The client’s story

Our client was employed through an agency and placed with the Defendant company as a Product Tester and Assembly Operative. Her regular duties involved using a scalpel to remove heat shrinks from cables and apply decals.

Despite working for the company for nearly two years, she had never been given proper training in the safe use of scalpels. She was also not issued with well-fitting protective gloves. There had already been a similar accident involving another worker, but no changes were made to reduce the risks.

The accident

On the day of her injury, our client was asked to clear an area so that an engineer could access a fire alarm system. This was not part of her usual role.

To move and break down the boxes, she used the scalpel that had been provided by the Defendant. While cutting into the cardboard, her hand slipped. The scalpel caused a deep cut to her non-dominant wrist.

The injury was painful and serious, with long-term effects on her ability to work and carry out daily tasks.

Failures in workplace safety

Through her claim, we argued that the accident was the result of a series of safety failings by the employer, including:

• Giving her tasks outside her normal duties without proper planning or risk assessment
• Expecting her to use a scalpel rather than safer cutting tools
• Failing to provide protective equipment such as gloves
• Not giving training or supervision on safe cutting practices
• Ignoring the lessons of a previous manufacturing injury involving another worker

These were not just oversights. They represented a serious breach of duty of care and of workplace health and safety regulations.

The impact on our client

The wrist injury was confirmed by a medical expert to be significant, with long-term implications for our client’s work and day-to-day life.

In addition to her physical pain, she faced financial losses, including treatment costs and lost income while she recovered. We helped her put together a detailed schedule of loss to present to the court.

Case outcome

Our client followed all of the correct legal steps. However, the Defendant failed to disclose important documents that should have been provided.

The case has now settled in the sum of £20,000 in full and final settlement. This covers her pain and suffering, her financial losses, and her future losses.

Supporting clients after workplace accidents

Sadly, this case shows how easily accidents can happen when proper health and safety measures are not in place. For our client, a preventable injury has had long-term consequences.

At Switalskis, our personal injury solicitors are committed to supporting workers who have been injured because of their employer’s failures. We help them secure the compensation they need, not just for their pain, but to rebuild their lives.