James Campbell was involved in an accident while undertaking his routine duties in Loch Lomond Distillery in Alexandria. James was filling barrels with spirit when one began to overflow. When he bent down to investigate his face and eyes were sprayed with spirit. James was wearing the safety goggles provided for this work but they were not sufficient to protect him as his eyes and face were completely covered in pure alcohol.
 
James was left in real discomfort and after talking with his trade union UNITE he contacted Thompsons to ask whether he might have a case. The accident team at Thompsons were sure he did but his employers insurance company denied they had any liability in the incident saying James was at fault.
 
Mr Campbell’s lawyer Laura McGee managed to speak to other workers in the distillery who said that similar accidents had happened before and this matched James version of events. Laura also obtained reports from a consultant ophthalmologist about the pain that would be caused when spirit like this was sprayed into someone’s eyes. After the case was raised at the local sheriff court Mr Campbell’s employers decided to settle the case for £1750. This of course was some movement from their original position which was that they were not at fault at all.
 
Commenting on the outcome James said “accidents like this had happened before so I was determined that I wasn’t going to let it go. UNITE put me in touch with Thompsons and I was very happy with the way Laura and her team dealt with things. I wasn’t put to any bother really and in the end I got a level of pay-out I was happy with and hopefully my case will stop this happening again”
 
James’ lawyer Laura McGee said “This is yet another case where the legal cover you get with union membership has paid dividends. Mr Campbell’s bosses denied they had done anything wrong when it was clear that they had. When my team assembled the evidence including witness statements they quickly came to a settlement that was acceptable to James.”