Scaffolder Wins Negligence Claim and Substantial Damages Payout

Working as a scaffolder/rigger is heavy, physically demanding work. Our client worked long hours six days a week constructing and bracing scaffolds, lifting and carrying scaffolding pipes, hammering metal in odd awkward positions and angles and erecting and dismantling scaffolding in all sorts of environments. By the end of the day he was exhausted. At home, he rested preparing for an early start the next day.

On this particular occasion, our client and his team had been dispatched to a large refinery. They were engaged in building and dismantling scaffolds at the refinery. It was a constant rush. On one day, a scaffold needed to be erected over several levels. Men were placed at each level. Our client was positioned at the top level. He was required to lean out and over the scaffolding rail and grab hold of scaffolding tubes lifting them onto the deck at his level. He was bent over in a very awkward position, grabbing and lifting the tubes as they were passed up to him. After hauling up over forty tubes in one hour, he was exhausted and in severe pain particularly in his lower back. By the end of the day, he made it home and rested overnight. He hoped his pain would settle and he would be ready to face work the next day. Unfortunately, this was not to be. He woke in the morning to find that he had lost feeling in his legs. He couldn’t get out of bed. His partner came to his aid. Finally, he managed to stand up. He started to cough which caused intense pain in his lower back. He collapsed to the floor. Regaining his composure, his partner took him to visit their local GP.

Resting for several days, he eventually gave light duties a go. He couldn’t cope and had to go home. His doctor arranged physiotherapy, massage and hydrotherapy, none of which really helped. He was referred to a Rheumatologist who arranged MRI scanning. He was diagnosed with a disc protrusion. A referral was then made to a specialist Neurologist for nerve conduction studies. He was diagnosed with serious nerve damage.

To add insult to injury, the workers compensation insurer denied liability and ceased paying his weekly compensation. As a result, he developed anxiety and depression and a sense of hopelessness. Not knowing what to do, he turned to the Compensation Experts here at Taylor & Scott Compensation Lawyers.

HOW TAYLOR & SCOTT COMPENSATION LAWYERS ASSISTED THEIR CLIENT

Initially Ray McClenahan, Managing Partner, Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury and one of Sydney’s leading compensation lawyers, met with his client. Ray arranged an urgent face to face meeting and took the time to carefully go through the claim and ensured that all facts were known before giving his client advice. Ray was able to reassure his client. He undertook to challenge the decision of the workers compensation insurer and we are very pleased to report that Ray was able to have his client’s payments of weekly compensation restored. 

WORK INJURY DAMAGES CLAIM LAUNCHED

Our client continued to suffer from pain and restriction of movement in his lower back, numbness radiating down his legs. He had difficulty sitting, standing and walking for prolonged periods. He had difficulty climbing stairs and he was restricted in all activities which involved bending and lifting. He was depressed and anxious and suffered sleep deprivation. His days of working in physical jobs were over. Feelings of despair and self-harm caused him to isolate himself from his friends. Worried how he was going to support his family only added to his despair.

Having secured his workers compensation payments, Ray arranged for his client to meet with Ray’s partner, Simon Meigan, who is also an Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury and one of NSW’s leading experts in work injury damages and negligence claims.

Simon arranged several meetings with his client to lay out a plan to recover Maximum Compensation for his client. Simon arranged several experts to examine and report, particularly with respect to his ongoing back problems and his work capacity. Eventually, Simon was able to launch a work injury damages claim against the employer for adopting an unsafe system of work.

Simon reassured his client that the experts in negligence claims here at Taylor & Scott would do everything they could to ensure that he would receive maximum compensation for his injuries and financial losses.

SUCCESSFUL WORK INJURY DAMAGES CLAIM

Having gathered all the supporting evidence needed, Simon launched a work injury damages claim. The matter came to mediation and Simon was able to negotiate a very substantial settlement on behalf of his client. This settlement ensured that his client’s wage losses right up to retirement were fully compensated in the settlement.

TAYLOR & SCOTT NEGLIGENCE LAWYERS OFFER TO YOU

If you, a member of your family, friend or acquaintance, suffer a permanent injury at work, you may have a negligence claim against your employer or against a third party. Our team of expert negligence lawyers offer a free face to face case assessment so that you can fully understand your rights and entitlements.

If Taylor & Scott takes your case, you will have the advantage of Taylor & Scott’s no-win/no- pay fee arrangement, meaning you do not pay Taylor & Scott any costs whatsoever unless and until you win your case.

Our negligence lawyers have won thousands of cases securing many millions of dollars in compensation for injured workers all over NSW. We invite you to phone 1800 600 664 or email us at info@tayscott.com.au. Our team of negligence lawyers will be only too happy to meet with you in a face to face meeting to advise you of your rights.

Our litigation negligence lawyers are committed to doing everything they can to ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your injuries and disabilities.

At Taylor & Scott Litigation Lawyers, We Care For You

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