LEGAL NEWS

LEGAL NEWS RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: may 2010 :: RMTnews 25 RAIL WORKERS WIN COMPENSATION Three rail workers have received compensation for separate incidents after falling and injuring themselves on poorly maintained walking surfaces. A member from South Yorkshire was injured in a fall while using a dust suppression sprinkler system. The check to see that the sprinkler system was in working order involved the member using a walkway and road that was in very poor condition. The surface was covered in potholes, loose ballast, gravel, pieces of timber and other debris. Having used the walkway and carried out the check, the member turned and proceeded to walk back. As he did so he tripped on the poor surface, falling backwards. As a result he fell backwards and dislocated two fingers on his right hand. The company’s insurer’s refused to negotiate a settlement and it was necessary for the union’s lawyer’s to start court proceedings. Satisfactory settlement terms were agreed and the member was awarded £12,000. A Kent-based member was injured while working as a platform assistant. After seeing a train off, she was walking along the platform when she tripped on a drain cover which was bent upwards. The drain cover had been reported to management as dangerous some three months earlier. The drain cover was then repaired a couple of hours after the incident. RMT lawyers commenced court proceedings against the company’s lawyers after they initially refused to negotiate a settlement. As a result settlement terms were agreed and the member was awarded £3,700. A member from West Sussex was injured when he lost his footing on slippery and worn timber near the railway line and suffered fractures to his right finger, left thumb, and both wrists. The other side’s insurer’s refused to negotiate a settlement and it was also necessary for RMT lawyers to commence court proceedings in this case. Satisfactory settlement terms were agreed and the member received a cheque for compensation for £72,500. BUS DRIVER COMPENSATED A bus driver from Devon was injured when the seat on the vehicle that he was driving came off of its runners. RMT lawyers had to initiate court proceedings on the member’s behalf after the other side refused to negotiate a settlement. As a result satisfactory settlement terms were agreed and the member received compensation of £5,000. TRAPPED IN TRAIN DOORS A West Midlands-based member was injured when train doors closed on her. She suffered bruising and swelling to her face. Following correspondence and negotiation with the employer the member was awarded £1,600. NORTH YORKSHIRE MEMBER INJURED A member from North Yorkshire was injured when he slipped off the metal step of a train onto the platform edge and then slipped again on wet white paint on the platform. As a result he suffered a head injury, knee injury, and a twisted ankle. Following correspondence and negotiation with the employer the member received compensation of £5,000. RAIL WORKER COMPENSATED FOR BACK INJURY A Hampshire based rail worker was injured after slipping on wet leaves when he descended a set of concrete steps. While descending the stairs he slipped on the leaves falling backwards and tumbling down, suffering a back injury as a result. After the union’s lawyer’s initiated court proceedings on the member’s behalf satisfactory settlement terms were agreed. The member received compensation of £5,000 COMPENSATED FOR ROAD ACCIDENT A North Wales member was injured when a car driver suddenly opened his door and knocked him off his bicycle. As a result of the accident the member suffered injury to his hip, buttock and thigh. Following negotiations between RMT and the driver’s insurers a settlement was negotiated without the need for court proceedings. The member received £2,000 compensation. MEMBER INJURED IN CHAIR COLLAPSE A member from Lancashire was injured when a chair that he sat on collapsed. As a result he suffered an injury to his lower back. Following correspondence and negotiations with the company’s representatives the member received a cheque for compensation for £3,700. RMT takes up members’ legal cases free of charge, and, unlike commercial “no win/no fee” solicitors, takes no commission on successful claims