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News Desk | News Story
20th March 2009
GMB member Michael Blinkhorn, 42, was off work for five months following the incident at HMP Wolds in East Yorkshire.
Mr Blinkhorn, from Doncaster suffered an injury to his left thumb when he slipped on the cell floor while he and his colleagues were attempting to disarm the prisoner and restrain him.
Since the accident he has left the prison service and now works as a warehouse operative for the mobile phone company O2.
During the incident the prisoner had become aggressive smashing his cell up and pulling the sink off the wall. He had spilt cleaning fluid across the floor and was brandishing a broken broom handle.
Mr Blinkhorn and his colleagues entered the cell in prison issued safety equipment including a helmet, gloves and shin pads. However, he hadn’t been provided with the correct non slip footwear as they weren’t available in his size.
The team entered the cell in single file with the officer at the front holding a shield. Mr Blinkhorn slipped and fell bending his thumb back against the shield and his colleague fell on top of him.
Mr Blinkhorn was diagnosed with ligament and tendon damage to his thumb. He still suffers from pain and his thumb swells after use.
Following the accident Mr Blinkhorn contacted his union the GMB which instructed its lawyers Thompsons Solicitors to claim compensation.
GSL UK Limited which employed Mr Blinkhorn at HMP Wold admitted liability and settled the claim out of court.
Mr Blinkhorn said: “I decided to claim compensation because this injury has affected my way of life. I used to be a keen golfer and cricketer but I can no longer hold a club or a bat properly.
“I’ve also left the prison service because after the accident. I started to feel like I was the prisoner. I was becoming stressed about the job and worried about what could happen.”
Tim Roache from the GMB added: “Had Mr Blinkhorn been provided with the correct shoes for his job this accident could have been avoided. Employers must make sure safety equipment is made available to their employees at all times.”
Laura Hadfield from Thompsons Solicitors added: “Prison officers work in a stressful and sometimes dangerous environment therefore it is important they are provided with the correct equipment to allow them to do their job safely. This incident shows how easy it can be for prison officers to be injured while doing their duty.”
If you or anyone you know has suffered an injury, illness or disease at work, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.
There are strict time limits in place to make any injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms.