Shopper Crushed by Reversing Lorry Wins Compensation

 

A shopper has won £243,750 in compensation after being crushed by a reversing truck. Candace Donaldson, 58, who had been shopping at Argos in Inverness, had gone to the loading-bay area to collect her goods. She walked into one of the loading bays and was trapped behind a reversing truck. Unable to escape, she was severely injured as the truck forced her against the wall. She suffered multiple skull fractures.

 

Since the accident, which occurred nine years ago, Mrs Donaldson has been unable to return to work running her own dog grooming agency. She brought the claim for compensation against the lorry firm, Hays Distribution Service.

 

In court, Lord Menzies found that the driver of the truck should have been aware of Mrs Donaldson’s presence in the loading bay. Also, he should not have reversed without the help of someone to act as a lookout.

 

The full compensation figure was £325,000, but this was reduced as Mrs Donaldson was found to have contributed to the accident. There was a clear warning sign advising pedestrians not to enter the loading bay. The judge found, however, that the driver's fault exceeded Mrs Donaldson's and only reduced her compensation by 25 per cent.