Katie Ward lost her left index finger in an accident while on work experience, dashing her ambitions of becoming an artist.

Katie Ward lost her left index finger in an accident while on work experience, dashing her ambitions of becoming an artist.  Katie’s original damages award is now being appealed on the basis that the accident has rendered her disabled.

A life changing accident

Katie Ward, now 28, lost her left index finger on her second day of work experience at an architecture firm when using an unguarded circular saw. Surgeons were able to re-attach the finger but she is now unable to use her left hand properly. This has come as a huge blow to the budding artist, whose ambition was to pursue a career making sets and props for film and theatre. This career is not now an option for Miss Ward.

Miss Ward continues to struggle with the effects of her injury and has also suffered psychologically as a result of her accident at work. She has taken up an administrative job at a college in place of her pre-accident career plan.

Amputation – inconvenience or disability?

The judge who dealt with Miss Ward’s compensation claim against the architecture company awarded her £80,000.  She was not compensated on the basis that the damaged finger rendered her disabled, as argued by her legal team.  The judge said he considered the damaged finger to be an ‘inconvenience’, not a disability. 

 Miss Ward’s lawyers argue that this settlement does not adequately reflect the effects that her injury has had on her life and earning capacity.  The judge’s finding that Miss Ward was not disabled has been appealed.  Judgment will be handed down in due course.

Back to work, back on track

Miss Ward’s story is not so uncommon.  A serious injury, at any age, can dramatically alter a person’s career path.  In the serious injury team of solicitors at Pannone we regularly represent individuals whose employment choices have been changed by an accident.  We recognise that the loss of an exciting life career, whether as a professional footballer, fashion model, musician, accountant or teacher can be hard to cope with.  Alongside pursuing our clients’ compensation claims for their lost earnings, we recognise that getting back to work in some capacity is a huge step towards getting life back on track.  At Pannone we are committed to ensuring our clients have access to vocational rehabilitation so that alternative job choices can be considered. 

If you or a member of your family has been injured in an accident, click here or call our specialist personal injury solicitors on 0800 0384 384 and a specialist personal injury lawyer can review  your case for free whilst you are on the phone.

Contact: Jennifer Maloney

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