Family pursues accident action

The family of a Middleton man who died almost a month after an accident at work are pursuing civil action against a Chadderton-based business.

A jury at the inquest of former Express Gifts employee Roy Ford, 55, ruled he died from a rare complication following surgery to his knee.

The father of two was standing on his tiptoes on a truck when he attempted to lift a heavy package, but after falling off suffered a complex fracture to his leg.

This led to a pulmonary embolism brought by deep vein thrombosis following his operation back in October, 2009.

Mr Ford’s family still want questions answered, despite an inquest last week.

Commenting for the family, their solicitor, Daniel Radiven, said: “Roy Ford had voiced concerns to his supervisor at work regarding the system in place for removing boxes from pallets, but it appears those concerns were not acted upon.

“Mr Ford’s family quite understandably want to know the exact circumstances of the accident at work and want to ensure steps are put in place to make certain it doesn’t happen to anyone else in the future.

“Roy himself expressed concern that a similar incident could also happen to a colleague.”

A senior manager from the Greengate site told the jury the safety guards on the lift truck had not been put in place by My Ford and he had undertaken manual-handling training.

There were no witnesses to the incident.