A construction worker from Orpington has been awarded an £900,000 settlement after he suffered a fractured spine falling from the third story of a construction site.
Kyle Hunt, 37, was seriously injured when he fell eight metres whilst working on a building in Bank Street, Canary Wharf. The accident left him bed-bound and is still continuing his rehabilitation.
The Orpington man has now spoken out about his "devastating ordeal", calling it the "most difficult part of my life."
Kyle was a rope technician for Over The Edge Rope Access and Safety Netting Ltd when in June 2017 he was removing netting when clamps he was attached to, known as beam gliders, slid off a gap in the steel beam he was unaware of.
He fell eight metres from the third storey, suffering a fractured spine as well as broken ankles and writs, and was rushed to Royal London Hospital where surgeons performed several operations.
Following the incident, the 37-year-old instructed specialist workplace injury lawyers Irwin Mitchell to investigate, and his employer, responsible for his safety at work, agreed to pay a £900,000 settlement for Kyle's injuries.
Recalling the incident Kyle said: “I was asked to remove safety nets, so I was wearing full equipment and used three beam gliders to move along the steel. Many rope access technicians would only use two, but I wanted a third for added security.
“I had travelled across seven beams when two gliders came away from the steel. The third then followed and I was hanging by my hands. As I was carrying additional equipment, I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold on. All I could do was brace myself for the fall.”
All the fractures required surgery and left him in a lot of pain due to nerve damage, and he was transported to Northern Ireland (where he is originally from) via road and ferry in August 2017 and was cared for his parents for nearly two years as he fought to recover.
He recalls: “I was bedbound and reliant on my mum and dad for everything. I was still in incredible pain and couldn’t even feed myself. It was a very difficult time.
“As the months went by, I realised that I was facing a long recovery and would need support for months and years to come. This made me suffer with an incredibly low mood.”
Kyle eventually moved back to London in July 2019. While he continues to endure pain across his wrists, spine and feet, he has managed to start doing some jobs around the house including vacuuming.
He said: “The past few years have undoubtedly been the most difficult of my life and I still struggle in many ways. I genuinely loved my work, but at this point it is hard to see how I could return to meaningful employment.
“There have been many tough times, but this settlement is very welcomed. Knowing that I will be able to continue to access vital support is a huge weight off my shoulders and I just want to continue getting better for myself and my family.
“I also hope that speaking about my experiences highlights the importance of workplace safety and ensures no one else faces what I have.”
Natasha Fairs, the expert workplace injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Kyle, said: “This is a truly devastating case that clearly highlights the lasting consequences that accidents at work can have.
“Four years on from the incident Kyle continues to suffer with the physical and psychological toll of his injuries.
“While nothing will ever change what has happened, we’re pleased to have secure Kyle his settlement which will ensure that he can access vital rehabilitation to help him move forward with his life.
“However, we would also urge employers in the construction industry to learn lessons from these types of cases. The safety of workers must always come first in any given situation.”
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