Truck driver Alan Mohan, 43, from Ossett, hasn't worked for 18 months following the accident.

He launched his court bid against the supermarket yesterday at Leeds County Court after what he described as a "nightmare year" during which he has suffered lower back problems as well as facing financial ruin.

The court heard that Mr Mohan was in Morrisons on Keighley Road, Halifax, in February last year when the incident happened.

He had gone into the store to shop after making a delivery there in the lorry he drove for a living.

He bent down to look at mobile phones when a pallet truck pushed by a member of staff went by carrying, among other items, jars of dipping sauces and crisps.

Part of the load fell from the pallet and struck Mr Mohan in the lower back.

He told the YEP: "It was so painful. I was shocked, in pain and embarrassed. Straight away I got shooting pains right up my back. I was taken to the medical room in the store straight away and then I drove back to the depot but I could barely move."

Mr Mahon, who lives with his wife and two daughters aged 12 and eight, says that since the incident he has been unable to work and has faced serious financial hardship.

He is upset that he has not received any form of apology from the supermarket.

He said: "I've had to sell my car, cashing our endowment policy and we are no longer up to date with our mortgage. It creates so many problems at home when I can't even buy stuff for school for the kids.

At yesterday's hearing, the court heard that Mr Mohan had previously been awarded £8,500 damages for a claim against a previous employer.

The consultant who examined him said in a report that he was "gravely concerned" about the validity of Mr Mahon's symptoms.

Andrew Mitchell, representing Morrisons, questioned the consistency of Mr Mohan's evidence against medical reports.

District Judge Lord awarded Mr Mohan, who represented himself, a total of £8,377, 81p for the incident and said on the basis of medical reports he would only have endured three to six months of pain and suffering


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