Unite member compensated for ‘agonising’ workplace injuries
A judge has ruled in favour of a Unite member who was left with ‘agonising’ injuries due to an employer’s negligence.
Mr Williams, a furnace operator at a smelting works in Rotherham, has been awarded £60,000 following the workplace injury in 2016, which resulted in serious physical and psychological injuries. Mr Williams was represented by Jason London, a personal injury specialist at Morrish Solicitors.
The judge at Sheffield County Court was satisfied with Mr Williams’ claims that his employer failed to provide him with a safe place and/or system of work, which led to the client being seriously burned by molten aluminium.
The defendant denied liability, claiming that Mr Williams was not wearing the appropriate safety equipment. However, given the evidence, the judge was “convinced on the balance of probabilities” and the fact that he had 30 years’ experience in the role, that Mr Williams was wearing correct PPE as he had stated.
An independent single joint engineering expert was brought in to create a report on the incident noted that there was no evidence that the defendants’ Health and Safety Manager had inspected the scene/equipment after the incident. Nor did they seek the advice of anyone who had examined the equipment immediately after the incident.
The expert’s opinion was that materials used to repair equipment may not have been left to cure properly. This resulted in moisture reacting with the molten aluminium on contact, causing it to explode and injuring Mr Williams.
Mr Williams commented: “I’m very happy with the outcome and the support I received from Unite. Everything went according to plan, and I can’t fault Jason from Morrish Solicitors. He gave me great advice and kept me informed every step of the way.”
Jason London, personal injury solicitor at Morrish Solicitors LLP said: “The defendant’s accusation that Mr Williams was not wearing correct PPE was ill founded. Mr Williams didn’t falter once in his recollection of the incident and the independent expert believed that the accident could have happened in line with Mr Williams’ version of events. We are pleased that thanks to Unite’s support, we were able to achieve a positive outcome for the client after such a traumatic incident.”
Richard Copnall, counsel at Parklane Plowden added: “The client finally got a just result after years of unreasonable denial and delay by the defendant. The positive outcome was due, in large part, to the perseverance, hard work and professionalism of Jason London and his team at Morrish Solicitors.”
Personal injury experts
We have a dedicated team of personal injury solicitors with a wealth of experience in a variety of claims. If you have suffered an injury in the workplace get in touch on 033 3344 9600 or email [email protected].
