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You are in: Home Page | Personal Injury | Workplace Accidents | Accidents at Work | Workplace Accidents - Client Testimonials

Workplace Accidents - Client Testimonials

Thompsons Solicitors' specialist personal injury lawyers have helped many victims of injury make compensation claims after they have been involved in an accident at work.

Below, you will find testimonials from some of those clients.  If you require any more information or if you would like to make a claim for compensation, contact us on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.

Don’t settle for less than you deserve, says HGV driver

"You could say I was in the wrong place at the wrong time when my accident happened," explains Neal Beard. "I’m an HGV driver and in April 2006 I was working for the London Borough of Harrow with a colleague emptying some bins of trade waste from the back of a pub.

"The bins couldn’t easily be moved because there was no dropped kerbside and no ramp had been supplied to us. As we moved the bins to the best of our abilities, the wheels turned and the bin trapped my hand, breaking one of my fingers.

"Neither of us had received any training for this eventuality and there were no protective guards in place on the lorry to prevent the bins from colliding with it. As a result I had to have part of my finger amputated.

"I suffered a lot of pain and obviously my hand is cosmetically disfigured. The accident shouldn’t have happened, but not enough protection was in place. I decided to take up a claim with my union, UNISON, who put me in touch with Thompsons Solicitors. They fought my corner, and although my employer admitted liability Thompsons had to press for the appropriate level of compensation.

"The insurers made initial offers which Thompsons advised I should reject, as it wasn’t adequate. Court proceedings were then issued and the insurers decided to provide the right level of damages for the pain and injury that I’d suffered. Thompsons kept me informed throughout and I’m very pleased with the speed and outcome."

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Premises Worker for Lewisham Council secures over £12,000 compensation

Mr Craig Lewis, a premises worker for Lewisham Council, secured over £12,000 in damages following an accident at work which has left him with long term back injuries. 

Mr Lewis, from Bromley, Kent, works as a premises officer for Lewisham Council.  On the day of the accident in September 2004, Mr Lewis had set up a media room for a conference and was waiting for someone to arrive so he could show them how to use the equipment.  He sat in a colleague’s chair and leant against the backrest in the normal way.   The spine of the backrest snapped causing him to suddenly fall backwards.  The broken spine of the chair impacted with his spine.

He explains: "Following the accident, I was off work over 3 months; I couldn't walk. At first I didn't appreciate how serious the injury was.  I had no idea who to turn to, but then I spoke to UNISON and my union rep helped tremendously.   He introduced me to Thompsons so I could take advantage of the free legal help scheme.  I'm so glad I did!

"Thompsons were so professional and patient with me.  I have no experience of the law so it was very daunting.  They listened to me all the way through and were fantastic.

"Following an MRI scan in October last year, I've been told that I have "mechanical" back – a condition which is likely to be problematic in the long term, but especially if I carry on doing work that involves lifting and carrying.   From the start, Thompsons pressed for the right level of compensation, which included getting the right medical evidence to support my claim.  I can't recommend them highly enough."

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Support Worker secures accident at work compensation

"When my accident took place in June 2004, I contacted Thompsons and from day one they were superb – I can't thank them enough.

"I'm a Support Worker and at the time, I was in a meeting room taking the minutes when a heavy picture fell from the wall and hit me on my head and shoulder. It was very painful and I was badly hurt. I was out of work for 6 months; before that my sickness record was excellent so this was very upsetting to me and my family.

"I've been a member of UNISON for 17 years so I knew of Thompsons and promptly gave them a call. In less than a year, they helped me to secure £10,000 compensation to cover my injuries and my loss of earnings. I lost out on weekends too as well as the bonuses paid out to staff during that time. So it's well deserved but I'm also very grateful that their dedicated and professional support helped to make the whole process so smooth and hassle-free for me.

"My solicitor was so informative and gave me lots of insight. Even in her absence, her support staff were brilliant.

"Most importantly, I didn't have to pay any fees or commission. Every penny of the compensation came to me, for which I'm very grateful."

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Nursing Auxiliary awarded compensation after accident at work

"In April 2005, whilst working as an auxiliary nurse working for the Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Trust, I suffered with several injuries after falling down a steep and slippery slope at work. The slope had been washed down by a cleaner, although I wasn’t aware of this at the time. There were no warning signs to say that it had been washed and no provision had been made to prevent people from using the slope. It was clearly dangerous as I found to my cost.

"As a result, I suffered injuries to my back, neck and shoulder and I was off work for over nine weeks.

"Given its duty of care to staff, the Trust should have taken responsibility to ensure that necessary steps were taken to prevent the accident from occurring. Although the Trust admitted liability, initially I was unhappy with the level of compensation offered.

"Unaware of the legal position and my rights, I called upon the assistance of my union, UNISON, and personal injury firm Thompsons Solicitors. I’m glad that I sought professional advice to deal with my claim, otherwise I would not have secured a satisfactory level of compensation for my injuries.

"I'm very grateful for the advice and support provided by Thompsons; they were able to spell out for me in simple terms the legal situation and what I should expect as an outcome. Without their professionalism, experience and tenacity, I'm sure that I would have had to settle for a lower level of compensation offered by the Trust."

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Council Worker who suffered multiple fractures in ladder fall

"I work for Birmingham City Council as a playground fitter and at the time of my accident my job was to repair playground equipment in local parks. In June 2005, I was removing a Victorian swing when the ladder I was using, footed by a colleague, slid sideways. I fell to the floor and broke my left ankle.

"I suffered multiple fractures of my ankle which has left me with 10-15% disability. I was subsequently off work seven months, but at least I have been able return to my job subject to certain restrictions.

"At first, I didn't give any thought to claiming compensation. People visiting me said that I would have a case, so I sought legal advice through my union, the GMB in Birmingham. They put me in touch with Thompsons Solicitors who are professional personal injury specialists and handle cases for GMB members. If nothing else, it was my opportunity to ensure that the same incident wouldn't happen to other workers.

"The Council initially denied liability but after it was pointed out that they had failed to comply with the new Work at Height Regulations 2005, which came into force shortly before my accident, they admitted liability. My claim was settled for £21,000. The Council also sent me on ladder and scaffolding courses.

"I'm grateful to the union and Thompsons for handling my case. They were very good and saw it through to a satisfactory conclusion. It's good to know that members of the GMB can call on such expertise as and when they need it. No-one wants to be in a situation where they are having to bring a claim for compensation against their employer, but in the end it was the right thing to do."

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Maintenance Fitter injured at work

"I have nothing but praise for the solicitor in the Leeds office who dealt with my case. She was responsive, trustworthy and above all professional – a real credit to the legal profession. We were dubious to start with, going into the unknown, but she put us at our ease immediately.

"My accident happened at work. I'm employed by York University as a maintenance assistant. I was walking over a wooden bridge when I slipped on an untreated section of the bridge. Amongst my colleagues at work – most of us are Amicus members – Thompsons has a great reputation for personal injury cases (large and small) so I immediately gave them a call.

"As a result of my accident, I lost 6 months pay and I now suffer from arthritis in my left knee. With Thompsons' help, I successfully secured over £6,000 in compensation which I know I deserve and I'm really pleased with. We've never been high earners and it was a really pleasant surprise to not get charged any costs for anything – no fees, no costs, no payments. You read such horror stories!

"The legal process can take time but my solicitor did her absolute best and settled my case as quickly as she could. Throughout this period, she kept me and my wife Janet fully informed. If I ever rang with a query, she was there to help. We weren't just left out on a limb.

"I'd certainly recommend Thompsons to my family and friends."

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Factory Worker awarded compensation after fractured wrist

"I was working as a factory worker at the Peugeot car plant in Ryton, Coventry. At the end of the day, on the 12th of July 2005, I was heading out of the gates of the factory, towards the car park. I didn't notice that some metal bolts had been left on the tarmac. I tripped on them, fell and sustained a fracture to my right wrist.

"I don't know how the bolts came to be there, but it was clearly very dangerous as I found to my cost. The company cleaned and tidied the area following the accident.

"I took up the matter with my union, Amicus, and they put me in touch with Thompsons Solicitors who handle cases for people who've suffered with injury at work.

"My solicitor at Thompsons did all the groundwork, including gathering the medical evidence to support my case for adequate compensation. He was very efficient and very responsive, always on the phone if he had a question about the accident.

"I was subsequently awarded damages for the pain and suffering. As the plant was closing down, Thompsons also helped me to secure compensation for the fact that I would have a future disability which might affect my future prospects for work.

"I was very pleased with the service offered to me by Thompsons Solicitors, and I'm thankful to Amicus for supporting me in the first instance."

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Secretary secures £70,000 compensation following accident at work

"At the time of the accident in July 2003, I was working as a secretary for Mersey Care NHS Trust in Liverpool. I was trying to push a rotating filing system, which had been recently installed; I injured my back when the system jammed. I was 52 and was sadly dismissed on ill health grounds. I still had dependent children so I was very concerned about being able to pay for their education. I also loved my job so it was a big disappointment to have to leave.

"I’ve been a union member all my life and a UNISON member for the past 10 years. It was UNISON in fact who put me in touch with Thompsons Solicitors. Before speaking to them I was very nervous, as the whole process seemed quite daunting. I needn't have worried as they guided me through it from start to finish. They were so professional and helpful and are always there to answer my queries.

"With their support my case settled out of court and I received £70,000 damages, which will help to safeguard my future. I cannot thank Thompsons and my union enough. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to others!"

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Maintenance Worker receives accident at work compensation

"I was working as a maintenance worker for Automotive Applied Technologies in Accrington. In November 2004, I was attempting to replace a guard on a machine when I slipped on some oil which had leaked from the machine. My right hand became trapped between the guard and the machine and subsequent medical tests revealed that it had been crushed. I was in a lot of pain and off work for three weeks. Instead of paying me sick pay the company decided to lay me off.

"Despite the fact that the company had been notified on several occasions that the machine was in a bad state repair, no action was taken to make the area around it any safer. As well as oil leaking from the machine there were tools stacked against it. We asked for the proper parts to be made available to make the machine safe, but nothing was done about it and nothing was done to keep the area clean. It was an accident waiting to happen.

"I was pretty aggrieved at the company's attitude towards me and the accident. They wanted me to keep on working even though I clearly had a problem with my hand. After hearing that they were laying me off, I decided to take action and involved my union, Amicus, who put me in contact with Thompsons Solicitors.

"My solicitor at Thompsons was great. She explained the law in simple terms and made it clear to me that I had a case to argue for. When the company denied liability, Thompsons said that we should issue court proceedings. As soon as we did, the company made an offer to settle."

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Customer Care Officer injured at work

"I'm a customer care officer working for Jobcentre Plus, part of the Department of Work and Pensions. On the 30th of June 2005, having opened up the office, I was heading to my desk when my foot became entangled in some loose cables that were trailing from a computer to the floor. As a result, I tripped and fell sharply onto the corner of a desk. I ended up with fractured ribs and injuries to my neck, shoulders and arms.

"There had been some building renovation work the night before and the wires had not been tidied up afterwards. My accident has proved that they can be hazardous, even in the relative calm and quiet of an office environment.

"I'm a representative and member of the PCS union and decided to call upon the union's services to help me. They work closely with Thompsons Solicitors and they put me in contact with a legal team. I was appointed a personal injury specialist.

"I was able to provide them with photographic evidence and they subsequently helped me with medical evidence to prove that the injuries were serious enough to warrant a claim for damages.

"My employer admitted liability, so it was simply a case of negotiating the right level of damages. Thompsons were absolutely brilliant. They were with me every step of the way. They set a very high standard of legal professionalism and I will certainly recommend their services to others should the need arise."

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Machinist from Derby secures £53,000 compensation after accident at work

"My accident happened in March 2003. I was working for Wade Upholstery as a machinist when I slipped on a piece of material that had been left lying on the floor. I was treated at the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary as my injuries were really bad, including a fractured elbow which required surgery. To this day I haven’t recovered full movement of my elbow.

"As a GMB member for over 34 years, I knew of Thompsons' excellent reputation with personal injury cases so I called them straight away. I was not disappointed. In just 17 months they helped me to secure £53,000 compensation to cover my injuries and my loss of earnings. Not a penny went on fees or commission which was a real relief and a surprise. It's only fair though as I was out of work for a full year and only managed to return to part time work.

"Thompsons were brilliant - so professional and responsive. They did everything for me and regularly called me up to keep me informed. I'd like to thank them – and my union rep – for all their support throughout. I will certainly recommend them to my family and work colleagues."

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Enforcement Officer obtains compensation after he slipped at work

"My accident took place in September 2001. I was working in Carmarthenshire Magistrates Court as an Enforcement Officer and was heading for one of the courtrooms when I slipped on the top step of a flight of marble steps in the foyer of the Court building and landed heavily on my right knee. The top step was wet and was known to become dangerously slippery but the Court had failed to put absorbent mats in the foyer to prevent this happening.

"My knee was badly injured in the accident. I was in a lot of pain and was hospitalised for five days and nights. I was really upset by the company’s attitude towards me; frankly they couldn’t care less. I didn’t know who to turn to at first, but then my union rep at AMO (now PCS) came to see me and we decided to take action. It was then that they put me in touch with Thompsons Solicitors.

"Throughout the course of my claim, my solicitor at Thompsons was first class. She organised an engineer’s inspection of the court floor and was able to prove that it was in fact slippery. She was so professional and kept me informed throughout.

"The outcome was better than I could have hoped for. I managed to secure compensation in full for my knee injury, and for past and future loss of earnings, plus care and assistance. Without the involvement of AMO and Thompsons, I wouldn’t have stood a chance. I wouldn’t go to anyone else and I will certainly be recommending them to friends and family!"

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Refuse Collector receives compensation after suffering injury at work

A refuse collector who was provided with a pair of ill-fitted boots by his employer has been awarded damages of £3,000 after developing Plantar Fasciitis, a painful inflammatory condition of the heel of the foot. Mr David Evans, of Oldbury, brought the case with the help of his union, GMB, and Thompsons Solicitors, after Sandwell Metropolitan District Council appeared to ignore his request for proper fitting boots in order to do his job.

"We are required to wear special boots to protect our feet," said Mr Evans. "Although I was provided with a new pair of boots, I realised that they did not fit me properly. After two days and around 30 miles of walking I returned the boots and requested replacements. I was in a lot of pain. None were available and for the next four months I worked in a pair of training shoes until a new pair of boots was eventually provided. No-one seemed that bothered, so I decided to take action.

"Through my Union, the GMB in Sandwell, I was introduced to Thompsons Solicitors. I asked them to review my case because I felt that the Council was at fault for my injury. Thompsons advised that I should seek medical proof, which they helped me with. Initially they obtained medical evidence from a GP who confirmed that the boots had caused Plantar Fasciitis. The Council would not accept this evidence and denied liability, so Thompsons pressed for a further and more specialised report, this time from a Consultant Podiatrist, who confirmed again that the boots were the cause.

"Although the Council still would not admit liability, they agreed to settle for damages of £3,000. Without the assistance of GMB and my personal injury lawyer at Thompsons I would have struggled to achieve this. I hope that it's made the Council sit up and realise that they cannot simply force refuse collectors to wear ill-fitted boots.

"Thompsons were excellent throughout. I didn't know if it was worth pursuing my case, but they knew what they were doing and gave me the confidence that it was the right thing to do."

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£18,000 compensation after back injured in accident at work

A man from Boston, Lincolnshire who seriously injured his back lifting heavy rolls of paper at a printing press has secured £18,000 compensation with the backing of his union Amicus.

The man was lifting the paper onto a machine at Paragon Labels in Lincolnshire. He had been provided with a hoist when working for Paragon at one of their other premises but there was no hoist available at this plant. The injury, which made his already bad back much worse, left him unable to return to work.

He explains: "As a result of the heavy lifting, I suffered an injury to my back and have never returned to work. My life has completely changed as a result of the accident. At first I didn't know who to turn to but then my union Amicus put me in touch with their lawyers Thompsons, which was a great move.

"Thompsons obtained medical evidence from a Spinal Surgeon and settled my claim quickly and efficiently. Generally it's a stressful time but they didn't put any extra stress on me at all. In fact it was quite hassle free; I didn't really have a lot to do.

"I'm pleased with the outcome and I would certainly recommend them!"

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Social Worker receives £90,000 damages following workplace accident

A social worker from Worcestershire has received £90,000 damages following an accident in a residential home for adults with learning disabilities. Debbie, aged 39, from Redditch, Worcestershire, secured the compensation through her membership of UNISON with the support of Thompsons.

At the time of the accident in October 2003, Debbie was working for Worcestershire County Council as a social worker at a residential home in Bromsgrove. She was working alone, helping one of the clients to get into bed – this was a client who was known to have mobility problems. As the lady got out of her chair, she lunged forward to grab her zimmer frame and fell backwards and sideways onto Debbie . As a result of the accident, Debbie injured her lower back and has since suffered depression; she has not returned to work.

Without union support, and the expert assistance of Thompsons Solicitors, Debbie is certain that her claim would not have been so successful.

"Thompsons were so helpful and professional all the way through. I felt like giving up on many occasions but they helped me to keep fighting on. They were so persistent!

"I'd now like to see more manual handling training taking place for people like me in residential homes and similar places. I'm so pleased that the whole legal process is now over and above all I'm so grateful to my solicitor and to UNISON. It's so important to join your union."

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