Back injury payout

An ambulance worker who lost his job as a result of a serious back injury has been paid £140,000 compensation by the Greater Manchester Ambulance Service. Norman Thurrell was badly injured in August 1999 when a stretcher collapsed, leaving him to carry the full weight of a 19-stone patient for five minutes. Public services union UNISON supported Thurrell's case. Last year UNISON recovered more than £1.5 million on behalf of health workers who suffered back injuries at work.