Steelworker paid £900,000 after sustaining 'serious burns'

A former Corus steelworker who is unable to work after sustaining serious burns in an explosion at the company's Llanwern plant three years ago, has received a massive out-of-court settlement estimated to be in the region of £900,000.

Michael White, 56, from Caerphilly near Cardiff, suffered 62% burns in the large blast at the works near Newport in 1999, which injured 12 workers in total. The incident occurred when a propane gas cannister in liquid steel exploded, sending a fireball of molten metal across the factory floor and into the group, hitting and injuring White and the others.

Initially, Corus denied liability, but has now accepted responsibility as shown by the out-of-court settlement and public apology.

White, whohas been left unable to use his arms or to bend over and has difficulty walking, said the money will pay for medical treatment in New York.

"Twelve of us were injured - burned to bits - and our lives ruined forever. Now they've paid, I'm over the moon," said White.

In 1999 Corus was fined £175,000 at Cardiff Crown court for breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act - a figure the worker labelled "disgusting".