Compensation for Manchester man after serious injury in accident at work

Accident at Work

17/09/2008

A Manchester man has received a five-figure compensation settlement after suffering serious injury in an accident at work.

Mr X, received the settlement from his employer after his hand was crushed in a trench, as he worked on the widening of one of the region's busiest motorways in August 2005.

As a sub-contractor, he was assisting with labouring work and was asked by his foreman to remove a top layer of concrete drainage blocks from the wall of a trench. Mr X queried the safety of the trench but he was told to carry on.

After standing on the unsteady surface and lifting the first drainage block Mr X lost his footing, causing the block to fall onto his left hand crushing his fingers.

As a result of the accident, Mr X suffered severe fractures, lacerations and a loss of feeling in a number of his fingers.

His injuries were so bad that he had to remain off work after the accident for many months and hasn't been back in full-time employment since.

Mr X's claim was settled by Matthew Garson of Irwin Mitchell specialist Accidents at Work Team. He said: "It is an employer's responsibility to look after its employees in their place of work. Mr X was let down by his contractors and as a result had to spend a notable time off work. We are glad that liability was eventually admitted and he has received compensation but the incident should never have happened in the first instance."