Barratt sued for £1m over scaffolder's smashed ankle

A scaffolder’s broken ankle could cost housebuilder Barratt almost £1m in compensation, including £150,000 for a lifetime’s supply of bespoke footwear.

David Hargreaves, 44, from Scarborough, went over on his ankle at a building site run by Barratt Developments when he was unloading scaffolding poles from a truck on 27 June 2005.

Hargreaves claims the ground at the site in Market Weighton was uneven and “inherently dangerous”, which led to his injury when he stepped off the back of his truck to begin unloading.

Barratt initially admitted liability, on the basis that his claim would not be worth more than £15,000, the standard amount for an injury such as a broken ankle. But a series of medical reports obtained by Hargreaves’ lawyers later showed that he would never be able to work again because of his injury.

A Barratt spokesman said: “We will be vigorously contesting Mr Hargreaves’ claim, which we believe is very significantly overstated. We are waiting for him to be examined by our own independent medical expert.”

The reports also indicated that he had developed arthritis and would no longer be able to provide sufficient care for his disabled wife and child.

Hargreaves has now submitted a claim for £977,744, including £184,000 for a home help for his family, £480,000 for lost earnings and £150,000 supply of bespoke footwear to ease the pain in his ankle.

A date for trial will now be set.