Dockers work accident claim

Our client was driving a pallet truck into a chamber at the fresh fruit terminal at Chatham docks. The electrically driven shutter door had automatic sensors which should have ensured that the door remained open. However, as our client drove the pallet truck under the door, it came down hitting him on the head knocking him unconscious and causing him to fall off the truck.

We argued that the sensors must have failed but Medway Ports argued that our client should have used a pull switch to raise the door instead of relying on the sensors. Just before trial, the insurers accepted our settlement proposals and compensated our client for his pain and suffering, loss of earnings and other financial losses.