Our expertise
Despite strict Health and Safety legislation, workplace accidents still occur on a daily basis due to employers not taking their health and safety responsibilities seriously.Â
We have been involved in a wide range of cases relating to accidents or illness in the workplace ranging from catastrophic injuries and industrial disease to stress related matters.
If you have been involved in a workplace accident in the last three years, contact our team to discuss the best way forward.
Let us help you
Contact us to find out what we can do to help
Some helpful points to consider
- Establish if there were any eye witnesses and if so make a note of their names and addresses
- Report it immediately to your line manager
- Ensure that an accident report is completed and submitted to your employer as soon as possible after the accident
- See your GP or go to A&E at your local hospital to ensure your injuries can be confirmed at a later date
- Take photos of the scene as soon as possible after your accident
Case studies
Claim against a Local Authority
Our client was injured whilst working for the local council at a Recycling Centre. He fell from some steps attached to machinery which were defective, sustaining several soft tissue injuries.
The Council initially denied knowledge of the accident and that there was any defect with the steps. With proper investigations and evidence gathering we were able to raise a court action and obtain our client the full damages he was entitled to.
Claim against Supermarket
Whilst stacking shelves in a supermarket warehouse our client fell from a set of ladders, sustaining a severe laceration to his arm and injury to his hip. The ladders provided were unsuitable to reach the high shelves and the stock was stacked in a dangerous manner. The supermarket disputed these claims. They refused to negotiate a settlement out of court.
We raised a court action for our client, which persuade the supermarket to accept fault by settling our client’s claim. Our client continued in his role with the supermarket after the claim. As an employer will have insurance in place to deal with accidents at work, the majority of claims do not have any adverse effect on the person’s employment after the claim.
Claim against Shipping Yard
During our client’s employment at a shipping yard he was using a circular saw. He was instructed to use the saw despite receiving no training. There was no guard on the saw. Whilst cutting wood, the saw kicked back, catching our client’s index finger. He sustained a severe laceration resulting in a procedure to remove the tip of his figure.
We persuaded his employer’s insurer to accept liability for the failings and an out of court settlement was negotiated, with our client receiving £20,000 in damages.Â
Legionnaires Outbreak 2012
Partner David Short handled a civil claim on behalf of the family for one of the victim’s who died from the legionnaire’s outbreak in Edinburgh in 2012.
David fought hard to determine who was responsible for the UK’s largest outbreak of legionnaires and for Scots Law to be brought in line law in England and Wales in terms of the Health & Safety Executive having the power to prosecute.
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Claim against Aberdeen council
We helped a client who sustained a high level spinal injury rendering him tetraplegic, no ability to move any part of his body, other than his head.
He is completely paralysed and needs high level 24-hour care. He also had to have his house modified. Liability was never admitted so a lot of work was done identifying experts to provide supportive reports.
The case settled for a 7 figure sum in favour of our client.
Stockline Explosion Glasgow
This case arose out of a massive gas explosion, resulting from a gas leak at the Stockline Plastics factory.
The team led by partner David McIntosh acted for 15 of the claimants.
Claim against a construction company
Our client sustained a serious head injury when a piece of machinery at work fell on his neck, causing a high level fracture leaving him tetraplegic.
He was hospitalised for several months and then had to come home to a custom built bungalow (paid for by the defenders’ insurers) due to the severity of his accident.
We were able to recover £3.9m in damages given the life changing event for our client and his family.
Working on behalf of the Educational Institute Scotland (EIS)
We have worked with the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) for over 35 years. They are Scotland’s largest teaching union who represent over 80% of the teaching profession. Balfour+Manson assist the union to get the right results for their members.
From personal injury claims and employment tribunals relating to stress through to issues of assault in the classroom, our renowned and experienced litigation team have been on hand to safely guide EIS members through some of the most difficult times of their lives.
In 2011, David McIntosh helped a teacher get a record settlement of £240,000 as a result of successfully pursuing a stress at work claim.
What our clients say about us
“I was not going to do anything about my accident, as I thought I would be a nervous wreck. I was reassured not to worry leave it all in your hands. (I still thought it would be me). No way all was great all appointment set up for me. First Zoom had to call talked through getting on. Was shocked at amount I got and the stressless. Helpful and reassurance. Can’t thank you enough.“Â
“I burned my arm with hot oil at work and I decided to contact this company for a compensation. It took a while to settle but I didn’t have to spend a dime, I received the money minus 20%, which is the amount they tell you from the beginning, no hidden fees. The solicitors where always very kind and professionals.“Â
Let us help you
Contact us to find out what we can do to help
