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News Desk | News Story
15th March 2011
Kwik-Fit worker died after tyre dropped on his head
Injured at work
A widow whose husband died following a tragic workplace accident has received a substantial sum in compensation.The 44-year-old from Gateshead died from a stroke less than two years after he suffered a serious head injury at work when a colleague at Kwik-Fit dropped a tyre onto his head from above.
The head injury was confirmed to be the direct cause of high blood pressure which subsequently caused a stroke in 2007 from which he died.
Tyre dropped onto head
On the day of the accident he was hit as he came out of the canteen after lunch. A tyre was being taken from a store on a mezzanine floor and usual practice was for the tyres to be dropped down onto the floor below.
There was no system to warn people working below.
He was knocked unconscious and when he came round he was disorientated and weak.
Despite asking for an ambulance he was forced to stay until the end of his shift. When he returned home his wife rushed him to hospital where the consequences of the accident became clear.
He suffered severe memory loss and other problems related to his head injury meaning he was no longer able to work as a mechanic and although previously an accomplished accordion player he couldn't remember how to play. He also developed a stutter.
Brain Injury had side affects
His wife said: "Before the accident my husband was a fit and healthy man. Afterwards he was so frustrated because his memory was gone. He wouldn't remember that he'd just had for dinner and couldn't remember how to work on cars. He couldn’t even relax by playing the accordion.
"His blood pressure, a side affect of his brain injury, became a major problem and ultimately killed him."
She added: "He is such a huge loss to me and all our family. A thoughtless practice condoned by his employers meant he ended up dead."
Thompsons Solicitors made claim for compensation
His wife instructed Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim for compensation.
Thompsons was successful in settling the claim out of court after obtaining an admission of liability from the insurers for Kwik-Fit.
Paul Brown a solicitor within Thompsons Solicitors' Serious Injuries Unit in Newcastle said: “This man sustained serious injuries and was ultimately killed by Kwik-Fit’s gross negligence. They allowed the practice of dropping tyres from above onto a busy working area.
“Kwik-Fit couldn’t see the obvious risks or didn’t bother to think it through and introduce a safer regime. Following receipt of instructions we obtained detailed medical and other evidence which proved that there was a link between this man’s head injury and the stroke that ultimately killed him. I am glad that this case has now been settled which now provides financial security for his widow and his family.”
Compensation Claim Advice
If you or anyone you know has suffered a brain injury or any other serious injury, telephone us now for accurate accident compensation claim advice.
There are strict time limits in place to make any personal injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters and have a specialist Serious Injury Unit to deal with claims involving catastrophic injuries. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a 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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