A Tata Steel employee has received a £235,000 settlement for a personal injury sustained during an accident at work, which almost left him without a leg.
The 54 year old, who has not been named, was working with three fellow employees during a routine procedure of moving molten steel containers in January 2010, when the accident occurred. The victim fractured his lower leg after the container fell from one of the four 400kg jacks holding it in place.
He was admitted to hospital immediately and had to undergo 18 hours of surgery in order to save his leg from being amputated. The man struggled to walk for months after the accident and did not return to work for a while, undergoing bone grafts during an extensive rehabilitation programme.
The injured man praised the responsiveness of employees and medical staff following the incident. He said: “I am lucky that I received medical attention so quickly, because this could have ended with my leg being amputated.”
Unite the Union Wales Regional Secretary, Andy Richards added: “There were steps that could and should have been taken by Tata Steel to prevent this accident. And, what is more, a series of similar, but thankfully less serious accidents before this one were ignored by Tata Steel, which meant their workers' lives were being put at risk.”
Duncan Lewis' personal injury solicitors can help you to make a claim if you have suffered an injury at work. We offer a friendly and professional service that can be funded with a no win no fee agreement.