Emilio, 26, a labourer who suffered amputation of his hand in a machine accident, was fortunate, his colleague and friend Ernest had a friend who knew a good personal injury solicitor that helped him on a “no win no fee” basis.
He sustained a serious injury while working, on 15th April 2004. Emilio operated a large mechanical crusher. He was standing on the platform, trying to crush some concrete when the jar of the crusher got blocked. The edge of the jar was up to about Emilio’s waist in height.
He had to put a steel bar over the edge and push down a large chunk of concrete. He pushed the steel bar down between a lump of concrete and the side of the jar. Suddenly, as he did so, the bar got stuck between the concrete and the jar and moved violently to the side cutting the top of his hand off by crushing it against the moving jar.
He did not immediately realise what had happened as he was wearing gloves. He pulled his hand out as quickly as he could, removed the glove and realised that his right hand was still in the glove and had been completely severed.
Emilio’s hand was cut from the middle joint.
His colleague John switched off the machine. The accident book was completed by the foreman, Andy.
He was then rushed to hospital Accident and emergency unit where his hand was grafted back together.
At the time of the accident, the mechanical hammer had been out of operation for about 5 to 6 months. The hammer had in fact been dismantled and taken away to a workshop for repair. It was therefore not attached to the mechanical crusher at the time of the accident.
The Employer’s insurance company at first denied liability but later wanted to settle with Emilio before he was discharged from the hospital. They approached him with some papers.
Emilio did not sign the documents. Something told him not to sign the papers. He called his friend Ernest to find out about making a machine accident claim. His friend referred him to an injury lawyer he knew who handled these type s of cases.
When Emilio got out of the hospital, he had a long period to recover.
He went with his friend to see the lawyer who was shocked to see the extent of his injuries and offered to help him make a claim.
The lawyer knew how to handle machine injury cases and had specific experience in amputations. He looked out for the interest of his clients.
Today, Emilio is in a good financial shape because he got a settlement from his employer’s insurance company that was seventy five times more than what they originally offered him.
In addition, he was able to recover completely except for minor scars. He has resumed work with his employers as a labourer.
It is a good idea for anyone, especially those who have been injured in machine accidents, to seek out a good injury solicitor to look after their rights. Don’t get intimidated by your employer or any insurance company. You have right on your side.
Don’t be put off by the current talk in the media about “compensation culture” and “ambulance chasing lawyers.” It is all propaganda generated by insurance companies aimed at discouraging people from claiming what is rightfully theirs.
The “compensation culture” talk is about building profit for insurance companies at the expense of injured people.
A machine injury claim can be handled by an injury lawyer who will see to it that you are fully compensated for any pain and loss sustained. To get a good accident solicitor,
contact Balinda and Co now on
0800 321 3287 and find out how we can help.