We are personal injury solicitors specialising in claiming compensation for clients injured due to a lack of protection. Stephen Morse has experience with all types of work injury claims, and introduces our services in this short video.

Read more about protective equipment failures below, or use our free legal advice service opposite to ask us a question or to get started making a claim.

Protective Equipment Injury Compensation

Protective Equipment Injury Compensation Awards

Construction accidents often result from faults with personal protective equipment. Minor head injuries will result in compensation awards of between £1,400 and £8,100, depending on the severity of the injury and its consequences. The most serious types of brain injury on the other hand can result in awards of up to £257,750. Lacerations from machinery or tools can be minor or severe, resulting in limb amputation. Where an arm is amputated at the shoulder, compensation awards will be not less than £87,500. The loss of both legs would lead to awards of up to £180,000. At the other end of the scale, a trivial thumb injury that causes severe pain, but resolves within a few months will lead to compensation in the region of £1,400. Faults with protective equipment can also lead to work related diseases such as asthma and dermatitis. Severe, long lasting dermatitis will result in awards of up to £12,250. Damage to chest or lungs, causing ongoing disability will result in awards between £20,000 and £35,000.

Protective Equipment Injury Compensation Case Study

SITUATION: Mr Wright had started work with a company and did in fact have an accident on his first day in his new job. As part of his job he had to load and unload a large commercial machine. The machine used a chemical which was mixed with caustic soda. Mr Wright was provided with an apron but unfortunately it did not fit properly and it did not cover the sides of his body. Unfortunately during his first day at work the machine became jammed and Mr Wright tried to remedy the situation. In doing so the chemical in the machine came into contact with his skin, which was not covered with the apron, and burnt through his clothing. He sustained chemical burns to the right side of his torso.

RESULT: Mr Wright was in a lot of pain and was taken to hospital. He was advised by the hospital that he had sustained chemical burns and whilst they would heal he may be left with scarring. Mr Wright had to visit the hospital on numerous occasions to have the wounds dressed. He was also unable to work for over a month. Mr Wright consulted Bartletts Solicitors who advised him that not only could we recover his loss of earnings, but also that his employers had been negligent in not supplying him with suitable protective equipment to use whilst he was using the machine. Bartletts wrote to Mr Wright's employers and obtained an admission of liability from them straight away. They accepted that the apron provided was not suitable for the purpose it was intended for. Employees at the company were subsequently provided with different aprons to cover their entire bodies. Bartletts recovered for Mr Wright all his loss of earnings and travel expenses visiting the hospital. In additional Mr Wright received £7,000 in personal injury damages for pain and suffering.

Related Work Injury Blog Posts

Placing a Value on Work Related Injury Compensation (by Sian Taylor)

Occupational Skin Diseases (by Stephen Morse)

Ask A Protective Equipment Injury Compensation Question

Feel free to ask a question below on any aspect of personal protective equipment injury law and compensation claims. We will be publishing the best and most relevant questions and answers over the coming months.