Call back for new
personal injury claims only

Leave your details to request a call back.

* Required fields

Name: *

Telephone No:*

What is it regarding:* New Personal Injury Claim Conveyancing Criminal Matter Employment Matter Wills Existing Case

Union member:* Yes No     

If you are a member of a trade union please select Yes otherwise please select No and then click Submit

You are in: Home Page | News Desk | News Story

12th June 2007

Jarvis PLC to pay £8,000 damages to York depot worker injured after breach of safety regulations

Accident at Work

Jarvis PLC is to pay £8,000 damages to an RMT member who was off work for several weeks after injuring his knee in a fall at work. The compensation was secured via RMT’s free legal help scheme with Thompsons Solicitors.

Eric Barker, a shopman at York, tripped over a brake handle in October 2004. The handle, on a piece of equipment known as an “A” frame or iron man, was jutting out into a walkway because there was no room in the storage compound for the frame.

Eric, who already had problems with his knee, fell heavily, and sustained injuries which exacerbated the arthritis in his knee. He was off work for over a month and suffered pain for many more.

Retired due to Ill Health

He was eventually retired on ill health grounds due to the arthritis.

Eric explains: “I caught my right trouser leg on the brake lever sticking out from the iron man and fell forward onto my knees. It was very painful. I didn’t see the lever. The equipment should never have been left there, whether or not there was room to store it.”

Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said: “We’re pleased with the outcome of this case for our member Eric Barker. All employers have a duty of care to their employees. This case illustrates how crucial it is for equipment to be safely stored away. It’s a warning to other employers.”

Phil Kyte of Thompsons Solicitors in Leeds, Eric’s representative, said: “Jarvis PLC clearly breached the Workplace Regulations which led to Eric Barker’s accident. His compensation is therefore wholly justified and will help to secure his future given the earnings he lost at the time."

Compensation Claim Advice

If you or anyone you know has suffered a personal injury at work telephone us now for accurate claim advice.

There are strict time limits in place to make any personal 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 personal injury compensation claim forms.