We recover £590,000 in compensation for chef following electrocution in kitchen

What happened?

Our client was working as a sous chef when he suffered a life-changing injury. He was plugging in a portable fan when he sustained an electric shock to his right hand. He went on to experience pain, stiffness, spasms and sensory loss in his arm and hand. He also suffered with PTSD and an intense fear of electrical items. It was later established that the fan had not been PAT tested. Also, the outer insultation of the cable stopped short of the base of the fan’s plug, which had previously been rewired.

The claim

The client brought a claim against his employer for his injuries and financial losses. His injuries prevented him from returning to work as a chef, as he was unable to use his dominant right arm. He also required a great deal of care from his friends and family. After his symptoms failed to improve, he underwent insertion of a Spinal Cord Stimulation test device followed by Botox injections in his arm, both of which provided limited benefit.

After being dissatisfied with the progress made by his first firm of solicitors, he transferred his claim to us. We managed to secure an admission from the client’s employer that they had breached their duty to him. We obtained funding for various private treatments for him including physiotherapy, psychological therapy, occupational therapy, and case management support. We also negotiated the release of interim payments totalling £45,000 during the life of his claim.

The result

We put forward a claim which consisted of substantial claims for loss of earnings, both past and future, as well as private multidisciplinary treatment. Despite arguments from the defendant relating to the cause of the client’s symptoms and allegations that his symptoms were related to other traumas in his life, we managed to reach a settlement. The sum of £590,000 was agreed four months before trial, which the client was very pleased with after a long-fought legal battle.