A man who fell three metres from a scaffolding tower while helping his brother make repairs to the roof of his house has been awarded 750,000 Euros in compensation for fall from scaffolding after the settlement of his claim was approved in the High Court.
Patrick Rayner from Mitchelstown, County Cork, was helping to replace slates on his brother´s roof in Killmallock, County Limerick when the accident happened during heavy rain in December 2008. As he lent over the top of the scaffolding tower erected to provide access to the roof, Patrick fell three metres to the ground, sustaining a fractured skull injury.
At the High Court, Ms Justice Mary Irvine heard that as a consequence of his injury Patrick has lost his hearing, has a deficit of his taste and smell senses and still suffers from frequent headaches. The judge was also told that through his wife, Julia, Patrick made a claim for fall from scaffolding compensation; alleging that the scaffolding tower had not been secured to a permanent structure and that his brother had failed to make adequate provision for Patrick´s health and safety.
As liability for Patrick´s injuries had not been disputed, and a settlement of 750,000 Euros had been agreed, the case was before Ms Justice Mary Irvine for approval of damages only. After hearing the full details of how the accident occurred, Ms Justice Mary Irvine approved the settlement of compensation for fall from scaffolding, stating that this was a case of the deeds of a Good Samaritan concluding in tragedy.