Postal worker's blow to head wins pay out

[POSTMAN]

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A postal worker with more than 25 years service has been awarded £500 in compensation by the Royal Mail after being hit by a package whilst working at the Sheffield Mail Centre.

The incident occurred in October 2012 when two parcels thrown by colleagues during sorting collided in midair and one of them struck 58 year old Lesley Jones on her head. At the time, Lesley had been working for 4 hours in advance of her 8-hour night shift to help out at the busy sorting office.

“The whole thing was bewildering because I’d been asked to help in an area we call the bull ring which is only designed for two workers. Until that point I was not aware of anyone else working behind me in the same confined space, let alone another two or three people. When the packet came at me from the back I simply didn’t see it," says Lesley. “I dropped to the floor in shock, covering my head with my hands to ease the pain.”

By the time Lesley’s husband who was working in a different area of the building came to her aid, Lesley was already suffering from wooziness and blurred eyesight. Unable to continue her shift she returned to her home in Wadsley Park Village.

“My coordination was clumsy and I was still very shaken. I was suffering from a nasty headache and feeling nauseous, so I went straight up to bed to try and sleep off the effects of the blow,” says Lesley. “Although I was feeling better by the following morning it took a while before I was back to normal.”

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) took up Lesley’s case which was handed to Ashley Stothard – part of the personal injury team at national law firm Simpson Millar.

“We work in a high pressure environment due to volume of mail we sort but the accident happened because the area was too crowded. I wanted to make others think twice before allowing a health and safety lapse. Next time, something more serious might happen to someone else,” says Lesley.

Royal Mail admitted liability for breach of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.

“Lesley’s injury should have been avoided – and potentially could have been far worse,” says Ashley. “There was initially some concern of memory loss but thankfully Lesley’s GP was able to put those fears to rest. I am pleased that Lesley is now fully recovered and that we were able to get the result she deserved.”

Initially Royal Mail offered £300 but thanks to Simpson Millar’s negotiations this was raised to £500. Lesley intends to put her compensation towards her forthcoming ruby wedding celebrations and hopes that lessons have now been learned.

Lesley concluded: “Most injuries can be avoided if health and safety rules are followed. The team at Simpson Millar were so helpful and enabled me to achieve a quick, hassle free settlement.”

[Cut Off King]

I got a paper cut & a rubber band snap'd and stung my pinkie, can I claim? I've got xmas coming up

[DB1100]

She should have gone to hospital with a head injury especially if she was woozy and lightheaded,and definitely should not have gone home and straight to bed
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[Shambles]

She should have gone to hospital with a head injury especially if she was woozy and lightheaded,and definitely should not have gone home and straight to bed
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Too right she should have, very dangerous head injuries, a v.good friend of mine, died of brain bleed after suffering a fall. Never Sleep.... always go to the nearest hospital ASAP!!

[Billy Ray]

I thought bull rings were allowed 4 people but it doesnt take away from the fact that packets shouldn't be thrown, hopefully managers will stop this unsafe practice immediately.