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Worker gets £1m after horrific accident

Sellafield worker gets payout after losing his leg at work

A worker at Sellafield nuclear plant in Cumbria has received a settlement of more than £1 million after losing his leg following an accident at work.

Kenneth Brown, 64, was a mechanical fitter employed by subcontractor Johnson Controls at Sellafield.

Mr Brown, who was backed by his union Unite and represented by union solicitors Thompsons, was knocked down by a "cherry-picker" or mobile elevated working platform driven by another Johnson employee, and which Mr Brown was escorting.

Mr Brown's left leg was crushed and had to be amputated above the knee.

Johnson Controls lawyers claimed Mr Brown was partially responsible for the accident. But the court ruled he should receive "a full award for damages."

Unite criticised Johnson's "cynical attempt" to reduce damages by blaming Mr Brown.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation revealed Johnson Controls had been guilty of a number of breaches of safety legislation.

Unite regional secretary, Mick Whitley, said: "Mr Brown has suffered horrific injuries because his employer ignored fundamental health and safety procedures.

"It is completely unacceptable for an employer to shirk responsibility and try to blame the injured worker in any case. But it is staggering that Johnson Controls Ltd would use such a cynical tactic to try and cut their compensation bill considering the life changing injuries he suffered as result of their negligence.

"With the support of Unite legal services, Kenneth was able to receive expert legal advice and keep 100 per cent of his damages."

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