Work accident victim awarded £2.4m compensation
14th Feb 2008
A self-employed decorator who suffered brain damage after falling through faulty scaffolding has been awarded a lump sum of £2.4m in compensation.
Alan Miah, who’s 45, was left permanently disabled as a result of the fall in 2003. He now has to use a wheelchair and will need constant care for the rest of his life.
Mr Miah had been sub-contracted to work for Thorne Barton Estates Ltd of Hemel Hempstead on an office building in Windsor that was being converted into residential flats. He fell 3.5 metres when the scaffold board he was standing on broke beneath him. The scaffolding had been erected by Gemini Riteway Scaffolding Ltd of Maidenhead.
The incident was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive. One of its inspectors, Karen Morris, said: This was a terrible accident, but one which was avoidable. An inspection of the scaffold after the incident showed that the scaffold board which broke had several knots in it, which contributed to its lack of strength and subsequent failure.”
Thorne Barton Estates Ltd will pay 30% of Mr Miah’s compensation and Gemini Riteway Scaffolding Ltd will pay 70%. Both companies were also fined for breaching health and safety regulations.
As well as the £2.4m lump sum, Mr Miah will also receive an index-linked payment of more than £100,000 for the rest of his life.