Fall From Height Investigation, High Court, QBD
Duration: 25 days (fixed)
Principal consultant John Lovegrove at Canary Designs was contacted by Stewarts Law LLP to assist the high court, Queens’s Bench Division by investigating a fall from height. The court required help to establish the following;
- Objective evidence relevant to the assessment of the level of risk of the Claimant falling from the window in question;
- Accurate measurements of the room and the window in question that the Claimant fell from and the Claimant’s own relevant measurements (to include but not limited to height and weight) at the time of his accident to assess the centre of gravity of the claimant in relation to the windowsill;
- Modelling and assessments to include the degree of force required to open the window and the assessment of what angle the Claimant would need to be at so as to reach his tipping point.
Modelling Tipping Point
Fall path through window
Method
On receiving and agreeing the terms in the letter of instruction, Stewarts law provided the enclosures for review. Canary Designs principal consultant then arranged a site visit, recorded the relevant dimensions at the accident site. The dimensions were then transcribed into a CAD drawing of the accident site. A request was made for 13 anthropometric dimensions of the Claimant necessary for producing an accurate and representative digital human manikin of the Claimant for modelling analysis. The accident was investigated and recreated in the virtual environment, the balance point and factors that contributed to the accident, the findings were compiled in a technical report submitted and accepted by the court as expert witness evidence. It was then necessary to work with the Defendants expert witness to produce a joint witness statement; the purpose of this exercise is to clear up the arguments between experts and enable the judge to clearly see where the areas of disagreement are. Eventually the trial was scheduled in the high court and the Canary Designs principal consultant John Lovegrove was called as an expert witness and cross examined to fully explore the evidence submitted for the benefit of the court.
Outcome
The modelling and evidence provided was welcomed by the Claimant, and the high court judge for the case. Canary Designs Principal Consultant is mentioned in the Judges summing up notes. The evidence provided by John Lovegrove clearly described the scenario and the modelling helped to clearly illustrate the mechanisms for the accident.
Testimonials
I am Chair of the North East Wales Panel of Remap, we design and make “Bespoke Equipment” for the disabled, John approached us about Gary working alongside our volunteer Engineers during his stay for a month spread over the year, we accepted his offer and agreed for that to happen.
John and Gary came to our Monthly meeting in September and I can say he immediately settled in, introduced himself and not only listened to our discussions relating to ongoing work but asked questions showing an interest in what we do.
Gary, a very polite likeable chap who has displayed a good work ethic and is keen to make the best of his time with us. In the short time he has been with us he has impressed everyone with his knowledge and the ideas he puts forward for consideration.
When he has been with an Engineer to see clients regarding our work, he always has empathy with them regarding their issues and always eager to attempt to resolve them and improve their lives.
I was the Project Manager responsible for converting decommissioned areas into storage facilities for storing drums of radioactive waste at Bradwell Decommissioning Site. John Lovegrove was appointed to add his expertise and insight into supporting the Project. John used his area of expertise to add value and focus into the delivery of the best solutions. John was a valuable member of the team with a gift for highlighting the often overlooked items in the early stages. Measure twice cut once.
I wish to express my thanks and appreciation to John Lovegrove of Canary Designs for the professional and knowledgeable commitment provided in a challenging legal claim arising out of a work-related upper limb disorder.
It was extremely helpful to have an expert in this specialist field of work who could produce a technical and detailed report very quickly. Indeed, I am sure that Mr Lovegrove’s investigation and report was a pivotal factor in the success of my client’s claim.
I would highly recommend Canary Designs.
John and Canary Designs were called in to help us assess the ergonomics of our workplace in light of the repetitive nature of many of our laboratory activities. They spent time in the laboratory videoing activities and talking through tasks with the staff to ensure that they thoroughly understood them. As a result they were able to recommend a number of very practical, targeted alterations that we have since implemented and which have transformed the way that we work. We were very happy with the service we received and would definitely use them again in the future.