£90,000 compensation award for fall

A scaffolder who broke ribs, injured his spine, damaged his left shoulder and suffered several fractures after a fall at work has secured a £90,000 out of court settlement from his employer.

The fall happened at Drax Power Station in Selby, North Yorkshire, where Trevor Cox was employed by Cape Industrial Services.  Cape disputed liability for the accident. 

It was Mr Cox's first day at work at the power station.  He had been standing on a plastic platform dismantling scaffolding when he fell through the platform.  He had assumed the platform was metal and would hold his weight.  He had received no warning from his employer that the platform was a risk.

Mr Cox was off work for eight months following the accident.  He is partially disabled in his arm and has had move abroad to secure alternative work.

Frank Moan, Head of Litigation at D P Roberts Hughes & Denye, comments,

"This case highlights the lengths that employers must go to in ensuring the safety of their staff.  For new employees full training and induction should be implemented to alert them to any possible dangers, no matter how small."