Scaffolding: a temporary structure on the outside of a building, made of wooden planks and metal poles, used by workmen while building, repairing, or cleaning the building (Google’s definition). Most people, rightly, would presume that they are a fairly safe structure, which you’re free to walk under or walk besides, without fear of any danger. Especially when they’re used outside your favourite shop (which is still ‘Open for Business’!). 

 

However, on 1st August, for a few bystanders, scaffolding was the cause of some serious concern, when, around 11.15am, scaffolding around the Friars Walk Shopping Centre, collapsed. Having been closed for around 10 years, the Friars Walk Shopping Centre in Reading had scaffolding erected around the exterior. 

 

According to witnesses, just before lunchtime, hundreds of the boards and poles which form part of the scaffolding, fell to the ground, causing a huge cloud of debris. Onlookers described the incident as ‘pretty mental’, with three people being taken to the local hospital for assessment of their injuries. 

 

Whilst we can’t say that we’ve ever been involved in a scaffolding-falling incident, our expert team of Personal Injury Solicitors in Lancaster have dealt with thousands of personal injury claims for our clients, achieving over a 99% success rate in settling claims.