When accidents at work lead to injuries which are relatively minor and heal within a short time, compensation may still be warranted. This point was illustrated by the case of a foundry worker who suffered a burn to his hand.
He accident happened when he lit a burner and a flame shot out of it. The burn healed within six weeks and he stopped experiencing pain in his hand soon afterwards. He suffered anxiety and nightmares, which fortunately were also of short duration. He returned to work three weeks after the accident.
He brought a personal injury claim on the grounds that his employer had failed to provide him with safe work equipment. After the accident, the burner had been found to be defective and had been taken out of use.
His employer's insurer accepted liability for the accident and compensation of £2,000, plus his lost earnings, was agreed.