News Desk January to April 2010

Shop worker compensated after fall in listed building

A shop worker who suffered a serious back injury after her employers ignored complaints about a dangerous staircase has received £5,000 in compensation.

Nuclear worker compensated for permanent damage to hands

A GMB member has received £35,000 in compensation after prolonged use of vibrating tools left his hands permanently damaged.

New support group for asbestos victims in the North East & Cumbria

A new organisation is being launched to provide support and advice to victims of asbestos and their families in the Northern Region.

Judge exposes “large hole” in employers’ insurance

A High Court judge has described how “countless employees” are falling through the “large hole” in Employers’ Liability insurance and getting no compensation after suffering an injury or disease which was their employer’s fault.

Unsuitable work boots leave PCS worker with painful condition

A Highways worker who had to take three months off work after she was forced to wear unsuitable footwear whilst working has received £3,600 in compensation.

Essex family and local hospice receive mesothelioma compensation

The family of a hardworking carpet fitter who died from asbestos related disease has received a substantial sum in compensation.

GMB member compensated after dog attack

A GMB member who needed eight stitches after she was attacked by a dog in her local pub has received £5,000 in compensation.

Lorry driver forced to change career after accident

A self employed lorry driver, who has been forced to rethink his career after a car accident, has received a substantial sum in compensation.

Factory worker receives damages after burn injury

A factory worker who was seriously burned after being provided with inadequate protective gear at work has received £3,800 in compensation

Biffa fined for health and safety failures

Waste contractors Biffa have been fined £280,000 at Reading Crown Court after pleading guilty to two health and safety charges after a man was killed whilst dumping grass cuttings.

Factory worker receives damages for broken wrist

A factory worker who was forced to take almost six months off work after a serious fall has received £20,000 in compensation.

Hospital Porter Compensated for Deadly DVT Risk

A theatre porter was forced to give up his 14-year career and face the daily risk of developing a fatal blood clot after a workplace accident.

Factory worker receives compensation for occupational asthma

A factory worker has received £32,000 compensation after he developed asthma when he was exposed to dangerous fumes for over three years

Daughter’s search for father’s foundry workmates

A cancer sufferer who was exposed to asbestos from her father’s work clothes is searching for his former workmates.

Commuter compensated for cycle accident

A cyclist has received almost £17,000 in compensation after she suffered serious injuries following an accident whilst commuting to work.

Wallsend council worker’s family’s plea for information

The family of Wallsend man, Bill Wiles who died from asbestos related cancer is appealing for information from his former work colleagues

British Rail worker compensated for mesothelioma

A cancer sufferer has received £120,000 compensation for mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure working as a welder at the British Rail Derby workshops.

Thompsons backs anti-BNP Hope Not Hate bus

Thompsons Solicitors is sponsoring, with the Daily Mirror, the Hope not Hate bus which sets off on 29 April on a tour of key constituencies, encouraging people to vote to reject the policies of the BNP.

HGV driver receives compensation for RSI

A female HGV driver has received £13,500 in compensation after developing Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) in her job for a blue chip company

PCS members compensated after six-year battle

A six-year battle by PCS members, who had an important perk of their job removed when they were transferred to a different organisation, has finally been settled.

Patient compensated for failed medical equipment

Thompsons Solicitors has secured more than £12,000 in compensation for a patient who was left in pain and discomfort when manufacturers provided him with defective medical equipment.

Scaffolder receives compensation after traumatic accident

A Unite member has received a substantial sum in compensation after he lost his leg in a horrific workplace accident.

Power station worker’s widow compensated for asbestos death

A widow who saw her husband die painfully from the asbestos cancer, mesothelioma, has received compensation from his former employers

RMT worker receives compensation after serious safety faults

An RMT member who suffered extensive injuries to his wrist after his employer exposed him to a risk they knew was dangerous has received a substantial sum in compensation

Welder wins unfair dismissal case

A Tyneside welder has been awarded more than £13,000 after an employment tribunal found he had been unfairly dismissed and had had his wages unlawfully deducted

Apprentice plater compensated for hearing loss

A GMB member whose exposure to dangerous levels of noise in the workplace many years ago has left him reliant on two hearing aids at the age of 48 has been compensated following help from Thompsons Solicitors.

Asbestos compensation delayed by insurers

An asbestos victim who was awarded compensation faces uncertainty about whether it will ever be paid because of a legal battle by insurers.

Yorkshire UNISON members compensated for asbestos related disease

Thompsons Solicitors’ dedicated team of lawyers in Yorkshire and Humberside who fight for compensation on behalf of people suffering from asbestos related disease have recovered £600,000 in damages for UNISON members in the last 12 months.

Ferry workers warned about hearing risks

Peter Hall, 49, from Liverpool has received a substantial sum in damages after suffering from occupational deafness while working on the vehicle decks of ferries

Airport security worker compensated after assault

A PCS member who was attacked while helping keep passengers safe at Heathrow Airport has received an undisclosed sum in compensation.

Sellafield compensate employee for radiation exposure

The 38-year-old, from Workington was exposed to Alpha radiation in his job as a process worker for Sellafield Limited in Seascale

Grandmother saved pupils from being crushed by faulty climbing frame

A grandmother, who was injured while protecting school children from falling wall bars, has received £10,000 in compensation, with help from her union UNISON.

Redundant train drivers awarded compensation

An ASLEF member who was refused redundancy pay when he was forced to leave his job working as a train driver has won more than £12,000 in compensation.

Engineer forced to give up job after serious tripping injury

A UNITE member who was forced to give up his job after he suffered a serious foot injury at work has received £210,000 in compensation.

Army officer compensated for cold injuries

A promising army recruit who was discharged after developing a non-freezing cold injury because he was not supplied with the right equipment has received £160,000 in compensation.

British Rail worker’s family compensated for mesothelioma death

The family of a South West London man who died from asbestos related disease has received compensation of £89,000.

Bakery driver compensated for back injury

A bakery delivery driver who damaged his back in a workplace accident has received £6,000 in compensation after help from his trade union.

Youths inspired by Thompsons Solicitors

Young people from across Sheffield will attend an inspirational outreach conference in July 2010 and high achievers in Sheffield are being asked to donate their time to help out

Stress university worker receives damages

A university worker who had to work up to 65-hours a week has received £110,000 in compensation after he had to give up work due to stress

Wirral man receives compensation for asbestos disease

Stephen McKeown, 64, from the Wirral was diagnosed with disabling asbestos related condition pleural thickening in 2007.

Government proposals for asbestos victims receives mixed reaction from Thompsons

Thompsons Solicitors has expressed disappointment at the decision not to restore compensation for people with pleural plaques in England and Wales, but welcomed a multi million pound package which will see increased state benefit payments for dependants of deceased asbestos victims and funding for research into asbestos related disease.

Asbestos compensation for former Shell employee

The 62-year-old from Manchester was diagnosed with asbestos related pleural thickening in 2008.

Former council chairman searches for cause of bladder cancer

Terry Burns, 51, from Burnley was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2005.

North West UNISON members compensated for asbestos related disease

Thompsons Solicitors’ dedicated team of lawyers in the North West who fight for compensation on behalf of people suffering from asbestos related disease have recovered more than £670,000 in damages for five UNISON members in the last 12 months.

Highways driver compensated for faulty brakes

A GMB member has received £5,000 in compensation after brakes on his work van that he had complained about failed and he crashed.

Statement from Elaine and Steve Been with regards to inquest into death of their son Daniel

Daniel Bee died in a car accident while on holiday with friends in Morocco. The inquest into his death was held at Nottingham Coroner’s Court. The coroner recorded death by unlawful killing on Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Railways worker compensated after serious car accident

An ASLEF member who suffered a horrendous car accident has received £360,000 in compensation

£230,000 compensation for family of engineer

The family of an engineer who died from asbestos related disease mesothelioma has received compensation of £230,000.

Biffa pleads guilty to health and safety charges

Waste contractors Biffa has pleaded guilty to two health and safety charges at Newbury Magistrates Court after a man was killed whilst dumping grass cuttings

Thompsons welcomes plans for Insurance fund of Last Resort

Thompsons Solicitors has welcomed Government plans to help injured workers and their families obtain compensation

Corus worker receives compensation for vibration injury

The 53-year-old from Barnsley was left with the debilitating condition Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) after using vibrating tools in his job at Corus in Rotherham.

Unite member compensated for asbestosis

Power station worker Clifford King, 85, from Newark in Nottinghamshire was diagnosed with asbestosis, with a 20% disability, in 2008 after suffering from a chest infection.

Derby family call on Government to help asbestos victims

A Derbyshire family has called for the Government to help asbestos victims and their families obtain compensation.

Cooker manufacturer pays compensation for unsafe practices

A GMB member has received £10,000 in damages after a cooker manufacturer failed to put safety measures in place to avoid injuries to assembly line workers.

Police officer helped by federation’s legal service

A police officer who was forced to go on light duties after a car accident has received £7,000 compensation after help from the Police Federation.

HGV driver receives compensation from service station

An RMT member who was forced to take nine weeks off work after he fell through an uncovered manhole has received compensation after help from his trade union.

Nissan worker compensated for nasty fall

A car manufacturer employee who was forced to give up his trade has received a six figure sum in compensation after help from his union.

Family wins compensation after hospital’s failures

A child who was starved of oxygen at birth today had a substantial sum in compensation approved by Manchester District Registry.

Council forks out compensation for body armour injury

A community enforcement officer, who was injured because he was issued with ill-fitting, second hand body armour, has received compensation, with help from UNISON.

Factory worker awarded damages for hearing loss

Ashiq Hussain Shah, 58, from Keighley in Yorkshire has received £13,500 in damages after suffering from occupational deafness.

Apprentice sparky forced to give up dream job after accident

Martin Gill, 24, from Darlington was off work for a year after he seriously injured his back while working for Anderson Electrics in 2007.

Police worker receives £10,000 after fall

A Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union member who was forced to change jobs after a serious workplace accident has received more than £10,000 in compensation.

Landmark ruling for prisoners sexually abused by warden

A GMB member who was abused by a prison officer has received £40,000 in damages after a landmark legal ruling

Former BT employee compensated for asbestos related disease

A mesothelioma sufferer has received substantial compensation after his employers admitted exposing him to asbestos

Family’s plea for information about asbestos exposure

The family of a Leeds woman who died from asbestos related disease is searching for information about her employment with Leeds County Council.

Firefighter warns colleagues to log accidents

A firefighter has warned his colleagues to make sure they log all workplace accidents no matter how minor after becoming seriously injured while attending a routine call.

Patient compensated for painful pressure sores

A patient who ended up with serious pressure sores after a routine hip operation has received £18,000.

Terminal cancer sufferer wins £205,000 in asbestos claim

A gardener who was diagnosed with an asbestos related cancer and told he has only months to live has been awarded £205,000, with the help of UNISON.

Morphine treatment led to addiction

A care assistant who developed a dependence on morphine treatment following a serious workplace injury has received £18,000 in compensation.

£90,000 for scaffolder after 40ft fall

Trevor Cox, 43, an advanced scaffolder from Newcastle was off work for eight months with his injuries after the accident in July 2007

Civil Costs Review is Bonus Time for insurers

Implementation of Lord Justice Jackson’s Review of Civil Costs will take up to 50% of injured people’s compensation while insurers get extra profits, the UK’s leading personal injury law firm warns

Community boost expected from new project

A new organisation is being launched to help boost community feeling across Sheffield on Saturday, January 16, 2010.

Broken ankle leads to life threatening condition

A driver who faces the risk of developing a life-threatening blood clot has received £20,000 in provisional damages after a workplace accident.

Asbestos victim’s search for former workmates

Ronald D’Abreu, 71, from Broxbourne in Hertfordshire is suffering from mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung caused by exposure to asbestos.

Bullied hospital manager had nervous breakdown

Her trade union took up Nanette Bowen’s case after she was harassed over a three-year period.

Retired police officer’s family receives asbestos compensation

The widow of a retired police officer has received a substantial sum in compensation for her husband’s death from asbestos related disease.

Frail pensioner receives £9000 for injury caused by carer

The 92-year-old was found with a broken femur at Cedar Court Care Home in Seaham, in May 2008.

Shock at Corporate Manslaughter sentencing proposals

Not linking fines with turnover is a gross undermining of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 (CMCHA).

Pleural Plaques Claims in Scotland

A Judicial Review by insurers to stop the Scottish Parliament overturning a 2007 House of Lords decision to end compensation for those exposed to asbestos and suffering from pleural plaques has been dismissed by the Outer House, Court of Session.

Asbestos victim receives compensation six months after cancer diagnosis

Reginald Lamming, 77, from Enfield, Middlesex was diagnosed with the fatal cancer mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos working as a labourer and joiners’ mate

Grandfather disabled by asbestos related disease receives compensation

A former plasterer, who worked for Chester College, has received £45,000 after developing an asbestos related disease.

Faulty design causes JCB worker’s accident

Peter Slaney from Staffordshire was testing the new JCB Loadall, a type of vehicle used on farms for moving materials, when a faulty step on the machine caused him to fall and break his humerus.

£110,000 for GMB member injured by forklift truck

David Osmond, 58, from Usworth in Washington was left with multiple fractures to his left foot and ankle after a colleague reversed into hi