Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
At The Back => The Dressing Room => Topic started by: Johnny Mac on February 14, 2009, 08:18:13 AM
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Last Wednesday lunchtime I nearly met my maker. I was opening a 800kg steel door on a 55 cubic yard roll on container, on the back of my truck, when the top hinge snapped and the door hit me, sending me 25-30 feet through the air. I've got heavy bruising to my sternum (breast Bone) a big gash on my head which took 7 stitches. The muscles in my back, abdomen, chest, all of the area, front and back were in spasm. I've never known pain like it but I'm getting there. The doctors at the hospital said I'm lucky to be alive and I'm so happy that I am. My hard hat saved me, one of those cheap little plastic things. I know how heavy that door is and I shouldn't be here, but I am! I'm sore and pretty much helpless at the moment and can barely move, but I'm so happy to be here!
I was sorting out some new musical project on the phone the night before, penciled a studio day in for 2 weeks, so that will have to wait a while now but hopefully I'll be able to get fit again and put that back track.
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That's rough Johnny. Very glad you're still with us. I'm hoping you have a speedy recovery and get back to playing quickly.
All the best, Ian.
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Bloody hell!!!
I think that's fates way of telling you that you need to buy more guitars - life's too short!!!
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Blimey Johnny, glad to hear you are OK. I bet the H & S boys are climbing all over it. I hope you have a speedy recovery!
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That was close.
Considder yourself lucky. Get well soon.
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Thanks lads, lucky is an understatement! :lol:
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my word!!! :o
what a story, i'm pleased to hear you're still alive though. it was nice to hang out with you a few months ago, i'd have been pretty upset to hear that this story had ended unhappily.
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Crikey Johnny, glad to hear you're OK after that!
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Amazing story ! very glad that it's ended up OK for you.
If someone (or some company) is at fault for what happened, maybe there'll be a big payout at some point, for you to appease all your GAS !
Seriously, if there's any sort of negligence going on, which caused the accident, you would be entitled to some sort of compensation for the suffering you have (and will) endure.
Get good advice !
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Bloody hell, glad to hear you're ok Johnny!
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Thanks lads. Yes the claim part hasn't escaped my attention! :wink:
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Get well soon mate!
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Get well soon and sue sue sue!!!
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Physics is beautifull isn't it? Don't matter how big you're, always there something that throw you like you were a baby :? :lol:
Good to hear you've past it good! :D
I work on dangerous thing too, and I know how that security stuff can help even itching, heating us, etc :lol:
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Feel better, Jonny.
I've always said it's better to be lucky than good, though having a measure of both luck and skill is a definite plus! PDT_008
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"Oi... Grim Reaper... F**k off you Shlaag"
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Sorry to hear about the accident! At least you are ok! Best to you man!!
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Don't worry Johnny only the good die young, it'll take more than that to see you off 8)
All kidding aside, I'm relieved to hear you're on the mend. Take it easy mate and I hope you are feeling better soon.
By the way, did you ask the nurses if it's ok to play with your Koch?
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Oh man. i never knew being a driver could be so dangerous!
Glad you're okay though :)
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"Oi... Grim Reaper... F**k off you Shlaag"
:lol: :lol:
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Glad to hear that you are OK. I guess you'll stop ripping the doors off and open them like other people from now on! On a more serious note, keep everything moving as much as you can - it will help the revovery.
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Glad you're still with us Johnny ! - as 38th Beatle said, I bet the H.S.E. will be on the case ... 8)
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Well done for living, sir. that sounds like the pure horrors.
I've been on the bad end of a couple of industrial accidents in my time, nothing that bad, and I can vouch that it's no fun at all.
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Thank you all so much for your kind words lads, it really means a lot to me. :D :D :D
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"Oi... Grim Reaper... F**k off you Shlaag"
Nice one Dave! :lol: It hurts so much to laugh right now but sod the pain, that really cheered me up.
Now you see that big yellow thing in the silly picture? Well that's the culprit. The opposite end of that container is the door. The end you can see is the same size as the door. That's sits around my chest level on the back of the truck and the top of the container is then 15 feet in the air. You can kind of get the picture of the energy 800kg has dropping from that height.
We use the nasty yellow thing for re-cycling wood. We're good boys like that! :lol:
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"Oi... Grim Reaper... F**k off you Shlaag"
Nice one Dave! :lol: It hurts so much to laugh right now but sod the pain, that really cheered me up.
Now you see that big yellow thing in the silly picture? Well that's the culprit. The opposite end of that container is the door. The end you can see is the same size as the door. That's sits around my chest level on the back of the truck and the top of the container is then 15 feet in the air. You can kind of get the picture of the energy 800kg has dropping from that height.
We use the nasty yellow thing for re-cycling wood. We're good boys like that! :lol:
Get well soon mate PDT_003
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wow, glad you're ok. hope you get better soon :)
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People moan about H&S, but I bet you're glad you had that hat on :D
I work on building sites and work with electric a lot and I'm kind of glad of the H&S. I don't mind dying so much, but imagine your last memeories being of work. Chuff that.
Glad you're alright mate. At least the being sore is reminding you that you're still alive.
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Whoa, glad to hear you're okay! Best of luck for the recovery, I hope it's swift and as pain-free as possible.
Roo
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Thanks again for your kind words fellas! :D
Yes the HSE would love something like this but, I'm not going to put my firm out of business as they're a good bunch and it would put other people out of work and that's the last thing I want to do to us all, but I'll put a claim in on the public liability. The other thing is, well, as much as I like the blokes I work for, they are, to put it in its basic term gangsters with connections that make you shiver! :x A mate of mine got a lump of wood fall on his head in a timber merchants he worked for and got 50 grand and there was nothing wrong with him. I haven't got to exaggerate my injurys to beat that sum, which would do me nicely. If i can get more and be re-assured that the firm isn't going to go to the wall because of me then of course that's what I'll do.
Anyway I worked out how each of the injurys happened using my understanding of the laws of physics, which aren't on par with Professor Steven Hawkin but good enough in this case! :lol: The top hinge snapped as I was pushing the door open to its 'locked open postion'. The top horizontal edge then fell whilst leaning against the body of the container, moving the bottom horizontal edge into my chest and then pushing me 30 linear feet through the air! There would also have been an upward movement and then downward but not too sure how much but probably twice my height. I landed on my back which explains how painful it all is top to bottom. The cut on my head would have been from something on the ground, which is the bit that hurt the least.
So the door didn't hit me on the head and the hard hat didn't save me, my height did as the metal door hit on my sternum. Anyone shorter would have got it in the face.....eurgh!!!
Any thanks again for your concern! :D
Edit:
The health care I received was 2nd to none. I was taken to a brand new hospital in Romford, Essex, called Queens.
The paramedics, A+E, Dr's, nurses were incredible. The nurses on the ward were great and they made me feel so safe and cared for. Our NHS isn't all bad, to be honest I can't see how private could top what I've just had.
The CT scan revealed no spinal or head injurys. But it did find some neck vertebrae fractures that were old, so at some point in my crazy past i was walking around with a broken neck! The Dr said its nothing to worry about now though.
I was lying on my bed on Thursday morning, drugged up to the eyeballs, busting for a piss as i hadn't been for 20 hours and I'm asking anyone who was in ear shot, domestics, auxiliarys, nurses sometimes even cleaners, 'Can someone stick catheter in me one eye i can't go in these little cardboard bottles! :lol: The sister said I'm not putting a tube in you because your too much of a young man and besides its a extra infection risk. It was funny as it goes.
Then 3 nurses kept walking past me giggling too, then one said I can't leave you here like this anymore as we can see right up your kilt, we don't mind but you may! :lol: See Koch jokes, even professionals make them! I love it!!
I still read Viz by the way.
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Johnny, you'd be claiming against your employers and therefore their employer's liability Insurance. It is the Insurers who pay, not your employer. If they have any brains they would have notified their Insurers that the accident had happened and they will then sit tight to see if you make a move- they are unlikely to ask you. That is the whole point of the Insurance-it is compulsory ( with one or too rare exceptions that will not apply in your case) and it means that the solvency or otherwise of the employer is not relevant to the claimant's ability to pursue a claim. You claim would be against the company but in practice you would be dealing with their Insurers. You have been seriously injured and are entitled to seek compensation- far more than many of the jerks I have to deal with. In any event you have just over 3 years to decide whether or not you want to make a claim.
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Unbelievable how many people die because of stupid accidents like this. So happy it didn't get you there. So think now that you survived this, you'll have another 6 lives left!
Congrats, and always remember: Each day could be the last, so ROCK ON AS LONG AS YOU CAN!
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Unbelievable how many people die because of stupid accidents like this. So happy it didn't get you there. So think now that you survived this, you'll have another 6 lives left!
Only 6?
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Not just over 3 years to make the claim: just under - its three years from the injury, so the clock is ticking.
A work injury like this wouldn't likely go to court - the insurers would settle it to prevent legal costs mounting up.
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Well, scary accident. Im quite aware of the risks in the trucking business, there are many powerful things which can be potentially dangerous if not keept in good condition, which is why its important to make sure everythings in check, but humans are lazy, so i understand. Im a becoming truck driver aswell (atleast here in Sweden were we have "gymnasium" after 9th grade, i guess its the high school equivalant or whatever, and theres a choice for a "Vehicle Program" where there are different directions, and im on the second year of the Transporting direction) and atleast our teachers tell us about the risks, and when you see all the different parts you will quickly understand how things can become a danger if something goes wrong!
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Flip! Just read this.... Puts the stuff we all tend to gripe about day-to-day into some sort of perspective...
Good to hear you're OK :D Get well soon...
(Fantastic pic there from AD :lol:)
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Thanks again lads.
Steve thanks for the explanation on the insurance. Can I PM you on this to ask which is the best route to take?
Good luck with the trucking in Sweden Madiac, its not always this bad!
6 lives left eh, not for me I used them all dispatch riding in the 90's. That was my last!
I'm trying to get a project going with a sax player at the moment, we talked about it the night before all this happened, could be fun! Another guitar would be useful too as I want to give the midi capabilitys on the Feline Lion a work out. Could turn out to be a confusing mish mash though! :lol: The plan is work on the open mike circuits and see what happens.
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Flip! Just read this.... Puts the stuff we all tend to gripe about day-to-day into some sort of perspective...
Good to hear you're OK :D Get well soon...
(Fantastic pic there from AD :lol:)
Yes. I can just imagine a kid complaining a sore ankle so he doesn't have to do sports day or something. Only to be slammed in the face by a randomly sneaky 800kg steel door and sent 30 ft backwards.
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Hi Johnny, sure you can PM me.
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Bloody hell!!!
I think that's fates way of telling you that you need to buy more guitars - life's too short!!!
^^^ and all the best to you getting better man.
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Bloody hell! Only just read this Johnny. Sounds absolutely horrific, but it sounds like you escaped serious injury. Hope you get on the mend soon man!
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Yes it was pretty horrific.
I'm going to treat myself to a couple more guitars, well I need them! A VH san dimas-ish style, or something like it, i was really taken with Brows VH-ish Strat. Plus a semi, with stormys.
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Sounds like you're back to normal :lol:
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Sounds like you're back to normal :lol:
:lol: Yes my spirit is unbroken. So is my Koch!
At the moment my chest is turning yellow to blue and my back still hurts like hell but I'm ok. It'll take more than a 800kg steel door to stop me!
I'm also still looking forward to a tuition dvd that was delayed in production. It's by Jason Sidwell who is the tuition editor of Guitarist. I think that's his position there. Anyway its called 'Funk Empowerment' a toe tapping rhythm extravaganza by the sounds of things. I really want to build up my chops and diversify my musical options. They're are lots of ads on Gumtree for funky players and those bands can lead into function work ect.
My GP signed me off work for 6 weeks last night so I've got lots of time to practise! Right now though I can't sit in a playing position but give it a week and hopefully that will improve.
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:lol: Yes my spirit is unbroken. So is my Koch!
A good job your Koch wasn't in a rigid position at the time. Or it might have snapped.
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:lol: Yes my spirit is unbroken. So is my Koch!
A good job your Koch wasn't in a rigid position at the time. Or it might have snapped.
Which would have killed off 50% of my personality! :lol:
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I've got to say being stuck at home for 2.5 weeks, this forum is a godsend!
I went out today properly, not just a little pigeon step walk up and down the pavement for a couple of minutes.
I went to the barbers got my hair cut. Went in the betting shop over the road, a small independent one. My mate in their found a horse called 'Fix The Rib', so I put a fiver on it and it won! Only evens though so five on five back. Then I bought a Maccers. I never normally eat them much. I know its only boring normal stuff but to me today was the best day I've had for ages! :lol:
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I've got to say being stuck at home for 2.5 weeks, this forum is a godsend!
I went out today properly, not just a little pigeon step walk up and down the pavement for a couple of minutes.
I went to the barbers got my hair cut. Went in the betting shop over the road, a small independent one. My mate in their found a horse called 'Fix The Rib', so I put a fiver on it and it won! Only evens though so five on five back. Then I bought a Maccers. I never normally eat them much. I know its only boring normal stuff but to me today was the best day I've had for ages! :lol:
Good to hear Johnny, :)
It's true that sometimes we have to endure pain and / or go a bit 'stir crazy' before we can appreciate the so called 'little ' things in life. All the very best for your ongoing rehab Johnny, and remember :
"Lose the pain - but keep the perspective " . :wink:
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:D
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I've got to say being stuck at home for 2.5 weeks, this forum is a godsend!
I went out today properly, not just a little pigeon step walk up and down the pavement for a couple of minutes.
I went to the barbers got my hair cut. Went in the betting shop over the road, a small independent one. My mate in their found a horse called 'Fix The Rib', so I put a fiver on it and it won! Only evens though so five on five back. Then I bought a Maccers. I never normally eat them much. I know its only boring normal stuff but to me today was the best day I've had for ages! :lol:
Good to hear Johnny, :)
It's true that sometimes we have to endure pain and / or go a bit 'stir crazy' before we can appreciate the so called 'little ' things in life. All the very best for your ongoing rehab Johnny, and remember :
"Lose the pain - but keep the perspective " . :wink:
You're right I've never felt so happy to be alive. I know it sounds a bit daft but if you saw what hit me in the chest.....! I had a meeting with my governor yesterday. The whole incedent was caught on CCTV apparently and he said you don't want to see it as it's too nasty. The insurance company want to settle out of court. I'm not sure how much to expect. Anyway, todays little adventure was priceless and I don't really care about money right now. I will one day I expect but just the smell of spring in the air today was beautiful. :harp:
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Not meaning to sound too protective here, but are the Health & Safety Executive aware / investigating ? If not, your employer ( and their advisors ) could be hiding / walking away from some serious litigation, quite independant of your own un-disputed out of court compensation. Naughty, naughty ...
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Not meaning to sound too protective here, but are the Health & Safety Executive aware / investigating ? If not, your employer ( and their advisors ) could be hiding / walking away from some serious litigation, quite independant of your own un-disputed out of court compensation. Naughty, naughty ...
Well, I'm aware that they could be doing that. The thing is the accident is on film and not on my employers site but another one. Their H&S officer has filed a report. My firm have too as they are obligated and would make them look bad if they didn't come forward with a report if there is one coming from elsewhere. The insurers are not disputing my case as they have seen the footage. I realise that they could be hiding from some big legal issues. I can't see that effecting the outcome of compensation. Its a very tricky situation for me, if you read some of the details in my earlier posts. The economic downturn has slaughtered the business I'm in. Any massive fines that they could be potentially hit with could put the nail in the coffin for us all, its that bad in the books. I could do with some off the record advise on this. The last thing I need is to have to keep looking over my shoulder in future, if you get my drift.
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Unlucky! Glad youre (basically) Ok though
Good story to tell; metal as $%&# "Yeah, well I got smacked by a tonne weight door and lived!"
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Unlucky! Glad youre (basically) Ok though
Good story to tell; metal as $%&# "Yeah, well I got smacked by a tonne weight door and lived!"
:lol: Thanks Mark!
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I don't think that you have any obligation to inform the HSE. As far as I'm aware, it's the employers responsability. If it happened on another site, with a piece of kit which is't owned by your company then I'd say the chances of them getting hit with any fines are minimal. They provided you with the relevant PPE which it sounds like you were wearing. If on the other hand, the kit that hit you is owned by your company (think a hinge failed if I remeber right) then so long as they have maintenance and inspection records which are up to date for that piece of kit and the accident couldn't have been foreseen, then they should also be alright. Against common myth, the HSE don't try to crew you at every turn (although the inspector will have an important part to paly for this).
Under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurences Regs) yor injusry is classed as either a Major Injury or an "Over three day lost time injury". Either way it is reportable to the HSE within ten days on the F2508 form. Failure to do tihs is in breech of the RIDDOR Regs which forms part of the Health and Safety at Work Act. The rules are all open to interpritation , but that is what is laid out in the HSE Guidence. Have a look onthe HSE website under RIDDOR and there should be some stuf there. I should imagine that the major argument for your company would be that it was on someone elses site but without knowing all the details, if I was your company I would have filed the report as well as it is one of my employees that was injured. I knew that course would have come in handy one day :D
Glad to hear things are getting better mate. If they payout isn't very much then you culd always send the video to You've Been Framed :D
I remember when I was off my feet for months, I was so glad to get out into the garden when it finally happened that I even used to go outside in the rain just to remember what it felt like.
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Thanks for the tips mate :D My firm have filled out the relevant paper work but I am keeping stoom about certain aspects of this.
I'm getting about easier but i can't carry anything that weighs much.
I only sleep as long as the painkillers last i feel like shitee to be honest.
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In terms of compensation - it does pay at this point to go to a no win no fee solicitor. They will get a medical report and an advice on damages to argue things out - that way you will have the evidence and the muscle to get a better settlement.
Damages in personal injury claims are worked out by lawyers on the basis of a big book called Kemp and Kemp: essentially a catalogue of reports of what damages courts have ordered in the past based on types of injury. A lawyer will look for the nearest injury and will then find one or two injuries more serious and one or two less serious to find a range of compensation.
Needless to say, the insurers lawyers will always go for the lower figure, even if they are not disputing liability and your lawyer will go for the top end - having a solicitor to argue it out for you means the insurers (who will not want to spend cash on your legal fees at court) will be more amenable to a more generous settlement if they know they have to pay someone to argue it out for them in court.
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In terms of compensation - it does pay at this point to go to a no win no fee solicitor. They will get a medical report and an advice on damages to argue things out - that way you will have the evidence and the muscle to get a better settlement.
Damages in personal injury claims are worked out by lawyers on the basis of a big book called Kemp and Kemp: essentially a catalogue of reports of what damages courts have ordered in the past based on types of injury. A lawyer will look for the nearest injury and will then find one or two injury's more serious and one or two less serious to find a range of compensation.
Needless to say, the insurers lawyers will always go for the lower figure, even if they are not disputing liability and your lawyer will go for the top end - having a solicitor to argue it out for you means the insurers (who will not want to spend cash on your legal fees at court) will be more amenable to a more generous settlement if they know they have to pay someone to argue it out for them in court.
Thanks for the advise Elliot :D
You pretty much hit the nail on the head of the events of my day. So yes i'm getting a lawyer now, did give them an opportunity to settle without all that but his offer was an insult but then again, he was just doing his job.
I had the ball rolling with this option anyway i just thought i should hear him out first. I found him out to be lying as well!