Redditch Man Calls For More Awareness Of Leptospirosis Risks

A former butcher whose life has been turned upside down after he contracted leptospirosis at work is calling on the farming industry to raise awareness of the condition, after lawyers secured him a six-figure settlement in relation to the illness.

The 59-year-old, from Redditch, fell ill in August 2012 with a range of symptoms including pains in his eyes and across his body, fever and severe headaches, with the problems proving so severe that he was unable to eat for five days and required advice from his GP.

Following tests, it was confirmed that our client – who regularly worked in both a butcher’s shop and at a farm selecting livestock for slaughter – had developed leptospirosis, an illness more commonly associated with sewerage workers but also known in those coming into contact with animals. The post-infective stage of the illness has had a long-term impact on his health as he still suffers from chronic fatigue as well as regular headaches nearly four years on from the initial onset of symptoms.

Our client instructed our specialist workplace illness lawyers to investigate his case and whether more should have been done to protect him from the risk of leptospirosis. Despite the failure of his former employer to admit liability, the experts have now secured him a six-figure settlement from his former employer, Ragley Estate Meats, regarding the problems.

Expert Opinion

“Leptospirosis is often caused by bacteria entering the body through scratches/abrasions or through contact with contaminated faeces or urine.

“As my client’s ongoing problems demonstrate, it is a hugely serious illness and all employers across the farming industry have a duty to ensure that their staff are properly protected from the risk of it.

“Anyone who goes to work deserves to be able to return home safe and well at the end of the day, but this case highlights the terrible consequences which can emerge when safety is not made a fundamental priority.” Alex Shorey - Legal Director

The man had been Head Butcher at Ragley Estate Meats since 2003, with the job requiring him to both work within the butchers’ shop and also visit Weethly Farm to select livestock for slaughter, help with the transportation of the animals and clean trailers of faeces and urine.

He recalls: “Throughout all of my work, I was never provided with any safety equipment or warned of the risks that I could face while undertaking the tasks on the farm.

“It was only after I fell ill and learned more about leptospirosis that I was able to join the dots and realise that I had fallen ill as result of work. I reported my illness to the HSE and even following their intervention only limited information was made available to employees on the Estate.”

He was unable to work for three weeks following the illness and was only returned for half-days after that due to his ongoing symptoms. He took voluntary redundancy from the role in 2013.

He said: “The illness has completed transformed my life. I used to be very active and enjoy so many hobbies like gardening and generally looking after the house. However, I now get tired very quickly and suffer regular headaches so it is very difficult for me to do anything. I can’t even look after my grandchildren on my own.

“While nothing is going to change the health problems I have had over the past few years, I hope this settlement will allow me to look to a brighter future. It is also vital that my story encourages farming businesses to ensure they are doing everything they can to protect workers from leptospirosis and other related illnesses.”