A lorry driver whose career was ended after he badly broke his wrist in a workplace accident has received compensation from his employers.

Peter Stocks, 63, from Newton Alfreton in Derbyshire is now unable to drive HGVs after an accident meant he had to have two operations on his right wrist.

He has been told he will never be able to lift with the arm and that he will need a third operation in the future.

Whilst making a delivery for manufacturer Recricel, based in Alfreton he was injured as he attempted to move 150 kilos of foam from his lorry.

Fell backwards and injured wrist

When he pulled on string holding the foam together it snapped and he fell backwards landing heavily on his wrist.

He was forced to take three months off work and though he has returned he can only drive smaller vehicles.

Following the accident he contacted his trade union, Unite, which instructed it's lawyers Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim for compensation.

Thompsons argued that the foam should have been secured in a safer fashion. Recticel admitted liability and settled the claim out of court for £23,000.

Accident could have been avoided

Mr Stocks said: "All my life I've driven large vehicles like HGVs or JCBs. It was quite a shock to never be able to do that again it makes me worried about my employability in the future.

"My injury has affected every part of my life. I can't do simple things like gardening or lift pans for cooking. Fortunately my family have been a great support. Additionally my employer has provided me with a Sprinter van so I can continue with my work, something I’m very grateful for."

Adrian Axtell regional secretary at Unite said: "A man with a career in professional driving has been left unable to work to his full capacity because of an injury which could have been avoided. Safer bindings would have avoided the accident all together and Recticel need to look at their procedures as part of their health and safety responsibilities."

Shelley Artingstall from Thompsons Solicitors added: " Mr Stocks can no longer use his specialist skills to drive large vehicles and the compensation recognises that his earning capacity has been restricted. The compensation also takes into account the large amount of time off he needed and the tremendous pain and suffering from the two operations on his wrist."