A WORKER at a packaging firm has won £75,000 in damages after an accident four years ago in which a blade sliced through his hand.

Technician Marc Jobes lost his balance and put his hand on a work bench to steady himself.

But a set of blades had not been put away after use and his right hand landed on a blade, which cut into him and damaged nerves in his hand.

The 27-year-old, from Stanley, County Durham, suffered a deep laceration injury and had to spend two months off work.

Mr Jobes was working at the time for Kobusch UK Limited – which manufactures plastic packaging products for the food industry – on an industrial estate in Tanfield Lea, Stanley.

It has since been acquired and changed its name to Coveris Rigid, which describes itself as one of the world’s leading suppliers of rigid packaging solutions with 21 factories in 14 countries.

Mr Jobes, who now works in another division for Coveris, had surgery in hospital following the accident.

But despite it happening four years ago he said he continued to suffer from numbness and cramp in his hand.

Mr Jobes sought help from his trade union Unite, which instructed Thompsons Solicitors to take on the case, successfully winning compensation for him.

He said: “In my line of work I have to use my hands all the time. Frustratingly, I have had pain in my right hand since the accident and I’ve been warned by doctors that my condition might get worse, which does make me very worried about whether I’ll be able to continue working in the future.

“Doing things like shopping and driving have become quite difficult but I’ve just had to grin and bear it.

“The money I received can be put towards any future surgery or rehabilitation that I might need.”

Karen Reay, North East, Yorkshire and Humberside regional secretary at Unite, said: “Kobusch failed to ensure that its staff followed basic health and safety protocols, such as putting away dangerous equipment after use, leaving employees vulnerable.

“Marc suffered a preventable injury that will have a long term impact on his life.”

A Northern Echo reporter has contacted Coveris for comment.