A former employee of Essex County Council has received £250,000 in compensation after suffering serious injuries when part of a ceiling collapsed on her during a working day at an education building.
In September 2016, Susan Williams, who had worked in the education sector for many years, was seated in a chair teaching when a large section of the ceiling suddenly gave way, falling directly onto her head. She sustained multiple injuries, including:
- A minor head injury with laceration and post-concussion
- Ongoing neck and shoulder pain
- Cuts and bruises to her knee, forearm and back
- Long-term psychological trauma
Susan was treated at a local hospital where her scalp wound was stitched. Unfortunately, the incident marked the beginning of a long period of medical treatment and life-altering consequences.
Long-Term Effects and Diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Fibromyalgia
In the months that followed, Susan experienced persistent symptoms including:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Cognitive issues such as poor memory and low mood
- Chronic pain affecting her back, shoulders, legs, hands, and elbows
She was diagnosed with post-traumatic fibromyalgia by a consultant rheumatologist, which was confirmed by pain specialists. Treatment included drug therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to manage both the physical and psychological impact of her condition.
Despite her best efforts to return to work—initially on reduced hours—Susan’s symptoms persisted and significantly affected her mobility and quality of life.
A Second Incident and Medical Retirement
Shockingly, in 2021, while still working in the same building, another section of ceiling collapsed, narrowly missing her. This second incident retriggered Susan’s symptoms and led to severe psychological distress, ultimately resulting in her being medically retired at the age of 58. After devoting her career to serving the council, Susan found herself isolated, unable to walk long distances, and left with a considerable disability.
A Hard-Fought Legal Battle
Despite the clear responsibility for the unsafe building conditions, Essex County Council vigorously defended the case for over eight years. While they eventually admitted liability for the initial incident, they denied the extent of the injuries and tried to attribute her symptoms to pre-existing health conditions—even after their own experts acknowledged she had a pain condition.
In a further attempt to discredit Susan’s claim, the council introduced covert surveillance footage after eight years, showing her going to the vet to take her sick pet for treatment and attending a Pilates class. The footage was not only irrelevant but also non-compliant with surveillance rules, and clearly designed to undermine her credibility rather than support a fair resolution.
Justice Secured
The legal team at Ison Harrison, led by Diane Askwith, CILEx Partner, worked tirelessly to hold the council accountable and secure the compensation Susan deserved.
“I am very pleased to have obtained a favourable outcome for our client eventually. It is such a shame it took so long. The council’s behaviour has been, at the very least, disappointing —arguing at every stage, even in the face of clear medical evidence.
Ms Williams was injured through no fault of her own and lost a career she loved. I hope this result enables her to begin rebuilding her life. I also hope the council and Government commit the necessary funding to repair public buildings so that such preventable, life-changing injuries never happen again.”
Contact Our Specialist Personal Injury Team
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to unsafe working conditions or building disrepair, our personal injury solicitors are here to help. At Ison Harrison, we specialise in workplace injury claims, chronic pain compensation, and public liability cases.
Contact us today on 0113 284 5000 or email pi@isonharrison.co.uk.
