Archive for February, 2011

The former employers of the late Mr. Leslie Rayner are to pay 150,000 pounds work illness compensation after he died from the asbestos-related disease of mesothelioma.

The High Court in London have approved a work illness compensation settlement of 150,000 pounds to the widow and son of Mr. Leslie Rayner, who contracted mesothelioma cancer due to exposure to asbestos fibres while working as a foreman electrician for the Pilkington Group PLC between 1953 and 1983.

Mr. Rayner formerly of Doncaster, South Yorkshire, died from the disease in June 2008, leaving behind  a widow, Irene, and son Keith. The work illness settlement will be divided between Irene and Mr. Rayner’s estate, as Irene is a classified as a protected person and unable to manage her own affairs.

At the High Court in London, St Helens-based Pilkington Group PLC accepted liability for Mr. Rayner’s death and confirmed their offer to pay 150,000 pounds to the Rayner family as well as their costs.

A factory worker from Kendall, Lancashire, whose hand and arm were crushed in a paper manufacturing machine, has agreed a paper worker hand injury compensation settlement of 300,000 pounds.

Wayne Miller, 48, was a worker at James Cropper PLC in June 2008, and had been attempting to fix a paper roller at their premises in Burnside, Lancashire, when part of his left sleeve became caught in the machinery dragging his hand and arm between the rollers.

The accident caused Mr. Miller to sustain friction burns which ripped nerves from his wrist, and left him requiring skin grafts and reconstructive surgery. His injuries have left him with no grip in the affected hand and stop him from doing any other manual job.

James Cropper PLC admitted liability for Mr. Miller’s injuries but alleged that the accident occurred because Mr. Miller had chosen to work alone in contradiction to the company’s health and safety policy, and that he had also removed guarding from his machine in order to attempt the repair.

The settlement, which was negotiated outside of court, was reduced from the amount initially claimed of 375,000 pounds to 300,000 pounds due to this contributory negligence, and James Cropper PLC have now installed safety guards on all their machinery to prevent a re-occurrence.

The Health and Safety Executive have yet to give their final review on this accident.

An Early Learning Centre worker, who fell from a ladder while trying to retrieve a toy tractor for a customer, has been awarded 9,600 pounds shop worker compensation in a court action against her former employees.

Elizabeth McLachan, 40, was employed at the Early Learning Centre shop in Parkhead Forge, Glasgow, in October 2007, when asked by a colleague for assistance in reaching a box that had been placed at the rear of a shelf.

Having unsuccessfully managed to reach it herself, Elizabeth – a mother of two – chose to descend the ladder she was using to reposition it at a more suitable angle. However, during her descent she fell and suffered soft tissue injuries to her lower back, calf and elbow.

It was found that the legs of the ladder were splayed and it was not correct for the job. Elizabeth phoned her manager to report the accident and then sought medical attention at the A&E in Wishaw, Glasgow – returning to work the following Monday despite her injuries.

The court was told that although many of her injuries have now healed, Elizabeth still suffered pain in her lower back which stopped her from walking or driving for long periods of time without a rest. She also experiences issues in caring for her disabled husband and has to rely on her two teenage daughters for help with the housework and the shopping.

The Early Learning Centre accepted liability for Ms McLachan’s injuries due to their breach of the Work at Height Regulations.