Work injury news
05/12/2011

Fatal accident case ‘not good enough' say family

The children of a maintenance fitter who lost his life in a work accident have described the court case that followed as ‘not good enough', the South Wales Argus reports.

Five thousand pounds in fines and prosecution costs of £36,571 will be paid by the taxpayer because the dead man's former employer has gone into liquidation.

The 60-year-old was killed in a 2009 industrial accident when a half-tonne cabinet fell on top of him.

A workplace accident investigation found evidence of safety failings at the Pontllanfraith factory where he worked, but after the firm's collapse nobody would appear in court to take responsibility.

The victim was described as a placid and devoted family man who enjoyed long-distance cycling and oil painting. In 41 years of marriage he had three children and eight grandchildren.

One of his daughters described him as ‘an amazing man'. "We genuinely miss him like crazy," she told the Argus.

"Everyone liked him," his son said. "There were over 500 at his funeral, which says it all."

The family said they were pleased with the guilty verdict, but felt the nominal fine and the absence of any company representation were not sufficient compensation for what they had lost.

"It's not good enough for someone's life," his son said. "Dad was only 60 and could have easily had another 20 years left in him."

Both children said the past two years had been dominated by their father's case and the work accident investigation, and offered their thanks to those involved.