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News Desk | News Story
5th May 2009
GMB member compensated for vibration injury
Hands permanently damaged by vibrating tools
A GMB member has received a substantial sum in an out of court settlement after his hands were left permanently damaged by using vibrating tools at work.Alexander Simpson, 60, from Workington in Cumbria was left with debilitating condition Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), also known as Vibration White Finger, after using vibrating tools in his job for an engineering company.
His employer West Cumberland Engineering admitted liability after Alexander’s union, the GMB, instructed Thompsons Solicitors to pursue compensation for his injury.
The condition means he suffers pain in his hands and cannot undertake simple tasks like gardening.
HAVS is an industrial injury
HAVS is an industrial injury which affects many people who operate hand-held vibrating power tools over a number of years.
Its symptoms can differ greatly for each sufferer but common complaints are numbness in the fingertips, discolouration of the skin and general aches and pains in the hands, arms and fingers.
Alexander still works for West Cumberland Engineering but no longer works with vibrating tools. Until 2007 his work involved using a vibrating grinder five days a week.
He said: “My hands turn numb very quickly if they get cold and as a result I have to stop whatever task I am doing. It means it is hard for me to do the gardening or to continue my hobby of working with cars.
“When I was diagnosed with Hand Arm Vibration I decided to pursue compensation because I wanted to make sure I was moved on to a different job to prevent my condition from getting worse.”
It is the duty of the employer to ensure employees are protected against vibrating equipment
Senior organiser Billy Coates from the GMB said: “HAVS is a widespread hazard for many of our members working in a number of different industries and occupations where power tools are used.
“It can be a debilitating condition which can adversely affect our members both at work and at home.
“Under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 employers are required to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk to health and safety to their employees arising from exposure to vibration at work.
“We are pleased that in this case Mr Simpson has been compensated for his injury and that his employer has been held to account.”
Fiona Belgian at Thompsons Solicitors added: “We are pleased we have been able to settle this claim on behalf of Mr Simpson and the GMB. The continuing deterioration of his hands has impacted on his day-to-day life as well as his employment prospects. It is the duty of the employer to ensure employees are protected against vibrating equipment.”
This news story was also published by News & Star.
Compensation Claim Advice
If you or someone you know has developed Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome or any other industrial illness, telephone us now for accurate compensation claim advice.
There are strict time limits in place to make any injury claim including Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome claims. 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 Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome 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 personal injury compensation claim forms.
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