A man who suffered a head injury after colliding with a low doorway frame in poor lighting, which caused the onset of post-traumatic epilepsy, has received £266,500 in compensation with the help of Thompsons Solicitors and his trade union, Unite the Union.

Simon Davies, a 41-year-old man from Cheshire, was working as an LGV driver for Kuehne & Nagel Logistics based in Greater Manchester at the time of his accident. Mr Davies is 6ft 4” in height and hit his head on a low doorway at the entrance to his employer’s transport building because the area was poorly lit.

As a result Mr Davies suffered a head injury, which caused post-traumatic epilepsy, seizures and serious psychological effects.

To aid his recovery, it was recommended that Mr Davies undergo a series of rehabilitation treatment. Kuehne & Nagel Logistics initially offered to fund the treatment but, after compiling a report into the accident they withdrew their offer, leaving Mr Davies unable to pay himself.

Simon Davies was forced to give up his job as an LGV driver because of his ongoing epilepsy. He contacted Unite Legal Services who instructed Thompsons Solicitors to secure compensation on their member’s behalf.

Mr Davies said: “Following the accident I was really scared to leave the house. Needless to say, the injury has completely changed my life. The threat of seizures will stay with me forever because the epilepsy can never be cured but, thankfully, I am now able to manage my condition. I’m very grateful to Unite Legal Services and Thompsons, they were brilliant throughout this process and made sure that the compensation means I have some financial security in an uncertain future.”

Kuehne & Nagel Logistics denial of liability, claiming that the accident was not to blame for the onset of Mr Davies’ epilepsy was shown to be wrong by Thompsons Solicitors’ team of medical experts who proved that the accident was the direct cause of his condition.

Mick Whitley, northwest regional secretary of Unite the Union, said: “It is the responsibility of employers to ensure that basic things like proper lighting is in place. All these unthinkable consequences for our member stemmed from a poorly lit walkway towards a company building. Simon must now manage his condition for the rest of his life.

“The importance of accessing early intervention treatment through rehabilitation cannot be underestimated. It almost always has a positive impact on the recovery of an individual, and it’s astonishing that Kuehne & Nagel offered and then retracted their offer to fund the treatment.”