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A machine operator who suffered a head injury and fractured ribs after title="Slips, Trips and Falls at Work Claims">tripping on cargo netting at work has secured £17,500 in compensation.
The title="Unite">Unite member, who works for a paper manufacturer, was using a forklift to load bales of paper into cargo netting when he noticed a section of the net was tangled. There was insufficient space to walk around the netting, forcing him to walk across it instead. As he did so he lost his footing and tripped, hitting his head as he fell.
The worker was unconsciousness for five minutes. He woke to find paramedics tending to him and was taken to hospital, where it was confirmed he had suffered a head injury and fractured two ribs.
The member needed a month off work while his fractures healed, during which time he had limited mobility and needed physiotherapy. While the physical pain later improved, he developed ringing in his ears, which still affects him.
“When I came to, I had no idea where I was,” he said. “I was surrounded by medical staff all trying to make sure I was ok – it was really worrying. After the initial shock of the accident I started to feel the pain in my ribs, which was excruciating.
“The pain was so bad it even made breathing difficult, to the point that I couldn’t do anything when I was off work. The ringing in my ears also affected my sleep and, while it’s improved, it’s still there. The whole ordeal has been really frustrating.”
As a Unite member, he was able to contact Thompsons Solicitors, through Unite Legal Services, for free legal support.
“Unite Legal Services and Thompsons Solicitors were both great,” he said. “They challenged my employer and secured compensation for me. There’s no way I would have been able to do that on my own, and their help was invaluable.”
Karen Reay, North East, Yorkshire and Humberside regional secretary at Unite the Union, said: “Head injuries can have serious and life-changing implications. While our member’s rib injuries are thankfully resolved, his head injury has resulted in potentially permanent damage to his hearing.
“Being knocked unconscious is a scary and frightening experience that no one should have to suffer, especially when they are simply trying to get on with their work. His employer should have given him more room to do his job safely – had that been the case, he may never have tripped and wouldn’t have been left with the painful injuries he suffered, and continues to suffer from.”