Case Highlights Devastating Impact Of Work Accidents

Work accident experts at Irwin Mitchell have welcomed news that Warwickshire County Council has been fined over a 2009 incident in which a contractor lost two fingers.

The local authority has been ordered to pay £7,000 and costs in relation to the accident at work in October 2009, which saw a nominated heating contractor at its headquarters injured when his hand was pulled into the running belts of a hot water pump.

An investigation revealed the rear of the machine did not include adequate guarding, meaning dangerous moving parts were exposed.

The worker was forced to have two fingers amputated as a result of the incident and continues to take medication to deal with ongoing pain. He has also been unable to return to work.

Stephen Nye, a Partner at Irwin Mitchell’s Birmingham office, specialises in acting for those who have suffered serious injuries at work.

Commenting on this case, he said: “This terrible case, which continues to impact on the life of the victim, highlights just how devastating workplace injuries can be.

“Employers cannot ignore the importance of ensuring employees are able to complete their work in the safest possible manner, which includes guaranteeing that all equipment on-site has been assessed and it safe to use.

“We see too many cases where these very serious issues have been overlooked and, as a result, many people have had their lives turned upside down. Health and safety is a fundamental issue in the workplace and we hope lessons can be learned that will prevent the same mistakes from arising again.”

Our serious injury solicitors could help you claim compensation if you have suffered an injury at work that resulted in the amputation of a limb. See our Amputation Claims page or Workplace Accident Claims page for more information.