Our client, an employee of Renfrewshire Council at St John Bosco School, Erskine, suffered a ladder accident at work. His injuries were life-changing and he was referred to Thompsons serious injury solicitors via his union so that we could represent him in his claim for personal injury compensation..

The background

On 25 November 2017, our client, Mr William Taylor, was carrying out his various day-to-day duties as a janitor, playground supervisor and general maintenance operative at the school. A pupil had asked him to retrieve a ball which had gone on to a roof and Mr Taylor used the school's ladders so that he could attempt to find the ball.

As he was almost at the top of the ladder, a height of around 14 feet, it gave way and Mr Taylor fell backwards onto the ground, hitting his back and head.

Mr Taylor had suffered a laceration to his head which was initially treated at the scene by school colleagues. Mr Taylor was then taken to the A&E department at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. X-rays showed that our client had not suffered any fractures, however, the cut to his head required six stitches.

The consequences

Following the ladder accident at work, Mr Taylor was unable to return to his duties at the school for around one month. He continued to suffer headaches and, since the head injury accident has subsequently developed epilepsy for which he is required to take medication for the rest of his life.

He was forced to discontinue driving for 12 months while the medication he takes was trialled.

Thompsons serious injury solicitors raised a claim in the All Scotland Personal Injury Court in respect of the ladder accident claim. Liability was admitted by the defender.

The settlement

Despite the early admission of liability, a personal injury compensation offer was not tendered until one week prior to the preliminary hearing.

Our client was happy to accept an offer of £30,000 and settlement was finalised on 21 June 2021.