Our client, SE, a member of Unite, secured serious accident at work compensation after suffering life-changing injuries while working as a Highway Maintenance Operative for Amey OW Limited.
On the evening of the accident, our client was working with a maintenance team on the M8 motorway near Glasgow. The team was setting up traffic management measures ahead of a lane closure. This included erecting warning signs.
When a team arrived on site, it was dark. Despite the risks associated with the work, the team received no site-specific safety briefing and no one discussed the relevant risk assessments with them.
While erecting signs near the central reservation, our client climbed over a barrier to access stored equipment. He did not know that this section of the motorway was elevated approximately 20 to 25 feet above the road below. He lost his footing and fell through an unprotected gap.
No safety measures protected our client from a fall from height, and no one warned him of the risk before he started the work.
Our specialist solicitors regularly support people who have suffered serious injuries in accidents at work.
Injuries
Following the fall, our client was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. Doctors identified multiple serious and potentially life-threatening injuries, including:
- bilateral pelvic fractures
- a thoracic spinal fracture
- multiple rib fractures
- an open fracture to the right elbow
- a dislocated right shoulder
- internal injuries
- significant soft tissue injuries.
Surgery was needed to repair his pelvic and shoulder injuries. After this, he faced a lengthy period of recovery.
How we helped our client
Following the accident, our client was unable to return to work. He could no longer continue in his previous role within the highway maintenance industry. As a result, the accident significantly affected his employment prospects, earning capacity and quality of life.
Given the severity of his injuries, we obtained expert medical and employment evidence. This helped us assess his future needs and financial losses.
Where an accident results in life-changing injuries, a serious injury claim injury claim may need to take account of future care, rehabilitation and loss of earnings.
We investigated the circumstances surrounding the accident and raised court proceedings at the All-Scotland Personal Injury Court in Edinburgh. We pursued a substantial serious accident at work compensation claim on our client’s behalf.
We argued that adequate systems of work had not been in place and that appropriate measures had not been taken to protect workers from the obvious risks associated with working at height on an elevated section of motorway.
We pursued a substantial claim on our client’s behalf, taking account of:
- pain and suffering
- past and future loss of earnings
- pension loss
- care and assistance requirements
- medcal treatment and rehabilitaiton needs
- future financial losses arising from his inability to return to his previous employment.
£540,000 serious accident at work compensation settlement
Although the case was due to proceed to a final court hearing in November 2026, we successfully negotiated a settlement before trial. Ultimately, our client received £540,000 in compensation. The defenders also agreed o meet all legal expenses and expert witness costs.
