Substantial settlement for Smithfield poultry worker crushed by forklift

Trevor, who is in his sixties, worked the night shift as a salesman and manager in the iconic Smithfield meat market in the City of London. His role was varied and fulfilling and so enjoyable that Trevor planned to continue working for the firm past retirement age.

On the day of the accident Trevor was due to finish his shift at 6am as usual but the lift had broken, and it was a hot day, so he stayed to help get the poultry in the freezer as quickly as possible.

He suddenly felt his ankle being gripped and realised that the forklift was backing into him. The driver realised and tried to move the vehicle away from Trevor but accidentally reversed, knocking him to the ground. Trevor's leg was trapped underneath until another forklift helped to move the vehicle away.

He was rushed to The Royal London Hospital by ambulance and was taken for surgery. Over the next few days several attempts were made to reconstruct the foot and graft skin, but they were not successful.

Hearing that he could be looking at years of pain with numerous operations and dependence on a wheelchair, Trevor made the difficult decision to have his foot and lower leg amputated. He found it emotional telling his family but was determined to go ahead with an amputation with the hope it would enable him to continue his active lifestyle, importantly to include walking his beagle.

Trevor underwent several months of intensive rehabilitative therapy as an inpatient at the Amputee Rehabilitation Unit (ARU) in Lambeth and walked out of the unit on his new prosthetic leg.

The return home to his three-bedroom, terraced house was a challenge as he struggled to get up and down the stairs. His wife, with whom he has two adult children, cared for Trevor and prepared his meals despite suffering from mobility issues.

Jennifer issued a claim for the workplace accident and liability was admitted in full. While litigation was ongoing Jennifer secured interim funding for a community rehabilitation team that included a Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Prosthetist and Personal trainer and suitable accommodation – all overseen by Trevor's personal case manager.

With the help of this support Trevor saw improvements in his mobility, which meant he could walk his beloved family dog again and help his wife care for their granddaughter once a week as they had done prior to the accident.

The couple have moved into a rental property that has a bedroom downstairs for the days when Trevor is not able to make it up to the bedroom, a walk-in shower, and space for him to do his rehab exercises.

The case reached a settlement and Trevor received substantial damages, which will allow him to keep fit and healthy so he and his wife can hope to enjoy retirement has they always planned to.

Trevor said “You wonderfully organised the most caring group of people (friends) that see Sue and myself through what could have been the most traumatic time of our lives, but it wasn’t because of all of you.”

Contact us

For further information about work accident claims and amputation claims please call Jennifer Buchanan on 03304606774 or email jennifer.buchanan@fieldfisher.com or call Francesca Krauze on 03304606512 or email francesca.krauze@fieldfisher.com.

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