The pensioner was one of two passers-by injured by the falling cladding, prompting the Health and Safety Executive to prosecute the contractors.
Brendan Flynn Construction, based in Harrow, was subcontracted to carry out carpentry work on a residential project in Crawley. But it used the wrong nails for the cladding.
Crawley Magistrates' Court heard how the cladding the firm was using on Peglar House in the borough was not effectively secured, which resulted in it being blown off the building to the pavement below in November 2009.
One piece struck the pensioner on the ankle, causing serious injury. The woman, who was in her eighties, was hit so hard by the cladding it almost severed her foot, the court was told. Another piece of cladding hit a passing man causing bruising from wrist to shoulder.
Several cars in a nearby supermarket car park and on the busy road were also hit.
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HSE inspectors told the court that the company had failed to use the correct nails to safely secure the cladding product.
HSE Inspector Russell Beckett said: "Brendan Flynn Construction Ltd used a specialist cladding product but did not take the time to ensure workers were using the correct fittings.
"It is basic practice for a carpentry firm to get this right. The incident had horrendous consequences, which could have been far worse. However, that will be little consolation to the injured parties.
"This case serves as a warning to other companies that HSE will not hesitate to prosecute companies who fail to follow the correct safety procedures."
Brendan Flynn Construction Limited, of Watford Road, Northwood, Harrow, today pleaded guilty of contravening section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (8 June). The company was fined a total of £8,000 and ordered to pay costs of £14,760.
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