Health Authority Pays Out £600,000 for Work                 Injuries

A former employee of South West Durham Health Authority who needed part of her leg amputated after accidents at work has won £600,000 compensation. 13 years ago the employee slipped on rotten leaves down steps at her place of work causing a badly twisted knee. She was able to return to her job as an occupational health therapist but needed a walking stick and underwent 10 operations. Her employer denied liability, but was found to be negligent. Then 9 years ago the woman fell badly again, this time on a wet floor in the hospital where she worked. The fall fractured her right ankle and made it impossible to walk. More operations followed but complications forced doctors to amputate her leg below the knee in 1997. The woman settled out of court with Durham Health Authority for her suffering and loss of earnings.