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Simon Wood - Occupational disease solicitor
Sheffield senior occupational disease solicitor
A qualified solicitor for over 15 years, and a Partner, Simon is based in our Sheffield office where he manages a team that specialises in industrial disease compensation claims and serious injury claims in South Yorkshire and Humberside.
Simon is also the National Co-ordinator for all Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) cases. This requires him to have a sound knowledge of the law as it applies to victims of this debilitating condition, and also to keep abreast of any forthcoming changes in the law that may affect the compensation awarded to these types of cases.
During his career, he has successfully concluded many complex and high value compensation claims, including one claim for HAVS compensation, which he won having fought right up to the Court of Appeal.
Simon was also successful in winning £140,000 for one client who suffered with HAVS, which is one of the highest settlements for such a case.
In addition to his significant experience in occupational disease claims, Simon has also dealt sensitively with many families of accident victims and has been extremely successful in securing substantial compensation for victims of serious injuries such as brain injury and spinal cord injury. He understands the need to secure appropriate compensation to meet the immediate and long-term needs of the victim and their families, and fights for interim payments where the needs of the victim need to be addressed immediately.
Simon, a Sheffield solicitor, also has experience of dealing with the many sensitive issues affecting the families of victims of fatal accidents and victims and families affected by asbestos-related diseases such as the fatal disease, mesothelioma. Extracting often upsetting information about the circumstances of the accident or negligent exposure to asbestos dust requires considerable sensitivity. The comments received from grateful clients is testament to Simon demonstrating that sensitivity.
However, although Simon specialises in occupational disease compensation claims, his extensive experience also ranges across all types of road accidents claims, such as cycling accidents and motorcycle accidents, and accidents at work, including manual handling accidents and slips, trips and falls at work.
Simon’s understanding of the many and varied issues surrounding any type of personal injury compensation claim, and his tenacity to achieve the right result for the client, will ensure that you receive the just compensation to which you are entitled.
Simon is a member of the following organisations
- accredited as a Senior Litigator by APIL (The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers)
- member of SIA (The Spinal Injuries Association) approved list of personal injury solicitors.
Successful compensation claims
Of the many successful personal injury compensation claims that Simon has dealt with, here are just a few examples.
Work accident compensation claim – Manual handling injury
A member of the emergency services, Simon’s client, Donavon Gooden, was injured during an incident when a vehicle had crashed in very icy conditions. The officer in charge asked Mr Gooden to assist other colleagues in removing the vehicle from the road as it was presenting a hazard. As they manoeuvred the vehicle by “bumping” it, he felt a twinge in his lower back.
Initially thinking the injury was not serious, Simon’s client was eventually diagnosed with a prolapsed disc for which he underwent corrective surgery. This reduced the pain somewhat, but he continues to suffer pain in his lower back and leg. Following an unsuccessful attempt to return to work, he was eventually retired on the grounds of ill health.
The defendant was negligent in that a risk assessment had not been carried out. This would have identified the need for mechanical lifting equipment to move the vehicle as an alternative to the manual handling method used. Simon was able to negotiate £100,000 in accident at work compensation for Mr Gooden, part of which was in recognition of his loss of congenial employment in that he is no longer able to work in his chosen profession.
Since this successful accident at work compensation claim, the fire service has changed their procedures and firefighters are no longer allowed to move vehicles manually.
Occupational disease compensation claim – Vibration white finger
A maintenance craftsman, Simon’s client was required to use tools that transmitted vibration to his hands. These included impact wrenches, needle guns and angle grinders. Despite the hazards known to employers at the time of his exposure, the client was not warned of the dangers.
Nor was any method of limiting his exposure, such as job rotation, implemented to reduce his risk of developing the diseases. The regulations require employers to monitor employees working with such tools, to check for symptoms and remove employees from such work if symptoms were developing. Simon’s client’s employers had clearly breached these regulations.
As these early indicators were not identified, his client went on to develop more serious symptoms. As the condition is permanent, he will continue to suffer from blanching, numbness, tingling, pins and needles, and the loss of fine touch for the rest of his life. Simon was successful in negotiating vibration white finger compensation for his client.
Asbestos-related disease - Mesothelioma compensation claim
When approached by a sufferer of mesothelioma, Simon’s first instinct is to deal with the claim as quickly and efficiently as possible in order to try to settle the claim within the lifetime of the victim.
When this client approached Simon for mesothelioma compensation advice, he set to work and was able to secure over £100,000 in mesothelioma compensation shortly before the client passed away, just a year after his diagnosis of mesothelioma was confirmed.
Simon’s client had been a coachbuilder and his employer had negligently exposed him to asbestos dust as he worked in an environment immediately following asbestos spraying inside the coaches. His client was also required to cut into the asbestos as he then fitted panels inside the coaches. During his working day, Simon’s client was constantly exposed to asbestos dust, which he was forced to inhale, and his working clothes were always covered in dust at the end of each day, when he took them home to be washed.
Client comments
Here are just a few expressions of grateful thanks from clients following Simon’s successful handling of their compensation claim.
“I can’t thank … enough for their help and support. They were able to secure compensation for me even though I thought it was impossible.”
Donavon Gooden, firefighter who received work accident compensation
"May I take this opportunity to thank Simon Wood of ... Sheffield for achieving my compensation claim for Vibration White Finger."
Mr Hopps, recipient of vibration white finger compensation
"Simon has been very helpful knowledgeable and sensitive during a very difficult time. I would like you to pass on my sincere thanks for all his assistance and sensitivity both to my father and myself."
Daughter of mesothelioma victim
"Excellent service. I would recommend them to anyone. Thank you very much."
Recipient of work accident compensation
"Excellent service."
Sufferer of respiratory disease
Making a compensation claim for occupational diseases
Are you or a member of your family suffering from an occupational disease? You will receive 100% of the compensation awarded if you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Clear Answers to deal with the matter for you.
We will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for yourself. Telephone us now on 0800 783 9019 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms, and a representative will contact you as soon as possible.
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