In January 2019, our client suffered a scaffolding accident during the course of his employment.

His union, the RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers) referred him to Thompsons so that we could represent him in his claim for work accident compensation.

The background

At the time of the workplace accident, our client was employed by Stork Technical Services (STS) as a scaffolder on the Elgin Franklin offshore gas platform.

On the day of the incident, he and his colleagues were building a new scaffold around one of the legs of the platform. As they transported materials for the work, the team had to negotiate a narrow walkway.

Our client was attempting to lift a 16 foot long tube and pass it upwards towards his colleagues above. However, the tube became stuck in a cable tray above him and, as he attempted to free the tube, he hit a kick-plate with his foot which caused him to trip backwards. His back struck nearby machinery and he fell to the floor.

Our client immediately felt pain and was winded.

He was assisted by colleagues and was taken to see the medic who gave him paracetamol and told him to rest.

The consequences

The following morning, the pain had intensified and he was feeling out of breath. He was told he did not have to work that day.

The second day after the work accident, and with worsening symptoms, our client was medevacked to Aberdeen where he met with an Occupational Health doctor for STS. The OH doctor advised that our client should go home and make an appointment to see his GP.

The following day our client's daughter took him to A&E at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee where he was diagnosed with damage to his ribs (possible fractures), a chest wall injury and soft tissue injury. He was signed off work and did not return until April 2019.

The settlement

We intimated a work accident claim with our client's employer under the Workplace (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992; Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and the Occupiers’ Liability (Scotland) Act 1960.

Liability for the scaffolding accident was accepted and a compensation settlement offer of £3,312 was made prior to litigation.

Settlement was agreed on 30 November 2021.