£12,000 payout after back injury (From News Shopper)

£12,000 payout after back injury

9:38am Thursday 10th May 2007

• Print
• Email
• Share

A COUNCIL employee has received £12,000 in damages after injuring his back in an accident at work.

Craig Lewis, who has worked for Lewisham Council for 20 years, injured his back in September 2004 after a chair he was sitting on gave way.

The 41-year-old, of Headcorn Road, Bromley, had set up a media room for a conference and was waiting for someone to arrive to show them how to use the equipment.

He leant against the backrest of the chair and it snapped, causing him to fall backwards. The broken spine of the chair hit his spine.

The father-of-four now takes strong painkillers every day but is grateful he can walk.

He said: "I was off work for more than three months. I couldn't walk.

"At first I didn't appreciate how serious the injury was.

"I had pins and needles down my legs when I got home.

"Even after I returned to work, I have had to have more time off than I normally would due to ongoing back problems."

Following an MRI scan in October last year, Mr Lewis was told he has a condition called mechanical back.

This means the source of the pain may be in the spinal joints, discs, vertebrae or soft tissues.

Mr Lewis added: "It is likely to be problematic in the long-term, especially if I carry on doing work which involves lifting and carrying."

Trade union Unison secured the payout for Mr Lewis through its free legal help scheme.

Regional head of local government at Unison Vicky Easton said: "We are pleased with the result of Craig Lewis' case.

"This an employee with 20 years of service who is now having to look for a new, less manual, role within the council because of his recurring back pain. The compensation is wholly justified."

Mr Lewis was awarded the damages in an out-of-court settlement on March 11.

A spokesman for Lewisham Council says it allocates all personal injury claims of this nature in accordance with personal injury protocol.

He said: "Damages are assessed based on independent medical evidence."

• Print
• Email
• Share