6-figure damages for scaffolder whose foot was crushed by fork lift

Dushal Mehta and Charlotte Thorpe recently achieved a six-figure settlement on behalf of a man whose foot was badly crushed while he worked as a scaffolder on a construction site.

The Claimant, in his mid-twenties with young children, was badly injured when a fork lift operated by a colleague suddenly spun around and knocked him over. His colleague was oblivious to what had happened and reversed over the Claimant's foot, and then back again. The forklift was then stationary on the Claimant's foot for some time.

The Claimant sustained a crush injury and fractures to his foot. He underwent a k-wire stabilisation in hospital.
The man was unable to return to work following the accident due to the pain in his foot. He tried several other roles outside the construction industry, but struggled to stand for a prolonged period without experiencing pain, despite that he had orthopedically healed.

He was initially diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome, but it was later confirmed that he was suffering from residual neuropathic type pain syndrome. He was continuing to experience occupational, domestic and social limitations as a result of ongoing psychiatric and psychological issues.

The Claimant initially instructed a high-street firm, but subsequently instructed Fieldfisher. By this point the claim had been running for a number of years and the Claimant was anxious for the claim to be settled so he could move on.

Liability had been admitted and Dushal and Charlotte set to work to get him a further interim payment and obtained updated medical evidence to fully understand the nature of the difficulties he continued to face, and what treatment he required now and in the future. Evidence was obtained from a psychologist and a pain expert.

The Claimant's ability to return to work, the type of work he could do and the impact of the psychological difficulties faced were key issues in the case. Settlement provided much needed relief that the subsequent financial security will allow him time to continue to recover and gradually return to work.

For further information about catastrophic injury claims and personal injury claims, please call Charlotte Thorpe on 0330 460 6744 or email charlotte.thorpe@fieldfisher.com.

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