Compensation for a foot injury at work

We settled a case for a yard man who was injured when a cage used for storing steel tubing fell on him  – a personal injury compensation award was made and an out of court settlement agreed.

Foot injury at work

The man in question was wearing steel toe cap boots at the time and the injury was to his foot.  An x-ray later revealed that he had suffered a fractured metatarsal foot injury and he had to wear a boot for recovery purposes.

The incident happened in the yard of a manufacturing company.  A forklift truck driver was manoeuvring 25 steel tubes in plastic wrapping, the tubes were stacked in a stillage - a metal structure used for separating and carrying goods, for example to move them around a factory floor.  One of the stillages fell over and landed on our client’s foot.

Settlement for an injury at work

Our client said at the time an accident report form was filled out, but he is unaware if the incident has been reported by his employer to the Health & Safety Executive.

Since the injury warning signs have been put up in the workplace and the stillages have had feet welded on them to prevent them from falling over in the future.

“This case was settled out of court for £5,000 to reflect my clients pain, suffering and loss of amenity,” said Mike Talbot, Solicitor and Head of Personal Injury, at Pearson.

“Every workplace must be safe and it is an employer’s duty and legal obligation to make sure they have provided a safe working environment, whether it’s an office, factory, shop, construction site or if their staff drive for a living.

“Employers can be strictly liable in law for an injury in the workplace, or it may be necessary to show they were negligent in some way but I say to clients that they should not be worried about making a compensation claim as employers are required by law to have Employers Liability Insurance, so normally their insurance company will pay out damages due.”

How can we help?

If you have had an accident at work and need legal advice contact our personal injury solicitors on 0161 785 3500 or email enquiries@pearsonlegal.co.uk

Please note that the information and opinions contained in this article are not intended to be comprehensive, nor to provide legal advice. No responsibility for its accuracy or correctness is assumed by Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers Ltd or any of its members or employees. Professional legal advice should be obtained before taking, or refraining from taking, any action as a result of this article.