Thompsons Solicitors and Unite the Union helped Solihull man Craig, whose life turned into a “nightmare” after being crushed at work.
The former signal banksman was crushed by the ‘boom’, or arm, of an excavator that was being operated by an employer of another firm while working on-site in Bicester.
The driver had waved the Unite member to say it was safe to walk near the vehicle but had failed to enable a safe lock that would have kept the boom of the vehicle in place.
Craig's pelvis was crushed in the accident and medical staff had to put him in an induced coma for over a fortnight while they performed multiple operations. This included dialysis for kidney damage. A loss of blood supply to his right leg also led to an above-knee amputation.
Six years on, he has only been able to return to work in a part-time capacity but will suffer with limited mobility and pain for the rest of his life.
Craig said: “I spent almost two months in hospital with more injuries that I would dare to count. It was an excruciating period of time for me and my family, both physically and mentally. Even after I finally left hospital, I had to contend with the fact that I would never be the same again. I’ve battled depression for years as a result.”
Unite the Union and Thompsons helped him secure a substantial settlement, including interim payments for rehabilitation, physiotherapy and counselling.
He continued: “The last six years have been a nightmare, but I have no idea what I would have done if it wasn’t for Unite and Thompsons. Their hard work meant I could pay for a complete rehabilitation package that has helped restore some normality to my life. For that alone, I am extremely grateful.”