£450,000 payout for Dinnington ladder plunge victim

This caused him to fall backwards off the ladder onto a block-paved patio and, although he managed to land on both feet, the impact left him with serious crash fractures to both ankles.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell secured the settlement for Mr Waring, after his employer admitted liability.The lawyers are now calling for other employers to learn from the case, saying that Mr Waring’s accident would have been avoided had he been given a safety harness and training.

David Urpeth, head of workplace injuries at Irwin Mitchell, said: “In this case, Mr Waring should have been given scaffolding or a harness to make sure he was safe.

“He also should not have been asked to carry out a dangerous task he had not been given training for.”

Mr Waring's injuries mean he now has to wear a prosthesis on his left leg, as well as the external support on his right leg.

Although he has undergone extensive rehabilitation to aid his recovery, he still requires significant care from his wife.

Mr Waring said: “The accident has changed my life completely as I can no longer do many of the things I used to love.

“Although the injuries I sustained are very serious, in many ways I was very lucky because I managed to land on my feet.”