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25th September 2008

Unison wins compensation for roadworker injured by vibrating tools

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)

UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector trade union, has won £262,000 compensation for Adrian Bideau, a Norfolk roadworker, forced out of his job at 25, through injury.

Mr Bideau developed hand, arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) and Carpel Tunnel Syndrome as a result of using vibrating tools such as breaker packs, whacker plates and saws.

Condition caused by over-use of vibrating tools

UNISON Regional Secretary for the Eastern Region, Greg Grant, said:

“It is a real tragedy that Adrian has been forced out of a job he loved doing at such a young age. He has to live with the painful results of over-use of these tools. Employers have a duty of care to their staff but Norfolk city council encouraged staff to work more hazardously, because of the bonus scheme they operated.”

Commenting on the accident, Adrian Bideau said:

"As well as HAVS, I was also diagnosed with Carpel Tunnel Syndrome in October 2003 and I have not been able to work since then. I have difficulty with working outside due to my condition, which is much worse in cold weather.

“Despite having decompression surgery on both of my wrists, I have not been able to return to my former employment and I was retired on ill health grounds in April 2005.

New scheme introduced to monitor exposure to vibratory tools

Samantha Vallis from Thompson Solicitors who brought the case for UNISON, said:

“As a large employer, Norfolk County Council would have been aware of the risks associated with the excessive vibration which they were exposing their employees to. They encouraged their workers to work long and excessive hours on the tools as they operated a bonus scheme. Therefore the more work they did, the more money they earned. They have now introduced a system whereby exposure to vibratory tools is monitored and controlled and the bonus scheme has been scrapped. Had this been the case when Mr Bideau was working on the tools, he would still be in a job he loved today.”

Compensation Claim Advice

If you or someone you know has developed Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome or any other industrial illness, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.

There are strict time limits in place to make any injury claim including Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome claims. 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 Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome 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 personal injury compensation claim forms.