Young Mum Secures 7-Figure Payout After Workplace Accident
Contact
Ben Posford
Table of Contents
A young mum who was left with life-changing injuries after her scalp and ear were ripped off in a horrific work accident has been awarded a seven-figure payout.
The accident
In September 2019, 29-year-old Anna Rachfal was working at an engineering company and was operating a rotating drill when the ends of her ponytail became caught in the machine.
She screamed for help, but it took just seconds for the force of the drill to tear her scalp and right ear from her head – the last sound that Anna remembers hearing before passing out.
P&D Engineering Ltd in Coventry was later fined £62,000 after a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that the drill should have been fitted with a guard, something the company had already identified in its own risk assessment and chose to ignore.
The impact on Anna’s life
Since the accident, Anna has undergone 14 rounds of surgery and faces permanent injuries, including:
-
- Hearing loss and dizziness
- Severe nerve pain and loss of sensation across her head
- Permanent scarring and the inability to regrow her hair
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression
Anna explains:
“I almost lost my life, so I am grateful to still be here, but the accident changed everything. I look in the mirror and I don’t recognise myself anymore,” she says.
“I have hearing loss, dizziness, pain from my scars, nerve pain so bad that sometimes I can’t move. I have lost all sensation on my head. I will never get my hair back and can’t have a transplant as there is no tissue there so I can only wear wigs. The HSE fine felt like an insult. My employer got to carry on as normal, whilst I feel like my life will never be the same again.”
Claim for damages
Anna described the fine as ‘humiliating’ and pursued her own civil action. She instructed Head of Catastrophic Injuries, Ben Posford, to represent her.
Despite admitting failing to keep its employees safe following the incident in September 2019, it was only recently that P&D Engineering Ltd’s insurers agreed to settle the case, shortly before a High Court trial to determine the exact amount of compensation she should receive was due to start.
Anna, who lives in Coventry with husband Rad and their two children Robert, two, and Eliza, three months, says pressure from the defendant’s insurers to prove her injuries were genuine took its toll.
Anna recalls:
“Being constantly monitored, judged, questioned. I felt like I had to constantly prove I was the injured party,” she adds.
“On one occasion, I had taken my son out in the car to try and get him to nap when I realised we were being followed, all to try and gather evidence against me. It was terrifying, especially when the surveillance team decided to chase my car through the streets around my home, and I had a panic attack.
Life after the settlement
“It’s not a normal life. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, and I wouldn’t have got through it without the support of my loved ones, my lawyers and all the doctors and nurses who have looked after me over the years.
“My wonderful partner, who became my husband in 2022, has supported me at every stage of this battle. We also managed to create the family we always dreamed of, and they inspire me every day.”
Anna now hopes to use her experience to help others who have suffered life-changing injuries. “No amount of money will make up for what happened, but I hope my story will encourage others to stand up for themselves and fight for their safety, and employers to take proper care of their staff.
“I would also like to help others recover from traumatic accidents and return to as normal a life as possible.
“I want to show that, despite all the difficulties, life can still be beautiful, and that scars can be worn with pride as proof of struggle, courage and strength.”
Lawyer’s comment
Ben Posford, Head of Catastrophic Injury at Osbornes Law, said:
“This is a shocking case which, had the drill been fitted with the correct guard, could have been easily avoided. The fact that the company knew the risk but chose to ignore it is inexcusable. This should come as a warning to other employers to ensure they have the correct health and safety procedure in place. Most importantly, I am delighted that we have been able to achieve justice for Anna, who has shown such courage, and secure the appropriate settlement to ensure she can access the care and support she needs for the rest of her life.”
Media coverage
Anna’s story was also reported by The Mirror, drawing attention to the need for stronger workplace safety measures.
Contact us
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic injury, our specialist team is here to offer compassionate and expert legal support. Contact our personal injury lawyers by:
- Fill in our online enquiry form; or
- Call us on 020 7485 8811.
Share this article
“Osbornes is a well-regarded personal injury practice well equipped to advise on high-value and high-profile claims.”
“Sophie Davies is a specialist in major cognitive and lower limb injury claims. “
Ben Posford is an intellectual powerhouse, loved by his clients and feared by his opponents.
Head of catastrophic injury Ben Posford, has particular experience regarding spinal cord and brain injuries, and fatalities.
Rob Aylott is adept at handling sensitive and complex catastrophic injury claims. He offers a particular specialism in amputation claims.
"Rob Aylott is adept at handling sensitive and complex catastrophic injury claims. He offers a particular specialism in amputation claims."
Ben Posford leads the catastrophic injury team and regularly represents claimants in neurological injury and fatal accident claims. He also has a niche specialism in claims involving cauda equina syndrome.
Stuart Kightley regularly handles cases involving brain injuries, fatal accidents, cycling collisions and workplace accidents.
"The team at Osbornes deals with catastrophic injury claims with the same professionalism as the largest firms, but provides a much more client-focused experience."
"This team has carved out an exceptional reputation in catastrophic injury work."
"Osbornes has impressed me with their personal touch for clients whilst offering a first-class handling of catastrophic injury claims. The partners all have vast experience and are highly respected in their field."
"Ben Posford has a very effective and engaging style, which puts injured clients at their ease. He is willing to take on the most challenging of clients and the most challenging of cases which sets him aside from many. He wears his exceptional intelligence lightly."
"Ben Posford is a pre-eminent solicitor in the field of very high-value catastrophic injury claims."
"Ben Posford is a great tactician, a great negotiator and generally, the man you want on your side when dealing with serious personal injury work."
"Ben Posford is a top-class litigator. He knows everything there is to know about catastrophic injury and major disaster litigation."
"Osbornes have managed to recruit a team of outstanding catastrophic injury lawyers who are at the top of the game."
"Ben Posford has his finger on the pulse as one of the leading catastrophic injury lawyers in the country, dealing with some of the highest profile cases."
"Straightforward and clear, he is good at cutting through the noise."
"Totally tenacious but brilliantly commercial; very impressive."
"Incredibly impressive; he not only knows the technical ins and outs but is a charismatic personality, one clients absolutely love and trust."
A niche firm that punches well above its weight in the catastrophic injury sector, borne out by the quality of work they obtain.
Ben Posford is one of London’s best catastrophic injury lawyers, in my view. He is a real brain injury specialist.
“An excellent practical litigator who offers exceptional service’, ‘tactically astute… he is one of the best personal injury solicitors around”
“He finds angles other lawyers miss and fights incredibly hard for his clients”
“Ben Posford is a hugely experienced solicitor who approaches his cases with confidence and realism.”
"Ben Posford is a hugely experienced solicitor who approaches his cases with confidence and realism."
"A superb boutique catastrophic injury firm."
"A really strong team, led by Ben Posford, who is an exceptionally experienced and talented catastrophic injury lawyer."
"Really good at dealing with people who have suffered a serious injury."
"Affable and charming with very good client-handling skills."
Beneath Ben Posford’s calm and reassuring presence, which clients love, lies a formidable tactical and legal brain. His experience tells and he gets it right at every stage of the process from arranging the best possible rehabilitation, to ensuring, so far as possible, a polite relationship with those acting for the defendant in order to ensure best and early resolution of the claim.
"Rob Aylott is a top-class litigator who has an unrivalled knowledge of catastrophic personal injury. A ferocious eye for detail means that quantum claims are always maximised and every angle analysed in liability cases."
Ben Posford is "very meticulous, good with clients and knowledgeable."
"They have an expanding profile in personal injury and clinical negligence and offer a superb, broad service in accidents abroad, enabled by their recruitment of bilingual legal executives who can guide non-English speakers through complex litigation."
"Solid personal injury practice well equipped to advise on high-value and high-profile claims arising from fatalities and severe head and spinal injuries."
"Offers specialist expertise in cauda equina syndrome cases."
"An exceptional outfit. They take on difficult cases, fight hard and win."
"Stuart Kightley is an incredibly empathetic solicitor who is very knowledgeable about traumatic brain injury."
"Osbornes has a growing influence and impressive work load and is gaining a reputation for handling complex catastrophic work."
"Osbornes often handles claims valued at over £1m, particularly relating to severe brain and spinal cord injuries and niche areas such as cauda equina syndrome and cycling accidents."
"Catastrophic injury cases head Ben Posford is an excellent practical litigator who offers exceptional service."
"Intellectually rigorous and intelligent."
Ben Posford is one of the best catastrophic injury lawyers around.
As a real specialist in spinal cord injuries, Ben Posford is always looking at new angles on how to maximise his cases.
Ben Posford is 'exceptional and a real expert in the field of catastrophic injury'.
Stuart Kightley is praised for his expertise in catastrophic and fatal claims. Clients say he is very impressive, in terms of both his experience and his management of the personal injury team.
Ben Posford … is ‘tactically astute’ and ‘one of the best personal injury solicitors around’.
Ben Posford ‘knows how to maximise the value of the claim for his clients’.
Ben Posford...'couples meticulous legal skills with a hugely personable manner with clients and opponents,' and is noted for his skills in 'directing and motivating those working beneath him'
"Ben Posford is a fantastic lawyer who is extremely personable in dealing with clients and with opponents, and he has an unusual level of knowledge of the intricacies of procedure and substantive law."
Accreditations
Personal Injury InsightsVIEW ALL
9.7.2025Warehouse Worker Fights Aldi’s False Dishonesty Claims
Aldi’s worker suffers ‘mental torture’ after the supermarket giant falsely accuses him of lying In a shocking case that...
Read more- 5.6.2025
Migrant Workers Face Greater Risk of Workplace Accidents
Why migrant workers face greater risk of workplace accidents? Foreign workers in the UK are statistically more likely to experience...
Read more 
22.10.2024£75,000 Settlement for Head Injury at College
Accident During a College Class Eloise Mears, Personal Injury Solicitor at Osbornes Law, represented a student who sustained a head...
Read more- 26.4.2024
Head Injury Following Slip at Work
Client who slipped at work obtains a good settlement Laura Swaine recently settled a work accident claim for a client...
Read more - 26.4.2024
Six-Figure Settlement for Head Injury at Work
Settlement for a client injured at work Laura Swaine recently settled a claim for a client who was injured while...
Read more - 14.3.2024
Strawberry Picker Receives £10,500 After Accident at Work
Incident in the Strawberry Field Our client was at work, walking in the field and carrying cages with strawberries, when...
Read more - 13.3.2024
Accident at Work Compensation Examples
Factory Worker Receives £14,000 for Hot Water Burns Our client was working in a food producing factory. He was injured when...
Read more 
13.2.20245-figure Payout for Death of Hungarian Lorry Driver
Hungarian lorry driver tragically dies Siobhan McIvor, a Partner and Personal Injury lawyer, has successfully settled a fatal accident compensation...
Read more
6.12.2023Accident at work claim settled for Romanian driver
Siobhan McIvor, a Partner in the Personal Injury Department, has successfully settled an accident at work claim arising from an...
Read more- 5.12.2023
£75,000 Compensation After Accident Leads to Blood Clot
£75k Settlement Following Injury at Work Serious injury lawyer, Blanca Diego Casas recently represented an individual who suffered serious medical...
Read more - 23.11.2023
Accident at work claim settled for Hungarian factory...
Forklift trucks are a common cause of warehouse injury claims due to human error on the part of the forklift...
Read more 
11.4.2023£250,000 settlement for client injured in forklift accident
Sophie Davies, a specialist personal injury lawyer at Osbornes Law, recently represented a client who suffered life-changing injuries following a...
Read more- 17.11.2021
£100,000 settlement for tripping at work
Osbornes Law secures £100,000 settlement for Hungarian woman who tripped over a shopping bag at work Siobhan McIvor, a Partner in...
Read more - 17.11.2021
£165,000 settlement for factory accident
Siobhan McIvor, a Partner in the Personal Injury Department of Osbornes Law, has settled a £165,000 accident at work claim, with...
Read more - 31.8.2021
Kitchen Accident Claim
Our client, a hospitality supervisor instructed Osbornes after he slipped and fell on oil and food debris on the floor...
Read more - 18.5.2021
Construction Site Accident at Work
Our client suffered numerous fractures to their left leg requiring surgery following a work accident on a construction site. He...
Read more - 18.5.2021
Compensation for Amputation on Construction Site
Our client worked as a carpenter/bricklayer on a building site at a residential property in North London. He was...
Read more - 15.10.2020
Fatal Accidents In The Workplace
A new article from the BBC takes a looked at fatal accidents at work. The report states that since 1981, there...
Read more - 2.9.2020
Lasting damage to ankle following construction accident settles...
Sam Collard, a Partner in the Osbornes’ catastrophic injury team, recently settled a construction accident claim for a Romanian man...
Read more - 30.7.2020
Self Employed Accident at Work Claims
Understanding self employed workers’ rights As a self-employed worker, understanding your rights after a workplace accident is crucial. While your...
Read more - 13.8.2019
Fatal Accident Conviction Highlights Health & Safety
Construction bosses guilty of gross negligence manslaughter Conrad Sidebottom, 46, and Richard Golding, 43, were jailed for their part in causing the...
Read more
