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10th November 2008

UNISON secures £6,000 damages for Surrey meat inspector injured by escaped cow

Injured by a Cow

UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector trade union, has won £6,000 compensation for a meat hygiene inspector from Surrey who was injured when a cow escaped from its pen.

Melvyn Treen, from Camberley in Surrey, was working at Chitty Wholesale abattoir, at Slyfield Industrial Estate in Guildford. As he walked along a narrow path in front of the stunning pen, an adult bovine jumped over the top of the pen, and landed on him, causing injuries to his neck, shoulder and back.

Injured Shoulder, Neck and Back

Mr Treen, now aged 62, explains:

“The cow was being moved into the stunning pen, it managed to push out of the top between the release handle for the revolving door and fell on top of me, injuring my right shoulder, neck and back.

“I’ve had four sessions of physiotherapy at Frimley Hospital but it hasn’t helped. Due to my injuries I’ve had a lot of time off work and have lost out on overtime on many occasions. It’s very frustrating.”

Avoidable Accident

UNISON regional secretary, Phil Wood, comments: “This was a totally avoidable accident. The restraining bar over the stunning pen that would have prevented the cow jumping over the barriers, had been removed. And it was Mr Treen who paid the cost. Employers must accept their responsibilities to make sure that safety equipment is in place and properly functioning.”

Ranjit Sond from Thompson Solicitors who brought the case for UNISON, said: “This was an unusual case but once proceedings were issued the defendants were keen to settle and a settlement figure of £6,000 was agreed."

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