Last updated on November 30th, 2021 at 12:31 pm

Craig, an experienced roofer of six years was working for Malden Roofing Ltd and was replacing the roof at Paradise Square Chambers, Paradise Square in Sheffield with three colleagues.  He was on the top platform of the scaffolding, which had been erected by Hallam Scaffolding Ltd, removing the old asphalt.  Unfortunately, the hatch that leads to the top platform had been left open and as Craig moved along the platform to drop the asphalt down the chute to the ground, his foot, followed by the rest of his body, went through the hatch and Craig plummeted 30 feet to the next platform below, narrowly missing the spiked Edwardian light fitting on the wall of Paradise Chambers.

Dazed, winded and unable to breath, Craig tried to stand up, but that is when he saw the real damage he had sustained.  His leg bent and gave way and he could see that it was swinging loosely at 90 degrees below his knee, clearly unattached to the rest of his leg.

Ambulances, paramedics and 3 fire engines, including an environmental safety engine, attended the scene, and it took firemen (who were astonished that there were not more platforms between the one that Craig fell from and the one he landed on) 20 minutes to winch Craig to the ground.  Craig was taken to hospital where he stayed for 12 days, suffering from fractures to the leg in the tibia and fibula as well as back and shoulder impact injuries.  After three casts Craig eventually had an Ilizarov frame with 20 pins fitted to his leg where it stayed for eight months – followed by a second one for two months (An Ilizarov is an external frame using a combination of stainless steel rings, wires and threaded rods held together with nuts.)  He also suffered severe pain for a long time as well as depression and anxiety.

Graysons WE’s personal injury experts won the large sum of compensation for Craig.  A solicitor said:

“I won’t forget the day of Craig’s fall: it happened opposite our offices and before our very eyes. This was a bad fall from height with significant injuries.  Craig was really very lucky to survive.  His significant injuries, suffering and prolonged recovery were caused by his own employer’s negligence.  The injuries may have been less severe had the scaffolding been erected with the correct number of platforms in it and would have been avoided entirely had the trap door on top of the scaffolding not been left open.  Craig more than deserved this award which we hope will assist his recovery from his injuries as well as recompense his loss of earnings. There was a silver lining in all this; Craig couldn’t have picked a better to place to have this accident – in a square filled with solicitors and barristers offices!  We had photographs of the unsafe scaffolding before Craig was even off in the ambulance although we didn’t quite imagine we would end up representing him.”

Craig says:

“Straight after the accident I was in agony and was given morphine, though I am not sure it had kicked in by the time the ambulance men straightened my leg as the pain was horrendous!  The accident was a big shock to me and I know that I was lucky to be alive.  I was in pain for a long time after and couldn’t work for almost two years.  I have also suffered from depression and nightmares.  I am so pleased that Graysons took up my case.  They have been fantastic and won me far more compensation that I had expected.  They were very thorough.  I would be happy to use Graysons services again if I ever need them and more than happy to recommend them”

If you are looking for the best possible result following an accident and injurie please contact our personal injury experts now.