A man who was severely injured in an accident involving a scaffolding pole has been awarded millions of pounds in compensation from the parties responsible for the accident.
54-year-old Richard Chodkiewicz was working on a site in Bristol when the accident happened. He was standing at the bottom of a lift shaft when a 50cm 3.7kg scaffolding pole, which was being used as a plumb line on a wire, fell on him and struck him on the head.
As a result of the accident, Mr Chodkiewicz spent 18 months in hospital, where has was treated for serious brain damage. He now needs round the clock care.
Shortly after the accident, Mr Chodkiewicz’s employers Hoistway Ltd were fined £70,000 for breaching health and safety regulations. Also fined £40,000 was Miller Construction, which was in charge of the project and which owned the site.
It has now been revealed that following a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation, Mr Chodkiewicz will receive a multi-million pound compensation settlement. It is presumed that this settlement will be covered by Mr Chodkiewicz’s employers and Miller Construction, both of which will need to rely on employers’ liability insurance or other professional insurance policies.