A ‘substantial six-figure damages agreement’ has been agreed between a worker and his former employers after he suffered a serious leg injury in an accident at work.
Karl Lusby, 51, was hit by a gas cylinder which ‘flew like a missile’ across the factory at Hull-based Redhall Engineering Services Ltd. He suffered a broken tibia and fibula and extensive nerve and tissue damage, requiring reconstructive surgery.
Such was the extent of the injury, he spent a year with a titanium rod and pins in his left leg and another year using a metal cage as the bones failed to unite.
Despite already having had five operations, he still needs further surgery today, more than four years on, and is still unable to walk without using crutches and uses a mobility scooter for longer distances.
Mr Lusby was represented by our accident at work claims team at Hudgell Solicitors, which secured the damages settlement for him and ensured vital counselling support was provided.
‘Coping with the impact of injury is harder than the accident itself’
Mr Lusby, a fabrication engineer who had worked for the company for 17 years, said: “It just felt like I’d been knocked over by a bowling ball which had flown through the air.
“I wasn’t initially in any pain, there was just a large cloud of orange dust and when it cleared I saw my leg looking like it had been attacked by a shark.”
Since the accident in January 2017, both Mr Lusby and his wife Karin have been unable to work, as she has had to provide constant care and support.
“Our lives were forever changed that day and to be honest before this happened to me I’d never really appreciated how difficult life can be when something like this happens,” said Mr Lusby.
“It impacts on every aspect of your life. I loved my work and my wife had a good job too which she had to give up to look after me.
“We were both people who enjoyed what we did. We worked hard to be able to afford nice holidays and other things that we wanted.
“I’ve come to understand now that the aftermath of an accident, and coping with an injury, is harder than the actual accident itself. I can see how people really struggle to deal with what has happened to them and the change in life.
“I enjoyed work and the purpose it gave me to earn things for us to enjoy. I found it so hard for a long time afterwards, so much so that I think Karin didn’t really want to leave me on my own because I was so down. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and needed help.”
Legal support provided access to counselling and interim payments
As part of the legal claim, vital counselling support was provided to Mr Lusby, something he says has proved hugely beneficial.
“I’ve suffered from repeated flashbacks and nightmares, so the counselling support has been crucial for me,” he said.
“It was important to be able to express my frustrations and feelings to somebody other than Karin, who was already doing so much for me and under pressure herself, as she had to help me get dressed and washed, and run around after me day after day. She needed that break too.
“I had great support from my solicitors too, in particular Leanne Stephenson who was constantly in touch with us, checking on how we were coping and offering her support.
“She was like a friend as well as our lawyer as she was always at the end of the phone and whenever we had a problem we knew we would get help.
“Hudgells secured interim payments for us when it was needed, helping us buy a new car which was easier for me to get in and out of given my troubles with my leg and the pins and cage. We’ve had great support.”
Business admitted fault for accident at work leading to financial settlement
As part of the legal case, it was alleged Redhall Engineering Services had breached its duty of care and been negligent in requiring its own staff to decompress used gas and oxygen bottles, rather than use a specialist company.
It was also alleged that the staff member carrying out the task on the day of the accident had not been sufficiently trained, with no appropriate risk assessments undertaken, leaving employees at risk of injury. The firm accepted liability for the accident.
A prosecution by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) resulted in a fine of £14,000 and an order for costs in excess of £2,500 on the basis of a finding that there was no safe system of work in place for the disposal of old gas cylinders.
Mr Lusby said he had hoped to return to his job in time, but after around a year he was told his services were no longer required.
“I would much rather have been able to go back and earn a living rather than make a claim, but this wasn’t my fault and shouldn’t have happened to me,” he said.
“When things like this happen and your life is turned upside down, suddenly having to claim benefits and scrape by to pay the bills whilst others continue to enjoy life, you need support.
“We’ve been awarded enough money to be able to buy our own bungalow and invest some money which will benefit my step-daughters and grandkids, and make life comfortable after four years of struggle. The removal of that financial worry is huge.”
Jane Woodcock, injury at work solicitor and head of personal injury at Hudgell Solicitors, said: “This accident at work happened in completely unacceptable circumstances as employees were being required to carry out a dangerous procedure for which they were completely untrained.
“The process of decommissioning the gas cylinders had previously been outsourced to a specialist company and should have continued to be so. Employees were untrained in this procedure and there had been no appropriate risk assessment, leaving those carrying out the task and those in the vicinity at risk of serious injury.
“Mr Lusby suffered a horrendous, life-changing injury and was perhaps in some way fortunate that his injuries were not life-threatening. Employers have a duty to take all precautions and measures to protect their staff and ensure no aspects of their roles leave them at risk of injury. In Mr Lusby’s case the employer fell very far below the standard the law expects of them.
“Mr Lusby has endured very considerable pain and suffering over a period of years and through no fault of his own his life has been irrevocably changed. We were pleased to secure a significant six-figure settlement for him and to provide security for him for the years ahead.”
Accident at work no win no fee
Hudgells’ personal injury solicitors are dedicated to helping those injured in the workplace secure the compensation they’re entitled to. If you’ve experienced an injury at work after being hit by an object, you could be eligible to make an injury at work claim. Our legal team is here to guide you through the process, offering expert representation with no upfront costs.
Through our no win no fee agreement, you won’t face any financial risk. You’ll only pay a pre-agreed portion of your compensation if your injury at work claim is successful. This gives you peace of mind as you pursue your case. We’re committed to getting you the justice and compensation you deserve while providing transparent legal support every step of the way.
Let us fight for your rights and help you secure the financial support you need to move forward after your workplace injury.
Related Articles
Accident at work solicitors – other times we have helped clients make a claim
