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10th July 2009
Goggles fail to prevent serious eye injury
Accident at work caused permanent damage to eye
A steel erector received £6,500 in compensation after he suffered permanent damage to his eye during the construction of the new Wembley Stadium.Ian Pearson, a 36-year-old member of Unite the union, from Newham in Nottinghamshire was working on the famous football stadium in December 2005 for Fast Track Site Services when he permanently damaged his eye.
The steel erector was hammering a steel pin into a hole when a piece of galvanised coating broke off and, because his employer had supplied him with the wrong type of goggles, shot into his eye.
The injury has left him with permanent symptoms including blurred vision.
Employer accepted liability for accident
Ian, who no longer works for the company, contacted his union following the accident which instructed its lawyers Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim for accident compensation.
Fast Track Site Services, formerly based in Walsall but now dissolved, admitted liability and settled out of court.
Ian said it was important to him that his employers accepted responsibility for his injury.
He said: “I should have been supplied with the correct goggles. I’ve learnt to live with the end result of this accident and I don’t let it affect my life, but I hate to think how I would have coped if I had lost my sight.”
Correct Safety equipment could have prevented accident
Adrian Axtell, East Midlands Region Unite Regional Secretary added: “Construction workers wouldn’t dream of entering a building site without a hard hat - safety glasses are also a must-have item. However there are several types of glasses on the market and it is up to the employer to ensure that the type used is suited to the tasks being undertaken.”
Laura Hadfield from Thompsons Solicitors added: “Ian should have been provided with safety glasses which would provide his eyes with protection from all angles. His employer’s negligence means he has been left with long term problems with his eye, something which could easily have been avoided with the correct equipment.”
Compensation Claim Advice
If you or anyone you know has suffered an injury, illness or disease at work due to dangerous practices or procedures, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.
There are strict time limits in place to make any personal injury claim including claims stemming from accidents at work. 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 personal injury compensation claim forms.
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