North East Man Awarded Compensation After Neck Injury at Work

Injury at work caused by defective equipment

A Northumberland man has been awarded compensation for an injury at work caused by a defective hoist.

Mr Y, was awarded £40,000 compensation in an out of court settlement in February, just days before his case was due in court in Newcastle.

Mr Y was working as a roofer for a local firm in January 2003, when he had to lift a roll of lead after a hoist failed, leaving it suspended over a public pavement. He sustained injuries to his neck and was forced to undergo two operations to repair the damage.

The firm had earlier admitted liability for the accident but disputed the amount of compensation it should pay, while the trial was delayed further by the operations.

Mr Y’s solicitor, industrial injuries expert Roger Maddocks of Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office added: "Employers are under a legal duty to ensure that equipment provided for their workers is suitable and well maintained.

"This case demonstrates the human and financial cost that occurred when they failed to do so. Mr Y has not made a full recovery and his employers have had to make a substantial payment of compensation."

Reacting to the award, Mr Y said: "I am very pleased with the settlement and glad that I can now put this behind me and get on with my life. No amount of money can compensate for the injury I suffered but I am now very glad I decided to make a claim."

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