Personal injury advice from
Thompsons Solicitors
Compensation for Electrician Who Suffered Burns in Explosion at Work
24th April 2009
In a recent case, our specialist personal injury lawyers acted on behalf of an electrician who suffered burns in a workplace accident caused by a faulty electrical switchboard.
Injured at Work
Our client, who works in the steel manufacturing industry, was called to assist with a problem as some of the machinery was not functioning correctly. He and a colleague went to an area where he does not normally work, in order to carry out some electrical tests. The lighting was poor and the switchboard they were testing had been moved and replaced since he was last there.
They followed the usual procedures for testing and took precautions to ensure that they were safe. The results and the indicator lights on the panel seemed to indicate that it was dead and not supplied by any power, however as our client carried out a final procedure a cable flashed and caused the entire panel to ‘flash over’, a type of explosion. He suffered burns to his hands and face and a temporary loss of sight.
The claimant was treated in hospital for 10 days, then received outpatient care for some time and had to take 3 months off from work. Some counselling was also necessary to help with the psychological effects of the incident. He required a lot of assistance from family members during his recovery and, to complicate matters further, he also contracted MRSA.
Our client was left with permanent scarring and some loss of sensation, movement and dexterity in his hands. His skin is also more sensitive to sunlight so he has to take extra care.
Personal Injury Claim
The claimant felt that his employer was responsible for his accident at work and appointed our lawyers, who have extensive experience in factory accident cases, to assist him in making a personal injury claim.
It was put forward that the lighting was insufficient, the switchboard was defective, and also that his employer failed to implement an adequate system of maintenance and repair or provide sufficient training or warning about the dangers of the cables.
The claim was successful and our lawyers recovered £15,500 compensation on his behalf.
Specialist Accident Claim Advice
If you have suffered a personal injury as the result of an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to make a compensation claim.
Contact The Legal Line for cost free, confidential accident claim advice on 0800 0328511, or by completing a claim enquiry form online.
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