Firework retailer gives blinded employee £5,000

A Bristol worker who was left partially blinded after a poorly organised fireworks display ignited in his face has been awarded £5,000 in compensation.

In 2008, Jason Edgecombe, owner of JWP Fireworks, was running the fireworks show at a wedding reception when his assistant Chris Hignell lit a the display which went off in his face after issues with the explosion's time delay.

"Mr Hignell wore overalls but was not issued goggles or gloves. He was offered a hard hat but declined. There was no other guidance. No risk assessment or safety procedures. Mr Hignell lit the fuse on Edgecombe's cry of "Now!" and the firework shot straight into his face," said Mr Hignell's legal team.

He was rushed to Frenchay Hospital on the outskirts of Bristol suffering horrific facial injuries and is now blind in one eye despite extensive surgery to reconstruct his damaged face.

Bristol Crown Court heard how Mr Edgecombe continued trading as JWP Fireworks after the incident, despite using a fraudulently obtained insurance certificate, which allowed him to buy and show industrial strength fireworks.

He was ordered to pay compensation to Mr. Hignell totalling £5,000 and received a 36 week suspended prison sentence; he was also banned from arranging or taking part in firework displays for the next two years.

Judge Neil Ford, whilst critical of Mr Edgecombe, said that the penalty was subdued due to the scope of health and safety legislation.

"Had you committed the offence recently you could have lost your liberty in respect of it. As the law was at the relevant time, you cannot," he ruled.

Speaking after the award, Mr Hignell praised medical staff for their reconstructive and believed the judge had been as "harsh and imaginative as he could".