Compensation for nurse gassed at work
Compensation for Nurse gassed at
work
In May 2005 a Royal College of Nursing member
and Staff Nurse went to work as usual in the Endoscopy Unit at the
Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Llantrisant. Her life was irreversibly
changed when she was exposed to a leak of chlorine dioxide gas from
the new auto washer disinfectors that had been put into operation
for the first time on the previous day. She reacted
immediately to the strong overpowering smell of the chlorine.
As a result she suffered an asthma like
condition known as Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome (RADS).
She never worked in the Endoscopy Unit again.
Whilst initially she was able to continue to
work as a nurse for a time, she later discovered that even the
slightest exposure to any chemical fumes would again trigger her
symptoms. Eventually she was left with no choice but to give
up give up her chosen profession of nursing altogether.
Hugh James were instructed on behalf of the
former nurse by the RCN. Initially her employers denied
liability but eventually they admitted that they were at fault for
the attack.
Hugh James have been able to recover a six
figure settlement. However, the settlement does not remove
the fact that she would far rather have been able to continue with
the nursing career that she loved.
Hugh James Partner Cenric Clement-Evans
commented “I am delighted that we have finally been able to bring
this claim for compensation to a successful conclusion. It has been
a long and difficult journey for our client. The difficulty that
has faced us, has been not knowing for a long time, the full extent
of the effect of this incident upon her life and
career.”