A Yorkshire man who suffered life-changing injuries after being crushed by a lorry at work has received financial compensation with Thompsons Solicitors’ support.

The man was working as a contractor at a factory in Northallerton when an articulated lorry reversed into him, crushing him beneath its wheel.

After being freed from the vehicle by the emergency services, he was rushed to hospital by air ambulance and underwent various surgical procedures to repair significant internal damage, including a tear in his bladder, as well as severe fractures to his pelvis, arms, shoulders and eight ribs.

“The money secured for me by Thompsons Solicitors has helped cover the costs of adaptations to help me get around my home, and the many treatments I have needed to ease the pain across my body, particularly in my pelvic area.”

Thompsons Solicitors’ serious injury client

Unfortunately, far too many people still suffer serious, and sometimes fatal, injuries because of employers’ lax attitudes towards workplace health and safety. It is important that employers know they can and will be held accountable for such failings.

Simon Wilson of Thompsons Solicitors

He was in hospital for six months and when he returned home his wife took leave from work to provide round-the-clock care for him. With his mobility restricted, he had to live in a makeshift bedroom on the ground floor of their house for several months. During the last three years, he has had further operations for infections in his bones caused by his initial injuries, and he continues to visit hospital regularly. He hasn’t returned to work.

The man contacted serious injury specialists Thompsons Solicitors to make a compensation claim.

He said: “My life is significantly worse since the accident happened. I can’t imagine I will ever be how I was before. Even now, my injuries have a substantial effect on my life and I continue to need medical support and the help of my wife to get through every day. I’m so grateful for everything my wife and the medical team have done for me.

“The money secured for me by Thompsons Solicitors has helped cover the costs of adaptations to help me get around my home, and the many treatments I have needed to ease the pain across my body, particularly in my pelvic area. It was also a huge sigh of relief for my family, helping us to manage bills and other outgoings in the absence of my regular earnings each month.

“I cannot thank everyone who helped me enough. I hope that, one day, I will be able to return to work and would even consider volunteering at the hospital, just so I could show my appreciation for the vital support I was given. It’s a long road ahead, but without the care I received, I dread to think how much more difficult that road would be.” 

Simon Wilson, of Thompsons Solicitors, added: “Our client would have been immediately alerted to the lorry’s presence if it had been fitted with a warning alarm that sounded when the vehicle was reversing. Regardless, the driver should also have been aware of his surroundings, and either manoeuvred around our client or asked them to move to the side.

“Unfortunately, far too many people still suffer serious, and sometimes fatal, injuries because of employers’ lax attitudes towards workplace health and safety. It is important that employers know they can and will be held accountable for such failings.

“We were proud to support our client and are pleased to have secured a substantial settlement on his behalf, meaning he and his family can look to the future without having to worry about money when he can’t work or they have continuing treatment costs.”