Compensation news
17/02/2011

Food packing firm fined for work-related accident

A food factory worker who suffered knee and back injuries in a work-related accident in Lincolnshire will be able to seek damages now that her employer has been found liable for unsafe practices at the plant.

Kings Lynn magistrates were told that the 43-year-old personal injury victim was labelling boxes at the vegetable packing company, when a wooden crate of potatoes fell onto her from a forklift truck as it was being emptied into a skip.

Her resulting right knee fracture and severe bruising on her back were treated in hospital, but she was unable to resume her employment for several months after the industrial accident in May 2009.

The Health and Safety Executive, which brought the prosecution, said it was an entirely preventable accident because packing workers should have been separated from the loading area.

QV Foods Ltd, which admitted failing to ensure the safety of employees, was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,606.

The woman, from Holbeach, may now consult a no win no fee solicitor with regard to making a compensation claim for her pain, suffering and loss of earnings.