Boss Forced to Pay £50,000 Injury Compensation after Pallet Falls on Employee
A company boss has been forced to pay £50,000 in injury compensation to one of his employees after a pallet fell on him.
The Bournemouth Daily Echo newspaper is reporting that Gary Hounsome has been left disabled after the serious accident at work in November 2006. He was hit by a falling pallet full of tiles as he was unloading a container in Poole. The impact of the pallet caused multiple fractures, serious enough to need several operations. The injuries have left a lasting effect on Mr Hounsome’s quality of life, and he now needs the help of a stick to be able to move around effectively.
Businessman John Samtani owned the premises where the accident happened, and was taken to Doncaster Crown Court for breaching Health and Safety regulations. The Borough of Poole Council, who brought the prosecution against him, argued that there was a “blatant disregard for health and safety considerations.”
Mr Samtami was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay Mr Hounsome £50,000 in compensation. He was also ordered to pay legal costs of £25,000. He has a total of 12 months to pay the fine and compensation otherwise he could be subjected to a prison term.
Reportedly Mr Samtani announced his wish to appeal against the decision after the verdict was announced.
