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Sheffield Man Suffers Hand Injury In Work Accident

11/01/2010

Law firm Irwin Mitchell is warning businesses to ensure their workplace is a safe environment for employees, after a Sheffield man was admitted to hospital to treat cuts to his hand in an accident at work.

Rae Plusa, from Stocksbridge, Sheffield, was working as an apprentice electrician at Doncaster Precision Forging when he caught his hand on a sharp piece of exposed metal, causing a severe deep circular injury to his right hand.

Mr Plusa instructed Irwin Mitchell to bring a claim against the employers on his behalf, and the law firm negotiated an undisclosed out-of-court settlement after the company’s insurers admitted liability for the accident.

He was hospitalised and the wound was cleaned under local anaesthetic, but it was unable to be stitched due to worries it would permanently restrict the movement of his finger.

He was forced to take a month off work as a result of the injury, and also required help with washing, household tasks, and was unable to ride his motorbike.

Mr Plusa said: “I was working with mechanical fitters who were repairing a five tonne drop stamp, and was sitting on part of the structure with my right hand resting on a cover whilst they carried out part of the repair.

“When I moved my hand I felt the sharp piece of metal stick into my hand. I was very lucky not to be left with permanent damage as the injuries could have been much worse if they had caught tendons or ligaments.”

Louise Morgan, Personal Injury Specialist at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Mr Plusa’s injury was obviously very painful, and could easily have been avoided had his employers followed the necessary health and safety procedures.

“Employers need to ensure workplaces are kept clean and safe, and must provide the right level of protective clothing to employees to make their working environment as safe as possible.”

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