Felixstowe Man Awarded Substantial Settlement After Nine Year Fight For Compensation
Accident at Work
07/08/2008
A local man has been awarded a compensation pay out following a nine year legal battle after an accident at work left him permanently unemployable.
Alan Thorne, 49, from Felixstowe, was employed as a terminal operator at the local docks by Hutchinson Ports (UK) Ltd. He suffered an excruciatingly painful accident at work on the 8th July 1999 when he was in a steel cage being lowered into a hold of a ship when the cage became entangled against the side of the hold. The cage tilted and threw Mr Thorne violently about, as a result of which he sustained injuries. The injuries suffered to Mr Thorne's back were so complex that it was difficult to diagnose his medical position, which remained unclear for some time. Subsequently it was found that Mr Thorne had suffered a wedger fracture and a regional pain syndrome and although treatment was recommended it was unlikely that there would be improvement in the foreseeable future. Medical experts and an Employment Consultant all agreed that Mr Thorne was now rendered unemployable by the nature of his injuries.
Mr Thorne was also subjected to over 119 hours of surveillance by the defendant in the case, Hutchinson Ports (UK) Ltd, between May 2004 and November 2007 in a bid to discredit Mr Thorne's condition. However, as the case prepared to go to trial a last minute offer of compensation was put forward.
Mr Thorne's solicitor, Belinda Craig from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: "Mr Thorne not only suffered a very serious and painful back injury as a result of his accident at work, but he was also subjected to nearly 120 hours of surveillance as the defendants in the case tried to continually discredit his claim. We are just pleased that we have been able to attain a suitable compensation from Hutchinson Ports which will enable Mr Thore to lead a comfortable life going forwards. This accident has left him permanently unable to work, and this settlement at least goes some way in helping him lead a more comfortable life."
Alan Thorne, 49, commented: "I am just relieved that a settlement has now been offered and I can put the accident behind me and move on. I will never fully recover but the settlement will enable me to adapt my home so I can be more comfortable. It has obviously not been pleasant to know that I have been under so much surveillance, but I am just pleased that the whole matter has now been resolved and I will not have to go to trial to fight for compensation."