A LABOURER has spoken out for the first time about his battle to overcome serious injuries he suffered when a scaffolding bin fell on his head at work.

Lenny Jarrett, 21, suffered several injuries, including a bleed on the brain and facial fractures, when the industrial-sized bin containing scaffolding joints toppled off a forklift truck.

Lenny, who lives in Hockley, now experiences difficulties with mobility, fatigue, memory, speech and sight as well as psychological and behavioural problems following the incident last October.

He is also deaf in his left ear and has been forced to postpone his ambition of becoming an army engineer.

He has chosen to speak out now to mark Action for Brain Injury Week.

Lenny lives with parents Glen and Joanne, 50 and 54, and 15-year-old sister Connie.

He was working at Rotamead’s yard in Battlesbridge when the incident happened on October 9, 2017.

Lenny, who had passed fitness tests to join the Army two weeks previously, was taken to Basildon Hospital and later transferred to Queens’s Hospital for surgery to stop the bleed on his brain.

The former Seevic College student attempted to return to work with the Rotamead Scaffolding, but due to his ongoing difficulties he has been signed off by his GP while he seeks further referrals for specialised treatment.

Recalling the incident, he said: “One minute I was stood sorting scaffolding clips and the next thing I remember I was on the ground.

“I remember lying on the ground waiting for the ambulance and being in agony. It felt like someone had my head in a vice.

“Before the accident, I was fit and healthy. I wanted to join the Army so I was running every day and spent a lot of spare time working on my Mazda MX 5.

“Now I’m anxious. I suffer with flashbacks and get frustrated that I can’t do many of the things I used to like going out with my friends or girlfriend that I took for granted.

“It is difficult not knowing what the future holds, but I’m trying not to think about it too much. I’m young and so I’m trying to stay focused on my recovery.”

Irwin Mitchell is now in legal discussions with the Rotamead’s insurers over funding the rehabilitation and therapies Lenny needs to overcome his injuries the best he can.

Natasha Fairs, specialist workplace injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Lenny, said: “While many people with a brain injury may no longer show any physical signs after their initial recovery the effects can last for many years.

“Lenny faces major challenges. He is receiving significant care and assistance from his mum and dad while an independent occupational therapy assessment has identified that he requires specialist therapies to boost his recovery.

“It’s now important that Lenny’s case is progressed with the utmost urgency, allowing him to access the funds to cover the cost of therapies and treatment he needs to overcome his injuries the best he can.”

Action For Brain Injury campaign week is organised by charity Headway. This week focuses on the ripple effect of how a brain injury not only affects the individual, but their family and friends too.

A Rotamead Scaffolding representative confirmed that Lenny was an employee, and that an accident took place, with proceedings ongoing.