Case Study: £825,000 Settlement for Family of Farm Worker Killed by Power Line

Rob Aylott

Overview

Rob Aylott head of trauma at Osbornes Law represented the estate and family of a West Sussex farm worker in his 40s who died after the boom arm of his tractor’s crop sprayer touched a 30,000-volt overhead power line. The High Court approved a settlement of £825,000 for his dependants in December 2024.

The accident: a tractor sprayer touched a 30,000-volt power line

Our client was driving a tractor fitted with a crop sprayer through an undulating field that had not been risk assessed. One of the sprayer’s boom arms touched a 30,000-volt overhead power line.

The tractor was electrocuted and he attempted to jump clear, but landed on a live coupling. He was electrocuted, caught fire and died at the scene.

Health and Safety Executive guidance highlights overhead power line contact as a recognised hazard in agricultural work, particularly where machinery with raised arms or sprayers is operated near pylons or distribution lines without a documented risk assessment.

Representing the family at inquest

We represented the family throughout inquest proceedings, working with the Health and Safety Executive’s witness statements and technical expert evidence on the cause of death. Liability was never formally admitted by the employer.

An inquest investigates the cause and circumstances of a death and the findings can directly affect a subsequent civil claim. Securing accurate evidence at the inquest stage helps establish whether the death resulted from negligence or a failure to follow recognised safety procedures.

Building the fatal accident claim

Claims were brought for the financial and services dependencies of his spouse and child. A loss of services expert prepared a detailed report quantifying the household tasks, care and support he had provided. Detailed witness evidence was obtained from family members and colleagues.

Under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976, eligible dependants can claim for the financial support the deceased would have provided, the practical services they would have given (including childcare, household work and care of older relatives), and a statutory bereavement award. Valuing services dependency in a fatal claim usually requires specialist expert input.

Settlement and court approval

The matter resolved at a joint settlement meeting for £825,000. Court approval of the award, apportionment between the dependants, and investment directions were completed at the High Court on 18 December 2024. An Anonymity Order protects the family’s identities.

Press coverage

The accident was reported by The Argus.

Need advice after a fatal accident?

Osbornes’ personal injury team has substantial experience representing families through inquest proceedings and fatal accident claims, particularly those arising from workplace accidents in farming, construction and industrial sites.