A driver/cleaner who was infected by a flesh eating disease caused by a piece of metal left on the floor at work, while working for Arriva Southern Counties Ltd, has been awarded damages.
Izzy Lloyd, 49, is set to receive substantial recompense as a result of the incident at the Armstrong Road depot in Maidstone on April 6, 2010, although the scale of the damages she will receive is unlikely to be determined for at least a year.
Judge William Birtles, at the Mayors and City of London Court, in his judgement said: “Ms Lloyd alighted from one of buses she had been cleaning into the engineering bay. Stepping onto the floor she felt a sharp metal spike pierce her work boot and penetrate her foot.
“On the floor of the engineering bay and where the claimant had her accident there were pieces of metal, probably pop rivets, which should have been cleaned up and were not .
“Unfortunately the wound became infected resulting in necrotising fascilitis to her left foot and ankle.”
It is claimed that by the time Ms Lloyd was admitted to hospital on April 9, 2010, she was four hours from death unless she received immediate treatment. She required an amputation of part of her left leg and has since been unemployed.
Izzy Lloyd said: “Going to work is not meant to result in a life threatening condition. Had Arriva paid attention to health and safety and operated a proper cleaning policy this would have been avoided.”
Unite’s Director of Legal Services. Howard Beckett. said: “The liability win contains a legal first – establishing liability on the basis of regulation 9 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. The money and support which Ms Lloyd gets from this case will almost certainly be life changing for her.
“This case demonstrates the importance of Unite’s legal services in offering protection to members who, on their own, could never mount such an expensive legal action. The hard work and expertise of the solicitors, Pattinson & Brewer in bringing this case to a successful conclusion is to be commended.”
Asked to comment on the story, Arriva’s Regional MD, Heath Williams, told CBW: “We note the decision of the judge and I would emphasise the safety and wellbeing of our employees is very important to us. We work hard to provide clear and safe working areas in our depots to minimise the risk of anyone hurting themselves.”
CBW is reliably informed Unite has incorrectly suggested the whole leg was amputated, when in fact it was from below the shin.
