Case study: £8,000 for worker knocked unconscious by metal shelving
Our personal injury solicitors helped a client claim compensation for injuries he sustained after metal shelving he was installing at work fell onto his head.
Accident circumstances and injuries sustained
Our client, Mr A, worked as a Stores Man and was responsible for managing the storage and distribution of goods in a warehouse. He was installing industrial metal shelving made of heavy metal sheets, which were around four metres tall. As he was trying to clip the shelves into place, the unit fell onto Mr A, hitting him on the head and knocking him unconscious.
There should have been safety clips locking the unit in place provided by the Defendant (Mr A’s employer), which were not present.
Mr A was dazed and aware of a laceration on his scalp, which was bleeding, and he was taken to hospital.
As a result of the accident, Mr A sustained the following injuries:
- A compound skull fracture
- A soft tissue injury to his neck
Mr A was seen by the Neurosurgical team, who confirmed that no surgery was necessary, and the wound was glued together.
A follow-up scan was arranged a week later, which fortunately showed no abnormality in the brain.
Claiming compensation for personal injury
Mr A instructed our specialist workplace injury solicitors to help claim compensation for his injuries.
We submitted details of the claim to the Defendant’s insurers, and liability for the accident was admitted.
Medical reports obtained
Our solicitors obtained copies of Mr A’s medical records and instructed an A&E Consultant to determine the full extent of Mr A’s injuries as a result of the accident.
The report confirmed:
- Mr A’s laceration healed within one month of the accident and left a scar that was covered by his hair
- Mr A’s neck pain resolved within two weeks
- Mr A had severe headaches for one week (during the first week after the accident) and confusion and concussion-type symptoms for two weeks (during the first two weeks after the accident Mr A felt that it was just under six months after the accident until he felt that his cognitive functions had returned to normal
Claim for financial losses
Our personal injury lawyers collated details of Mr A’s financial losses he incurred as a result of the accident. Mr A was paid by his employer for three weeks he required off work, therefore, the only claim for financial losses was:
- The care and assistance received from his wife for daily activities and household chores
- Nominal travel expenses, as Mr A was unable to drive for 10 months as instructed by the DVLA
Settlement offer
The Defendant’s insurers made an offer of settlement of £6,000, which was at the lower end of our valuation bracket.
Following further negotiations, Mr A accepted a settlement of £8,000.
Contact our specialist workplace injury solicitors
If you’ve been injured as a result of an accident at work, you may be able to claim compensation. Get in contact with our specialist team for a free, no-obligation chat on 0117 325 2929 or fill out our online enquiry form.
