Month: October 2017

UK Construction Workers at Risk of White Finger

Posted on October 30, 2017 by - Accidents at Work

UK Construction Workers at Risk of White Finger

Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), also known as white finger, is one of the causes of Raynaud’s phenomenon. The painful syndrome affects the small blood vessels, nerves, muscles and joints in the hands, wrists and arms and is a serious risk for UK construction workers.

If you use a hand-held or hand-guided power tool as part of your day job, you may be at risk of developing HAVS, which has permanent effects. White finger is caused by the frequent use of hand-held vibrating and powerful tools such as power drills, chainsaws, sanding tools and pneumatic drills. It may also be caused by holding onto or working with heavy and powerful machinery that vibrates. Even using such equipment for 15 minutes per day can put you at serious risk. According to recent data, 10% of people who use this type of machinery on a daily basis will develop HAVS, which is a serious and disabling condition. (1)

The constant vibration from powerful tools and machinery damages the endothelial cell walls in your hands, wrists and arms, leading to nerve damage. The symptoms of HAVS include pain and numbness in the fingers and arms as well as a reduced ability to move the fingers, especially to carry out fine detailed tasks that require dexterity.

Cold weather can bring on vasoconstriction in HAVS sufferers, causing the person’s fingers to turn white due to lack of blood supply. If the hands are not warmed, they may turn blue when oxygen levels drop. The fingers will turn red as soon as blood rushes back into fingertips, often when the hands are warmed up. This is why UK construction workers are at risk of developing this condition; and, if not prevented, it can cause significant pain and difficulty working outdoors and on building sites.

If you work for a construction company, it is their responsibility to ensure your welfare and health while on site. If you develop numbness or tingling in your arms or fingers and believe you are at risk of developing white finger, you should report this to your employer or contractor immediately. You must take the necessary precautions to prevent further damage, such as limiting the use of powerful vibrating tools and machinery, keeping your hands warm while outdoors, and wearing appropriate safety gear.

In a recent case, Wrexham council, in North Wales, was fined £150,000 after admitting their failure to ensure that all workers using machinery were not affected by hand-arm vibration syndrome. The employees developed white finger after using machinery such as lawn mowers, trimmers and leaf blowers over a period of time. (2)

Another case brought ground engineering contractor, Keller Limited, to court over the diagnosis of HAVS in one of their employees, despite the employee repeatedly flagging his symptoms to the company for over five years. An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive found that the company did not have the right systems in place to protect their worker’s health and so they were fined £6,000. (3)

If you have experienced the above symptoms and you believe you have developed hand-arm vibration syndrome, please feel free to contact our team today for free, no obligation, legal advice, on 0151 236 1222 or visit our site for more information.

Sources

  1. https://patient.info/health/hand-arm-vibration-syndrome-leaflet
  2. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-41498675
  3. http://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/keller-guilty-of-havs-failings

 

Rise in Terrorism Attacks Increase Number of Serious Injury Compensation Claims

Posted on October 25, 2017 by - Latest Blogs, Serious Injury

Rise in Terrorism Attacks Increase Number of Serious Injury Compensation Claims

On the 22nd of May 2017, an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester Arena was the centre of a UK terrorism attack. A suicide bomber entered the arena, killing 22 people and injuring 120, including children. UK terrorist attacks have claimed the lives of innocent people as well as causing significant injuries and psychological trauma to those who were injured or affected. Families and loved ones of victims are also hugely affected with some having to become carers for their loved ones as well as having to deal with the psychological trauma a terrorist attack can have on families.

Over the past decade 9 terrorist attacks have been recorded in the UK, including the Manchester Arena bombing. The month after the Manchester attack, on the 3rd of June 2017, 8 people were killed and at least 48 injured when a white van drove at high speed across London Bridge running over pedestrians. The occupants then ran to nearby Borough Market to attack more people. Sadly, the threat of an international terrorist attack to the UK, including Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is severe, and although the chances of being in a terrorist attack are slim, the fear is still prominent. (2) Yet, the UK is not the only target for terrorism.

France, Spain, Sweden and Tunisia have all been targeted in recent attacks, resulting in mass casualties. According to gov.uk (1),  if you’ve been a victim of a terrorist attack abroad since the 27th of November 2012, you may be able to claim compensation if:

  • You were injured physically or mentally
  • You were a witness to a specific act of terrorism where a loved one was injured
  • You’re the partner or close family member of someone killed in a specific act of terrorism.

The pain and suffering caused as a result of a terrorist attack can never truly be compensated for, but the financial implications that an injury has had on your career or working life can be. If a terrorist attack targets a public space, venue or business premises, there will be insurance in place to provide financial support to victims in the event of a terrorist attack and if you have been injured or a loved one has been hurt, you have the right to claim.

We are representing victims of the Manchester bombings and we are offering them our legal services and expertise at no cost, so that they can get compensation for the injuries occurred or the financial loss that has happened as a direct or indirect result of the attack.

Despite the attack taking place over 5 months ago, some victims of the Manchester Arena bombings are yet to make a claim for compensation and are suffering in silence. We urge anyone who has been affected and suffered an injury as a result of a UK terrorist attack to contact our dedicated legal team today and find out how we can support you in submitting a claim. Call 0151 236 1222 or visit our site for more information.

If you have been affected by the terror attack at Manchester Arena, free help and support is available. Contact Victim Support on 0808 168 9111 or visit www.victimsupport.org.uk

Sources

  1. https://www.gov.uk/compensation-victim-terrorist-attack
  2. https://www.gov.uk/terrorism-national-emergency

Medomsley Detention Centre and Sexual Abuse Compensation Claims

Posted on October 23, 2017 by - Sexual Abuse

Medomsley Detention

The first report of abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre; a correctional facility for boys and young men aged 17-21, appeared in the media in 1967. It was a harrowing start to what would turn out to be one of the most prolific cases of child abuse in the UK.

In 2003, one of the prison officers at the centre; Neville Husband, was convicted of raping and abusing inmates throughout the 1970s and the 1980s. Along with this, Husband was suspected of operating as part of a paedophile ring, with investigations eventually resulting in the conviction of one of the care home’s storemen; Leslie Johnson.

Since the convictions, both men have died of natural causes. But today; more than 40 years since the abuse of vulnerable teenage boys began, more and more victims are coming forward to reveal the horror that they suffered at the hands of these criminals.

Though some of the victims have been paid compensation already, there are still questions as to how these men were able to get away with their crimes for so long – and why the police and prison system failed to act on their suspicious or notice the level of abuse.

One victim said, of Husband’s conviction: “I’ll never be over it. You only have one life and once it’s irreparably damaged, that’s it.” (1)

The abuse wasn’t just sexual, the same victim told The Guardian: “I saw him crushing one guy between two gates. He just kept doing it and laughing. Another time he put my hand in a hot pidi – a metal pie dish – and was pushing my hand down as he was fondling me.”

Since the case was reopened in August 2013, leading to 143 statements documenting the crimes within less than 12 months (2), the inquiry’s terms of reference have placed a bar on evidence. This bar, which victims are threatening to boycott (4), precludes the team from hearing evidence from men who were over 18 at the time of the abuse –  though it will take into account any behaviour that commenced before the age of 18. (3)

 

At the time of the crimes, the age of consent for gay men was 21. John McCabe, one of the spokesmen for many of the alleged victims of Medomsley said of the bar: “We were sexually abused under the age of consent, so how can they say they cannot take evidence from more than 1,000 young people who were abused while in the care of the state?”

Since the inquiry began, no less than 1,350 former detainees of the notorious detention centre have claimed that they were abused.

We are representing victims and those affected by the horrific crimes that took place at Medomsley Detention Centre. And though the suffering caused at the hands of these criminals can never truly be compensated for, any financial implications that the events may have had on the career or working life of the victims, can be.

If you were a victim of either physical or sexual abuse at Medomsley, or any other care home, and you would like expert advice, Hampson Hughes may be able to help. Our expert Criminal Injuries & Sexual Abuse Team can ensure that your case will remain confidential, and can help to hold any guilty parties accountable. Call 0151 236 1222 for free, no obligation advice from our expert team or visit our Sexual Abuse Claims site for more information.

Sources

  1. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/apr/13/abuse-teenage-boys-detention-centre-crime
  2. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-25834368
  3. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/sep/12/bar-on-evidence-of-medomsley-inmates-is-a-slap-in-the-face-for-victims-of-abuse
  4. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/sep/08/hundreds-of-alleged-abuse-victims-threaten-to-boycott-jay-inquiry

Vaginal Mesh Surgery Failure

Posted on October 19, 2017 by - Latest Blogs, Medical Negligence

Vaginal Mesh implants

More than 75,000 women in England may be eligible to claim medical negligence compensation after vaginal mesh implants to treat incontinence and prolapse are said to be a danger to their health.

The twenty minute operation to treat bladder and vaginal injury and damage, often caused after childbirth or in menopausal women, includes the insertion of a plastic mesh made from polypropylene. The mesh is meant to be flexible and enable the patient to live a normal life, however once inside the body can become stiff and ridged, which can damage vital organs as well as cause patients huge discomfort. For some women, the pain and damage is so intense that they are unable to walk, work or have sex.

According to NHS data, over 75,000 women in England have had the procedure since 2006, but more patients are coming forward to have the operation reversed. (1)

Labour has called for an immediate halt to the use of vaginal mesh implants, with the shadow public health minister, Sharon Hodgson urging the government to stop medical professional from carrying out the operation before the safety of the vaginal mesh implant is debated in parliament. (2)

Compensation for Medical Negligence

The initial operation to insert the vaginal mesh is a non-invasive quick procedure, but to remove the mesh, which is designed to become embedded in the surrounding tissue, can require hours of surgery, with a risk of damage to surrounding nerves and organs including the bladder and the bowel. (3)

If you have suffered pain or discomfort after a vaginal mesh operation also known as transvaginal mesh implants and urogynaecological meshes, you should not suffer in silence. Thousands of patients in the UK could be eligible to claim for medical negligence compensation, whether you are suffering from physical pain and unable to work or have a normal sexual relationship after having a vaginal mesh fitted, or you are having to undergo further surgery to have the mesh removed. If you have experienced problems or complications after having a vaginal mesh implant you should report this to the MHRA and to your doctor immediately. For legal support regarding medical negligence compensation please contact our experienced team today on 0151 236 1222.

Sources:

1- http://news.sky.com/story/vaginal-mesh-legal-action-could-be-bigger-than-thalidomide-11060083

2- https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/oct/18/labour-calls-for-immediate-end-to-use-of-vaginal-mesh-implants

Tennis Elbow and Repetitive Strain Injury Compensation Claims

Posted on October 18, 2017 by - Accidents at Work, Latest Blogs

Tennis Elbow and Repetitive Strain Injury

With Black Friday and Christmas just around the corner, shops are getting ready for a huge influx in orders from keen Christmas shoppers and people taking advantage of the low-cost deals on offer.

But though it might be an exciting time of year for some, increased demand means an increased workload for both shop staff and delivery drivers. Unfortunately, this also means an increased risk of injuries such as tennis elbow and repetitive strain injury (RSI).

RSI is the umbrella term we use to describe muscle, nerve and tendon damage that has been caused by overuse or by too many repetitive movements. The most affected areas tend to be the neck and shoulders, wrists and hands and forearms and elbows; which is why the term ‘Tennis Elbow’ is often used to describe the condition.

The symptoms of RSI can include:

  • Tenderness or aching of your upper forearms.
  • Pain or throbbing when lifting or bending your arms, or when twisting your forearm (for example; when turning a door handle or opening a jar.)
  • Cramps or pain when holding smaller objects, such as a pen or mobile phone.
  • Stiffness, weakness or throbbing in the forearms, neck, wrist or hands.
  • Regular tingling or numbness

Long-distance delivery drivers, in particular, are at risk of developing RSI and related conditions, due to the nature of their work. As well as the repetitive nature of driving for long periods at a time, the tasks associated with the job; such as loading and unloading goods, can cause serious neck back and shoulder problems.

Similarly, shop staff are also at risk of developing RSI. Unloading stock, re stacking shelves and rails and constant till use can all cause long term issues – especially during busy periods such as Black Friday and Christmas.

If you are concerned that you are beginning to develop the symptoms of RSI or Tennis Elbow, and you think it could be related to your line of work, it is important that you discuss the problem with your employer or occupational health representative as it may be possible to modify your tasks to improve your symptoms.

However, if you feel that your symptoms are getting worse, or are affecting your ability to do your job to a high standard; you may be eligible to claim for repetitive strain injury compensation.

At Hampson Hughes Solicitors, we understand that claiming against your employer can be unnerving, which is why our friendly team of expert lawyers will walk you through the process step by step.

For free, confidential and no obligation advice about repetitive strain disorder claims, call us today on 0151 236 1222 or visit our website

Sources

  1. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/repetitive-strain-injury/Pages/Introduction.aspx