Kenneth Brown, a 64 year old father and grandfather who lives in Workington, had been acting as a banksman and was knocked down by the cherry picker driven by another one of Johnson Controls’ employees.

Brown was walking on the roadway directing the machine when it moved forward without warning and crushed his left leg.

As a result Brown sustained extensive crush injuries which led to his left leg being amputated above the knee.

Unite regional secretary Mick Whitley said: “I’m pleased we have been successful in securing such a significant level of damages for our member, although this can never compensate for his traumatic ordeal of losing a leg in a workplace accident.

“With the support of Unite legal services, Kenneth was able to receive expert legal advice and keep 100 per cent of his damages – despite government changes to the way personal injury claims are funded.

“I would like to thank Thompsons Solicitors for representing our member and using their experience of helping victims of serious injuries to secure such high value compensation for Mr Brown.”

A spokesman for Johnson Controls said: “Our thoughts are with Mr Brown.”

The company added: “Johnson Controls has agreed on a settlement with Mr Brown which reflected a degree of personal responsibility.

“The company fully cooperated with the Health and Safety Executive investigation into the incident and pleaded guilty to one breach of health & safety regulation.

“The company complied promptly with an improvement notice in respect of its banksman procedure.

“The judge at the hearing commented ‘this was not a case of total or reckless disregard for the safety of employees’ and went on to say that Johnson Controls had ‘ a well-established general safety policy in which staff were routinely instructed” He also referred to Johnson Controls ‘unblemished safety record’”