Our client was employed by a well know removal company. He was in the process of unloading crates from the Defendant's vehicle, which involved loading the crates onto a trolley and wheeling the trolley down the tailgate of the lorry, when the wheel of the trolley became stuck on a raised ridge on the tailgate. The trolley tipped over and knocked the client off the tailgate falling approximately 5 feet onto the ground.

Prior to the accident the client had reported the defect to his manager but it had not been repaired.

The client sustained fractures to his tibia and fibula. The following day he underwent open reduction and internal fixation of the fibula, a wound debridement and an os calcis traction pin was inserted. A couple of weeks later an external fixator was applied to his leg, two further pins inserted in the tibia and a vacuum pump was attached to his ankle where the wound had been left open. Following this, the client had to undergo a further operative procedure by a plastic surgeon to close the wound. Unfortunately he also later suffered a pin track infection which was treated with antibiotics.

The client was off work for approximately 9 months and has been left with permanent residual symptoms which affect both his working and social life. He has a shortening of the leg and is unable to enjoy his previous hobby of dancing.

The medical expert's prognosis was that there is at least a 50% chance of the client developing significant symptoms in the future caused by degeneration in the ankle joint and also a 50% chance of the client requiring an ankle fusion within 15-20 years.

The claim settled for just under £43,000.