A forklift driver who suffered serious injuries when his machine rolled has been awarded AUD550,000.

Brian Lennard Gonsalves, 36, was injured on November 4, 1996, while using a forklift to load a pallet on a truck, said an Adelaide Advertiser report.

Mr Gonsalves sued the truck driver, Shane Whitham, and his insurer, the South Australian Motor Accident Commission (MAC), after suffering a broken hip, spine and neck injuries, and stress. He claimed Mr Whitham drove away while he was loading the pallet, causing the forklift to roll.

The South Australian District Court awarded the money to Mr Gonsalves after the MAC rejected the claim.