Case study: £7,500 compensation for machinery accident

Our workplace injury solicitors recently helped a client claim compensation for an accident at work that led to permanent damage to a finger on his dominant hand.

Injuries sustained in machinery accident

Our client, Mr C, instructed us after he was involved in an accident at the plant where he worked. He was assisting with the repair of a piece of machinery and whilst doing so, he lifted a moving conveyor belt on the machine. His middle finger on his dominant hand got caught in the belt and the tip was severed.

Mr C attended the hospital, where his finger was surgically reattached but became infected. Due to this, the surgeon had to amputate the finger down to the first joint.

There were some initial concerns as a colleague’s account of Mr C’s accident differed from our client’s. The company had initially disciplined and demoted our client following his involvement in the incident. However, our expert personal injury solicitors were satisfied that our client’s account was truthful and proceeded to submit the claim.

Mr C’s employer (the Defendant) admitted full liability for the accident.

Proceeding with the compensation claim

Our workplace injury solicitors instructed an expert Hand Surgeon to examine our client. The medical report confirmed that:

• Mr C’s de-sensitisation and cold intolerance would improve over a couple of years.
• Mr C’s loss of movement of his finger and problems with fine tasks, i.e. picking up coins from his pocket, would not improve over time.

Reaching settlement

We valued the claim using previous case law and the Judicial College Guidelines for Awards in Personal Injury Actions and made an offer of settlement to the Defendant. The Defendant responded with a counteroffer of £7,535 and, after a period of negotiation, was accepted by our client.

Get in touch with our workplace accident solicitors in Bristol

If you have suffered an injury at work that was not your fault, our expert personal injury solicitors can help you make a claim for compensation. Call our specialist personal injury solicitors in Bristol on 0117 325 2929 or complete our online enquiry form.