CTS ruling ‘will enable personal injury claims for train drivers’

Posted 01/12/2009

A court ruling to award three train drivers a payout for their carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) could pave the way for similar personal injurycompensation claims in the future, according to a trade union.

Train drivers union ASLEF has welcomed the “groundbreaking” decision by Swansea County Court, which found in favour of Paul Studholme, Gary Thomas and Barry Rogan after they contracted the disease from operating locomotives.

Employer Arriva Trains Wales had denied that cramped conditions and repetitive work had been responsible for the injuries, prompting the successful legal action.

Mr Studholme said: “The fact that three of us in the same depot all developed this condition shows that more should have been done to improve our working conditions.”

Keith Norman, general secretary of ASLEF, stated that this ruling has now established a precedent which will allow other UK train drivers to make similar compensation claims.

According to the most recent figures from the Health and Safety Executive, the number of workers forced to claim disability benefit as a result of CTS increased from 435 to 530 between 2007 and 2008.