Mr Dent, a 39-year-old trainee roofer, suffered life-changing injuries to his right leg when an unsecured ladder slipped while he was carrying a heavy gas canister onto a flat roof.
What Happened?
On 8 January 2021, Mr Dent was working at the Healing Academy School in Grimsby, assisting an experienced colleague with roofing repairs. The job required heating roofing felt, which necessitated lifting a 19kg capacity Calor gas canister onto the flat roof. When full, this canister weighed upwards of 43kg.
To access the roof, Mr Dent used an extendable ladder that had been positioned against the building. As he ascended the ladder with the heavy canister on his shoulder and neared the top, the unsecured ladder suddenly slipped sideways. Mr Dent fell heavily to the ground, sustaining immediate and severe trauma to his leg.
Injuries Suffered
Mr Dent was rushed to Grimsby Hospital, where he was diagnosed with an open fracture to his right distal tibia and two separate fractures to his right fibula. He was taken to the theatre for surgical debridement, and his leg was placed in a cast. He remained in a series of casts and walker boots for several months and required crutches to mobilise for half a year.
Despite extensive physiotherapy, Mr Dent has been left with a permanent, significantly restricted range of motion in his right ankle. He now requires a heel raise orthotic in his shoe to equalise his leg length and walk comfortably. He also suffered from psychological symptoms, including adjustment disorder and depression, following the trauma of the accident. As a direct result of his physical restrictions, Mr Dent was permanently disadvantaged on the open labour market and could no longer continue his strenuous career as a roofer, forcing him to find alternative employment as a delivery driver.
Gathering the Evidence
The Defendant strongly denied liability, claiming that Mr Dent acted contrary to instructions and should have waited for a mobile scaffold tower to arrive. They alleged he was on a “frolic of his own” by using the ladder.
To dismantle this defence, we compiled a robust evidence bundle. We obtained expert medical evidence from a Consultant Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon, detailing the permanent nature of his physical restrictions and his resulting handicap on the labour market. Crucially, to counter the Defendant’s claim that carrying canisters up ladders was strictly against company protocol, we gathered photographic evidence from Mr Dent showing several previous jobs where the exact same method—carrying heavy gas canisters up ladders—had been routinely used and accepted by the employer. We also highlighted inconsistencies in the Defendant’s health and safety documentation, noting that the specific method statement for the job appeared to have been drafted or signed after the work had already commenced.
Negotiations
Throughout the legal proceedings, the Defendant’s insurers maintained a rigid stance, refusing to accept primary liability and alleging significant contributory negligence on the part of our client. They served a Counter-Schedule of Loss that heavily disputed the financial value of the claim, offering nominal sums for past care and entirely rejecting his claim for future loss of earnings (a Smith v Manchester award). We firmly rejected their low valuations, issued court proceedings, and rigorously prepared the case for a Multi-Track trial scheduled for February 2025.
Compensation Received
Faced with the overwhelming weight of the witness and photographic evidence demonstrating an inherently unsafe system of work, the Defendant’s resolve finally broke. Just three days before the trial was due to commence, the Defendant capitulated and agreed to a substantial settlement of £217,000. This figure provides Mr Dent with fair compensation for his pain and suffering, whilst crucially securing his financial future to account for his permanent handicap on the open labour market
Client Review
After we secured compensation for our client, Mr Dent said
‘I wanted to sincerely thank Major Trauma Lawyers and especially Richard for your hard work on my personal injury case. Your expertise and dedication I truly appreciate your professionalism throughout the process. Richard managed everything for me he sent me to see an ankle specialist who took great care of me before and after my surgery, he kept me updated throughout the process and because of him I won my legal case , if your looking for a truly remarkable company to help with your own injury then look no further…. THANK YOU RICHARD AND TO ALL AT ASD’
Contact Us To Get Maximum Compensation and the Best Legal Support
Major Trauma Lawyers have been working in the personal injury industry for over 40 years. We are rated one of the best personal injury solicitors locally and have helped clients receive the compensation they deserve.
The case was dealt with throughout by Richard Meggitt, partner, major trauma lawyer. Contact us to get a free case review and home visit!
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