Man awarded £5m payout after fall

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A painter and decorator has received a settlement worth up to £5m after an accident left him with brain damage.

The High Court in London heard how Alan Miah, 45, from Luton, Beds, was left seriously injured after he fell through scaffolding in October 2003.

The court heard a plank "split in half" at the site in Windsor, Berks, causing him to fall 20ft (6m) onto stone steps.

Thorne Barton Estates, which employed Mr Miah, and Berkshire scaffolding firm Gemini Riteway, admitted liability.

The court was told Mr Miah is reliant on a wheelchair for mobility, suffers from a personality change because of a brain injury, and needs round the clock care for the rest of his life.

Specialist care

He spent 19 days in intensive care, needed brain surgery and remained in hospital for six months.

In 2004, Hemel Hempstead-based Thorne Barton Estates Ltd was ordered to pay £5,475 in fines and costs.

Maidenhead-based Gemini Riteway Scaffolding Ltd was fined £17,000 with £2,036 costs.

Thorne Barton will pay 30% of the compensation and Gemini Riteway Scaffolding 70%, and if Mr Miah has a normal life expectancy, the damages could run to more than £5m.

The settlement will see Mr Miah receive a £2.4m lump sum, as well as an index-linked annual payment of £105,000 for as long as he lives.

The court was told the money would pay for adaptations to Mr Miah's home, so he could leave a nursing home where he receives specialist care.