Claim news
16/03/2011

Forklift truck work accident compensation case

A man, who suffered personal injury in a forklift truck accident in Lincolnshire in June 2009, has now received work accident compensation for his pain and loss of earnings.

The incident occurred when, having finished loading coiled plastic pipes by standing on top of a truck of around four metres in height with a colleague, the victim and work partner got into a cage which was to be lowered back to the ground by the forklift truck it was balanced on.

As the forklift driver lowered the cage, it began to slide from the forks after hitting the side of the truck. To stop it from falling, the forklift operator stuck the forks into the cage's side – but struck the casualty in the process.

The man suffered severe injuries, including fractured ribs, which stopped him from working for three weeks.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector said, "Employees should have been provided with a safe method of getting back down to the ground".

The HSE prosecuted the firm, which admitted to breaking Work at Height Regulations and as a result was fined £20,000 with £4,765 costs. The victim received a £5,000 settlement from his employers as work accident compensation.