£3.75mn for severely disabled refuse collector

A refuse collector who was left severely disabled when his refuse lorry overturned has been awarded damages of £3.75mn. The driver of the lorry had been “load shifting” which involves the lorry driven fast before braking hard, designed to move rubbish further up the refuse lorry. The man requires full time care, with two carers round the clock. The driver was convicted of dangerous driving and was dismissed from the council, which said it did not condone “load shifting”. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found the council had not been negligent.