court hearing.

The claimant was successful and as a result compensation of £21,500 was awarded by the Court award for "pain, suffering and loss of amenity". A further £40,888 was awarded made up of compensation for the claimant's disadvantage in the open labour market.