Coventry Man Receives Damages After Losing Fingers In Work Accident
Loss of fingers at work
30/01/2008
A Coventry man, whose hand was crushed in a horrific factory accident, which resulted in him having two fingers amputated, has been awarded a substantial five-figure sum in damages.
37-year-old Parlvin Moyo from Allesley Park was employed as a machine operative for Hydro Aluminium Extrusion Ltd in Tatchbrook Park, Warwick when the accident happened on 16th September 2004.
Mr Moyo was working on a milling machine used to cut and grind metal components. As he removed one of the milled components his glove was caught by the rotary cutter & grinder and his right hand was pulled into the machine. Mr Moyo's right hand was severely crushed and his index and middle fingers were so badly damaged that they had to be amputated.
Following the accident Mr Moyo required 6 months physiotherapy and was unable to work for 11 months. His injury has meant he is unable to return to his original job.
The accident happened because the firm had failed to fit an adequate safety guard and had also failed to properly train Mr Moyo in using this machine.
His employers, Hydro Aluminium Extrusion Ltd, a subsidiary of Norsk Hydro UK Ltd agreed an out of court settlement for the injuries he sustained.
Mr Moyo who is married with two children, explained: "Its taken a long time to get over the accident. Because I am right handed, everyday personal and domestic tasks are awkward, difficult and at times completely impossible.
"Although there was no way I could return to my old manual job, I was determined to get back to work to support my family. In recent months I’ve taken a few temporary office positions and despite the physical limitations of not being able to use my right hand properly, I can cope pretty well. Recently I have gone back to college to retrain as an accountant so the compensation I have received will help support me until I get my qualifications."
Keri Bowyer from the Birmingham office of national law firm Irwin Mitchell, represented Mr Moyo in his legal claim. She explained: "Whilst I am pleased that we have brought a successful claim for Mr Moyo, this is an accident that could easily have been avoided if his employers had taken simple steps to ensure his safety at work.
"The most recent figures released by the Health & Safety Commission (i) show there has been a small reduction of around 3% in serious work accidents but with more than 28,000 major injuries reported in 2006/07, there is still more that needs to be done to protect the safety of workers.
"In this particular case, one straightforward, avoidable error has unfortunately had serious consequences for my client and although he is determined to move on with his life, he will nevertheless always carry the scars of what happened."