Accident at work threatens the career of West Ham’s Dean Ashton

An accident at work can happen to anyone, even Premier League footballers. A serious injury for a football player can, in the most extreme of circumstances, wreck a career – forcing them out of the sport they love. This is exactly what looks set for West Ham forward Dean Ashton, who, at only 25-years-of-age faces a very premature end to a promising career.

Ashton was injured during a training session with the England team in 2006. As a promising talent in a team lacking quality strikers, he had the chance to cement himself as a firm favourite for the first team at future major tournaments.

However, in a cruel twist of fate, he became victim to a training ground tackle from fellow England player Shaun Wright Phillips; a tackle which would cause long-term damage to his ankle and would, eventually force him out of the game for good.

Even more unfortunate was the fact that the injury happened during a training session for a friendly game – the first of the Steve McClaren era against Greece. This was not him out on the pitch representing his club or country. This was behind the scenes, for a match that technically, did not matter in the scheme of things.

Ashton did return after 11 months on the sidelines, and even signed a new five-year contract with West Ham after a greatly improved period of form - scoring 11 goals in 35 appearances. However, as with many long-term injuries, the problems were underlying and waiting to return far worse than before.

Now, the striker has been advised to retire, or jeopardise his ankle beyond repair. Not only his playing career, but his whole quality of life would be affected. And, more likely than not, he would run the risk of never walking again.

For a footballer this would be a torturous decision to have to make, especially at a younger age.

Making an accident at work compensation claim

In a similar fashion to a regular accident at work, those affected are looking to make a compensation claim for their losses. As Ashton was injured during a training session with the England team, the English Football Association could be deemed liable for the incident, which occurred whilst under their care.

Both West Ham – Ashton’s club, as well as the player himself are looking to make claims. The former because they have lost the services of a promising young player who they had previously signed a long-term contract with. Ashton should have been helping West Ham by scoring goals and stamping their authority in the country’s top division. Instead, he has been unable to play, and West Ham are struggling in the relegation zone with no established striker in their team due to injuries to other key players.

West Ham paid £7.3million to Norwich, Ashton’s former club, in 2006 just before the accident happened. Due to a largely interrupted service from the player, they are looking to reclaim at least £7million of this back off the F.A.

Dean Ashton himself is also looking to make a compensation claim. Not only will his career be interrupted – depriving him of the chance of winning trophies and having success in football; he will also lose income and the lifestyle he would have become accustomed to as a top flight player. Furthermore, he will have to undergo constant treatment and physiotherapy to stop his ankle seizing up for good.

The problem for Ashton however with making his accident at work claim is the fact that after 11 months out of action he did come back, and arguably, play better than he ever had done before. On the other hand, had he not been tackled during that training session in 2006, it’s likely that he wouldn’t face such a career-defining dilemma in the first place.

Securing the services of a solicitor who knows the ins and outs of the various types of accidents at work, including professional sports injuries, will massively increase the chances of a successful compensation claim. News on Dean Ashton’s fate will be revealed over the next week.