Plasterer sustains wrist injury after fall from ladder

Our specialist personal injury lawyers based at Thomson Snell & Passmore’s Tunbridge Wells and Dartford (Thames Gateway) offices, has secured £9,000 for a plasterer who was injured when he fell off an unsuitable ladder, whilst plastering a ceiling.

The claimant in this personal injury claim was a plasterer who was employed to work on the refurbishment of a house in Clapham, London. His employer provided him with all equipment and materials to enable him to do complete his work.

On the day of the accident the claimant was standing on the top step of a standard step ladder. He was smoothing the plaster that had been applied to the ceiling of one of the rooms in the house. He was holding onto the latter with his left hand and smoothing the plaster with his right. As he smoothed the plaster, he lost balance and fell to the floor sustaining injury to his wrist.

As a result of the accident the claimant sustained a fracture to the left distal radius requiring internal fixation; insertion of a metal plate and some screws. The claimant continued to suffer from an ongoing stiff and painful wrist for which he underwent physiotherapy. The claimant was left with a scar and reduced grip strength and had an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis in the future.

The team were able to negotiate an out of court settlement of £9,000 to compensate the claimant for his pain and suffering, after the defendants admitted failing to comply with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Work at Height Regulations 2005.