Unite Legal Services secure compensation following accident at work
A Unite the Union member has received compensation from his employer after suffering a back injury at work.
Unite member, Mr Naz, who worked as a Production Operator, was undertaking both his own job and that of the Team Leader when the injury occurred. He was lifting large 25kg bags from pallets onto the floor, when he felt an acute pain in his lower back.
Mr Naz sustained soft tissue injuries to his back and despite undergoing intensive physiotherapy he was unable to carry out any future heavy lifting.
He contacted Unite Legal Services for support and an investigation took place to put forward a claim for compensation. It was found that his employer had not only failed to ensure a safe working environment, but they had also neglected to provide adequate manual handling training, which would have prevented the injury.
Unite Legal Services argued that the employer was at fault and following lengthy negotiations, proposed to take the employer to trial. This then resulted in a compensation payment of £27,500 for Mr Naz’s injuries and loss of earnings incurred because he had to resign from his job due to continuing back pain. It was found that during the course of the claim, the employer had carried out surveillance to try and prove that Mr Naz had not been honest about his injuries, despite an experienced medical expert stating that his injuries were most definitely caused at work.
He was delighted with the result and kept 100% of the compensation with no deductions.
Mr Naz said: “Unfortunately there were no adequate training and health and safety measures taken by my employer and I suffered injuries as a consequence. The help and assistance that was provided to me by Unite Legal Services was invaluable and much appreciated during a very difficult time.”
Karen Reay, North East Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Secretary of Unite the Union commented: “Our Member’s need to be protected. Employers should be making sure that all staff are trained and risk assessments are carried out. This injury could and should have been avoided. Fortunately our Member was able to benefit from Unite Legal Services.”
