Pryers have recently won a successful claim for personal injury for a client. The Claimant, a 75 year old delivery driver was trying to unload a double stacked pallet of wine cartons using an electric pump truck. As he maneuvered the truck down a ramp the wine slid off the pallet and crushed him causing injuries to his back. A claim was brought against the claimant’s employer, the supplier of the wine and the supermarket depot where the incident occurred. The three Defendants blamed each other and all denied responsibility for the accident although an offer of £5,000 was made. The offer was rejected and the case ultimately succeeded in the York County Court. The Judge apportioned liability between the three Defendants and the Claimant was awarded £35,000.
£22k for employee in workplace back injury
October 21st, 2009
A man who suffered a back injury at work has been awarded £22,000 from his former employer.
John Atkin was a delivery driver for Johnston Press in February 2007 and had been delivering newspapers in Northumberland.
However, when he came to unload at a drop-off point, he found that the newspapers had been put in the van incorrectly and had shifted.
As he went to rearrange them in the confined space, he badly injured his back.
Due to the injury affecting his right arm and shoulder, Mr Atkin has been unable to work since.
He took legal action against Johnston Press, which admitted breaching health and safety regulations and has agreed to pay £22,000 in compensation.
According to the Health and Safety Executive, 80 per cent of people will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. Much of this is caused or worsened by duties at work and employers should have measures in place to avoid such injuries. 
Sainsbury’s driver sues couple after injury at their home
May 1st, 2009
A man who works as a delivery driver for Sainsbury’s has taken legal action against a couple after claiming that he suffered an injury while dropping goods off at their home.
Shiv Dutt Krishan, 47, took groceries to the home of Carolyn and Richard Mozejko after their son Aidan ordered them online, the Daily Mail reports.
Aidan came out to meet the driver and took the bags from him, but Mr Krishan fell backwards down a ramp near the back door as he turned to go back to his van.
He suffered a soft tissue damage to his left hand and had to be off work for a month.
Mr Krishan took legal action against the Mozejkos under the Occupiers Liability Act 1957, claiming that Aidan caused the accident by moving towards him and making him step backwards.
Sainsbury’s said it is urgently investigating the claim and the Mozejkos deny liability.
The Occupiers Liability Act 1957 states that property owners must take reasonable care that any visitors will be reasonably safe when carrying out whatever they were invited or permitted to do on that property.
