Air Conditioning Unit Falls On Worker

Author: Carys Robshaw
Source: articlesbase.com

In a shocking workplace accident a man was left with three broken vertebrae and a broken pelvis after an air conditioning unit fell on him while he was at work.The man, who was aged 31 at the time of the accident, had only been in his job four months when his employment was cut short by the dramatic accident.Following his terrifying accident at work, the man spent over a year recovering and afterwards was unable to return to the strenuous work of installing air conditioning units, so retrained as an IT consultant.Throughout the recovery period he was on crutches and so unable to work as moving about was slow and very painful for him.Doctors who tended to the 31 year old’s injuries and aided him throughout the recovery period expressed surprise that he had not come away from the accident with more serious injuries.Traumatised by his horrific accident, the man decided to seek compensation and won his work accident claim in which he was awarded an undisclosed amount of compensation.Due to the lasting effects of his injuries and the substantial period which he spent in recovery and unable to work, injury lawyers have suggested that he may have been awarded a six figure sum.Although making an almost complete recovery and returning to work in his new position as an IT consultant, he still feels lasting effects from his injuries, most notably severe back pain, particularly when engaged in strenuous activity.He is now extremely vocal on the topic of safety at work and on International Worker’s Memorial Day made public pleas for improving safety standards in the workplace.International Worker’s Memorial Day aims to raise awareness of injuries in the workplace and remembers those who have died in the workplace following accidents and negligence.Last year, 229 people were killed in the workplace, with thousands more injuries recorded and many more injuries believed to be left unreported.The injured man remembers the shock of the accident and the many painful months he spent recovering from his devastating injuries:”One of the harnesses gave way as we were trying to lift an air conditioning unit and it fell on me. It was about three-quarters of a tonne and doctors couldn’t quite believe I wasn’t more seriously injured.”He added: “I could have been killed and now because of the injuries I am unable to work in the same trade. I will always suffer with back pain but it could have been a lot worse. I am just thankful to be alive.”His injury lawyer, who helped secure a substantial compensation settlement, commended his involvement in International Workers Memorial Day, saying:”Although he was seriously injured in this accident it could have been a lot worse and Workers’ Memorial Day is a time for reflection and to remember those workers who have been killed simply trying to earn a living.”"It is also a time to highlight safety in a bid to prevent further needless deaths through workplace accidents or illness with this year’s theme to be ‘Remember the dead – fight for the living’,” she added.

If you have had an accident at work, look into claiming the compensation that you may be entitled to.