Stewarts’ International Injury team is acting on behalf of Ben Thompson in his claim against his former employer, GE Energy UK. Ben sustained life-changing injuries after he fell 25 to 30 metres into the sea from a retracting walk-to-work platform at Dogger Bank Wind Farm, the world’s largest offshore wind farm. Senior Associate Rebecca Huxford, who is acting for Ben, reviews his claim to date.

Ben was employed as an offshore wind farm technician on the Dogger Bank Wind Farm at the time of the incident. Dogger Bank is located off the north-east coast of England, and offshore construction has been ongoing there since 2022.

Ben was in the process of transferring on foot from a 7,000 ton service operations vessel to the upright transition piece on which a wind turbine was to be installed. To transfer from the ship to the transition piece, Ben was required to walk across a walk-to-work system (also known as a gangway) approximately 25 to 30 metres above the sea.

The gangway was telescopic in design and could be extended and retracted under the remote control of a gangway operator from the bridge of the vessel. Pedestrian access to the gangway was supervised and controlled by a crewman from the support vessel, who was positioned on a waiting platform extending from the ship. There are also red and green lights indicating whether it is safe to cross, and an alarm that sounds when the gangway disconnects. The crewman confirmed to Ben that he could proceed to walk across. The light at the entrance was green.

Ben made his way to the gate at the transition piece end of the gangway. The gangway suddenly and unexpectedly retracted, and despite Ben trying to move back, he lost his balance and fell approximately 25 to 30 metres into the sea. Ben alleges that he did not see a red light, did not hear an emergency alarm and did not hear anyone shout a warning at any time before the gangway moved. It is also alleged that there was a potential fault with the gangway and that a lack of supervision and communication resulted in a failure to manually override the automatic disconnection process. He lost consciousness at around the time he entered the sea. Ben was rescued by a fast rescue boat after around six to eight minutes in the water. He has been left with a number of serious physical and psychological injuries as a result of the incident.

Ben has issued court proceedings and is seeking financial compensation to account for the life-changing effect his injuries have had on him and his career, but he also wants to highlight the risks associated with offshore work during the construction phase and in particular the operation of motion compensated gangways to ensure an incident like this does not happen again.

Rebecca Huxford comments:

“This incident has had a life-changing impact on Ben, who consequently has not been able to return to work offshore or at height. He was only 28 at the time of the incident and at an exciting point in what he hoped would be a long and rewarding career in the offshore wind industry. Now he faces an uncertain career future and injuries that will have a lifelong impact.”

“Ben’s incident is the subject of a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation. Safety notices issued in May 2024, and August 2025 highlight the serious risks associated with motion-compensated gangways, and the HSE is calling upon operators in the oil and gas and renewable energy sectors to review gangway arrangements. In particular, it is seeking to ensure that any that cannot provide sufficient audible and visual warning before automatic retraction, are taken out of service until they can be made safe.”

“Incidents like Ben’s serve as a reminder of the significant dangers of working offshore and at height. Employers must ensure the highest level of safety and protection is in place for employees working in such conditions.”