Health and Safety Boss in Multi-Million Pound Lawsuit After Catastrophic Fall
The head of health and safety for online cosmetics giant Beauty Bay is taking his employer to the High Court, seeking millions in damages after suffering life-changing injuries from a three-storey fall at a Salford warehouse.
Glyn Caddick, 54, who held the dual role of chief operating officer and health and safety director, plummeted from a mezzanine floor at the company's distribution centre in Centenary Park, Coronet Way in February 2022.
The Incident and Conflicting Accounts
The court heard that Mr Caddick was conducting a final inspection during the company's move to new premises when the accident occurred. According to his barrister, Ben Bradley KC, he was checking that stock had been cleared from high shelving near a guard rail when he likely lost balance and fell.
The guard rail measured 1.2 metres high with mesh extending to 1.6 metres, but Mr Caddick's legal team argues this was insufficient to prevent his fall, constituting a breach of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
However, the defence presents a dramatically different version of events. Lawyers for Beauty Bay claim Mr Caddick was actually leaning out over the railing to take a photograph on his phone when he overbalanced. An image found on his device appears to have been taken moments before his fall, showing he had raised himself above the safety barrier.
Life-Changing Injuries and Legal Battle
Mr Caddick spent nine months in hospital recovering from multiple serious injuries. His family was initially warned that if he survived, he might never dress, feed himself or speak again.
Now home after extensive rehabilitation, he described his ongoing challenges: "I am able to walk short distances and have given up my wheelchair. I have problems with my balance and pains in feet, legs and hip areas. I struggle with my head and bad neuro fatigue which limits me."
The case has significant financial implications, with Mr Caddick's legal team describing it as "a very high value claim" likely worth seven figures. Both Beauty Bay Ltd and warehouse owners Gxo Logistics Uk Limited deny liability, arguing that Mr Caddick, as the health and safety director, was responsible for his own safety.
Court Proceedings and Future Trial
At a pre-trial hearing before Master Stephen Byass, the fundamental disagreement over how the accident occurred was clear. Noel Dilworth, representing Beauty Bay, stated: "The guardrail was properly positioned and would have prevented a fall had the claimant not placed himself in such a precarious position."
The judge has approved the appointment of an engineering expert to investigate the railing setup and "the mechanics of the body in flight" to help determine exactly how the fall happened.
With Beauty Bay reporting a turnover of £78 million in its last accounts, the outcome of this case could have substantial financial consequences for the company when it returns to court for a full trial.
