£800,000 Compensation for Injured Construction Worker

Maria Tiron

£800,000 compensation secured for injured construction worker after career-ending hand injury

When a hardworking 35-year-old construction worker suffers a life-changing injury through no fault of their own, the consequences can be devastating — both physically, emotionally and financially. Senior Associate Maria Tiron has recently secured a settlement of £800,000 for our client, Constantin, following a serious hand injury which ended his career as a carpenter.

A preventable crush injury on a major construction site

Constantin, a 35-year-old shuttering carpenter, was working on a large construction project for Laing O’Rourke. On 5 March 2021, he was assisting his supervisor with shuttering panels when he was asked to clear debris from beneath the panel. Without warning, the supervisor dropped the heavy panel onto his left hand, crushing it.

Despite the visible injury, Constantin was instructed to simply clean the wound with tissues and carry on working. Realising the severity of his pain, he attended the hospital, where he was diagnosed with: a fractured trapezium, a fracture of the middle phalanx of the ring finger and a deep laceration at the base of the thumb.

Early liability admission — but a long and complex recovery

Maria acted swiftly to bring a claim against Laing O’Rourke. Liability was admitted early and insurers agreed to provide rehabilitation. However, Constantin soon found that the initial rehabilitation team underestimated his difficulties and failed to put in place the support he urgently needed.

Maria’s proactive intervention ensuring proper rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is often the most critical element of any serious injury claim. For many clients, the right support can determine whether they return to work, regain independence, or simply manage day-to-day tasks. Maria recognised immediately that Constantin needed a far more specialist approach.

She:

• Successfully challenged the initial rehabilitation plan
• Secured the appointment of a specialist case manager with experience in upper limb injuries
• Ensured access to multidisciplinary support, including physiotherapy and occupational therapy
• Arranged for a private upper limb specialist to investigate the ongoing symptoms

This comprehensive rehabilitation focus revealed additional complications, including median and ulnar nerve compression and a partial supraspinatus tendon tear. These issues had previously gone unidentified but were crucial in understanding Constantin’s long-term prognosis.

Further surgery and ongoing limitations

In May 2025, Constantin underwent further private surgery funded through the claim, namely an ulnar nerve release.

Although the surgery relieved some symptoms, Constantin was left with permanent limitations in grip strength, dexterity and thumb control — preventing him from returning to heavy manual work.

Despite these challenges, and with ongoing vocational support arranged through rehabilitation, Constantin successfully retrained and secured work as a scissor lift operator.

Challenging attempts to shift blame

Although liability had been admitted early, the Defendant later in proceedings attempted to argue that Constantin was partly responsible for his accident. Working with counsel David White of 12KBW, the Defendant’s position was strongly rejected.

Settlement of £800,000

Maria gathered compelling evidence, including detailed witness statements from former colleagues, pay progression data within the Defendant company and expert medical  evidence. This evidence established that, had the accident not occurred, Constantin would have remained in his trade and progressed in his profession.

Following a full day of negotiation at a Joint Settlement Meeting, Constantin accepted a settlement of £800,000 — reflecting his pain, suffering, financial losses and reduced earning potential.

“I was devastated when this happened — it all changed in a moment,” says Constantin.

“Maria has been incredible — she fought for me every step of the way, made sure I got treatment and interim payments and helped me understand every stage of the process. I’m very happy with the result and grateful to be back working again.”

Maria adds:

“At first glance, this looked like a relatively minor hand injury. With careful investigation and rehabilitation support, it became clear that the long-term effects were far more serious. This case highlights why rehabilitation must be prioritised from the outset — not only to improve medical outcomes, but also to support a client back into meaningful employment wherever possible. I’m delighted we were able to secure a settlement that truly reflects Constantin’s needs.“

Specialist legal support for construction accident claims

This case highlights the importance of appointing a solicitor experienced in serious workplace injuries and rehabilitation-focused.

As Senior Associate at Osbornes Law, Maria Tiron handles complex construction accident cases involving:

• Heavy machinery accidents
• Crush injuries and upper limb trauma
• Inadequate supervision or unsafe working practices
• Multi-defendant or technically complex claims

Her hands-on approach ensures clients not only receive the compensation they deserve, but also benefit from the highest standard of rehabilitation support.

Contact us

If you’ve suffered a serious injury at work, you don’t have to face it alone. Contact Osbornes Law today for expert legal advice and find out how we can help secure the compensation and rehabilitation you deserve. Contact us by:

• Filling in our online enquiry form; or
• Calling us on 020 7485 8811