21.09.2005

Compensation Following Work Accident

A Sheffield man has been awarded £1,100 in an out-of-court settlement from his employers following an accident caused by a poorly maintained crane.

Lee Newton of Skelton Way, Woodhouse, a welder at Corton Steel Metal Fabrications in Parkway Avenue, Sheffield, suffered bruising to his left knee and both arms when the drive shaft he was operating sheared off and fell on him.

His payout was secured with help from Laura Mitchell, of the personal injury team at Irwin Mitchell solicitors, based at the firm's new Riverside offices.

At the time of the accident Mr Newton was using the crane to lift and move a structured steel beam.

He said: "As I was walking along, holding the control pendant, the beam was moving behind me as usual. I suddenly heard a noise above me and when I looked up saw the drive shaft bearing down on me.

"I had no time to move out of the way and it hit me first on my arms and then my left leg. I fell to the floor in a lot of pain and thought that I'd broken my arm."

 

Mr Newton was taken by a colleague to the Northern General Hospital where x-rays showed that the arm was not broken, although he had suffered extensive bruising.

He was advised to wear a sling for 36 hours and signed off work for a week, but returned after four days due to pressure from his employer.

Commenting on the payout, Laura Mitchell said: "It's every employer's duty to their staff to ensure that all equipment, whether it's heavy duty machinery or simply office furniture, should be properly maintained in order to ensure the safety of employees.

"Mr Newton's accident could have been far worse, with the drive shaft only missing his head by a few inches. By ignoring health and safety requirements, businesses are putting their staff in danger and leaving themselves open to legal action."