Manual Handling Injury

A newspaper delivery driver has received £22,000 compensation after seriously injuring his spine in a work accident.

Following the incident in February 2007, Johnston Press employee John Atkin was off work for eight months before being forced to leave the company.

Mr Atkin is now looking for other employment, but is limited in the type of work he can do.
The former driver was delivering newspapers and leaflets in Northumberland when the accident happened.

While driving, the load moved around blocking the side door with pallets of newspapers and leaflets.

He went into the back of the van to sort the problem but the pallets hadn't been loaded in delivery order meaning he had to move them around. The small space and awkward position meant he damaged his back.

He suffered injuries to his cervical spine which affects his upper back and right arm and shoulder. He has been warned to avoid lifting.

John had pre-existing problems with his spine although this was not causing him to suffer any symptoms. The accident brought on the appearance of the symptoms by five to ten years, according to medical professionals.

Copyright © Press Association 2009

David Urpeth from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: “I am delighted that John Atkin has received compensation for this accident at work.

“There are always dangers involved in manual handling and employers need to carry out adequate risk assessments and then reduce the risk of workers being injured in a work accident."