Subcontractor Suffers Post-Traumatic Stress After Clothes Burn Through Skin

A workman from Darlington has suffered agonising burns to his arms following a job working on a car park.

The man had been working on the area erecting a fence in November 2010. He was using a jackhammer to dig a final hole when he unexpectedly struck a power cable. One million volts of electricity passed through him and he was thrown back by the shock.

Physical and psychological scars

The man, 52, suffered horrific burns with 20 per cent covering his face, arms and also his neck. He stayed in hospital for a month to receive treatment. He continues to have physiotherapy and says that physically he is improving although he is unable to carry out some of the hands-on jobs involved in running his company.

He also attends regular therapy sessions to treat the post-traumatic stress he has been experiencing since the accident.

Car park owners pleaded guilty

A vehicle sales company based in Darlington own the car park where the accident happened. Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive the company was found to have breached Health and Safety law for failing to retrieve detailed plans which would have outlined where the cables were; therefore avoiding the accident.

It was ordered to pay £12,000 and £6,123 in costs. According to the organisation’s Company Secretary, the vehicle sales company who owned the car park has now reviewed its health and safety procedures.

Have You Been Injured Whilst Working In Construction?

If you have been injured whilst working in a construction site environment or in any other capacity within the construction industry, you may be able to make a claim for compensation following your injuries.

Complete our initial online form so that one of our team can come back to you in confidence to discuss your potential case, or simply call us on 0333 358 3034 today.

Published 11th February 2015.