Work Accident Compensation Claim

A 21-year-old Cannock man who has been left severely paralysed and wheelchair-bound after a work accident in which refuse collection lorry overturned, trapping him under a work colleague, is today expected to receive £3.75 million in damages.

Former bin man, Richard Taylor, was just 19 years old at the time of the accident on 21st February 2005, when he was working in Burntwood, as part of a four-man team, on a recycling round.

His team leader, Malcolm Cope, instructed lorry driver, Jim Hunt, to do a load shift, which entailed driving at high speed around the corner of a residential street in order to dislodge the accumulated rubbish at the back of the vehicle and shift it forward.

As the lorry turned the corner of Morley Road into Boney Hay Road, the entire lorry toppled over and Mr Taylor sustained catastrophic spinal cord injuries as a result of his colleague, Mr Cope, falling on to him.

Man Left Tetraplegic And With Serious Spinal Injuries

Mr Taylor has been left tetraplegic as a result of the accident and now needs 24 hour care.

Today's expected settlement, which is due to be approved by the High Court in Birmingham, (at 10.30am, Monday 6th November) follows a partial admission of liability from his employers, Lichfield District Council.

In June this year, lorry driver, Jim Hunt, was convicted of dangerous driving and team leader, Malcolm Cope, was found guilty of aiding and abetting dangerous driving.

Mother, Mrs Trena Taylor, said: "All Richard did that day was go to work as normal. Now his life will never be the same again. I hold his team leader responsible for what happened. If it hadn't been for his actions, Richard wouldn't be in a wheelchair."

Mr Taylor's solicitor, Stuart Henderson, from Irwin Mitchell solicitors, explained: "Due to the extent of his injuries and the care he required Richard was unable to return home to live with his Mother. We have already been able to obtain substantial interim payments which has enabled Richard to buy a bungalow adapted for his needs and to put in place the care and support regime he now needs."

Today's expected settlement will continue to provide funding for Richard's ongoing needs including the provision of two full time live-in carers who provide round-the-clock support for him.

Mr Henderson continued: "The irony is that Richard usually walked behind the lorry when it was travelling short distances and on this occasion had only got back into the cab to get a drink."

If you or someone you know has been affected by work injury of any severity, our solicitors can help you make a work accident claim. Fill in our online claims form for free advice.