The High Court in Dublin has granted €3.4 million in damages to a man who was employed as a seasonal agricultural labourer in New Zealand and sustained a catastrophic injury, reports RTE.
In January 2015, while attempting to remove an obstruction, Padraig Lowry of Cappalinnan, Rathdowney, County Laois, had his arm amputated when it got pulled inside a combine harvester.
Since the New Zealand defendants failed to show up or provide a defence, the matter had already been decided in favour of Mr. Lowry, and the High Court had been requested to determine damages.
According to Ms. Justice Leonie Reynolds, the evidence made it abundantly evident that the employment contract was signed in Ireland.
The New Zealand company’s representative approached Mr. Lowry at a Co Meath hotel, whereupon he accepted an offer of employment starting in October 2014, reports RTE.
According to Ms. Justice Leonie Reynolds, Mr. Lowry sustained severe, permanent injuries that had a profound impact on his quality of life and his ability to function.
She claimed that his capacity to manage the family’s 251-acre Co Laois farm had been severely compromised.
The judge stated that he still experiences severe agony and suffering at the site of the injury and needs further medical attention, reports RTE.
The judge stated that his capacity to perform his agricultural responsibilities has been limited and that he needs specialist equipment to perform labor-intensive tasks.
She added: “His quality of life has been significantly impaired and he has been precluded from returning to many of his pre-accident recreational activities,” reports RTE.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.