Case histories

£650,000 compensation for Unite Scotland member whose life was damaged by accident at work

Our Unite Scotland member client’s hand was caught in the rotary mechanism of a machine at his work, resulting in the loss of three fingers. Left with ongoing sensory loss, which has significantly restricted his day-to-day life, he also suffered a psychiatric injury. As he lives alone, he requires paid assistance for cleaning and various DIY tasks. He loved his job, and the accident has had a devastating effect on his life.

His employers’ insurers admitted liability, but failed to make settlement proposals. We promptly raised court proceedings once we had all the necessary expert medical reports.  As the action progressed, we also instructed reports to cost his care needs, employability prospects, prosthetic possibilities and pension loss. 

An offer of £400,000 was submitted and while well above the member’s expectations, it was rejected by him on our advice. We continued negotiations, and eventually the offer was increased to £650,000, which we were happy to recommend. 

The member was totally bowled over by the result. This allowed him to move forward and improve his life in significant ways.  He said he would never forget the support provided via Unite and the fact that he had to pay nothing from his damages was, he felt, staggering.

£12,250 compensation secured for Unite Scotland member with upper limb injuries

As a result of being employed for several years using metal grinders, our Unite Scotland member client developed upper limb problems. We carefully built a personal injury compensation claim case based on the employer’s failure to assess risk and their breach of certain regulations. We also obtained expert engineering and medical opinions.

After negotiations at pre-trial meeting, the case settled for £12,250. We have since been instructed by the member's colleague who has suffered similar symptoms.

£42,500 damages awarded to bottling hall line operator for shoulder injury

In her job as a bottling hall line operator, our Unite Scotland member client carried out a lot of heavy lifting, particularly when heavy machine components had to be removed and replaced. Although this happened up to four times each shift, her employer had never risk assessed the task. The member alleged a shoulder injury, but the employer firmly denied liability. They did not accept that the manual handling had caused her injury. 
 


We obtained a supportive medical opinion and raised proceedings in The National Personal Injury Court. We also obtained a court order to access the premises with an expert witness engineer. Over time we gathered a host of supportive evidence. At the pre-trial meeting the member's employer made no proposals, so we were preparing for the final hearing. They then lodged a proposal to settle for £17,000. 

After rounds of negotiation, the case ultimately resolved for £42,500.

£20,000 compensation for Unite member who suffered occupational stress

Due to workplace bullying and intimidation, our Unite Scotland member client became ill and was absent from work twice for extended periods, before being redeployed. 
 
During a lengthy court process, we recovered significant documentation, obtained medical evidence, and interviewed witnesses. 

A few weeks prior to the final hearing and at the pre-trial meeting, we declined an offer of £7,500. Further negotiation brought about an increase to £15,000 and then an ultimate settlement at £20,000.
 


As there has never been a successful court hearing in an occupational stress case, this was a great result for us. We have gone on to achieve a successful outcome for the member's colleague who was similarly affected by the bullying and had their case on hold pending this test case.

£25,000 compensation for Unite member with respiratory issues

As a result of long-term exposure to fine metal dusts and cooling agent chemicals in his workplace, our Unite Scotland member client developed respiratory issues. An appointed medical expert said he was suffering from sarcoidosis, quite a rare respiratory condition. It can be difficult to prove a link between the condition and the person’s employment, and the employer’s appointed medical expert disagreed with the diagnosis.

We obtained a court order to gain access to the premises with an expert in occupational chemical exposure. He produced a detailed opinion concluding there had been a breach of duty on the part of the employer.

After lengthy negotiations in what was a long, complex personal injury case, we secured a settlement of £25,000 for the member.