A GMB member and employee of Magna Kansei has secured substantial compensation in a case which settled on the court steps. The damages were secured following an accident at work which left Mark Stewart with a ruptured knee ligament. Not only has the accident affected his future working capacity, he is also to be made redundant on 27 May in a further round of redundancies.

At the time of the accident in August 2002, Mark Stewart was employed by Magna Kansei as a fabricator, based at Pennywell Industrial Estate in Sunderland. He was walking through the Machine Tooling area along a designated walkway when he slipped on a sheet of tin that had been left on the floor. He fell and as a result ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament of his knee.

Mr Stewart explains: “Sadly the accident has really impacted the kind of work I can now do as I have difficulty with heavy duties that involve lifting, pushing, pulling or carrying. The surgeons also said that I might need a total knee replacement in around 20 years time.”

Tom Brennan from GMB Northern comments: “We’re pleased with the compensation that Mark Stewart has secured. Magna Kansei clearly breached its duty of care, causing injury to our member, and to add insult to injury, they have now decided to make him redundant.”

Representing Mark Stewart, David Mole from Thompsons Solicitors in Newcastle explains: “As a result of the accident, Mark Stewart’s future work prospects have been affected. Although a number of new positions are available at Magna Kansei, he is not suitable for any of these due to being under qualified. He has been awarded substantial damages and is very happy with the outcome. This is a significant victory bearing in mind the insurers first offer to settle was just £9,500.”