Employee receives compensation after work accident

Those who have an accident claim for an injury sustained at work could follow in the footsteps of one man, who has received compensation from his employer.

Grupo Antolin Leamington Ltd was fined £5,500 and ordered to pay £2,858 costs by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following an incident in which 37-year-old Ajit Kandola lost a finger.

He was working on machinery at a factory belonging to the automotive firm in Warwick when he severed his right hand on a rotating blade, affecting his ability to carry out everyday tasks.

HSE inspector Mark Austin said: "This was an entirely preventable incident that would not have happened if Grupo Antolin Leamington had complied with the law. This employee is now left with permanent severe hand injuries."

Gold medal winning paralympian Baroness Masham of Ilton, who is also president of the Spinal Injuries Association, recently told the Guardian that those who are the victims of serious accidents will find themselves penalised by proposed legal help reforms.

Published by Tom Hughes