Man Injured at Work due to Faulty Machinery

Machine operative receives compensation after being injured at work

A North East man has received £4,500 compensation after being injured at work.

Mr X worked as a machine operative at a large car manufacture when the accident happened in June 2004.

Mr X had been working on a section of car in the press shop. The nature of the process meant that scrap metal could build up if trimmings were not flowing down the chute. On the day of the accident, a scrap build up had occurred in the machine which was preventing the line from running. Mr X switched the machine to manual, as was required, and stood behind the chute cover which was open and leant over to free the scrap build up.

As he leaned over and moved the first bit of scrap the chute cover in front of him began to close shut. He had his right arm over the shutter which was closing away from his body and he felt it catch his bicep and his right hand. He instantly felt a shooting pain up through his arm, into his shoulders and through his neck.

It was found that the accident happened due to system failure. There had been three faulty rubber seals found in the shutter mechanism which had caused the air supply to leak. As the air supply was keeping the shutters open it had cut off the supply and the shutter had slammed shut.

The accident resulted in Mr X suffering injuries to his neck, shoulders and right upper arm and he required two weeks off work. He also had to take part in a rehabilitation plan which took over 10 weeks to complete.

Mr X’s employer admitted liability for the accident and settlement was reached in December 2007 by Lucy Proctor of Irwin Mitchell.

If you have been injured at work, fill in our online claims form here for a free case assessment.