£1.4m payout for 'crushed' worker

Mark Hamilton and his sister Gemma outside the court

A former worker who clinically "died" for five minutes after being crushed by machinery at an engineering firm in south Wales has been awarded almost £1.4m in compensation.

Mark Hamilton, 33, from Panteg near Pontypool, south Wales was awarded the compensation after being crushed by a machine at Lucas Industries car brake plant at New Inn in 1996.

The company admitted liability for the accident.

Thanks to the AEEU I was able to afford the legal support that after nearly six years has secured an admission from the company of liability for the accident and an award that will enable me to rebuild my life

Mark Hamilton

Mr Hamilton, who is separated from his wife and has a five-year-old son, was in court to hear the judgement.

There were no witnesses to the a accident but it is believed that Mr Hamilton entered a machine to adjust it when it activated and trapped him.

He suffered respiratory failure and, because of oxygen starvation to the brain, has lost his short-term memory and will never be able to work again.

The payout will enable him to receive 24-hour care.

Mr Hamilton was supported in his action by his union the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union (AEEU) and after the judgement he said he was pleased with the award.

"Thanks to the AEEU I was able to afford the legal support that after nearly six years has secured an admission from the company of liability for the accident and an award that will enable me to rebuild my life."

The accident happened at this south Wales plant

His sister Gemma said: "This has been a long time coming. It will not get Mark's memory back."

AEEU Regional Officer Bryan Godsell said: "This is brilliant news for Mark, who can now get on with his life safe in the knowledge that he has financial security.

"We are proud to have been able to help him in his case.

"We hope that the level of compensation awarded will act as an incentive to companies to treat health and safety issues with the true seriousness which they deserve."

The bulk of the payout is to cover the loss of Mr Hamilton earnings for the rest of his life.

The remainder is to pay for a nanny to help look after his young son when he comes to visit and only around a £100,000 is for the injury.