Workplace Injury Claim Settled Swiftly for Injured Machine Operator in West Yorkshire

A routine task that resulted in injury 

For our 30-year-old client, a typical day at work in West Yorkshire took an unexpected and painful turn. As a machine operator, she was carrying out a task she had performed countless times before, securing a rubber strap to a coil to transfer it between units. 

But on this day, something went wrong. As she pulled the strap into position, it suddenly snapped. Thrown off balance, she fell backwards, landing heavily on her outstretched hands. What followed was months of pain, uncertainty, and disrupted daily life. 

The physical and emotional toll 

The fall left her with soft tissue injuries to both wrists and hands. While these injuries eventually settled within 6 to 9 months with physiotherapy, the road to recovery was anything but easy. 

With both wrists affected, even basic tasks became difficult, for which her loved ones offered their support. Despite not feeling physically ready, financial pressure forced her to return to work earlier than she would have liked, adding emotional strain to an already challenging time. 

The physical discomfort was only part of the ordeal. The psychological impact of being injured at work, combined with the pressure of lost income and disrupted routine, made the experience deeply stressful. 

Fortunately, with a full course of physiotherapy, arranged as part of her legal claim, her injuries improved significantly. Today, she is physically recovered and emotionally stronger, finally able to put the accident behind her. 

Building the case 

The claim was submitted via the Ministry of Justice claims portal. Her claim was taken on by Fletchers’ experienced Litigation Executive Justine Murtagh, who was focussed on securing the right compensation for our client. 

To ensure her injuries were properly assessed, Justine arranged an independent medical evaluation with a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. The expert not only confirmed the nature and extent of the injuries but also recommended physiotherapy to aid recovery, a recommendation Fletchers swiftly acted upon. 

In addition to general damages for pain and suffering, the claim included: 

• Loss of earnings 

• Physiotherapy costs 

• Medical expenses 

• Travel expenses 

Although a care claim was submitted, it was not agreed due to the expert’s view that the support our client received, while helpful, wasn’t medically required. 

A swift and fair settlement 

Thanks to Justine’s proactive handling and the client’s cooperation throughout, the claim was settled within 12 months. The final offer of £5,317.48, fell within the expected valuation and was accepted. 

Our client was full of praise for the process: 

“Justine and the Fletchers team made everything so clear and easy to understand. The whole situation was really stressful, but they helped take that pressure off me.” 

Justine added: 

“This was a fantastic and swift result. I’m really pleased we could make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible for our client.” 

Support that makes a difference 

While no amount of money can undo the trauma of a workplace injury, this case shows the power of timely legal advice and compassionate support. Our client can now move forward with peace of mind, knowing her recovery and rights were prioritised.