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Case study · Accident at work
£3.7 Million Settlement After a Forklift Accident at Work
A forklift driver suffered severe spinal injuries when his truck hit a pothole hidden under water in his workplace loading bay. NJS Law, the firm behind Injuries Direct, secured interim payments for his housing, mobility and rehabilitation while the claim progressed, and then a final settlement of £3.7 million.
How one man rebuilt his life after an accident at work, and how the right legal support helped him do it.
- Claim type
- Accident at work
- Accident
- Forklift hit a hidden pothole
- Injury
- Severe spinal injury
- Support during the claim
- Interim payments for housing, mobility and treatment
- Handled by
- Nichola Johnson, Serious Injury Solicitor, NJS Law
The accident
Our client was a forklift driver. One morning, management asked him to start his shift early because a colleague had phoned in sick. He'd only driven a few yards across the loading bay when his truck hit a pothole hidden beneath murky water.
"It felt like I'd been hit with a crowbar. I couldn't move at first, only talk. It was terrifying."Our client, describing the moment of the accident
The impact caused severe injuries to his spine. He was taken to hospital unable to move.
The road to recovery
He spent several months in hospital and specialist rehabilitation, including the spinal unit in Salford and a rehabilitation centre in Southport. Over the next four years, with the help of physiotherapists, a psychologist and a case manager, he learned to adapt to a new way of life.
- The accidentSevere spinal injury in the workplace loading bay.
- Hospital and rehabilitationMonths of specialist spinal care and inpatient rehabilitation.
- Interim paymentsFunding for an accessible home, a suitable vehicle, private treatment and rehabilitation while the claim continued.
- Long-term supportPhysiotherapy, psychological support and a case manager coordinating his care.
- SettlementA final settlement of £3.7 million.
How we helped
His claim was handled by Nichola Johnson, a Serious Injury Solicitor at NJS Law, who instructed two specialist barristers to build the case. Serious injury claims can take years to settle, because the full effect of the injury has to be understood before it can be valued. We didn't make him wait for help.
- Secured several interim payments, so he didn't have to wait for settlement to get the support he needed
- Funded a rented and furnished four-bedroom bungalow suited to his needs
- Funded an SUV that's easier for him to get in and out of
- Paid for private treatment and rehabilitation
- Instructed two specialist barristers to build and value his claim
"Without NJS Law, I wouldn't have gotten this far."Our client
A fresh start
Today, he can walk a little and drive again. His settlement gives him financial security for the future.
"It won't bring back the life I once had, but it eases the pain."Our client
His message to others
He wants anyone going through something similar to know there is life after a serious accident.
"Stay strong and talk to people. Don't give up. The right legal team makes all the difference."Our client
Every claim is different, and the outcome of a past case doesn't guarantee the outcome of yours.
What this case shows about accident at work claims
If you've been injured at work through no fault of your own, these are the points that matter most.
Employers must keep workplaces safe
Floors, yards and traffic routes, including loading bays, must be kept in good condition and free from holes that put people at risk, under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
Work equipment must be safe to use
Forklifts and other work vehicles must be suitable, maintained and used on safe routes, with proper training, under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.
You don't have to wait for help
Where fault is accepted, interim payments and the Rehabilitation Code can fund treatment, equipment and housing while your claim is ongoing.
Your employer's insurer pays
Employers must have employers' liability insurance by law, so compensation is paid by their insurer rather than out of your employer's own pocket.
Injured at work? Find out if you can claim
Whether your injury is serious or minor, our team will talk it through with you for free and tell you honestly whether you have a claim. Eligible claims are handled on a no win, no fee basis.
- Free, no-obligation first conversation
- No win, no fee on eligible claims
- Interim payments and rehabilitation where possible
- Specialist serious injury solicitors
Prefer to talk now? 0330 818 1202
Can I claim? Free check
Free and no obligation. We'll call you back to talk it through.
Thank you, we've got your enquiry
A member of our personal injury team will call you to talk through what happened and your options.
Want to talk now? 0330 818 1202
Forklift and serious injury claims: FAQs
Can I claim if I was injured driving a forklift at work?
Yes, if your injury was caused by your employer's failure to keep you safe, for example a poorly maintained floor or yard, a faulty forklift, unsafe traffic routes or a lack of training. You may still be able to claim if you were partly to blame, although your compensation may be reduced.
What is an interim payment?
An interim payment is an advance on your final compensation. Where fault has been accepted, it can pay for things you need now, such as rehabilitation, an adapted home, a suitable vehicle or lost earnings, without waiting for your claim to settle.
How long does a serious injury claim take?
Serious injury claims often take several years, because doctors need to understand your long-term prognosis before the claim can be valued. In this case, our client received several interim payments, so he had support while his claim progressed.
How much compensation is a spinal injury claim worth?
It depends on how serious your injury is and how it affects your life. As well as compensation for the injury itself, a serious injury claim can include past and future lost earnings, care, rehabilitation, equipment, and adapted housing and transport. See our accident at work claims page for typical compensation ranges.
Will claiming against my employer affect my job?
Employers must have employers' liability insurance, so compensation is paid by their insurer. Most employers understand that a claim is a normal part of how injuries at work are dealt with. If you're worried about how your employer will react, talk to us and we'll explain your options.
Is there a time limit for an accident at work claim?
You usually have three years from the date of your accident to start a claim. There are exceptions, for example for children and people who lack mental capacity, so get in touch even if your accident was some time ago.
Talk to our serious injury team
If you or someone close to you has been seriously injured at work, we'll talk it through for free, with no obligation to claim.
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