A Unite the union member has secured compensation after a workplace accident led to the amputation of his little finger. 

Brian Marshall, 66, was working on a casting spindle machine at Rolls Royce’s Derby factory - feeding metal castings into the device to polish them - when his glove got caught in the machine, trapping his left hand. 

“The service I received from Unite and Thompsons Solicitors was first-rate, from start to finish. They explained the legal process to me clearly and without any jargon, which made me feel a lot more confident with my claim.”

Brian Marshall Thompsons Solicitors accident at work client

To release his hand, he had to stop the machine, by which point his little finger had been severely crushed. He was taken to hospital, where doctors attempted to repair his finger and restore blood flow, but the damage was deemed too severe and they had no choice but to amputate it. 

Brian needed three months off work to recover from his injury and, when he returned, was unable to work on the spindle machine. He has since taken pre-planned retirement.

Despite the accident occurring three years ago, Brian still suffers numbness in his left hand, with the amputation having significantly reduced his grip.

He contacted Unite Legal Services and instructed Thompsons Solicitors to make an accident at work compensation claim. 

An image of Brian Marshall standing in a snowy field
Brian Marshall, A Unite member that suffered an amputation injury after an accident at work.

“The service I received from Unite and Thompsons Solicitors was first-rate, from start to finish,” said Brian. “They explained the legal process to me clearly and without any jargon, which made me feel a lot more confident with my claim. 

“My injury still affects me to this day. Although I’m retired, I like to do a lot of DIY around the house, but the lack of grip and the niggling pain in my left hand makes it a lot more difficult. Other daily activities, like shopping and driving, have also been affected. Everything is just much more tasking. 

“I hope other companies will learn from what has happened to me and provide safeguards, so that the health of their employees isn’t put at risk.” 

Kevin Hepworth, East Midlands regional legal officer at Unite the Union, said: “If there was a safety guard around the machine it could have meant that Brian’s glove wouldn’t have been caught and his finger wouldn’t have been crushed. It is the responsibility of the employer to limit dangers like this in the first place. 

“Brian has been able to get on with his life, thanks to the support of our legal team and Thompsons Solicitors, but the physical effects of this avoidable injury will unfortunately remain with him forever.”