Golf worker gets £75,000 for broken shoulder after falling at prestigious course

Alan Clements was working at Carnoustie Golf Links when he was injured during the 2021 Alfred Dunhill Links competition.

The 39-year-old – who only started his job six months earlier – was tasked with keeping the practice range clean and helping maintain the area.

Due to the competition there was a large marquee set up near the practice range and at the back of it was a faulty ball washing machine that had been partially dismantled with two plastic panels left lying on the ground next to the doorway.

There were no warning signs, guidance from bosses or safety cordons alerting people to the panels and during the night it had been raining.

So when Alan came out of the tent, completely oblivious to the risks, he slipped on the wet panels and fell to the ground.

The father-of-four from Carnoustie, Angus said: “It was just instant pain.

“I was helped into a buggy by a co-worker and very quickly the call went over the radio for help.”

Alan was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee and an X-ray confirmed he had a broken shoulder.

Surgeons treated Alan and inserted metal bolts into his shoulder to keep it in place – he needed two surgeries to treat his injuries and attended physio appointments for around 18 months.

Throughout his recovery Alan lost wages and the ability to live his normal life.

He added: “I felt completely useless – I couldn’t even make a piece of toast as the pain was immense and my mobility was nil.

“I was stuck in a sling and could barely sleep, wash myself or do anything.

“Going to work was an impossibility and playing golf seemed like a distant fantasy – in fact, I couldn’t even properly get out the house for anything.

“The overall impact to your mentality, how I felt in general… the injuries really affected me in a big way. I just felt distanced from everything and everyone.”

After the accident, Alan said his employers seemed considerate however as time progressed he felt that support dwindle.

He hoped to return to work but it became clear to Alan that it wasn’t going to be possible, and he felt the management did little to help – this impression was cemented by the fact that the Club denied liability for his accident.

With a build-up of financial losses and the ongoing impact to his family, Alan decided to seek legal advice.

He added: “When I was hurt our kids were really young – a toddler and a three-month-old.

“I felt terrible not being able to help more.

“My partner ended up being a breadwinner, mum, nurse and home help and I am so grateful for the support she gave during that difficult time as she did more than a new mum should expect to.

“That’s why I wanted to get legal advice – I felt like it was the best way to do right by my partner because my injury wasn’t just affecting me, it was affecting my family.”

Alan reached out to Digby Brown and was supported by Erin Scott, solicitor in our Dundee office.

Erin gathered all the information and evidence needed to build a case for Alan including witness statement from colleagues.

She then wrote to the insurance company for Carnoustie Golf Links to deal with the workplace injury claim because it’s not an employer who pays compensation, it’s the insurance policy that pays out.

The insurers wrote back to Erin and confirmed they would pay Alan a total of £75,000 in compensation.

Alan said: “My solicitor was second to none, absolutely outstanding.

“Answered every question, done everything, kept me up to date with every progression of the case and it was a lot of patience as well, involved in it, but, yeah, absolutely brilliant service.

“I'm just so relieved and glad and happy that I can now try and move on from everything and just try and build a future and just enjoy life.”