Thompsons secured £8,500 in compensation for a warehouse worker who suffered injuries when a loading plate suddenly dropped while he was operating a low‑level order picker (LLOP) at a distribution centre. The UNISON member was injured while loading cages onto a vehicle during the course of his normal duties.
What Happened
The incident took place on 30 November 2022 while the claimant was working at a distribution centre loading cages onto a vehicle.
As part of his duties, he was manoeuvring a Low‑Level Order Picker (LLOP) onto a loading plate attached to the vehicle. While doing so, the loading plate suddenly dropped without warning. This caused the LLOP to crash into the back of the vehicle.
The impact resulted in injuries to the claimant’s left thigh and neck.
Witness statements later confirmed that similar incidents involving the loading plate had occurred previously.
Injuries and Impact
Following the accident, the claimant experienced pain in his left thigh and neck.
Medical evidence obtained during the claim confirmed that the neck injury was expected to resolve within approximately two years, although it had caused significant discomfort and disruption to his daily life during that time.
What Went Wrong
During the case, witness statements from colleagues confirmed that there had been previous problems involving the loading plate.
This evidence suggested that the issue was ongoing and had been experienced by workers before the claimant’s accident.
Despite this, the employer denied liability and maintained that there was no fault with the loading equipment.
Legal Approach
Thompsons Solicitors Scotland acted on behalf of the claimant and gathered witness statements from colleagues which confirmed that problems with the loading plate had occurred previously.
Medical evidence was also obtained from orthopaedic experts to assess the extent of the claimant’s injuries and likely recovery period.
As liability was disputed, Thompsons raised court proceedings in the All‑Scotland Personal Injury Court.
Outcome
The employer’s insurers initially offered £4,500 to settle the claim. Thompsons advised that the offer did not reflect the full impact of the injuries and it was rejected.
Following further negotiations, the defenders increased the offer to £8,500.
Thompsons secured £8,500 in compensation for the claimant and the case settled on that basis.
Seonaid Brophy
Seonaid Brophy
"This case highlights the importance of workplace safety and holding employers accountable for known hazards. Our client suffered due to an issue that should have been resolved long before his accident. We are proud to have secured a fair settlement that reflects his pain and suffering, reinforcing the need for safer working conditions in warehouses across Scotland."
What this case shows
This case demonstrates the importance of maintaining workplace equipment and addressing known safety concerns raised by staff. Where hazards are not properly managed, workers can be placed at risk of injury while carrying out their duties.
People injured in similar circumstances may be able to pursue compensation through accidents at work claims. Thompsons can often assist clients through the process under a No Win No Fee agreement.
Anyone seeking advice after a workplace accident can contact Thompsons to discuss their situation.
