Injured miner is awarded more than £100,000 in compensation

Jan 31 2008 by Madeleine Brindley, Western Mail

A MINER who was forced to retire after breaking his neck has been awarded more than £100,000 compensation, it was announced yesterday.

Negligence at Aberpergwm Colliery, where Alun Finney worked, was judged to have led to the accident which broke a vertebra in his neck.

The colliery, which is run by Energybuild Limited, failed to ensure that an exposed coal face was properly supported before drilling started.

Mr Finney, 55, from the Rhondda, said, “We were boring a coal face ready for charging and firing. As I bent down to pick up the drill bit off the floor, a large piece of stone fell, striking me on the back of my neck.

“I was wearing my miner’s cap at the time. My body immediately felt numb; I had no sensation and I couldn’t move.

“The accident had a huge impact on my life. My contract was terminated, and my injuries mean that I can’t return to heavy work which is all I’ve ever known.”

Mr Finney won the £105,000 compensation in an out-of-court settlement agreed through his union – the National Union of Mineworkers – and its solicitors Thompsons.

Wayne Thomas, NUM general secretary for South Wales, said, “Had it not been for the accident at work, our member would have continued to work in the mining industry until the normal retirement age of 65 years.

“We hope this serves as a warning to other employers to ensure that the correct health and safety procedures are in place.”