August 2007 - Ladder Fall

A council worker who fell from an unsecured ladder and broke both his feet has won £45,000 in compensation.

While working as a mason for Pembrokeshire County Council, Michael Morgan, 61, was installing windows when one side of his ladder sank into the ground and he fell 12 feet, seriously injuring the heel bones in his feet.

Mr Morgan was in plaster for ten weeks and then in a wheelchair for six months. Four years later, he still suffers pain in his feet in the cold weather and finds it difficult to carry out everyday activities.

Morgan claimed the accident was caused as no colleagues were available to help him or to hold the ladder and there was no equipment to secure its position.

The damages are to compensate Mr Morgan because he has had to retire from work on medical grounds.

Tanveer Jaleel, senior partner at TJL Solicitors comments: “The number of people who suffered a major injury as a result of a fall at work in the year 2005 to 2006 was 3,351.

“The ‘Work at Height Regulations 2005’ apply to all work where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury. The regulations place specific duties on employers, the self-employed and any person who controls the work of others.”