Past Cases - Honda Cases
Honda case
We acted for one of Honda’s employees (aged 40) who was unhappy with how he had been treated by his employer. Briefly, during August 2010 he underwent spinal surgery to help cure a longstanding back problem. His treating doctor signed a sick note for him which specifically told Honda that he should be put on light duties for a period of 8 to 12 weeks. On returning to work in October 2010 and contrary to his doctor’s recommendation, he was placed immediately on his old process which caused a flare-up in his back symptoms. He was then taken off the process. Our medical expert confirmed that by about December 2010 he had recovered from this flare-up. Even though his claim was modest, Honda’s solicitors initially disputed liability but we were able to eventually agree upon a settlement figure.
S J Edney solicitors obtained compensation of £1,500.00 for this client during 2012
Back injury caused by unsafe work practice
Our client (aged 29) was employed as a productive operative by Honda at their car factory in Swindon. During the course of his employment he undertook a number of tasks which required him to turn and twist his body into various positions and he found this to be difficult as he was very tall. There was also no system of job rotation. He went on to develop back symptoms and it was our case that his work at Honda was not undertaken in a safe manner. We obtained ergonomic evidence which was supportive of his claim. The difficulty with his case however was that our client did have some degenerative disc disease already in his lumbar spine and the unsafe working environment only exacerbated his back symptoms by a period of 2 to 3 years. The insurers of Honda disputed liability and we had no option but to issue proceedings. Once they had appointed solicitors, they could see the merit of his claim and we were able to negotiate a settlement on his behalf which included his loss of earnings arising from his absences from work caused by his back injury.
S J Edney solicitors obtained £15,500.00 for this client in 2009
Worker complained to his employer about back pain
In a difficult case, our client (who was only 29) was an employee at Honda’s car factory in Swindon. From about 2001 up until dismissal in 2007 he had been complaining to his employer of back pain. It transpired that a number of restrictions which had been placed on his employment by occupational health to avoid his back getting any worse had been ignored. He did have degenerative changes in his back prior to working at Honda and he was only a matter of time before he would have had similar back symptoms irrespective of where he worked. Although the insurers of Honda admitted liability at an early stage in the case there was a dispute on quantum but we were eventually able to negotiate a settlement for him.
SJ Edney solicitors obtained £44,000.00 for this client in 2008
Back injury sustained from lifting
In another Honda case, our client (aged 29) was working in their Weld department when during March 2005, he was attempting to lift some parts from the bottom of a metal stillage when he sustained a back injury. It subsequently transpired that he did in fact have a prolapse disc which required surgery. Fortunately, he made a full recovery from this injury and decided to leave Honda. Initially, liability was disputed by the insurers of Honda but on the issue of proceedings, we were able to settle his case.
SJ Edney solicitors obtained £7,000.00 for this client in 2008
Repetitive strain injury causes pain and discomfort in shoulder blade
Our client (aged 28) also worked at Honda’s car factory in Swindon. He developed a repetitive strain injury which left him with pain and discomfort in his right shoulder blade. There was a delay on the part of Honda in referring him to a physiotherapist (or another appropriate medical specialist) for treatment and/or to place him on a process which did not aggravate this injury. Liability was conceded at an early stage and we were able to settle his claim with the need to issue proceedings.
SJ Edney solicitors obtained 5,0000.00 for this client in 2008
Carrying accident cut forearm and damaged a nerve
One of our clients worked at Honda’s Car Factory in Swindon. He was instructed by his employer to carry some car panels down some stairs. As he was attempting to do so, he dropped one of the panels, which cut his right forearm and damaged a nerve. This injury led to a loss of function in his right hand which sadly will be a permanent problem. He was however still able to work. The insurers of Honda initially argued that the client was 50% to blame for the accident but after negotiations they agreed to indemnify him in full.
SJ Edney solicitors obtained £55,000.00 for this client in 2005
