You are in: Home Page |
News Desk | News Story
4th December 2008
Rolls Royce Employee Left with Debilitating Condition
Compensation for Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)
A Unite the union member has received compensation after his hands were left permanently damaged by vibrating tools he used while working for Rolls Royce.John Smith, 62, from Derby was diagnosed with Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) following years of exposure to hand held air powered tools while working for the famous jet engine manufacturer.
Mr Smith contacted his union, Unite, after he was diagnosed with the condition in 2006. Unite instructed its lawyers Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim for compensation.
Rolls Royce admitted liability and agreed to pay £6,250 in damages to Mr Smith.
Industrial Injury caused by vibrating tools
HAVS is an industrial injury which affects many people who operate hand-held vibrating power tools over a number of years.
Its symptoms can differ greatly for each sufferer but common complaints are numbness in the fingertips, discolouration of the skin and general aches and pains in the hands, arms and fingers.
There are precautions that employers can take to reduce the risk.
Mr Smith worked as a fitter balancer for Rolls Royce since 1989 and was exposed to vibration on a daily basis.
He started noticing his fingers turning white during the winter in 2004 but did not realise the significance. He was diagnosed with HAVS in 2006.
Mr Smith is now retired but said the condition has an adverse effect on his life. He said he feels pain and discomfort when gardening or fishing and he has to make sure his hands are kept warm at all times.
He said: “I firmly believe more should have been done by my employers to safeguard me from this condition. Now I am retired it affects everything I enjoy. When I walk the dog, do the gardening or go fishing I have to make sure my hands are ok. Often I have to stop an activity because my fingers will turn white and go numb.”
By law employers should protect their staff
Adrian Axtell Regional Secretary of Unite East Midlands said: “HAVS can be a debilitating condition which is caused by using vibrating tools. By law employers should protect their staff from this condition by ensuring staff are not exposed to high levels of vibration. Rolls Royce failed to do that for Mr Smith.”
Esther McConaghie from Thompsons Solicitors said: “We are pleased to have helped Mr Smith to claim compensation for his condition. His case shows how an employer’s failure to ensure simple yet essential safety measures are in place can have a long term impact for their employees.”
This news story has also been published by thisisderbyshire.co.uk
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 compensation 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.
Injured
Is it costing you money?Claim compensation
Call us on 08000 224 224
