A Hull man, who lost his sense of taste and smell following a serious head injury at work, has received a pay out with the support of Thompsons Solicitors and Unite Legal Services. 

Printer operator Simon Moore, 58, fell approximately four feet backwards off a printing press that he was attempting to clean, hitting his head on the concrete floor.

"It’s unbelievable that my employer didn’t consider the dangers, and now I’m the one that’s suffering. All I can hope is that my case makes other employers realise just how important health and safety is."

Simon Moore a Thompsons Solicitors serious injury client

He suffered a brain haemorrhage and spent two nights in hospital, followed by more than a month off work to recover. The long-lasting effects of the accident to Simon include a permanent loss of smell and taste as well as regular ringing in his ears, known as tinnitus. He also has issues with his short-term memory. Simon couldn’t drive for six months after the accident and has given up refereeing football matches on the weekend because of his condition. 

He contacted Unite Legal Services and instructed Thompsons Solicitors to make a compensation claim. 

“I felt like I’d lost everything after the accident,” said Simon. “You don’t appreciate what you have until it’s gone and I still don’t think I’ve come to terms with the fact that I won’t be able to smell or taste things for the rest of my life. 

“Cleaning the presses at work was always a risky task because there wasn’t a safe way of get on or off them. It’s unbelievable that my employer didn’t consider the dangers, and now I’m the one that’s suffering. All I can hope is that my case makes other employers realise just how important health and safety is.” 

Karen Reay, North East, Yorkshire and Humberside regional secretary at Unite the Union, said: “Unite Legal Services and Thompsons Solicitors worked closely with Simon on his claim to ensure he was supported through his traumatic time. We were able to prove that his employer had breached two separate regulations that were created to protect workers and, as a result, secure compensation for him. 

“Unite works with Thompsons to support members injured at work, to ensure they are properly compensation for the pain and loss they suffer.”