Personal injury advice from
Thompsons Solicitors
Employee’s Thumb Amputated by Drill in Accident at Work
4th May 2011
Our expert personal injury lawyers recently acted on behalf of a man who suffered a serious injury as the result of an accident at work. We secured compensation on his behalf.
Lack of Safety Precautions Causes Injury
Whilst using a drill to carry out a task at work, our client’s hand slipped and the drill caught his glove, pulling his hand into the mechanism. He was eventually able to free his hand and turn the drill off, however by this time his thumb had been amputated.
It was not possible to reattach the thumb, so an operation was carried out to place skin grafts over the area, followed by many months of physiotherapy.
Our client was left with a permanent disability, as he is unable to use his injured hand properly and suffers constant pain due to nerve damage. He had to give up work and now requires help from family members with housework, shopping and DIY. Because of his personal injury our client will require a specially adapted car and simple tasks like preparing food and fastening clothes are very difficult.
Workplace Accident Compensation Claim
The injured employee approached us for help with a personal injury claim, as he felt his accident could have been avoided if proper health and safety precautions were in place.
He and his colleagues were not made aware of an emergency stop button that could be used to stop the drill suddenly in the event of an accident and the gloves provided for using the drill were the wrong type. He should have been given gloves that tear easily when they become caught, which can prevent the type of injury he sustained.
Our client’s employer admitted responsibility for the accident and we entered into negotiations with them to recover compensation on his behalf. We were able to secure an interim payment to help him cover his expenses until the case could be concluded.
After rejecting initial, lower offers, we obtained a total of £100,000 in damages for the claimant. This sum represented compensation for the pain and suffering caused by the injury and also our client’s losses, including his loss of income and the costs of travel, care and services he will incur because of his injury.
Accident Claim Advice
If you suffer an injury in a workplace accident, or any other accident caused by the negligence of someone else, you may be in a position to make an injury claim.
At The Legal Line, our lawyers are specialists in all areas of personal injury, with a wealth of experience in recovering compensation for the victims of avoidable accidents. Contact us on 0800 0328511, or by completing a claim enquiry form online, for cost-free, confidential accident claim advice.
Contact us
Testimonials
"It wasn't realistic for me to work any more and the loss of my income placed an additional strain on us."
Jane Evans
Mother of Rebecca
Personal Injury News
