Brain Injury Compensation Awarded to Machine Operator

A man who sustained catastrophic injuries when hit in the face by a piece of machinery on a construction site has been awarded a brain injury compensation package calculated to be in excess of 4 million pounds.

Christopher Kaye (57) from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, was working on the construction site in Sheffield for Euro Dismantling Services Ltd when the accident happened in October 2008. Christopher was changing the grapple attachment on an excavator when he was hit in the face and knocked to the ground by an iron bar which sprang from the release mechanism.

Christopher was rushed to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery to save his life, however the accident left him with permanent brain damage which means he now needs around-the-clock care.

After taking legal advice, Christopher´s wife – Sue – made a brain injury compensation claim against her husband´s employers, claiming that Christopher had not been provided with adequate training or protective equipment in order him to complete the job safely.

Euro Dismantling Services Ltd initially denied the claims but, shortly before the case was due to be litigated in court, the company made an offer of 90% responsibility for Christopher´s injury.  A lump sum payment of 1.75 million pounds was agreed in brain injury compensation, with annual payments of 135,000 pounds to follow for the remainder of Christopher´s life – a total in excess of 4 million pounds should Christopher live for a further twenty years.