Jan 2012 - Farleys Secure £175,000 in Compensation for Client Following Work Accident

Farleys have helped a local skip hire claim over £175,000 in compensation following an accident at work that resulted in him losing his thumb, index finger and use of two further fingers on his right hand. Heath Riley, from Owaldtwistle, Accrington, suffered the accident in January 2009 whilst working at Enviro Skips Limited in Burnley. The accident has left Mr Riley unable to use his dominant right hand, reducing his ability to carry out day-to-day tasks and leaving him unable to continue any employment in a manual capacity.

Mr Riley, who was 42 at the time of the accident, was attempting to deliver a skip, which was insecurely stacked inside another skip, when the accident occurred. The upper skip slipped, falling onto his right hand, causing extensive and complex crushing injuries. Following the accident, Mr Riley's thumb had to be amputated on site, after which he was transferred to the specialist microsurgery unit at Royal Preston Hospital, where his index finger was also amputated.

The compensation claim, handled by Nick Molyneux at Farleys in Burnley, was settled last month for in excess of £175,000, with Enviro Skips admitting liability on the basis that the skips were damaged and unsafe to be used and as such, it was dangerous for them to be stacked to go out for delivery.

Commenting on the compensation claim, Mr Riley said:

"No amount of compensation will take away the pain and suffering I have endured as a result of the accident, nor does it make up for the fact that I cannot return to a manual labour job due to my injuries. This significant settlement will go some way in assisting with the ongoing pain relief and medical treatment costs I will need in the future, also allowing for the loss of earning that I will suffer as a result of the accident". 

Nick Molyneux, Personal Injury Partner at Farleys in Burnley commented:

"Workplaces have a duty of care to provide a safe environment for their employees, especially in the case of manual jobs where the handling of heavy equipment and items are involved.  We are pleased that we have been able to assist Mr Riley in pursuing a claim for damages in this case, where his employers have clearly breached their obligations in respect of ensuring the safety of employees".

To speak to a solicitor in confidence about a work accident compensation claim, call 0845 287 0688 or contact us here.


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