Postman Awarded Compensation as Strap Failure Causes Fractur

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Postman Awarded Compensation as Strap Failure Causes Fractured Wrist

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A Brentford postman has been awarded damages following an accident with a heavy postal bag.

Risk of Injury
Defective Strap

On 23 November 2012, the postman was working at Richmond delivery office, tightening the strap on a York container, when the bag's fastener failed.

The momentum generated caused the 47 year-old to hit his wrist, which was badly fractured.

Following instruction from the Communication Workers Union (CWU), we wrote to Royal Mail alleging that the employer had failed to ensure that work equipment was fit for purpose and maintained in good repair.
Foreseeable Risk

"The postman's employer provided defective equipment in the workplace," Simpson Millar LLP's Gary Tierney said. "This negligence meant he had been exposed to a foreseeable risk of injury which the company ought to have known was present."
Loss of Earnings

Gary added that the postman was forced to take time off work and consequently suffered a loss of earnings.

"I was very happy with the professional job that Mr Tierney did to win my case," said the delighted worker following a compensation award of £3,500. He added that people who are hurt at work should not always assume that the accident is automatically their fault.
Top Tips to Take Away:

If when working you're obliged to use equipment provided by your boss, make sure it's not defective
If there is a problem with equipment, it's down to your employer to rectify it
Simpson Millar LLP's personal injury team can let you know if you're entitled to make a claim if you're injured at work

[Thunderthighs]

I had a York fall onto me, and then fall flat, when releasing a group of Yorks from each other.
Was informed that there are "safety tabs" that inhibit the Yorks falling wide - open,
Pictures taken show the York..FLAT on the floor.
Luckily, it was a glancing blow, but got me on the eyebrow/nose.
Weird that it fell about 10 secs after releasing it...Poltergeist???
Not good.