Unite member awarded over £1 million.

The member was riding his bicycle to work when he was struck by the motorbike rider who was trying to evade an unmarked police car in pursuit of him. The member sustained multiple injuries including the amputation of the right lower leg and a serious right shoulder injury which resulted in his right arm being of little use. The motorbike rider was fatally injured as a result of the incident.

Unite officer, Des Quinn said: "Our member suffered a terrible accident at the hands of a negligent and uninsured motorist. In this case however, his union membership enabled him to seek legal advice and he was able to get compensation. While this compensation will never make up for the injuries he sustained it does at least help him and his family. Whether at work or in the wider world this case illustrates how valuable union membership can be."

Unite solicitors Rowley Ashworth pursued the claim on behalf of the member and secured an award of £1,123,676.98. Dave Fisher of Rowley Ashworth said: “The member was given valuable assistance by his regional organiser regarding his employment. Despite his workplace closing the organiser was able provide evidence that the member would have been redeployed which established that without his injuries he would have been able to continue working. The member was therefore able to establish his future wage loss claim.”

As the driver who struck the member was disqualified and therefore uninsured the claim was pursued through the Motor Insurance Bureau which was set up to compensate the victims of negligent uninsured and untraced motorists. Every motor insurance provider is obliged, by virtue of the Road Traffic Act 1988, to be a member of MIB and to contribute to its funding.

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Press enquiries: Ciaran Naidoo, Unite press office 07768 931 3105 or 0207 420 8931 Stephanie Lennon, Rowley Ashworth Solicitors - Direct Dial 0121 212 6812