“If it wasn’t for Unite and Thompsons fighting tirelessly for my rights, I would have never received the settlement that I did.”

Keith Cooper an accident at work client of Thompsons Solicitors

A Unite member who suffered a debilitating tear to the muscle in his leg when he slipped on a piece of metal at work has received more than £12,000. 

Keith Cooper, 57, from Wakefield, was walking through Roberts Marts and Co’s manufacturing plant in Leeds when he slipped on a piece of metal that had not been cleared away. He lost his balance and jarred his left knee.

He continued working for a few days after the accident but the pain became too intense and he was referred by his GP to hospital, where Keith was diagnosed with a partial tear to his left quadriceps.

Following an operation to repair the tear, he had four months off work and has been told by doctors that the ongoing pain in his knee may get worse.

Keith contacted Unite Legal Services who instructed Thompsons Solicitors to investigate a compensation claim. An initial offer of £250 was made to him but, following medical evidence and calculation of losses, a settlement of £12,050 was agreed. 

Keith said: “Considering that I was out of work for four months, I couldn’t believe it when I was told that the pain I went through and my loss of earnings equated to just £250. 

“If it wasn’t for Unite and Thompsons fighting tirelessly for my rights, I would have never received the settlement that I did.” 

Karen Reay, North East, Yorkshire and Humberside regional secretary at Unite the Union, said: “Every year, hundreds of thousands of people suffer as a result of workplace accidents, but in many instances this could have been avoided by a simple risk assessment by employers. Keith, unfortunately, has been left with ongoing pain in his knee that will likely plague him for the rest of his life. 

“We were proud to fight Keith’s claim, ensuring he received 100% of the compensation due to him.”