Lithuanian awarded €356k over life-changing injuries

A man who fell off a ladder when a gust of wind moved it has been awarded €356,000 damages by a High Court judge.

Mr Justice Kevin Cross said Gintaras Katkevicius suffered a life-changing injury, was left with scarring, and had developed osteoarthiritis after dislocating his wrist in the fall.

The 32-year-old had gone from being an active young man who had come from Lithuania to work to somebody who has not worked since the incident four years ago, the judge said.

Mr Katkevicius, of Rochfort Park, Lucan, Co Dublin had sued his employer, Ipone Limited, with offices at Danville Business Park, Kilkenny, as a result of the accident on March 10, 2011.

He had claimed there was a failure to ensure all equipment with which he was required to work was properly secure and fitted or could not become a danger or hazard to those lawfully using it.

The claims were denied and Ipone contended Mr Katkevicius was the author of his own misfortune for getting up on a ladder on a windy day.

On the application of Noel McMahon, counsel for Ipone, the judge granted a stay in the event of an appeal providing €200,000 was paid out immediately to Mr Katkevicius.