Worker injured in ceiling collapse given £250k after eight-year battle

A WOMAN has received £250,000 from Essex County Council after suffering serious injuries when part of a ceiling collapsed on her and then later narrowly missed being hurt when a second section gave way.

- By PIERS MEYLER Local democracy reporter

But Susan Williams only won the money from the council after a lengthy legal battle, which included an attempt by the council to discredit her by using covert filming of her outside of work.

Ms Williams had been sitting in a chair in a council building in 2016 when a large section of the ceiling suddenly gave way, falling directly on to her head. She suffered multiple injuries, including lacerations that needed stitches, but also long-term psychological trauma.

She was later diagnosed with post-traumatic fibromyalgia by a consultant rheumatologist, which was confirmed by pain specialists.

Despite her best efforts to return to work, initially on reduced hours, Ms Williams' symptoms persisted and significantly affected her mobility and quality of life.

But then, five years later, in 2021, while she was attempting to recover from the incident, another section of the ceiling collapsed, narrowly missing her while she was working in the same building.

This second incident retriggered Ms Williams' symptoms and led to severe psychological distress, ultimately resulting in her being medically retired at the age of 58.