by Tejas Mehta
20 September 2010
A lack of supervision and a breach of health and safety regulations led to a promising young footballer suffering extensive injuries and leaving his employers open to the possibility of a work accident claim being brought against them.
Lewis Edwards was 17 when he was asked to work on a warehouse roof by his bosses at Croydon-based STP Solutions, an office fitter.
While he was working, the roof gave way underneath him. Mr Edwards sustained a shattered pelvis, back and collarbone. He also lost his spleen.
The company admitted liability for the accident, acknowledging that he should have been supervised, and were fined £28,500 with over £9000 in costs. This now means that Mr Edwards can pursue a compensation claim against them.
His mother, Sara, said, “He still bears the physical and mental scars that have had a tragic effect on his life, and the pressures of this have torn our family apart.
“His accident was directly due to the lack of supervision, training and safety management of his employers.
“He should never have been placed in such a vulnerable position and he will now have to carry this with him for the rest of his life.”
Mr Edwards is a former West Ham trainee and had started a course to gain a coaching qualification.