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9th May 2008

Machine operator from Merthyr Tydfil injured by seamer machine secures £11,000 damages

Injured by Machine at Work

A machine operator from Merthyr Tydfil whose right thumb was seriously injured using a seamer machine has secured £11,000 damages. Gerald O’Reilly secured the compensation with the support of his trade union UNITE, and their personal injury specialists Thompsons Solicitors.

Mr O’Reilly, aged 58, works as a machine operator for Impress Merthyr Tydfil Limited. On the day of his accident, he was clearing a jam of cans on the bottom seamer machine. As he took hold of one can he realised that it was damaged and therefore very sharp. In no time at all it had cut straight through the gloves he was wearing.

Lack of proper hand protection contributed to injury

Mr O’Reilly explains: “The machine severed the digital nerve in my right thumb; the pain was excruciating. If I’d been given the correct type of industrial gloves, the can wouldn’t have cut through. I still suffer from pain, numbness, pins and needles and reduced grip which is very frustrating given the work I do, and the fact that I show pedigree Chow dogs.”

Unite regional secretary Andy Richards comments: “Impress Merthyr Tydfil Limited failed to properly maintain the equipment which Mr O’Reilly was working on. The dangerous can and the lack of proper hand protection made the equipment unsafe. We hope this settlement will encourage other employers to sit up and take note and ensure that they are compliant with the various regulations which are there to protect employees like our member Mr O’Reilly.”

Representing Mr O’Reilly, Eamonn McDonough from Thompsons Solicitors in Cardiff comments: “Gerald O’Reilly’s employer Impress was clearly in breach of its duty of care and as a result, he suffered totally unnecessary injuries and financial loss. He had to have many weeks off work initially and due to further symptoms was off work again months later.”

How to start a claim for compensation

If you or someone you know has been injured in the workplace, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.

There are strict time limits in place to make any injury claim including claims resulting 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 compensation claim forms.