A CORSHAM man has been left unable to hold his wife’s hand after an injury in America left him with significant pain.

Nicholas Callow, who works for the Ministry of Defence, was working at the British Embassy in Washington DC as an administrator when he fractured his wrist opening a security door in 2012.

The door was blocked by a ladder on the other side and stopped abruptly when Mr Callow tried to push it open, jarring his wrist and causing a fracture.

Six years on from his initial injury, Mr Callow still experiences significant pain and has been diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome.

This means that the skin can become so sensitive that just a slight touch, bump or even a change in temperature can provoke intense pain.

“I’ve been unlucky in that my fractured wrist led to the pain syndrome, a condition so painful it means I can’t even hold my wife’s hand,” Mr Callow explained.

“If affects my life in every aspect possible. I have now lost all functionality in my right hand. Simple tasks like getting dressed and showering are a chore.

“It is like someone is shoving a red hot pillar through my hand and up my arm, it is constantly there.”

Mr Callow was told by his surgeon that he would lose all functionality in his hand, so looked at claiming compensation for his accident.

Mr Callow and his solicitors, Thompsons Solicitors have won a preliminary legal battle, meaning he can now pursue a compensation claim for his injury under English law, in a bid to secure a level of compensation that is reflective of the pain and suffering his accent caused.

PCS general secretary, Mark Serwotka, said: “Our aim is always to ensure that as far as possible, our members get the best outcome.

“We were proud to represent Nicholas in this important case, which has implications for all injured workers in foreign jurisdictions.”