Worker wins $500K personal injuries payout
A Queensland labour hire worker has been awarded more than half a million dollars after he sued four companies, claiming damages for personal injuries he sustained as a ship joiner in 2004.
In the Supreme Court of Queensland, the labour hire worker sued four companies connected to his employment: Skilled Group Limited, Amitek Pty Ltd, Furniture Manufacturing Company of Australia Pty Ltd and Luxury Yacht Finishers Pty Ltd.
The labour hire worker told the court he was injured while working on a boat in a shipyard in Cairns in August 2004.
He said he had slipped down the starboard steps of the boat while carrying a panel weighing 5 kilograms.
The Honourable Justice Keiran A Cullinane found the worker had injured his ankle and could not return to his previous employment.
"I am satisfied from the evidence as a whole including that of Mr Hoey, an occupational therapist that the plaintiff is incapable of performing work which involves long periods of standing, walking, crouching or heavy lifting. On the other hand, he has a capacity to engage in light work of various kinds," Justice Cullinane said.
The worker had applied for clerical/administrative/sales jobs. However, Justice Cullinane said given the workers "age, lack of qualifications and experience and my assessment of his personality [he] may not be a particularly attractive employee in these types of areas".
The judge found against the four companies and awarded the worker $516,066.09.
Wednesday 24 Nov, 2010
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