Our client, a seafood process worker in Annan, contacted us via his union Unite in relation to the diagnosis of workplace stress he received following several years of extreme stress experienced while working in a factory environment.

The background

The claimant, who worked at Pinneys of Scotland for around three decades, contacted us to make a workplace stress claim as a result of problems that arose around the time of the introduction of a new production line in the factory. This had coincided with a period of malfunctioning and inefficient machinery and low quality fish product, as well as the imposition of seemingly unobtainable production line targets.

During this time, the claimant made numerous complaints to management about problems with the line and the fact that he considered production targets unrealistic. Our client felt under considerable pressure to resolve several production issues and, eventually, suffered a breakdown which required him to be absent from work for 21 weeks, including a three week period of treatment as an in-patient in hospital.

Following his phased return to work, and having been promised that "things had changed", similar issues involving targets and poorly functioning machinery continued and our client required further time off work.

The consequences

Thompsons workplace stress solicitors arranged for the claimant to be examined by a consultant psychiatrist who confirmed that the factory worker was suffering from a recurrent depressive disorder following a previous history of work-related stress.

The settlement

Thompsons workplace stress solicitors in Scotland intimated a claim on our client's behalf against his employers. At first, we did not receive an admission of liability so we therefore obtained supportive witness statements and raised court proceedings in the All Scotland Personal Injury Court.

The case was due to proceed to proof in June 2019. However, shortly before the pre-trial meeting, an offer was made to settle the workplace stress claim for £5,000.

We discussed this offer with the claimant and it was rejected. We made a counter proposal and in turn another offer was made, this time for £29,000. After discussing this offer with us, our client confirmed he would like to accept the workplace stress compensation sum.

Settlement was formalised on 23 May 2019.