Thompsons Solicitors Scotland successfully represented a construction worker who suffered a serious back injury after being instructed to manually carry heavy fire doors at work without a safe system in place.
Case Summary
This workplace accident claim involved a construction worker employed by Robertson Homes as a head labourer. He suffered a serious back injury while carrying heavy fire doors weighing around 70kg to 90kg up several flights of stairs at a construction site in Wester Craigs. The employer’s insurers denied liability, but Thompsons Solicitors Scotland investigated the accident, challenged that position and secured compensation for the client.
Background to the Claim
Our client worked as a head labourer, with duties including cleaning units, delegating tasks to other labourers, carrying out health and safety checks on site, and checking scaffolding.
At the time of the accident, work was being carried out at a Robertson construction site in Wester Craigs. The site involved the renovation of an old building into flats and houses.
The client was instructed to move heavy fire doors upstairs by the end of the day. These doors would normally be moved using a forklift and taken in through windows to avoid manual handling. However, the windows had already been installed, meaning this safer method was no longer available.
The client explained that moving the doors was not normally his job. The task should have been carried out by the relevant contractors. Despite this, he was told the doors had to be taken upstairs, but he was not given proper instructions, a risk assessment, suitable equipment, or a safe system of work.
How the Accident Happened
There were seven fire doors and frames to move, each weighing approximately 70kg to 90kg. They had to be carried from the ground floor up to the second or third floor using a stairwell with tight turns and narrow landings.
The client found someone to help him and began carrying the doors upstairs. While moving the fifth door, he had to twist his body awkwardly to complete a 180-degree turn in the stairwell. As he twisted while holding the heavy door, he felt a sharp shooting pain in his back.
He immediately put the door down and reported the injury to his site manager. He later contacted his GP and was initially advised that it may be a torn muscle. However, his symptoms worsened over the following weeks.
Impact of the Injury
The injury had a major impact on the client’s life. His condition deteriorated, and he began to lose strength in his left leg. He required a back brace, medication, physiotherapy and chiropractic treatment.
An MRI scan later showed that he had suffered a bulging disc affecting the sciatic nerve. He was seen at Raigmore Hospital and underwent discectomy surgery.
The client was left using crutches for several months and was unable to work for a significant period. Before the accident, he was earning a weekly wage, but after the accident he was left relying on sick pay, causing financial pressure and debt.
The injury also affected his family life. He needed help with washing, dressing, tying his shoes, household chores and day-to-day care. His partner had to take on additional responsibilities at home, including caring for their children.
Thompsons Stepped In After Insurers Denied Liability
The employer’s insurers denied liability and argued that the client’s back injury was caused by a separate incident involving lifting water bottles in a weightlifting competition.
The client strongly disputed this. He explained that he was already using crutches at the time the insurers claimed the other incident occurred and could not have lifted anything in that way.
Before contacting Thompsons, the client had instructed another personal injury law firm in Scotland. That firm investigated the accident but declined to continue after the insurers denied liability.
The client then contacted Thompsons Solicitors Scotland. Our team carried out a fresh investigation, reviewed the evidence and pursued the claim against his employer. We did not accept the insurer’s position and continued to argue that the injury was caused by an unsafe manual handling task at work.
Thompsons argued that the client should never have been asked to manually carry extremely heavy fire doors up several flights of stairs without proper planning, equipment or a safe system of work.
Thompsons Fights On and Secures Compensation
This case highlights the importance of instructing specialist personal injury solicitors in Scotland after an accident at work. Workplace injury claims can be complex, particularly where insurers deny liability or try to argue that the injury was caused by something else.
Thompsons Solicitors Scotland are experienced in handling serious workplace accident claims, including manual handling injuries, construction site accidents, back injury claims and cases involving unsafe systems of work.
Jennifer Wallace
Jennifer Wallace
“This case shows exactly why injured people should speak to specialist personal injury solicitors, even if an insurer denies liability or another firm has turned down their claim. Our client was asked to carry extremely heavy fire doors in difficult conditions, without suitable equipment or proper planning. We investigated the circumstances fully, challenged the insurer’s position, and continued to fight until compensation was secured. At Thompsons, we do not leave any stone unturned when pursuing justice for our clients.”
Why This Case Matters
Manual handling injuries can have life-changing consequences. A back injury may affect a person’s ability to work, care for their family, carry out everyday tasks and enjoy their usual hobbies.
In this case, the client went from working long hours in a physically demanding role to needing help with basic daily activities. He required surgery, treatment, medication and support, while also facing financial hardship due to being unable to work.
The case also shows that employers must do more than simply tell workers to “get the job done”. They must assess risks, provide proper equipment, avoid unsafe lifting where possible and ensure workers are not exposed to unnecessary danger.
It also highlights the value of specialist advice where liability is denied. An insurer denying responsibility does not always mean a claim cannot succeed.
Talk to Thompsons After an Accident at Work
If you have been injured at work, or if another firm has turned down your claim after an insurer denied liability, you can still speak to Thompsons.
Thompsons Solicitors Scotland are specialist personal injury solicitors in Scotland. We investigate workplace accident claims thoroughly, challenge insurers where appropriate, and fight to secure compensation for clients who have been injured through no fault of their own.
We can help with claims involving manual handling injuries, construction site accidents, back injuries, unsafe systems of work, faulty equipment, loss of earnings, treatment costs and care needs.
If you have been injured in an accident at work, Talk to Thompsons. We will review your case, explain your options clearly, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
