SoR member receives £243,000 industrial injury payout
 An SoR member has been awarded a £243,000 out of court settlement for an industrial injury claim against her trust. The groundbreaking award is the highest ever secured for a sonographer by the Society.
The member, who does not wish to be named, developed injury to her right arm and shoulder and the right side of her neck in May 2002 following an increase in her workload.
"A lack of staff led to me being required to work in ultrasound full time," she explained. "The injury came about very suddenly and was extremely debilitating."
She approached management to try and bring about some changes within the department but "didn't get very far." This led her to enlist the help of her regional officer, who began negotiations on her behalf.
"It was such a relief to have someone external involved," she said. "The SoR assessed the situation and immediately organised some legal representation."
As a result of her injury, the sonographer was forced to take short amounts of sick leave, only to find that the problem reappeared as soon as she returned to work.
"It was a terrible time," she said. "I was under enormous physical and psychological strain."
With work becoming increasingly impossible - "I was no longer able to manage radiography equipment or handle cassettes, let alone move patients" - the doctor recommended that she take early retirement.
"I was devastated - after training for six years to do a job that you love, you don't expect to be told that your career will be cut short."
Following a hard fought case by the SoR's solicitors Douglas-Mann & Co, the trust accepted liability for her injury. She was paid £243,986, a sum that takes into account her loss of earnings and pension.
"The help of the Society was invaluable," she said. "The emotional impact of my injury meant that I was struggling to manage negotiations alone. With the SoR behind me I have achieved a fair settlement ."
Warren Town, director of industrial relations at the SoR, commented: 'We are delighted to have achieved this settlement for our member. However, there are always mixed feelings about cases like these as the problem should never have arisen in the first place. As well as securing this member's future, we hope this sends a message to employers about the need to protect their staff."
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