Press Release
18/09/2024
For Immediate Release
A Leicester woman who spent nearly two decades working at Walkers has secured a £9,000 settlement for partial hearing loss, following years of exposure to noisy conditions without adequate protection.
When Petronia Greene, 77, started working at the crisp factory in 1975 it was a way to pay the bills and support her two small children.
Almost five decades later, and 19.5 years working in packing, quality control and on the production line, Ms Greene has now spoken of the personal toll caused to produce the iconic British snack.
Almost five decades later, and 19.5 years working in packing, quality control and on the production line, Ms Greene has now spoken of the personal toll caused to produce the iconic British snack.
Her case was successfully won by Manchester-based Veritas Solicitors in June this year, following an offer after legal proceedings were issued.
Speaking of her experience, Petronia said: “I did find it to be a very noisy environment. When we were talking at work sometimes we could barely hear each other, you had to raise your voice.
“I was never really worried about my hearing, you don’t think at the time, you just got on with the job.”
With no protective equipment provided by Walkers, Ms Greene was left vulnerable to hearing loss and now struggles to hear conversations with loved ones.
“Of course I wish they provided protective equipment because this is my hearing. This is not something I’m going to get back.
“I feel the effects the most when I’m in the company of people and I can’t grasp what they’re saying. That’s when I feel it.”
Ms Greene said she noticed her hearing had declined several years ago, but it wasn’t until she was asked by someone about her experiences that she found out she could receive financial compensation for the loss.
“I was asked a few years back if I had worked in a noisy environment. When I explained that I had, the person took some details and that was that. Everything just took off from there,” she stated.
With no protective equipment provided by Walkers, Ms Greene was left vulnerable to hearing loss and now struggles to hear conversations with loved ones.
“Of course I wish they provided protective equipment because this is my hearing. This is not something I’m going to get back.
“I feel the effects the most when I’m in the company of people and I can’t grasp what they’re saying. That’s when I feel it.”
Ms Greene said she noticed her hearing had declined several years ago, but it wasn’t until she was asked by someone about her experiences that she found out she could receive financial compensation for the loss.
“I was asked a few years back if I had worked in a noisy environment. When I explained that I had, the person took some details and that was that. Everything just took off from there,” she stated.
Despite several years of partial hearing loss and continued impairment, Ms Greene said she is not annoyed.
“Annoyed is not going to solve the problem. The damage is already done. There are a lot of people who have been through the same thing, some even worse than me.
“I’m pleased companies are a little bit more careful now, because it can impact people’s lives greatly.”
“Annoyed is not going to solve the problem. The damage is already done. There are a lot of people who have been through the same thing, some even worse than me.
“I’m pleased companies are a little bit more careful now, because it can impact people’s lives greatly.”
While the legal system can present a long path to a successful settlement, Ms Greene said Veritas Solicitors, were very helpful throughout the whole process after taking on her case in December 2022.
She concluded: “The claim was worth it in the end. I hope my story can be a lesson to other people and encourage big companies to take employee safety seriously.”
Veritas Solicitors managing partner Faraz Fazal said he was pleased the firm secured compensation for Ms Greene, which he hopes will be a catalyst for helping to improve the working conditions for employees around the nation.
“It is essential that claimants receive the damages they deserve. No one should struggle to hear loved ones in conversations because they weren’t protected at work,” Mr Fazal explained.
“We are proud to help individuals throughout the nation receive justice for injuries at work, and I encourage anyone effected to reach out, even if you have not worked there for decades, like Ms Greene.”
“We are proud to help individuals throughout the nation receive justice for injuries at work, and I encourage anyone effected to reach out, even if you have not worked there for decades, like Ms Greene.”
-ENDS-
About Veritas Solicitors LLP
· Established in 2007, Veritas Solicitors LLP is based in central Manchester.
· The firm deals with housing disrepair, personal injury, medical negligence, immigration, family and matrimonial, industrial disease, financial mis-selling and commercial.
· Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Media contact: For press enquiries please email press@inkedpr.com