A man, struck by a falling load from a forklift, has been awarded over $5.5 million in damages.

A Tasmanian court has awarded a man, injured in a forklift-related incident in 2008, over $5.5 million in damages.

Ivan Mercer was injured at work when he was struck by a falling load from a forklift driven by a fellow employee. As a result of the accident, he suffered catastrophic injuries which left him a quadriplegic, with ongoing complications for the rest of his life.

Chief Justice Alan Blow awarded him $7.5 million against insurance provider Allianz Australia Insurance, which was reduced by 25% to make an allowance for contributory negligence by the plaintiff and to allow for monies already paid out.