Thompsons secured £15,000 in compensation for an apprentice mechanical fitter who suffered a serious crush injury to his hand while carrying out maintenance work on a crane at Faslane Naval Base. The claim was pursued after the worker was referred to Thompsons by his union following the workplace accident.

What happened

In November 2020, the claimant was working as an apprentice mechanical fitter for Babcock Marine at Faslane Naval Base.

On the day of the incident, he was assisting a qualified fitter while carrying out scheduled maintenance work on a 200-ton service crane located on the Coulport Jetty.

The two workers were positioned around 40 feet above ground level on the crane while working on its long-travel wheels. Their task required removing bolts from a crane plate and lifting the plate to access the wheels beneath it.

The qualified fitter used a screwdriver to hold the crane plate in position while the claimant attempted to take hold of the underside of the plate.

As the claimant reached for it, the screwdriver was removed and the crane plate, which weighed approximately 35kg, dropped onto his hand.

Injuries and Impact

The claimant’s dominant right hand was crushed in the incident and began bleeding heavily.

Because he had not been provided with training on emergency procedures when working at height, he had to climb down the crane himself before seeking assistance.

A colleague later took him to Vale of Leven Hospital for treatment.

He had sustained significant crush injuries to his right hand, particularly affecting his index finger. In December 2020 he underwent surgery at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

Medical evidence later confirmed that the injury had required plastic surgery and that the scarring and appearance of the finger would be permanent.

The claimant also experienced psychological effects following the accident. A consultant clinical psychologist confirmed that he was suffering from symptoms of post-traumatic stress, resulting in an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression.

What went wrong

Investigations into the accident established that the method used to hold the crane plate in place with a screwdriver was not a standard or safe working method.

This approach exposed the claimant to unnecessary risk while carrying out the maintenance work.

Legal Approach

Thompsons Solicitors Scotland pursued a claim against the claimant’s employer after being instructed through his union.

Liability for the accident was admitted.

To assess the full impact of the injuries, Thompsons obtained expert medical reports from a consultant orthopaedic surgeon and a consultant clinical psychologist.

These reports confirmed the physical and psychological effects of the injury and the likelihood that some symptoms would be permanent.

Outcome

After reviewing the medical evidence, the defender’s insurer initially offered £10,000 in compensation.

Thompsons advised that the offer did not adequately reflect the seriousness of the injuries and it was rejected.

A further offer of £15,000 was later made by the defender. Following discussions with Thompsons, the claimant confirmed that he wished to accept the offer.

Thompsons secured £15,000 in compensation for the claimant and the settlement was agreed on 20 June 2022.

What this case shows

This case highlights the risks workers can face when safe systems of work are not followed during maintenance tasks involving heavy equipment.

Employees injured while carrying out their duties may be entitled to pursue compensation through accidents at work claims. Thompsons can often assist clients through the claims process under a No Win No Fee agreement.

Anyone seeking advice after a workplace accident can contact Thompsons to discuss their situation.