Case histories

Over £260,000 compensation for Unite Scotland member in complex workplace accident case

Our Unite Scotland member client was injured at work after a fall. Quantification of the compensation claim was complex. Initially, her physical hip injury was considered relatively minor. However, further medical evidence from pain management and psychiatric experts confirmed she had developed a persistent pain syndrome due to the accident.

Questions remained about her long-term employability, which added to the complexity of valuing the claim. Although an early offer of £10,000 was made, the employer later proposed £200,000 as a final position. Seeking resolution rather than continued court proceedings, the member was keen to settle. Through our continued negotiations, the final gross settlement was increased to £268,168, significantly above earlier offers and reflecting the full impact of her condition.

Council employee awarded £25,000 compensation for occupational stress

Our Unite Scotland member client, who worked for a local authority, was subjected to bullying and harassment by her manager. She suffered psychiatric injury and had multiple absences from work. Ultimately, she chose to retrain and has since moved into a different role.

Court proceedings were raised, and the council lodged a formal offer of £20,000. Further negotiation secured an increased settlement of £25,000. The member was very pleased with the outcome and relieved to have the matter concluded.

Diabetic patient awarded £115,000 compensation for GP negligence

Our Unite Scotland member client, who has diabetes, contacted his GP practice several times, but signs of a developing infection in his foot were not identified. Infections can be particularly dangerous in diabetic patients. By the time the condition was recognised, the infection had spread to the bone, requiring a partial amputation of the foot. There were detailed arguments as to whether earlier intervention would have avoided amputation.

This case was highly complex, involving six expert witnesses. Only towards the end of the litigation was there an offer made, initially of £60,000. Through our continued negotiation, we achieved our recommended final settlement of £115,000 net of benefits. The member was very pleased with the outcome, which reflected both the seriousness of the injury and the complexities involved.

£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.