Our client was working as a vehicle builder for Alexander Dennis Limited in Falkirk when he was struck by a falling object. He was referred to Thompsons Solicitors in Scotland so that we could pursue a personal injury compensation claim on his behalf.

The background

In March 2019, our client had been working with colleagues on the assembly line, working on a double-decker bus.

At the time of the accident at work, our client and his colleagues were preparing to attach the side of a bus onto its chassis. The side, weighing around 250 kilos, had been lifted onto two stands as they awaited the arrival of the chassis along the line. The stands have prongs at the base to hold them in place. As he waited, our client walked to a tool cage to retrieve a monobolt gun and as he traversed back towards the assembly line, the bus side came free from the stands and fell onto him.

The side panel hit our client on his back, below his left shoulder. Our client was pushed down onto his side. Once he had freed himself from under the panel, he tried to stand up but found that he was unable to put weight on his left ankle.

Various colleagues came to assist our client and an ambulance was called.

The consequences

The assembly line worker was taken to Forth Valley Royal Hospital where he was x-rayed. Thankfully, he had not suffered any fractures or crush injuries, however he had suffered soft tissue injuries to his ribs, hip, and knee. He had also suffered a sprained ankle and a cut to his back, which left a permanent scar.

Our client was unable to work for around two weeks after the accident at work. He lost overtime payments as a result.

When he returned to work our client was informed that an investigation into the accident had found that a pin which held one of the bottom prongs in place in the stand had snapped. Since the accident, our client's employer has introduced a regime of safety checks for the stands.

The Settlement

The work accident solicitors at Thompsons intimated a claim against Alexander Dennis Ltd with reference to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Liability was admitted prior to litigation and a compensation settlement sum of £10,500 was agreed on 17th June 2021.