Another trade union member has benefited from the expertise of specialist union lawyers Thompsons. Nursing auxiliary and Unison member Linda Mitchell secured £50,000 in compensation after an accident at work caused injury to her shoulder and neck.
Mrs Mitchell was unable to return to work following an incident in September 2008 where ward curtains jammed causing the injury. Solicitors acting for the member’s employers, Highland Health Board, denied liability claiming an inspection found there to be no defects in the curtains.
As a Unison member Mrs Mitchell was entitled to free legal support from award winning accident injury lawyers Thompsons. Thompsons, the personal injury specialists, obtained a number of witness statements from colleagues of Mrs Mitchell stating that there had been ongoing problems with the curtains. The statements also included testaments that the problems had been reported to the Health Board yet it denied this to be the case. A number of other witnesses who were relatives of patients on the ward were also happy to provide information regarding ongoing problems experienced by nursing staff with curtains on the ward.
Thompsons Solicitor Laura McGee said: “This accident was completely avoidable but unfortunately Ms Mitchell suffered because her employer did not take the correct care and precaution to protect staff from injury. In Mrs Mitchell’s case the fact she was a Unison member meant she was automatically entitled to the best legal advice, at no cost to herself, to deal with her situation.”
An action was raised in the Court of Session to progress the claim. Highland Health Board continued to deny any liability and made an offer of £25,000 in compensation. Mrs Mitchell was advised to reject this and following a court hearing was awarded an increased settlement figure of £50,000.
Linda Mitchell said: “My case was dealt with quickly and easily and I was very happy with the outcome. If previous complaints about the faulty curtains hadn’t been ignored my accident could have been avoided.”
If you have been involved in an accident in or out of the workplace, even if you are unsure whether you would be able to claim compensation, contact our ‘no win no fee’ lawyers today on 0800 0891331 and we can investigate matters for you and advise you on your first step towards receiving compensation.
