Worker wins accident claim
A worker whose hand was crushed in an industrial accident has received £57,000 in a compensation claim.
The 46 year old man needed two operations to save his hand following the incident at an outdoor equipment manufacturer.
His injury lawyers, who made the accident claim on his behalf, said the man's left hand was dragged into a machine in the accident. Due the emergency stop device being faulty, the man's hand was trapped until a colleague could help him.
The case also exposed that the employers had done nothing to rectify the fault on the emergency device even when it was identified months earlier.
The man said he had to take five months off work to make time for his two operations to mend his hand and wrist.
The operations were partly successful but still the man has a permanent disability to his wrist and hand, which has caused reduced movement and loss of strength.
His lawyers argued that his employer had instructed him to use the wrong machine for the task.
They also told the judge that the emergency stop button should have worked. The employers admitted liability and settled the claim out-of-court.
Updated on 26/05/2010