Council worker secures £45,000 claim after fall

1:30pm Thursday 23rd August 2007

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A council worker who broke both his feet after falling from an unsecured ladder has won more than £40,000 compensation from Pembrokeshire County Council.

Michael Morgan, aged 61, of Parsonage Lane, Begelly, secured damages of £45,000 from the council after his injury on February 21st, 2003, which left him unable to work and in a wheelchair for six months.

Mr Morgan was employed as a mason with Pembrokeshire County Council and was installing windows in a council property when one side of the ladder he was standing on sank into the ground, causing him to fall from a height of 12 feet.

Mr Morgan suffered serious injuries to the heel bones in both feet and was in plaster for ten weeks.

He then had to use a wheelchair for six months, followed by crutches and eventually a stick.

Mr Morgan said: "As well as suffering pain and the loss of my employment, the accident has caused me all sorts of difficulties.

"What used to be everyday tasks like driving the car or walking the dog have become very difficult."

Mr Morgan said he was gradually regaining the ability to do certain things.

Pembrokeshire County Council spokesman, Len Mullins, said: "This settlement was agreed between the parties on a 50-50 without prejudice basis."

Mr Morgan's union, UNISON, and Thompsons Solicitors in Cardiff, assisted him in bringing the action against Pembrokeshire County Council.

Mr Morgan's representative at Thompsons Solicitors, Petra Williams, said: "Mr Morgan was experienced at his job but had to put the ladder up himself.

"None of his colleagues were available to hold the ladder while he was on it and no equipment was available to him to secure the ladder to the house he was working on."

Regional UNISON secretary, Paul O'Shea, said employers must make adequate provision for staff working at height, which can be extremely dangerous.

He added: "Mr Morgan's injuries meant he had to be medically retired from work.

"This accident would not have occurred if he had been provided with the right equipment or assistance."