GMB Wins Compensation For Lorry Driver
2nd August 2010
GMB WINS COMPENSATION FOR GRIMSBY LORRY DRIVER WHO
SUFFERED CRUSHED THUMB
A member of the GMB union, whose thumb was
crushed as he tried to unload a trailer at work, has recovered
£5,500 in personal injury compensation from his employer through
his GMB membership, which funded the professional help of Thompsons
Solicitors.
Ian Castle, from Grimsby in North East
Lincolnshire, worked as a lorry driver for general haulage firm P A
Dunwell Transport Limited and was injured as a result of his
employer’s failure to ensure safe work systems and adequate
training.
The accident occurred when Mr Castle was
lowering the roof door of the lorry he was unloading. The roof door
crashed down on him suddenly, hitting him in the shoulder and
trapping his thumb against a lever.
“It ripped my thumb nail right off, broke the
bone and ended up giving me nine stitches,” says Mr Castle, “and to
add insult to injury I had to go back to work before it was
properly healed.”
“I couldn’t afford any more sick leave and the
boss was completely unsympathetic. From his attitude I knew that if
I didn’t take up a case these kinds of injuries would just keep on
happening.”
More than a year after the accident Mr Castle
continues to feel pain in his thumb, his nail has been permanently
deformed and he has a scar across the nail that is also likely to
be permanent.
Tim Roache, GMB Regional Secretary, says:
“There are thousands of laws about employers making sure
their workers are safe at work. But every year GMB funds personal
injury claims that enforce those laws and get justice for GMB
members injured at work. I am delighted that Mr Castle’s foresight
in belonging to GMB enable the Union to get justice for
him.
“Unfortunately many employers are
careless with the health and safety of their employees and it takes
a lot of money to fund personal injury claims. Mr Castle’s access
to GMB’s free legal service has proved its worth yet
again.”
Laura Hadfield from Thompsons
Solicitors says: “Employers have a legal responsibility to provide
safe work systems and to ensure their employees are properly
trained. This settlement recognises that P A Dunwell Transport
failed Ian on both counts.”
Ends
Contact:Tim Roach,
GMB Regional Secretary on 07961 719545, Tom Jones 020 73072158
pressoffice@thompsons.law.co.uk,
GMB Press Officer Steve Pryle on 07921 289880
Notes to
Editors:
1. Thompsons
Solicitors is the most experienced personal injury firm in the
UK.
2. Thompson
Solicitors is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and
has offices in Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Central
London, Chelmsford, Dagenham, Derby, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester,
Middlesbrough, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham, Oxford,
Plymouth, Sheffield, South Shields, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent,
Swansea, Wimbledon, Wolverhampton.
3.
Thompsons legal advice line is 08000 224 224.