A man, who injured his shoulder while changing a front destination scroll on a Dart train, has settled his claim against Irish Rail for a workplace injury.
In February 2012, Padraic Reddin (38) of Donaghmede in County Dublin was working as an electrician for Iarnrod Éireann at its depot in Fairview. He had been changing a front destination scroll on a Dart train when he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder and across his upper body. Unable to continue with the task immediately, Padraic sat down and waited for the pain to subside before completing the installation of the front destination scroll later in the day.
However, Padraic continued to experience pain in his shoulder. The pain disrupted his sleeping and affected his everyday life. Allegedly Padraic even experienced discomfort in his shoulder when making a cup of tea. Padraic visited his GP the same week and later reported his injury to a superior; however the superior refused to complete an accident report form as the injury had been sustained more than two weeks previously.
Padraic made a claim against Irish Rail for a workplace injury and submitted an application for assessment to the Injuries Board. However, Iarnrod Éireann refused its consent for the assessment to proceed, and the Injuries Board issued Padraic with an authorisation to pursue his claim against Irish Rail for a workplace injury through the courts. The case was heard this week at the Circuit Civil Court by Mr Justice Raymond Groarke.
At the hearing, Judge Groarke was told that, at the time of his injury, Padraic had been trying to change a scroll weighing 10kg at a height of 2 metres. It was claimed that the task should have been assigned to two employees to avoid the risk of injury. Judge Groarke also heard that the pain from Padraic´s injury had lasted for several months and that the value of his claim against Irish Rail for a workplace injury had been calculated at €38,000.
However, following a brief adjournment, the judge was informed that the claim against Irish Rail for a workplace injury had been settled for an undisclosed amount. Mr Justice Raymond Groarke awarded Padraic his legal costs and struck out the case.