Circumstances of the claim
David was employed by a company that specialised in refurbishing alloy wheels.
As part of his duties, he was required to use a power brush to refurbish a wheel when a small section of the metal brush detached and penetrated his eye.
Despite being provided with protective goggles by his employer, the design of the goggles left parts of his eyes exposed, failing to offer complete protection.
As a result of this workplace incident, David tragically lost sight in one eye.
How we helped David
Following the incident, a claim was submitted to David's employer, who accepted liability for the injury. The employer’s failure to provide adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) was important in establishing liability, as the protective goggles did not sufficiently shield David’s eyes from potential workplace hazards.
We instructed reports from an ophthalmologist to assess the extent of David’s injury and its long-term impact on his vision and overall health. We also obtained a report from a Consultant Psychologist to comment on the potential emotional and psychological consequences of losing vision in one eye. We also required to obtain an opinion from an Advocate on the legal aspects of the claim, to ensure a strong case for appropriate compensation.
Settlement
Despite the significant injury, David was able to retain full vision in his unaffected eye and continued in his previous job without restrictions. Additionally, after a review by the DVLA, he was deemed fit to continue driving, maintaining his independence and quality of life.
Through careful negotiation, we secured a final settlement of £100,000, reflecting the severity of David’s injury, the impact on his daily life, and the employer’s liability in failing to provide adequate protective equipment.
