Work accident

We have been acting for a client who sustained a very serious injury at work during March 2007. At this time she was aged 53 working as a machine operator in a sandwich making factory. While working on a machine that heat sealed the sandwiches into packs her right dominant hand became trapped in the machine and was crushed. It took several minutes for her hand to be released. Unfortunately, she suffered crush and burn injuries to the ring and two middle fingers of her right hand which later had to be surgically amputated leaving her with a major disability. She also suffered a significant psychiatric reaction to this injury. Our psychiatrist took the view that with appropriate counselling her depression should resolve in the future although it was unlikely that she would ever be able to return to work. Proceedings had to be issued in this case and after lengthy negotiations, we were able to agree upon a settlement for our client.

S J Edney solicitors obtained compensation of £287,500.00 for this client during 2010

 

Fracture of the tibia and fibula

We acted for the parents of a young man (who was only aged 12) who was a member of his local football club. During September 2008, after training had finished for the evening, he and his team mates were running around the football clubhouse in order to keep warm. Positioned adjacent to the clubhouse doorway/steps were two large concrete slabs measuring approximately 3ft by 1ft and about 6” apart which had been left on the grass following some building work at the clubhouse. Whilst he was running past these slabs one of his feet got caught between the two slabs which resulted in him sustaining a spiral fracture of his left tibia and fibula. He had to be taken to hospital but fortunately did not require any surgery. His symptoms resolved within a period of about 18 months following his accident.

S J Edney solicitors obtained compensation of £8,500.00 for this client during 2010

 

Back Injury

One of our clients (who is now aged 42) developed a bad back during the course of her employment with the Defendant, a company based in Swindon, during 2006. Her job title changed and she was now expected to do heavy work which in turn caused her to suffer from back pain. It was our case that this new job required tasks which were in breach of the Manual Handling Regulations. She was off work from about November 2006 to May 2007, some 6 months. The party’s medical experts disagreed as to the cause of her back pain. The Defendant’s expert took the view that her back pain was coincidental with her work rather than a consequence of it. Our medical expert disagreed. Fortunately, our client was able to return to work and provided she was careful she is able to her manage her back pain. Proceedings had to be issued at Court and the parties were eventually able to reach a satisfactory settlement.

S J Edney solicitors obtained damages of £6,000.00 for this client during 2009.

 

Manhole Accident

One of our clients (aged 63) had a nasty accident just outside his home in Priory Vale, Swindon. During April 2009, he was walking in the communal garden, when he stepped on manhole cover which collapsed beneath him, causing him to fall into it and suffer lacerations to both his legs. Fortunately, he made a complete recovery from his injuries within a period of 2 months although he has been left with some minor scars on both legs. The insurers of the company responsible for the said manhole cover admitted liability following receipt of our letter of claim.

S J Edney solicitors obtained damages of £3,750.00 for this client during 2009.

 

Accident on M25

We acted for a family of three who were involved in a road traffic accident during November 2007 on the M25. Their car collided with a foreign registered lorry which caused their car to spin out of control and hit the central reservation. The driver and his passenger (1) sustained whiplash injuries and his passenger (2) broke her clavicle. This was a difficult case as it took us some time to obtain the details of the UK agents of the foreign insurer of the other vehicle. Once we had their details, we were able to negotiate a settlement on behalf of our clients fairly quickly.

S J Edney solicitors obtained compensation for these clients during 2009:
Driver - £3,250.00
Passenger (1) - £3,650.00
Passenger (2) - £12,000.00

 

RTA fatality

In a very sad case, we were acting for the driver and his passenger (1) together with the estate of his second passenger (2) who was killed in the road accident during September 2007. The driver had collected his mother-in-law (who was aged 87) at the time from a nursing home in Purton, Swindon and was taking her for an eye check-up at the Malmesbury Hospital also in Wiltshire. Although frail, she was still mentally alert. As they approach a junction controlled by traffic lights, a Royal Mail lorry travelling in the opposite direction to their car suddenly turned into their path causing a collision between both vehicles. The driver and his passenger (1) sustained soft tissue injuries but unfortunately his elderly passenger (2) suffered a number of serious fractures including a fracture to her sternum and left arm. Whilst at hospital, she contracted MRSA and C.Dif and in December 2007 she died from a pulmonary embolism which we argued only happened because of her earlier accident. The insurers of Royal Mail initially disputed liability and maintained that our client who was driving was to blame. We issued proceedings at Court and this coincided with the Inquest when the evidence quite clearly showed that the Royal Mail driver was to blame. A settlement was then achieved for our three clients.

S J Edney solicitors obtained compensation for these clients during 2009:-
Driver - £6,000.00
Passenger (1) - £5,000.00
Passenger (2 ie. her Estate) - £21,000.00

 

Assault at work

We were acting for a young woman (aged 28) who was the victim of a horrific assault whilst at work during May 2007. At the time, she was working as a Support Worker for a Care Agency in Gloucester. She had to visit a 17 year old male at his flat. During this visit, he tried to pull a bag over her head to suffocate her. Fortunately, she managed to get free and escape and seek assistance. Not surprisingly, this incident had a huge impact on her and caused her to develop PTSD. She underwent counselling which helped her. She also had no option but to leave her chosen career of caring and find an alternative job. The prognosis for a full recovery is encouraging although she will always be vulnerable to a further relapse. The insurers of the care agency accepted liability and following a period of extensive negotiations we were able to achieve a settlement for her.

S J Edney solicitors obtained compensation of £45,000.00 for this client during 2009.