Switalskis Personal Injury team successfully secured a £235,000 settlement for a construction worker after a severe workplace injury impacted his quality of life.

Our client was dismantling a pylon when a section attached to a crane swung round and hit him. The accident, which took place at the grounds of Grimsby Town Football Club, resulted in significant injuries for our client, impacting his ability to work and his overall quality of life.

John McQuater , joint head of personal injury at Switalskis and APIL senior fellow, managed the claim.

Recognising the severity of his situation, John quickly took full instructions, assessed the incident, and identified a strong basis for a claim based on workplace safety violations.

Next steps:

• Drafting the claim: we meticulously prepared a letter of claim, highlighting the relevant health and safety breaches. This step was crucial in obtaining an early admission of liability from the responsible parties.
• Interim payments: to alleviate financial stress during his recovery, we secured interim payments to support our client while he was unable to work.
• Evidence collection and court proceedings: we gathered updated medical evidence and factual witness statements to support the significant impact of the injuries. court proceedings were initiated to ensure all aspects of the claim were thoroughly addressed.
• Comprehensive damages schedule: a detailed schedule of damages was prepared, reflecting various potential assessments by the court, ensuring all losses were accounted for.

Negotiating the settlement

As the final hearing approached, the defendants made several settlement offers. Initially proposing simultaneously, no doubt for tactical reasons, offers of £140,000 and £123,500, one of which had a strict time limit. Our team advised the client to stand firm, believing a higher settlement was justified and guiding the client through these familiar tactics.

Persistence paid off. We were able to secure a final offer of £235,000, reflecting the severity of injuries and losses.

Conclusion

The successful resolution of our clients case underscores the importance of expert legal representation in personal injury claims. At Switalskis, we're committed to fighting for the maximum compensation our clients deserve.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a workplace accident, contact us today. Let us help you secure the justice and compensation you are entitled to. Call 0800 138 0458 or email help@switalskis.com