Factory Worker Wins £20,000 for Groin Injury

A machine operator who strained his groin while lifting a box in the factory where he worked has won £20,000 in compensation.

Barry Lester, 64, was injured while working at the Ford factory in Dagenham. He was trying to lift a box from the top of a stack of boxes of car parts when it became caught on the box below it. As a result, he was bearing the entire weight of the stack, which weighed several tonnes. He strained his groin and was off work for three weeks.

Mr Lester carried on working for another year despite experiencing pain as a result of his injury. Subsequently, he stepped on a rotten floorboard in the staff toilet and his leg fell through it. This aggravated his earlier injury and led to him having to take further time off work.

Because of his injuries, he has had to give up his hobbies of gardening and golf. He is also unable to work overtime in other departments.

Mr Lester made a claim for compensation against his employer for loss of earnings as well as the pain and suffering he has endured. Ford admitted liability for his injuries and agreed to pay damages of £20,000.