ALLERGY TO LATEX GLOVES RESULTS IN INJURY COMPENSATION PAYOUT FOR TRAINEE NURSE

March 31st, 2008 Hinchliffes

After contracting an allergy to latex while at work, a trainee nurse was threatened with disciplinary action for using latex free gloves. However, she subsequently made a successful claim for personal injury compensation and is to receive a payment for this work related medical condition.

The nurse, who worked at the Scarborough General Hospital, developed the latex allergy from routinely wearing gloves as part of her job. Latex free gloves were not made available to her and the only type of gloves available to the staff on the wards was latex based.

She was told that if she was found using latex free gloves without prior permission from the Occupational Health department and her ward sister, this would be a punishable offence and she could face disciplinary action.

COMMENT:-

Employers must take the health and safety of their employees very seriously. If not and an employee develops an industrial disease or suffers an accident at work, then the employer could be liable to pay accident compensation to that employee.

In this type of situation, where gloves are worn frequently during the working day, the dangers of developing a latex allergy are well known. The solution was simple and all the employer had to do to avoid liability for the claim was to provide suitable work equipment, ie latex free gloves.

PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM SOLICITORS:-

If you have suffered any form of accident at work or have contracted an industrial disease or illness, contact personal injury specialists Hinchliffes Solicitors for immediate legal advice, to find out if you are entitled to make claims for injury compensation.

Call now on 0800 138 1348 to speak direct to a personal injury lawyer or go to our Start Your Claim Now page to submit details of your personal injury claim online.