60,000 compensation for Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome

A man who was forced to give up his skilled trade as a panel beater because of a serious industrial injury has won £60,000 compensation. He has Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). He had prolonged exposure to vibrating tools while working as an apprentice panel beater, repairing cars which had been damaged in road accidents. He used powerful vibrating tools on a daily basis. He was eventually retrained by his employer as an estimator but he claimed that his earning capacity has been dramatically reduced. The company admitted that his injury occurred due to its negligence.